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Taisho Pond reflecting autumn forest and the Hotaka range

Nagano, Japan

KamikochiKAMIKOCHI

The rock peaks of Hotaka, and the clear waters of the Azusa River.

36°15'N 137°38'E

01IntroductionIntroduction

The rock peaks of Hotaka, and the clear waters of the Azusa River.

A mountain scenic area at an elevation of about 1,500 m, set deep in the Northern Alps in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. Along the Azusa River, beneath the Hotaka mountain range, lie Taisho Pond, Kappa Bridge and Myojin Pond.

Northern AlpsHotaka mountain rangeAzusa RiverTaisho PondKappa BridgePrivate car restrictions

02Key InformationKey information

Key information about Kamikochi

Only information confirmed in the sources (listed at the bottom of the page) is shown. Please check the latest official information before your visit.

PrefecturePrefecture
Nagano
RegionRegion
Koshinetsu
MunicipalityMunicipality
Matsumoto City
CategoryScenery
MountainsGorgesForestsNational parks
ElevationElevation
About 1,500 m (near Kappa Bridge)
Best seasonBest Season
June (fresh greenery) / October (autumn leaves)
Access overviewAccess
Private cars are restricted. Enter by shuttle bus or taxi from Sawando, Hirayu and other points. Closed in winter (usually mid-November to late April).
Protected areasProtection
  • Chubu-Sangaku National Park
  • Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Special Natural Monument "Kamikochi"
LocationCoordinates
36°15'N 137°38'E
The Hotaka range seen from the banks of the Azusa River

Kamikochi — Nagano

Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5

03StoryStory

The Story of
Kamikochi

The valley runs gently inward along the Azusa River. Above rise the rock walls of the Hotaka range; underfoot flows astonishingly clear water. Kamikochi is one of the most accessible places to walk among the mountain landscapes of the Northern Alps.

Taisho Pond was formed in 1915 when an eruption of Mount Yake dammed the Azusa River. The scene of standing dead trees casting shadows on the water has been changing little by little over time.

It is a special protection zone of Chubu-Sangaku National Park, and is also designated a national Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Special Natural Monument. Private cars are restricted; visitors arrive by shuttle bus or taxi.

04GalleryGallery

5 photographs

—FilmTravel through film

Kamikochi on film

All films →

「Blackmagic Design × 上高地 」12K FULL FRAMEで描く、上高地の息吹【上高地公式チャンネルGREENTRAIL】

Source: KamikochiOfficial【上高地公式】 / Watch on YouTube ↗

The films shown here are published on YouTube by official channels such as the Ministry of the Environment, local governments and tourism associations, and are presented using YouTube's embed feature. Copyright remains with each publisher. No connection is made to YouTube until you press play.

05SeasonsThrough the seasons

The four seasons of Kamikochi

  1. SpringSpring

    With the season opening in late April each year, the snow-streaked Hotaka peaks and budding forest welcome visitors.

    Recommended

  2. SummerSummer

    In the cool of the highlands, the trails along the Azusa River and the base for mountain climbs are lively.

    Recommended

  3. AutumnAutumn

    Golden larches colour the valley, and the rock peaks and autumn leaves are reflected on Taisho Pond.

    Recommended

  4. WinterWinter

    Closed in winter; vehicles cannot enter. A season of silence.

06LocationLocation

36°15'N 137°38'E

Nagano, Matsumoto City (Koshinetsu)

OpenStreetMap ↗Google Maps ↗

An interactive map is in preparation. For now, the location is shown among all destinations.

26°N30°N34°N38°N42°NKAMIKOCHI

07NearbyNearby scenic spots

Another landscape, close by.

Mikurigaike with lingering snowfields and the Tateyama peaks

Tateyama & Murodo

TATEYAMA

About 37 km (straight-line distance)

The Northern Alps glowing at sunset, reflected in the paddies

Hakuba

HAKUBA

About 54 km (straight-line distance)

Snow-capped Mount Asama beyond the streets of Karuizawa

Karuizawa

KARUIZAWA

About 87 km (straight-line distance)

08RelatedSimilar landscapes

If you love this landscape.

Yakushima's mountains covered in deep forest, with a river flowing into the sea

YAKUSHIMA

Yakushima

Kagoshima

A forest of moss and giant trees. An island where a thousand years flow by.

The Shiretoko range reflected in the first of the Shiretoko Five Lakes

SHIRETOKO

ShiretokoHokkaido · Hokkaido

The Shiretoko Peninsula at the eastern tip of Hokkaido. Recognised for an ecosystem in which nutrients carried by drift ice link the sea to the forests and mountains, it was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005. The Shiretoko Five Lakes, sheer coastal cliffs and pristine nature home to brown bears and deer remain.

Seas / Forests / Lakes

The Oirase Stream flowing through fresh green forest

OIRASE

Oirase StreamAomori · Tohoku

Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. A mountain stream running from Nenokuchi on Lake Towada to Yakeyama, where clear water flows between mossy rocks and forest in a succession of waterfalls and rapids. A walking trail follows the river.

Gorges / Forests / Waterfalls

09SourcesSources

Sources

10Photo CreditsPhoto credits

PhotoTitle / PhotographerSourceLicence
Taisho Pond reflecting autumn forest and the Hotaka rangeKamikochi - Kamikochi6519lumoplankWikimedia Commons ↗CC0
The Hotaka range seen from the banks of the Azusa RiverKamikochi Taisho-ike05n3200663highlandWikimedia Commons ↗CC BY 2.5
Mountains beyond Taisho Pond and its standing dead treesTaisho Pond 2011-09photo: Qurren (talk) Taken with Canon IXY 10SWikimedia Commons ↗CC BY-SA 3.0
Taisho Pond in the lingering morning mist20171028 TaishoPond 1331 (37831421295)Ray Swi-hymn from Sijhih-Taipei, TaiwanWikimedia Commons ↗CC BY-SA 2.0
The snow-capped Hotaka range and Taisho PondAzumi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture 390-1520, Japan - panoramioFumihiko UenoWikimedia Commons ↗CC BY 3.0
The Azusa River and the Hotaka range on a clear dayKamikōchi, Hida Mountains range, Nagano Prefecture; September 2007 (02)skyseekerWikimedia Commons ↗CC BY 2.0
Taisho Pond filled with emerald water150920 Taisho-ike Kamikochi Japan08bs3663highlandWikimedia Commons ↗CC BY 2.5
All photo credits →