The quiet flow of the Azusagawa River runs through the entire Kamikochi, causing changes in the ecology and scenery of the entire environment. It gives a sense of endless renewal and provides moisture and vitality to various forest plants and animals.
The Azusa River, which originates east of the Hida Mountains and Mt. Yarigatake, flows through Kamikochi and forms an alluvial fan in the Matsumoto Basin, where it joins with the Narai River to become the Sai River, and near Kawanakajima, it forms the Chikuma River (the part of the Shinano River that flows through Nagano Prefecture). join together.
In Kamikochi, which is close to the source, the clear and beautiful flow is impressive, and it forms the core of the scenery of Kamikochi, along with the surrounding mountains such as Yarihotaka. The bridges that span the Azusa River in Kamikochi are, in order from downstream, Tashiro Bridge, Hotaka Bridge, Kappa Bridge, Myojin Bridge, Shinmura Bridge, and Yokoo Bridge, and the views from these bridges each have their own unique atmosphere. . Also, in the early morning, mist spreads over the river surface, creating a fantastic sight.
I visited in August 1987. During the cycling club's summer training camp, it started pouring rain just before reaching Awa Pass, so we passed through Kama Tunnel and arrived at Kamikochi. As I was taking photos at Kappa Bridge despite the unfortunate rain, someone suddenly yelled, "You're all wet anyway!" and rushed into the river. When they saw this, they all rushed into the river. Although it was August, the water in the Azusa River was freezing cold.
The trail from Taisho Pond to Azusagawa River, as well as the scenery around Azusagawa River, the clear water, the phytoncides of the woods, and the mountain scenery, it is really a refreshing scenic spot.
