Kamikochi
上高地 · Nagano Prefecture · Matsumoto City (Kamikochi)
A valley of the Azusa River at about 1,500 metres at the southern end of the Northern Alps, where Kappa Bridge looks up to the Hotaka range and riverside trails link Taishō Pond, Myōjin Pond and Tashiro Marsh.
Know before you go
- Do not pick plants or catch animals
- do not leave the trails
- do not make noise in the sacred area
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
How Kappa Bridge got its name
No one knows for certain why the bridge is named after the kappa, a water creature of legend. One theory says kappa once lived in a deep pool nearby; another says the bridge was built right over that pool. A third says that before the bridge existed, people waded across with their clothes piled on their heads and looked like kappa. These are all folk explanations, and the true origin can no longer be traced.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency multilingual database: Kappa Bridge; Wikipedia: Kamikōchi
History
Akutagawa and Kappa
The first Kappa Bridge was a drawbridge; it was rebuilt in 1910. Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's 1927 novella Kappa describes the Kamikochi of the time in detail, the bridge appears in it, and the book helped spark a tourism boom. The name Kappa Bridge, however, existed before the novel, and the story itself is literary fiction.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency multilingual database: Kappa Bridge; Wikipedia: Kamikōchi
History
Weston and modern mountaineering in Japan
The writings of the British Anglican missionary Walter Weston sparked Japanese interest in modern mountaineering, and he also campaigned to protect the Kamikochi area. The Weston Festival is still held in Kamikochi every June in his memory.
Source: Wikipedia: Kamikōchi
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Kamikochi lies in Azumi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. It is a highland valley along the upper Azusa River at the southern end of the Northern Alps, at about 1,500 metres above sea level. Kappa Bridge is a wooden suspension bridge across the Azusa, with views of the Hotaka range; the river runs cold and clear, and you can easily see the stones and fish beneath the bridge. Taishō Pond formed after Mount Yake erupted in 1915 and dammed the Azusa River. Dead trees standing in the water and the reflections of Mount Yake and the Hotaka range are Kamikochi's signature view, and morning mist often hangs over the pond. Mount Yake is now the only active volcano in the Northern Alps. Myōjin Pond, Tashiro Pond and Tashiro Marsh are scattered through the valley and can be visited one after another along the riverside trail. Since 1994, private cars have not been allowed beyond the Kama Tunnel, so the valley is explored mainly on foot and keeps its highland calm.
Local customs
The classic walk follows the Taishō Pond–Kappa Bridge–Myōjin Pond route. Get off at the Taishō Pond bus stop early in the morning to see the mountain reflections on the water before the mist lifts. From the Kappa Bridge area you can also continue toward Tokusawa and Karasawa, but these are advanced mountain routes that need separate preparation.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not pick plants or catch animals
- do not leave the trails
- do not make noise in the sacred area
Locals appreciate DO
- Keep quiet around Myōjin Pond, a sacred shrine area
- carry all your rubbish out
- carry a bear bell and stay on the trails
- bring sun protection and a windproof jacket
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- There are no convenience stores in the valley, so buy food and water in advance in Matsumoto or Takayama. UV radiation is strong at altitude and temperatures swing between morning and midday, so bring sun protection and layers. Accommodation in the valley is very limited and tight in peak season, so book ahead. Black bears have been recorded deep along the trails, so carry a bear bell and do not leave the trails.
- Private cars cannot enter the valley: from the Matsumoto side, take the train to Shin-Shimashima and change to a bus
- from the Takayama side, change to a bus at Hirayu Onsen. Express buses also run from the Tokyo and Osaka directions
- check official and station notices for exact timetables. Kamikochi is generally open from mid-April to mid-November and is closed to ordinary visitors in winter
- check official notices for the exact dates. Fresh greenery in May, cool summers and autumn leaves in October each have their appeal.
