Kamikochi in the Chubusangaku National Park is a typical Japanese mountainous park, which includes the whole part of the North Japanese Alps. Kamikochi, whose elevation is 1500 meters above sea level,is a small and slender basin surrounded by high mountains such as the Hodaka Mountains, Mr.Yakedake and Mt. Kasumizawa. This area is thought to have been a sea bed about 300 million years ago.Then intense mountain forming movements and river erosion have formed today's Kamikochi. You can see many species of animals and plants in Kamikochi and these animals and plants have adapted themselves to the climate and geology of Kamikochi over a long time. There is a complicated interaction between them and they live in harmony with each other. From large mammals to soil bacteria, all of them are connected to each other through food and the air. Since old days it has been well known as a base of the North Alps. The view from the Hodaka Mountains and Azusa River is one of the most beautiful mountain scenes in Japan. Rev.Walter Weston who was born in 1861 in Derby, England and he was graduated at the Cambridge University and after that he became a Priest. 1888 he came to Japan and started to explore the Japanese Alps in the Chubusangoku area including Mt.Yaridatake and Mt.Hodaka. He was very fond of the beauty of the Japanese mountains and loved them very much and was sad when he heard that the Kamikochi area is going be a tourist area. When the Kamikochi area was opened to the public, the Japanese Alpine Club built a Relief of Rev. Walter Weston and the environment is strictly protected by special protection area laws in the national park.Although the nature in Kamokochi is severely protected, human activities have had an impact on it. You can see man-made or man-changed "nature" such as the water pollution of the Azusa River, breeding water rats and a decrease in the number of the common char. |
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Taisho Pond to Tashiro Pond 20min / Tashiro Pond to Tashiro Bridge 20 min / Tashiro Bridge to Kappa Bridge 20min / Kappa Bridge to Myojin Pond 50min / Myojin Pond to Tokusawa 50min | 1-hour course:Start from the Parking area-Kappa Bridge-Right bank of Azusa River-Weston Relief -Tashiro Bridge-Left bank of Azusa Riveer-Parking area |
3-hour course:Parking area-Kappa Bridge-Left bank of Azusa River-Myojinn Pond-Right bank of Azusa River-Kappa Bridge-Parking area |
4-hour course:Parking area-Kappa Bridge-Myojin Pond-Tokusawa- Shinmura Bridge-Forest road to the Right bank of Azusa River-Myojin Pond-Kappa Bridge |
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1-Day course:Parking area-Tashiro Bridge-Starting point of trail to Mt.Nishihodaka-Doppyo peak of Mt.Nishihodaka (round trip) |
If you prefer you can go on your own trips to 3-4 days even and there are many mountain huts where you can stay without any reservations in advance. Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes and the weather changes rapidly in mountain areas, so take rain gear even if the weather is clear when starting a hike. Remember you should have all the essential equipment and food, including a detailed map even if going on the mountains for a day trip. |
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Many text material was taken from the Kamikochi Pocket Guide and some of the information are from my own experience as I used to travel there every year. This is one of the most beautiful mountain side in Japan and many people are visiting there every year and during the Summer time there are many school children going on camping trips. In May you can see the fresh and bright green leaves of the trees and the clean Blue water of the Azusa River. As there are very few people in this time Kamikochi is very quite and beautiful..................
If you need any further information please contact me by e-mail : njngp@yahoo.com and I will try to help whenever possible