Attractions of Northern Alps: Kamikochi, Shinhotaka, Shirakawago

Kamikochi and Shinhotada in the Northern Japanese Alps (Kita Alps) are in the mountain region known as one of the best mountain climbing places and hiking trails in Japan.

What's the Japanese Alps?

The Japanese Alps (Nihon Alps: 日本アルプス) are mountain ranges in the middle of the Japanese mainland, consisting of mountains with an altitude of 2000 to 3000km or over.  The Japan Alps include four ranges referred to as the Northern Alps (North Alps: Kita Alps), Central Alps (Chuo Alps), and South Alps (Southern Apls: Minami Alps).

Map of Central Japan

Northern Alps, the feature of the Japanese Alps

The Japanese Alps gained popularity after Walter Weston, an English missionary and mountaineer, introduced them in his book "Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japanese Alps," published in 1896. In his book, Weston highlighted the Northern Alps, especially the Kamikochi, and it was the beginning that the scenic place attracted numerous climbers, hikers, and tourists from Japan and around the world.

Attractions of the Northern Alps Area

Kamikochi (上高地)

A flat land lies deep in the mountains of the North Alps, known for scenic views enjoyed from the 10km-long hiking trails along the river Azusagawa (梓川) where crystal clear water runs. Located at 1,500 meters above sea level, it has a cool climate even in summer and a fragrant breeze blows. 

Travel Tips for Kamikochi Tourists
The place to enjoy the best view of Kamikochi is Kappabashi Bridge (河童橋), but it will always be crowded with tourists. For avoiding the crowds around the Kappabashi, the suggestion is that you stay overnight at a hotel nearby city such as Matsumoto and visit early in the morning.

Kamikochi is situated in a national park and it is restricted to enter into the area by car for nature conservation reasons. Visitors are to reach by bus or shared taxi. The Kamikochi bus terminal is located near Kappbashi Bridge (about 5 min. on foot). Note that no transportation is available and all accommodations are closed during Winter (from mid. Nov to mid. April).

Shinhotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ)

A double-decker ropeway climbs up Nishi-hotaka Mountain, surrounded by 3000m high mountains of the North Alps. The ropeway has 4 stations; Shinhotaka Onsen Station. (新穂高温泉駅, the first station), Nabehira Kogen Station. (鍋平高原駅), Shirakabadaira Station. (しらかば平駅), and Nishi hotakaguchi Sta.(西穂高口駅), the last station at 2156 meter elevation where an observation deck provides a splendid view on a clear sunny day.

Travel Tips for Shinhotaka Tourists
The Shinhotaka Ropeway is so popular that it will be crowded especially on a sunny day. If you want to avoid having to wait in a long line, it will be better to take the ropeway in the morning as early as the Shinhotaka Onsen Station opens. Since Shinhotaka Onsen is a hot springs resort town, staying one night to enjoy Onsen will be a good choice.

The Shinhotaka Ropeway consists of two separate ropeways.; the first is from Shinhotaka Onsen Station. to Nabehira Kogen Station, and the second is from Shirakabadaira Station. to Nishi Hotakaguchi Station. It is only a few minutes walk from Nabehira Kogen Station. and Shirakabadaira Station.  

*Shinhotaka is also called Shinhodaka. (Difference in the part "-taka" and "–daka")

Shirakawago Village (白川郷)

Shirakawago is a secluded village lies deep in the mountains, where old wooden houses, built hundred years ago, have remained in a natural setting.

Travel Tips for Shirakawago Tourists 
To reach Shirakawago village, a bus service is available from Takayama Station of Takayama-honsen line. (It takes about 50 min. ) Takayama (= 飛騨高山 Hida-Takayama), an Onsen resort town, referred to as “little Kyoto”, filled with Japanese atmosphere.

Getting to Kamikochi / Shinhotaka area

By Train and Bus| From Tokyo (or Kanto region)

From JR Shinjuku 新宿駅 in Tokyo, take the JR Chuo-honsen line and get off at Matsumoto station 松本駅 (A 3-hour travel). From Matsumoto bus terminal*, take a bus to get to Hirayu-onsen 平湯温泉. From Hirayu Onsen, take a local bus to get to Shinhotaka or Kamikochi, in accordance with your travel plan. The total travel time will be 5 to 6 hours, depending on the destination.

For the Kamikochi area, a local train service "Alpico Kamikochi-sen Line" is also available. The train runs between Matsumoto station and Shinshimashima station 新島々駅. From Shinshimashima, take a bus bound for Kamikochi.

Note
*The buses departure from Matsumoto Bus Terminal 松本バスターミナル (the ground floor of Matsuden Bus Terminal building) in front of Matsumoto Station.

*To reach Kamikochi or Shinhotaka, take a bus from Matsumoto(松本) heading to Hirayu Onsen,.then, change buses there. From Hirayu Onsen, take a bus to get to Kamikochi, Shinhotaka, Takayama, and Shirakawago.

From Nagoya
From Nagoya, take a train on the JR Takayama-honsen line and get off at Takayama station. From Takayama, take a bus bound for Shinhotaka.
Total travel Time: Approx. 4 hours.

From Osaka 
From Osaka, take a train on the JR Takayama line and get off at Takayama station. From Takayama, take a bus bound for Shinhodaka.
Total travel Time: Approx. 5 hours.

By Bus

Not only public bus services, private bus services and coach trips are also available. To reach the destination directly, taking a private bus or joining a coach trip will be more convenient. If you have no difficulty in understanding Japanese language, consider the option when making up your travel plan.

From Tokyo
From Shinjuku bus terminal, take an expressway bus bound for Hirayu bus terminal (Hirayu Onsen). From Hirayu bus terminal, take a local bus to get to Shinhodaka or Kamikochi, in accordance with your travel plan.
Total travel Time: Approx. 5 hours and 30 min.

From Nagoya
There are bus services available between Nagoya (or Osaka) and Takayama. Visitors are to take a bus from Takayama heading to the travel destination.

From Nagoya bus terminal, take an express bus heading toTakayama. then, change the bus and take a routine-run bus heading to the travel destination.
Total travel Time: Approx. 4 hours..

Related Websites

Kamikochi
https://www.kamikochi.or.jp/

Alpico Railway
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/

Shinhotaka Ropeway
https://shinhotaka-ropeway.jp/

Shinhotaka Onsen
https://shinhotaka.com/

Hirayu no mori
https://www.hirayunomori.co.jp/

Shirakawago
https://www.vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/

Takayama (Hida Takayama)
https://www.hidatakayama.or.jp/

Norikuradake 
https://norikura.gr.jp/ 

Goshikigahara 
https://goshikigahara.com/wp/ 

Hida Dai Shounyudo (Calcareous cave) and Museum 
https://www.syonyudo.com/ (Japanese site) 

Matsumoto City of Nagano prefecture 
https://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/

Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, Tokyo
https://shinjuku-busterminal.co.jp/

Nouhi Bus
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/