A complete guide to hiking in Kamikochi
Prefecture
Nagano
Trails Featured
9
Distance
8km - 36km
Elevation Gain
100m - 2610m
Time
4 hrs - 4 days
Accommodation
Tents, Huts & Lodges
Overview
Kamikochi is the most popular hiking destination in the Japanese Alps, and arguably contains the most beautiful mountains in the whole country. Its stunning beauty and well organised bus system also make it the busiest hiking destination in Japan, aside from Mt. Fuji. But how do you choose which hikes to do with the limited amount of time you have? Confronted with this problem myself, I wrote this article to efficiently summarise the most essential information you need when choosing which hike is best for your trip - an easy to browse summary of quality photos, hike data, logistics, expected crowd density, difficulty, and accommodation options.
Kamikochi is a mountainous valley centred around the Azusa River, with an elevation of about 1500m. The mellow plateau and turquoise river is the main reason it gets so busy, anyone can come here for a casual walk or a weekend of camping without the need to hike any mountains. In the peak seasons of summer and autumn, the crowds can be very intense for a peaceful hiker - some weekends and public holidays can even make you feel like you've arrived at Disney Land. But amidst all the hotels, busses, and rude tourists, there are spectacular mountains to explore and you can easily leave the crowds behind on certain trails.
The most popular mountains in Kamikochi are Yarigatake and Oku-Hotaka, both requiring two days to complete. They are the 5th and 3rd highest mountains in Japan and are connected by a famous ridgeline called the Daikiretto, which is known as the Kamikochi-Yarigatake-Hotaka loop trail. It's highly regarded and often claimed to be the best multi-day hike in Japan - however, it can be somewhat dangerous for people without rock climbing experience.
Here's a list of the hikes I'll cover, it's worth noting that the trails and itineraries described here are flexible:
In This Article
1. General
1.1 - Access & Maps
1.2 - Weather & Mountain Huts
1.3 - Useful Links
2. Multi-day Hikes
2.1 - Yarigatake
2.2 - The Panorama Trail
2.3 - The Daikiretto
2.4 - Nishi-Hotaka
2.5 - Mt. Hotaka
2.6 - Karasawa
3. Day Hikes, Walks, and Quiet Trails
3.1 - Yakedake
3.2 - Kasumizawa
3.3 - Tokusawa & Yokoo
The final climb to the peak of Yarigatake
Access
Maps
Car: If using a car you'll also need to catch a bus from Sawando Parking Area (Closer to Matsumoto) or the Hirayu Parking Area, the bus will take about 30 minutes from the parking lot.
Direct Bus: There is a direct bus from Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. You can view all the details and make reservations here. The price ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥13,000.
Cheapest Option: For Kyoto and Osaka, there is a direct bus to the Shinhotaka ropeway which can also be used to access the mountains in Kamikochi. You can make reservations here, it's only ¥7500.
Train + Bus: You can also come from Matsumoto Station or from Gifu prefecture's Takayama Station. The official Kamikochi website provides a detailed overview of all the travel times and options.
Note: Kamikochi is closed from 15th Nov to the end of April
Accommodation
Unfortunately, most mountain huts only accept reservations over the phone. But if you're camping in a tent then a reservation is usually not required, unless it's on public holidays.
Mountain Huts
There is also some etiquette to follow for mountain huts in Japan, you can read a helpful overview here.
The cost to stay at the huts will vary, but the price is usually similar:
¥9000 - ¥10,000: Bed without meals
¥11,000 - ¥14,000: Bed with 1 or 2 meals (optional bento for hiking)
¥1000 - ¥2000: Tent without meals
¥1500 - ¥2000: Additional bento or dinner (some huts don't offer dinner for tent sites)
Kamikochi Hotels
It's quite common to also book a hotel in Kamikochi or Matsumoto. It's best to book early, you can usually find the best prices on booking.com.
Weather and Seasons
Summer and autumn, from June to October, are the best times for hiking in Kamikochi. There is likely to be snow hanging around until June. The autumn leaves will be colourful from late September to mid-October. Kamikochi is closed during winter, from November to April.
