Kamikochi

Kamikochi's name translates to 'Where the Gods Descend,' reflecting its sacred status in Japanese spirituality and its overwhelming natural beauty. The valley was known to locals for centuries but remained isolated until the Meiji period. In 1896, British missionary and mountaineer Walter Weston introduced Kamikochi to the Western world, calling it 'the most beautiful valley in Japan' and helping establish recreational alpinism in Japan. A monument to Weston stands near Kappa Bridge.

The valley sits at 1,500 meters elevation in Chubu-Sangaku National Park, surrounded by peaks exceeding 3,000 meters including Mount Hotaka (3,190m) and Mount Yarigatake (3,180m). The Azusa River flows through the valley with remarkable clarity, fed by pure snowmelt from surrounding mountains. In 1928, Kamikochi became part of Japan's national park system, and in 1952 received Special Natural Monument and Special Scenic Beauty designations - Japan's highest environmental protections.

To preserve the valley's pristine nature, private vehicles have been banned since 1975. Visitors must arrive by bus or on foot, and accommodation options are limited to select lodges and campsites. The valley is closed from mid-November through mid-April when heavy snow makes access impossible. These restrictions maintain Kamikochi as one of Japan's few remaining unspoiled natural environments, where bears, monkeys, and numerous bird species thrive alongside crystal rivers and ancient forests.