People often compare Kamikochi to a miniature Europe or Switzerland in the heart of Japan. But for me, Kamikochi is unique in its own right, standing as one of the most beautiful mountain destinations in Japan.
Briefly introducing Kamikochi, it is a plateau valley located in the Hida Mountains, part of the Northern Alps of Japan, and is considered one of Japan's National Cultural Assets.
The area is open from April to mid-November each year, with the best time to explore its natural beauty being from mid-October to early November, when the leaves across the entire region gradually turn yellow and red. Join me in discovering what makes Kamikochi such a popular destination in the fall!
To easily imagine the wonderful scenery here, the photo above is the clearest example. Because this is just a Kamikochi parking lot, but the view is already amazing 😀
If you come here early (about 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.), you will admire the view of the mountain covered with snow, and below are hundreds of red-leafed trees. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, the clouds had already covered the mountain 🙁
This mountain is free to enter, and there are plenty of food shops, souvenirs, and climbing equipment available inside, so if you're missing anything, there's no need to worry. The only thing to keep in mind is to dress warmly, as the temperature here ranges from -5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Next, let’s explore the most photo-worthy locations here!
The first spot is right at the entrance, with a backdrop of a beautiful yellow-leaf forest.
The entrance to the forest is quite special, with a striking contrast between the yellow and green colors on both sides of the road.
On both sides of the entrance, there are also many houses with a style reminiscent of the pine forests in Da Lat, Vietnam.
After about 5 minutes of walking, we’ll reach Kappa Bridge, a symbol of Kamikochi.
Around this bridge, you'll find many restaurants and shops selling climbing equipment and souvenirs. It’s also the most popular photography spot in Kamikochi, offering stunning views from every angle.
A corner by the banks of the Azusa River, right next to Kappa Bridge, offers a serene and picturesque view.
In the fall, the water in the Azusa River recedes quite a bit, allowing people to walk down to the riverbed to take photos and explore the area.
Let's go down to the riverbed and try some angles.
You almost have to put the camera up to get beautiful photos 😀
Next, I walked along the trail ahead and ventured into the forest to explore more of the natural beauty.
After walking for about 10 minutes, you’ll come across another forest filled with vibrant yellow leaves ahead.
This area sees much less traffic than Kappa Bridge, making it much easier to take photos without distractions.
Surrounded by beautiful scenery, this area also offers many picnic tables and chairs, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view.
Surrounding this area is open land for camping, offering stunning views of rivers, mountains, and forests all in one breathtaking setting.
The address of this camping area is for you to easily find: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ijjkKYLxuRWozPbs8
Let's take a walk around this area.
A small bridge nestled in the heart of the forest, adding to the serene beauty of the surroundings.
You can book a campsite to sleep here at the homepage: https://www.nihonalpskankou.com/
After exploring this area, I continued my journey to discover the sights further ahead.
Next, I reached the area with homestays, hotels, and restaurants, offering a great place to relax and enjoy local hospitality.
As I walked around, I discovered an incredibly beautiful photography spot here.
Let's take a few photos to see what happens 😉
Homestay rental shop.
After exploring this area, I returned to Kappa Bridge to eat and rest before getting on the bus to return to Osaka. There is a restaurant here that sells hot dumplings, as well as ramen, perfect for eating in the 0-degree cold of Kamikochi 😀
Restaurant address for easy finding: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mU5KJWba4LZY63qY6
In my opinion, Kamikochi is truly one of the most beautiful places in Japan during the autumn. If you have the opportunity to visit Japan during this time, don’t miss the chance to explore this stunning highland valley. Additionally, you can watch more videos of me taking photos at Kamikochi on my YouTube channel here:
Thank you for reading through to the end of the article.
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Does this journey excite you?
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Oh my god, it's so beautiful, immersed in golden autumn
Like in the movie :v
When did you go there?
Hi, I went on October 25 last year
IS IT TOO LATE THIS YEAR IF IT COMES ON 11/06/24? WILL THERE STILL BE YELLOW LEAVES OR HAVE THEM ALL FALLEN?
Around that time last year, the leaves had fallen quite a bit. Depending on the year, the leaves will fall sooner or later, but the best time to go is at the end of October.
Hi, do you know if the sights would be fine by the end of september? Not yellow yet I imagine… Thanxs, great pictures!
This time Kamikochi has summer vibe, also great time to go.