Useful links
The Multi-day Hikes
杵島岳
Yarigatake
Elevation: 3180m
Trail Summary
Yarigatake, sometimes referred to as the Matterhorn of Japan, is the 5th highest mountain in Japan and the most recognisable peak in the Japanese Alps. It's one of the most popular hikes in the Alps and definitely the most popular in Kamikochi. There are multiple trails leading to the peak, with the two main hikes starting from Kamikochi or the Shinhotaka Ropeway, both requiring 2 days of hiking. It features a mountain lodge just below the peak and is often included as part of a famous 3 day hike to Mt. Hotaka via the notorious Daikiretto ridgeline. There are many options for accommodation, the Yarigatake Sanso is the closest mountain hut (20 mins from the peak) and offers both beds and tent sites. Check the map to decide on where you would like to stay and make a reservation in advance if you want to sleep in one of the huts. You can make the hike easier if you plan for 3 days instead of 2.
Due to its location and popularity, it's very crowded on public holidays and weekends. If hiking on the weekend, starting on the Sunday will help you to avoid some of the crowds.
Gallery
大天井岳
Trail Summary
The Panorama Ginza Trail is one of the most visually spectacular multi-day hikes in Japan. Starting in either Kamikochi or Nakabusa Onsen (Azumino), you will spend 3+ days hiking up and down ridgelines with beautiful panoramic views. There are numerous mountain huts and campsites to choose from, although they can be crowded on weekends and holidays. The recommendation here is to start from Kamikochi as the terrain in this direction is more enjoyable, plus Nakabusa tends to be a lot less crowded and includes a nice onsen, so it's the perfect way to end your hike. The itinerary I've described here is for 3 days, but you can change it to a more leisurely 4 or 5 days by spending an extra night at one of the other mountain huts along the way.
Gallery
Trail Summary
The Kamikochi to Yarigatake to Mt. Hotaka circuit is the most revered hike in Japan. It covers both the 3rd and 5th highest mountains in Japan while also including a notorious ridgeline known as the Daikiretto.
The Daikiretto is a steep and technical ridgeline that requires rock climbing on a narrow section of rock with dangerous drops on each side. Most of the rock climbing is assisted with chains and bolts, but the risk is quite high in some places and people have died here before. However, as scary as it sounds, no rock climbing gear is required and it's a popular trail - people of all ages complete it without problems, including the elderly. You will need to be okay with rock climbing on exposed terrain, so prior experience with heights is recommended, and good weather conditions are absolutely essential.
Completed over 3-4 days, the loop starts in Kamikochi (or Shinhotaka) with the first day spent hiking up to Yarigatake and sleeping at the Yarigatake mountain hut. The second day is spent hiking along the daikiretto, and then most people choose to stay at the large Hotaka-dake mountain hut. However, this is not the nicest option. The views at the Kita-Hotaka mountain hut are profoundly superior, looking out over the daikiretto and Yarigatake. The Kita-Hotaka mountain hut is also more charming, with beautiful rooms and a warm cozy atmosphere. It is however, much smaller, so reservations are recommended.
By staying at the Kita-Hotaka hut, the 3rd and final day includes a 4 hour hike across to Mt. Hotaka and then a final 6 hour descent back to Kamikochi. The section between Kita-Hotaka and Mt. Hotaka involves a lot of risky rock climbing at the same level as the daikiretto. You can make this hike easier by extending it to 4 days and staying at another mountain hut.
Gallery
Trail Summary
Mt. Hotaka, with the main peak called Oku-Hotaka, is the 3rd highest mountain in Japan, reaching 3190m. It overlooks Kamikochi and has many different trails leading to the peak. Its position is perfect for a variety of multi-day hikes accessible from Kamikochi or Shinhotaka. The views are stunning and the terrain has heaps of variety. This itinerary focuses on a beautiful 2 day loop hike from Kamikochi with one night camping at the Hotakadake mountain hut located near the peak. The second day takes you down through Kawasara which is famous for its autumn colours from mid-September to mid-October. It can be easily extended to a 3-day hike which adds extra time for exploring Mae-Hotaka, an amazing neighbouring peak on the way to Oku-Hotaka.
Gallery
Trail Summary
Nishi-Hotaka is a beautiful mountain most commonly accessed from the Shinhotaka ropeway. It features a mountain hut and a ridgeline trail with spectacular views and a variety of terrain. The Shinhotaka Ropeway brings you up to the main trail and is only 90 minutes from the Nishiho mountain hut, so it's the perfect option for people to experience the dramatic peaks of Kamikochi without the usual high level of fitness required.
