Hiking in Japanese Alps, Kamikochi.

Kamikochi national park is located in between Matsumoto and Takayama city. It is an ideal day trip from Matsumoto if you are into enjoying nature. In this post I will share my travel route around the Kamikochi area and where to experience onsen bath afterwards.

How to get to Kamikochi from Matsumoto

Kamikochi can be reached by train and bus from Matusmoto station. Tickets can be purchased from Matsumoto station and there is a ticket machine where tickets can easily be purchased. No need for prior reservations can purchase the same day. To reach Kamikochi you need to get into a train that goes to Shin- Shimashima station and from there get into a bus that will directly go to Kamikochi. Tickets cost around 2500yen one way. It's a one and half hour ride from Matsumoto station. And keep in mind it is better to get an early morning train specially on public holidays as it will be a bit crowded.

For more details on how to reach Kamikochi can be briefly explained on the website refer below. https://www.kamikochi.org/plan/access#transport

After arriving in Kamikochi me and my colleagues went to store my luggage at Kamikochi bus terminal. Based on luggage size and weight their storage fee will be charged. It will cost around 500-300yen. Also keep in mind there is no place to dispose of garbage and need to keep with you until you leave the area.

The best months to hike in Kamikochi is mid April to mid November as it offers a great hike along the Azusa river valley surrounded by mountains. I visited there at the end of September and the weather was comfortable enough to hike around with a light jacket and hiking shoes.

Ideal route to explore Kamikochi

There are several routes you can follow to enjoy the Kamikochi nature reservation. I followed the below route and it took 3-4 hours taking breaks in between and enjoying breathtaking views.

Kamikochi bus terminal >Kappa bridge>Myojin pond>Myojin Bridge>return back to Bus terminal>Tashiro pond

Tips to make the hiking trail more memorable

• Take the left side of the trail from the river. After arriving at Kappa bridge, cross the bridge and follow the signs to Myojin pond. Through the trail you will experience beautiful sceneries.

• To return back to the bus terminal use the right side trail as it takes less time and is less exhausting.

• Take your lunch in front of Azusa river right bank while enjoying breathtaking views.

• Have to pay 300yen to enter Hokata shrine in Miyojin pond. In my opinion it's worth it to pay and enjoy the scenery with the Shrine. There will be a queue to take photos in front of the Hokata shrine depending on the crowd.

• There are facilities as wash room near bus terminal and Miyojin pond area. Dont forget to tip 100yen when you enter the wash rooms.

After walking around the Kamikochi nature reserve we stopped at the Kappa bridge to enjoy some ice creams. There are many souvenir shops that sell local food such as ciders, dried fruits, milk products. We head back to the bus station hoping to catch a bus to Hirayu onsen town as we badly want to soak onsen to relax our bodies. It takes less than an hour to reach Hiryu onsen and the ticket costs around 2600 yen. We hop on to Hirayu Minzokukan hot spring, an outdoor bath gender separated and it's free!!. It is managed by villagers and need to tip 300yen.Infront of the bath house there is a museum consisting of a few traditional straw roofed farmhouses that display tools and daily items from the rural region.

It was refreshing after a long hike. After the bath we head back to Takayama hoping to explore Takayama city the next day. Read about the next blog about Takayama and Shirakawagoe trip.