Kamikochi in Chubu-Sangaku National Park
After five days of hut-to-hut trekking at elevation in Japan’s Northern Alps, we stayed in a local hot springs resort for one night to relax and recover. The next day, we visited Kamikochi and did some casual forest walking before making the trip back to the city. Kamikochi (meaning “the place where the gods descend”) is the hottest local tourist destination in Chubu-Sangaku National Park. We visited on a holiday weekend, so the park was as crowded as a Tokyo intersection at rush hour.
Famously crowded Kappa Bridge, showcasing Hotaka mountain range
After crossing the bridge and plunging into the forest, however, there were relatively fewer people and we could enjoy the beauty that makes this place so special. We chose a loop path along the Asuza river to Myojin Bridge, crossing to the opposite side for the return trip. It was about a 5 mile (8 km) flat loop that we strolled at a leisurely pace. There are many walking paths and ascending trails; we could have spent several days just exploring all that Kamikochi has to offer. Indeed, we passed many Japanese hiking groups with multi-day packs heading deeper into the park (“konichiwa”, bear bells tinkling…).
We had a nice relaxing day after our trek and it was lovely to stretch our legs before the long bus and train ride back to Nagoya. There are, however, sooo many things we missed here in this beautiful park (such as Taisho and Tashiro Ponds, a variety of public hot springs, and miles of beckoning trails to wondrous peaks in the Hotaka mountain range)! The next time we come to Chubb-Sangaku National Park, we plan to acclimate in Kamikochi for 3 or 4 nights, doing day hikes up to elevation and exploring all the park’s treasures. There are several hotels and well-equipped campgrounds to experience!
