From Nagoya to Kamikochi day trip

Kamikochi is a popular resort in the Northern Japan Alps of Nagano Prefecture, offering some of Japan's most spectacular mountain scenery. Kamikochi is a roughly 15 kilometer long plateau in the Azusa River Valley, about 1500 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by tall mountains, including Nishihotakadake (2909 m), Okuhotakadake (3190 m), Maehotakadake (3090 m) and the active volcano Yakedake (2455 m). Part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi has only been moderately developed with half a dozen hotels, a few souvenir shops, mountain huts and hiking trails. Private cars are banned from Kamikochi, and access is only possible by bus or taxi.

Kappa Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Azusa River in the center of Kamikochi, not far from the bus terminal. Several hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops can be found around the bridge. The structure of the bridge is wooden and it has become a distinctive symbol of Kamikochi. It inspired the 1927 novel, “Kappa,” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, in which the narrator and protagonist journeys to Kamikochi only to stray into the mysterious land of the kappa, a quirky race of water spirits from Japanese folklore. Kappa Bridge is especially popular as a photo spot with a terrific view of the Hotaka Peaks and Mt. Myojindake that can been seen when facing upriver. Looking downriver, one has a good view of Mt. Yakedake, the iconic peak at the entryway to Kamikochi whose smoking crater reminds us that it is a very active volcano. The area around the bridge is home to Kesho Yanagi (a local species of willow) and Japanese larch trees.

Mount Hotaka, also known as Mount Hotakadake, is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains as coined by the media, reaching a height of 3190m. Mount Hotaka is situated in Japan's Hida Mountains and all its major peaks except Mount Maehotaka, lie on the border between the cities of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. This mountain is located in Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. The peaks of Okuhotaka, Karasawa, Kitahotaka, Maehotaka and Nishihotaka are called the Hotaka Mountains. The highest peak in this range, and also the tallest mountain in both Nagano and Gifu prefectures, is Mount Okuhotaka. Mount Hotaka is also referred to as the "Leader of the Northern Alps".

Mt. Yake is located on the main ridge line of the Hida Mountains and is a mountain with an altitude of 2,455m that spans across the Nagano Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture and has 2 peaks (the North and South). It was also selected as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains by mountaineer and author Kyuya Fukuda and was the only one of those famous mountains where climbing was prohibited until 1991. Taisho Pond, the most popular sightseeing spot after Kappa Bridge, was created in June 1915 after Mt. Yake’s great eruption dammed up the Azusa River. A volcanic eruption in itself is a terrible natural disaster, but because natural disasters like this one happen, many wonderful sceneries around the world are born.

This is a bridge close to Kamikochi bus stop and 3 km upwards from Kappa Bridge along the Azusa River. You can see Mt. Myojin (2931m) from this bridge. The riverbank is wide and there are a lot of people relaxing there. If you cross the bridge, you can go to the Myojin Pond and Hotaka Shrine Inner Altar.