Visited in the first week of November. The park offered amazing scenic views of the mountains, foliage colors and the the azure water of the river.
Most of the popular trails are easy to follow with little change in elevation. On the trail you will likely to meet monkeys. Bear sightings were also reported (we did not see any).
You can reach the park by taking a train + bus from Matsumoto. Note that the park closes on November 15.
Cannot rate this place high enough. Japan is filled with many mountains and valleys, but seldom are they as nice as this one. The first area is mostly flat and surrounded by mountains and they tower over you, and they have restaurants and other small shops. As you walk the nature becomes more and more untouched until the end, where there is a little shrine. Amazing walk and well worth the time.
Kamikochi offers views of Northern Japan Alps, which have been shaped in part by glacial activity. It has the most dramatic, breath taking landscapes ranging from the highest rocky mountains to the lowest rivers surrounded by lush greenery forests. Its unbelievable. Like it's not even real. It's like the screensaver of my laptop. Enjoy the scenery and take your time. However, the bus taking you from the terminal to the place is limited. Last bus is at 18.00. If you miss it, you might have to stay the night. Oh one more thing, it's a conservation so there are still wild animals living in the forest. You might spot red faced monkeys and, I hope not, bears.
I visited here in August 2024.
The weather was great—not as hot as in other parts of Japan. During the day, you can walk around in light clothing, but in the late afternoon, it starts to get chilly, and at night, it gets cold enough that you'll need a jacket. The nature trails are well-maintained and perfect for hiking, not too difficult. The views of the mountains and rivers are breathtaking, beyond words. If you stay overnight, you'll see a sky full of stars, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Milky Way.
This is the most beautiful trail I’ve ever walked on. There’s tons of greenery, forestry, and mountains, and the water is crystal clear and very cold. Also, the people walking the trail are extremely nice and friendly. That being said, at the beginning of the trail there are too many people, but as you continue on, the amount of people taper off.
