Japan Guide
Central Honshū
Kamikōchi
Tucked away in the Azusa valley at an altitude of 1500m is the beautiful mountaineering and hiking resort of KAMIKŌCHI. Little more than a bus station and a handful of hotels scattered along the Azusa-gawa, Kamikōchi has some stunning alpine scenery, which can only be viewed between April 27 and November 15 before heavy snow blocks off the narrow roads and the resort shuts down for winter. As a result, during season the place buzzes with tourists and the prices at its hotels and restaurants are can be as steep as the surrounding mountains.
The highest mountain here is the 3190-metre Hotaka-dake (also known as Oku-Hotaka-dake), followed by Yari-ga-take (3180m). Both are extremely popular climbs; one trail up Yari-ga-take has been dubbed the Ginza Jūsō ("Ginza Traverse") after Tokyo's busy shopping area, because it gets so crowded. However, the congestion on the mountain is nothing compared to that found at its base, where, at the height of the season, thousands of day-trippers tramp through the well-marked trails along the Azusa valley. The best way to appreciate Kamikōchi is to stay overnight so you can experience the valley in the evening and early morning minus the daytrippers. Alternatively, come here in June, when frequent showers deter fair-weather walkers.