No opening hours or admission are shown: the sources we checked on 2026-09-13 were used for the route only. Check the official site
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Our guide
Kamikōchi is a remote highland valley in the Hida Mountains of western Nagano, kept in its natural state within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. It is both a Special Natural Monument and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and it is sometimes called the “Japanese Yosemite”, though it is much smaller than the Californian valley.
The one thing to know before planning: private cars, including rental cars and motorbikes, cannot enter Kamikōchi at any time of year. Drivers park at Sawando on the Matsumoto side or Akandana on the Takayama side and take the shuttle bus or a taxi. By public transport, take the Matsumoto Electric Railway from Matsumoto to Shin-Shimashima (about 30 minutes), then the route bus to the Kamikōchi bus terminal. The road closes in winter.
Mount Hotakadake is about 4.6 km away in a straight line.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- 秋の上高地 (Kamikochi in autumn) 24 Oct, 2011 - panoramio — Hiroaki Kaneko · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Kamikochi Bus Terminal01n4272 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Imperial Hotel Kamikochi01n3200 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- 251023 Hotaka mountain range as seen from Kappa Bridge — 名古屋太郎 · CC BY 4.0 · source · resized
- 150920 Taisho-ike Kamikochi Japan10n — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- 150920 Senjosawa Kamikochi Japan01s3 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- 150920 Myojin-ike Kamikochi Japan02n — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- 150920 Myojin-bashi Kamikochi Japan02n — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- 150920 Kappa-bashi Kamikochi Japan02n — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- 08 Okuhotaka Karasawa Kitahotakadake from Cyogatake 2001-11-23 — Alpsdake · Public domain · source · resized
What this place is
Kamikōchi (上高地, 'Upper Highlands') is a remote mountainous highland valley within the Hida Mountains range, in the western region of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It has been preserved in its natural state within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. It is designated as one of Japan's National Cultural Assets, on the list of Special Natural Monuments and Special Places of Scenic Beauty. It is sometimes referred to as the "Japanese Yosemite Valley," although it is considerably smaller than its Californian counterpart.
Visitor information checked: 2026-09-13 · Kamikōchi official site: by public transport · Kamikōchi official site: private car restrictions
Background text adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Lakes & falls
Getting there by public transport
- By train and bus: from Matsumoto Station, the Matsumoto Electric Railway to Shin-Shimashima Station (about 30 minutes), then the route bus to the Kamikōchi bus terminal.
- Private cars (including rental cars and motorbikes) cannot enter Kamikōchi at any time of year: park at Sawando (¥800 a day) on the Matsumoto side or Akandana (¥600 a day) on the Takayama side and take the shuttle bus or a taxi.
- The road is closed in winter.
Route checked: 2026-09-13 · Kamikōchi official site: by public transport · Kamikōchi official site: private car restrictions · Timetables change — check the operator before you travel.
Where to stay nearby
Hotels near Kamikochi on Agoda
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