In Part 3 we walk to Myojin Pond and the Dakesawa Marsh in Kamikochi.
Hotaka Shrine Okumiya: A Kamikochi Power Spot
Next to Myojin Pond stands the inner shrine of Hotaka Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of the Hotaka mountains. It is known as a spiritual “power spot.”
Myojin Pond
Myojin Pond lies within the shrine grounds. Its still, clear water reflects the surrounding forest and Mt. Myojin, creating a quiet, sacred atmosphere.
Time for a Break
Places to eat and menus in Kamikochi:
We tried iwana (char) grilled with salt, a local specialty.
Off we go again!
Click the video below to watch.
Dakesawa Marsh
Monkeys!
While I was photographing the monkeys in the trees, more of them appeared right at my feet…
They kept coming. It was a whole troop.
There were probably about 20 of them. They did not bother us at all and were very well-mannered.
Back to Kappa Bridge
We returned to Kappa Bridge.
We met an artist who has been painting Kamikochi for 60 years and is preparing for his fifth Kamikochi exhibition.
How to Get to Kamikochi from Nagoya
- Nagoya to Matsumoto: about 2 hours by limited express train
- Matsumoto to Shin-Shimashima: about 30 minutes by local train
- Shin-Shimashima to Kamikochi: about 1 hour by bus
Nagoya to Matsumoto
From Nagoya, take the JR Chuo Line limited express “Shinano” to Matsumoto. Trains run about once an hour, so it is easy and convenient. At Nagoya Station the Shinano usually departs from platform 10, and it also stops at Chikusa and Tajimi. The ride to Matsumoto takes about 2 hours.
Check! On the way back, Matsumoto is not the starting station of the Shinano bound for Nagoya, so the train can be crowded. If you book the trip yourself, we recommend reserving a seat. Travel agency packages usually include reserved seats for the round trip.
Matsumoto Station
The Alpico Kamikochi Line, the local train toward Kamikochi, leaves from platform 7 at Matsumoto Station, inside the same ticket gates as JR. If you arrive by limited express and go straight to Kamikochi, you can walk directly to platform 7. You can buy your ticket from Matsumoto to Kamikochi when you change to the bus at Shin-Shimashima Station, the last stop. If you exit the ticket gates or arrive by highway bus, buy a ticket from the Kamikochi Line ticket machine.
Matsumoto to Shin-Shimashima
The Kamikochi Line is a cute two-car train that runs slowly through the town of Matsumoto and out into the countryside. On a clear day you can enjoy mountain views, and it is fun to see tourists and local students riding together.
There are also direct buses from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal (about 5 minutes’ walk from the station) to Kamikochi. Advance reservations are required and there are only a few buses a day, but if the timing works for you, it is a convenient way to travel without changing.
Shin-Shimashima Station
The bus stop is right outside the ticket gate. The bus ride takes more than an hour, so use the restroom before you board. Buses to Norikura Kogen sometimes leave at the same time, so be careful to board the right one.
Shin-Shimashima to Kamikochi
The bus follows the valley of the Azusa River. Soon after departure you cross a bridge, with the river on your left. After Inakoki Dam the reservoir appears on the right, then on the left again, although many tunnels make it hard to see. Tunnels and gorge views alternate as you pass the Sawando hot spring area.
After the last tunnel you finally enter Kamikochi, and Taisho Pond appears on the left, as if to say “Welcome to Kamikochi.” The road then continues through the forest to the bus terminal.
Kamikochi Bus Terminal
The terminal has a visitor center, an information desk, pay toilets, shops and luggage storage.
Check! Return buses require a reservation for a specific departure time. You can reserve online or at the counter in the bus terminal when you buy your ticket, from one month before up to 15 minutes before departure. Only the departure time is reserved; seats are first come, first served. Bus rules and timetables change, so please check the latest information before your trip.
Official guide: https://www.japan.travel/en/japans-local-treasures/japan-alps-kamikochi-2022/