The first peak after reaching the Nishiho hut is called Nishiho-Doppyo, it's a good climb and a popular choice for a day trip. Beyond this you'll find the exciting main peak of Nishi-Hotaka, which includes some rock climbing on exposed and risky terrain - it's a great choice for more experienced hikers, but not really suitable for beginners or amateurs. Helmets are also recommended for this section.
Although it's common to reach the trail via the Shinhotaka ropeway, it can also be accessed from Kamikochi with a 4 hour hike to the Nishiho mountain hut. There are not many tent sites at the Nishiho hut, so on weekends, it's best to call ahead and make a reservation.
The Nishiho mountain hut also serves as a good base if you want to extend your hiking into 3 days, a ridgeline trail connects the hut to the Yakedake volcano for an 8 hour out-and-back hike.
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Trail Summary
The Karasawa Cirque is perhaps the most popular hike in Kamikochi, it's especially famous for its autumn colours which reach their peak around the end of September and the start of October. During this time, the Karasawa campsite fills up with hundreds of tents, creating a colourful "tent city" that compliments well with the surrounding autumn colours. Although very busy, the large crowds and hundreds of tents add to the unique experience. It's most commonly done as an out-and-back hike through the valley, as this is the easiest trail. However, including the Byobu ridge adds more excitement and variety to the hike, with incredible views and fun terrain involving some ropes and chains.
The route described here includes the Byobu ridge, but you can skip this section for an easier hike which is accessible to all skill levels. The Karasawa Cirque is the easiest overnight hike in Kamikochi and a great way to experience the area without climbing any of the large mountains.
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Day Hikes, Walks, & Quiet Trails
As you can see, most of the hikes listed in this guide are multi-day hikes, due to the size and scale of the mountains usually an overnight stay is required, however, even for beginners an overnight hike is well worth the effort. All the trails are supported by the presence of mountain huts that provide water, food, and accommodation, so you don't need to carry a large amount of supplies and you can even book a room instead of bringing a tent. You can read this article for a good overview on Japan's mountain hut culture.
Although the above multi-day hikes are most often considered the best trails in Kamikochi, here's a list of other hikes that provide different attributes that might be better suited for your trip.
Yakedake
Yakedake - The best day hike
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 12.5 km
Elev. change: ➚ 920m gain ➘ 1100m loss
GPS map: outdooractive.com
Trail info and photos: VisitMatsumoto.com
The best day hike is Yakedake, an active volcano with a smouldering crater. When I hiked this myself it was a year before I started working on the website, so I didn't take any photos (bad lighting conditions) and therefore don't have a dedicated page for it, however it's a fantastic hike which can be completed from either Kamikochi or Shinhotaka. The route described here starts in Kamikochi and ends with an onsen near the bus stop. If you want something more challenging you can include Nishi-hotaka for a 12 hour hike. Note that it may be closed if volcanic activity is too high, check the latest restrictions here.
Kasumizawa
Kasumizawa - The best trail for busy days
Time: 2 days
Distance: 23 km
Elev. change: ➚ 1600m gain ➘ 1600m loss
GPS map: outdooractive.com
Trail info and photos: TheJapanAlps.com
Kasumizawa is an interesting mountain visible from the main Kamikochi area, the peak provides a complete view of the entire Hotaka ridgeline from Yakedake to Nishi-Hotaka, the Gendarme ridge, Oku-Hotaka, the Daikiretto, and all the way to Yarigatake. Surprisingly it doesn't get much attention, but with the explosion of visitors to Kamikochi in recent years, there is a growing need for ways to escape the crowds and find some peace in the mountains. Kasumizawa fills this role perfectly, it's a 2-day out-and-back hike from Kamikochi, or you can extend it to 3/4 days by looping around Chogatake.
Tokusawa & Yokoo
Tokusawa & Yokoo - The best hikes for beginners
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Distance: 14-21 km
Elev. change: 〜50-200m
GPS map: outdooractive.com
Further info and photos: Yokoo-Sanso.co.jp
Tokusawa and Yokoo are nice and easy options if you simply want to walk around Kamikochi and take in the surrounding views. The Tokusawa lodge and campground is a beautiful spot only 2 hours walk from the Kamikochi bus terminal. The campsite is gorgeous and it's a great option for those wanting a leisurely day walking along the Azusa river. The Yokoo lodge is a bit further and offers some different views of the valley, it's about a 3 hour walk from Kamikochi.
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