Chubu-Sangaku National Park

Spectacular walking and hiking in the Kamikochi region of Chubu-Sangaku National Park

High in the Japanese Alps is Kamikochi, a gorgeous area of the national park. Private cars are banned from the national park, so bus is the only means of transport. Due to heavy snowfall in winter, Kamikochi's buses and hotels only run from April to November.

Kamikochi is a 15km plateau along the Azusa River, 1,500 metres above sea level. It's a fantastic area for hiking with easy, flat trails along the bottom of the valley to Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge. However in July and August more experienced hikers can tackle one of the mountain peaks surrounding Kamikochi: Nishihotakadake (2,909m), Okuhotakadake (3,190m), Maehotakadake (3,090m) and the active volcano Yakedake (2,455m).

When to go: Kamikochi is closed off due to heavy snowfall in winter, so can only be accessed from May to the end of October. The national park is absolutely spectacular in mid-October when the autumn leaves turn bright red.

Chubu-Sangaku National Park

located in Kamikochi

Interested in this Experience? It is included in this tour:

Admire Japan's autumnal beauty in this special seasonal itinerary

Autumn Splendour

Spectacular colourful leaves are to the Japanese autumn what cherry blossoms are to spring. From the beginning of October until early December, Japan's deciduous trees change colour, painting mountains, parks and forests with a vibrant palette of reds, brown, oranges, golds and yellows.

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