Chubu-Sangaku National Park

Enjoy spectacular hiking in the Kamikochi region of Chubu-Sangaku National Park.

High in the Japanese Alps is Kamikochi, a gorgeous area of the national park. Private cars are banned from the national park, so bus is the only means of transport. Due to heavy snowfall in winter, Kamikochi's buses and hotels only run from April to November.

Kamikochi is a 15km plateau along the Azusa River, 1,500 metres above sea level. It's a fantastic area for hiking with easy, flat trails along the bottom of the valley to Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge. However in July and August more experienced hikers can tackle one of the mountain peaks surrounding Kamikochi: Nishihotakadake (2,909m), Okuhotakadake (3,190m), Maehotakadake (3,090m) and the active volcano Yakedake (2,455m).

When to go: Kamikochi is closed off due to heavy snowfall in winter, so can only be accessed from May to the end of October. The national park is absolutely spectacular in mid-October when the autumn leaves turn bright red.