In this post, I'm sharing my day-trip hike to Kamikochi, often called "the Switzerland of Japan."

How to Get to Kamikochi

Since I had plans in the afternoon, I took an overnight bus from Shibuya the night before, so I could secure a full morning of hiking.

From the Tokyo area, buses leave from either Shinjuku or Shibuya!

↓ Bus details here

https://www.kamikochi.or.jp/access/bus/

Other options include:

• Train from Matsumoto Station to Shin-shimashima Station → then bus or taxi
• Bus from Nagano Station directly to Kamikochi

…and a few more routes.

Kamikochi restricts private cars, so you can't drive directly into the area. You need to park at a nearby lot and transfer to a bus.

Detailed access info ↓

https://www.kamikochi.or.jp/access/

The Journey to Kamikochi

22:00 — Shibuya Mark City Bus Terminal

I boarded the bus from the 5th floor of Shibuya Mark City at 22:00!

Shibuya Mark City is only a few minutes on foot from Shibuya Station, but I had no idea buses departed from there, so I was a bit skeptical at first.

Getting up to the 5th floor is confusing — just follow the bus icons and keep going up.

Detailed directions ↓

https://www.tokyubus.co.jp/airport/terminal/s-markcity.html

Large luggage can be stored under the bus. I brought just the essentials — water, snacks, etc. — on board.

The bus had standard two-and-two seating on either side.

The seats reclined a bit but weren't fully flat, so it was maybe slightly better than airline economy.

About 30 minutes after departure, the lights went off and the cabin got dark.

00:00 — Dangozaka Service Area

About two hours after departure, we arrived at Dangozaka Service Area.

We stopped here for about 15 minutes.

The service area restaurants were closed, but the convenience store was open, so you can still grab drinks and light snacks late at night.

5:20 — Arriving at Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Roughly 5 and a half hours after the service area break, we arrived at Kamikochi Bus Terminal!

The bus also stops at Taisho Pond and in front of the Imperial Hotel along the way, so you can get off at either of those instead.

The bus terminal has plenty of tables and benches where you can sort out your gear.

There are several shops too, but they're closed in the early morning.

You'll also find a spot to fill up on Kamikochi's spring water, and area maps.

Restrooms are available too, and they're relatively clean. They use a tip system — visitors drop about 100 yen into the donation box to help maintain them.

All the restrooms in Kamikochi work on a tip system, so it's a good idea to keep some coins handy.

Hiking in Kamikochi

06:00 Kamikochi Bus Terminal → 06:05 Kappa-bashi Bridge

Now that I was ready, I set off toward Kappa-bashi Bridge — the main landmark of Kamikochi!

The morning mist was heavy that day, and I walked through it as I went.

I reached Kappa-bashi Bridge in about 5 minutes!

It was misty, but that gave it a magical, dreamlike beauty. And above all, the water was strikingly blue and clear.

Cross Kappa-bashi Bridge, turn right, and you're on the hiking trail.

06:05 Kappa-bashi Bridge → 06:50 Myojin Pond

The hiking trail is paved and very easy to walk.

The sun was just starting to rise, and the wetlands were still shrouded in mist — utterly magical. Felt like a Pokémon might jump out (lol).

Bears live in Kamikochi, and they occasionally come onto the trails. A bear bell is essential if you're going past Kappa-bashi Bridge.

There are bear bells installed along the trail too, but when I went, there was a lot of fresh bear scat right in front of one of them — clear evidence a bear had just been there — so I'd strongly recommend bringing your own bear-deterrent gear.

After exiting the wetlands, the trail runs steadily through the trees. Almost no one was around in the early morning, and — maybe it was just my imagination — I could sense living creatures nearby.

I walk fast, so I reached Myojin Pond in about 45 minutes! The mist still lingered — magical and beautiful.

7:00 — Hotaka Shrine Okumiya

Kamikochi is home to a shrine of great historical significance.

Anyone can visit the shrine itself, but I highly recommend paying the 500-yen fee to view Myojin Pond.

Deeper inside, there's a pier that extends over the pond, and from there the contrast between the water, the mountains, and the sky is mystical and stunning.

