Kamikochi is located in the west of Nagano Prefecture, on the border with Gifu Prefecture, at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. Although 1.2 million people visit every year, Kamikochi retains much of its pristine nature, and its magnificent wilderness overwhelms all who behold it. This area offers many attractions, including Taisho-ike pond, which was formed after Mt. Yake's major eruption in 1915 (during the Taisho Period — hence the pond's name), Kappa-bashi bridge, described as Kamikochi's symbol, and Myojin-ike pond, which appears mystical in its setting nestled among coniferous trees.

Undoubtedly the greatest charm of Kamikochi is the spectacular view of the Hotaka Mountains that can be seen from various locations in Kamikochi. These magnificent peaks, all ranging around the 3,000-meter mark, reveal different sides of themselves depending on the angle, location, and season, and could almost be described as celestial. Oku-Hotaka (3,190 m), the highest peak in the Northern Alps and Japan's third highest mountain, was designated as one of the 100 famous Japanese mountains and also included in the more recent list, the 100 new famous Japanese mountains. Meanwhile, Nishi-Hotaka (2,909 m) is listed as one of Japan's 100 floral mountains.

For those who want a casual hiking experience, we recommend the course from Kappa-bashi bridge to Taisho-ike pond. The round trip is about 4 km and takes about 3 hours, making for an enjoyable hike even for beginners due to the relatively even elevation. Enjoy the beautiful scenery while being soothed by the clear waters of Azusa River and Mother Nature. Kamikochi Bus Terminal is a 6-minute walk from Kappa-bashi Bridge.
For those who want to delve deeper into Kamikochi, professional guides can accompany you to make your time extra enjoyable. Guided tours are available in Japanese only.