Myojin Pond takes about 15 minutes to walk around, even with plenty of time to take it in.

https://www.hotakajinja.com/index.html

7:20 Myojin Bridge → 8:10 Kappa-bashi Bridge

On the way back, I took the "Azusa-gawa Left Bank Trail" — different from the route I came on — back to Kappa-bashi Bridge.

This trail is wider and better maintained than the "Azusa-gawa Right Bank Trail" I took on the way out, so it's easier to walk.

I made my way onward with the beautiful peaks — including Mt. Myojin — off to my right.

When I was walking, there were some clouds around the peaks, and that gave the scene its own kind of mystical, lovely feel.

Just before Kappa-bashi Bridge, there's Shimizu Bridge, where the Shimizu River meets the Azusa River. The air there was noticeably cooler, the trickling water was crystal clear, and I couldn't help but stop and take it in. The temperature difference between the water and the air made mist rise off the stream — utterly magical.

Finally back at Kappa-bashi Bridge! The mist had cleared, and the contrast between the deep blue sky, the river, and the green mountains was gorgeous ✨

By now it was 8:10, and I was surprised how crowded the area around the bridge had gotten.

There was a spot nearby to fill up on Kamikochi's spring water, so I did — then went down under the bridge to eat breakfast while taking in the stunning view.

It was mid-August, but the river water was ice-cold — probably below 10°C. My hands went numb the moment I dipped them in (lol).

8:50 Kappa-bashi Bridge → 9:20 Tashiro Pond

Refueled, I set off toward Tashiro Pond.

The trail from Kappa-bashi Bridge to Taisho Pond is wide, paved, and busy — lots of visitors were walking it in sneakers — so you don't need to overthink it.

A few spots have uneven footing, and bears roam this area too — so if you're worried, trekking shoes and a bear bell will give you peace of mind.

Between Kappa-bashi Bridge and Tashiro Pond, there are two options — a riverside course and a forest course. I wanted to keep looking at the beautiful river, so I chose the riverside course.

That said, the river drifts a bit further from the trail than earlier sections, so it feels a touch less immersive.

Walking along the river like this, you reach Tashiro Pond in no time.

9:20 Tashiro Pond → 10:00 Taisho Pond

A little past Tashiro Pond, there's a place where you can step out onto the riverbank.

From here you get a full view of Mt. Yakedake — a great little rest stop.

Yakedake is so beautiful you could gaze at it forever — I highly recommend taking a break here!

Back on the forest trail for a while, and you arrive at Taisho Pond.

When there's no wind, Mt. Yakedake reflects perfectly on Taisho Pond — absolutely stunning. I gazed out at the Kamikochi peaks from the pond's edge while waiting for the bus home.

10:47 Taisho Pond → 12:36 Matsumoto Station

From the Taisho Pond bus stop, I took the bus bound for Shin-shimashima Station. (Note: there's no direct bus to Matsumoto Station.)

I made my reservation through this site:

When you get off at Shin-shimashima Station, you receive a train ticket that lets you transfer to the train onward to Matsumoto.

At Matsumoto Station, you hand your ticket to the station staff (rather than passing it through a ticket gate) to exit.

Arriving at Matsumoto Station wraps up the trip!

My Impressions of Kamikochi

I've hiked in many places, but the scenery here is so beautiful you keep asking "Am I really in Japan?" — I was captivated the entire time.

And it's not just that the weather and views were great — even in the early morning before the sun was fully up, and even when it was cloudy, the landscapes were dreamlike in their own way. Honestly, it feels almost unfair how good it looks (lol).

Plenty of visitors turn back after just seeing Kappa-bashi Bridge, but personally I recommend gearing up properly for a hike and walking at least as far as Myojin Pond.

I did the trip in half a day, but between the crowd levels and how the scenery reveals itself, I strongly recommend staying at least one night in Kamikochi and starting the trail early in the morning! (The locals told me the same thing.)

Even better: plan a leisurely schedule so you can pause and take in the views at each key spot.

Every view leaves a deep impression, so I truly think this is a once-in-a-lifetime, must-visit place.

If you're going to hike, remember: even though the trails are paved, this is still mountain terrain. Wear long sleeves and pants, put on trekking shoes, and bring bear-deterrent gear.

It's less that bears "appear" and more that we're the guests visiting a place where bears live.

Get your safety essentials in order and enjoy a wonderful trip to Kamikochi!