A hearty hello to all of our loyal readers around the globe!
With the Bon holiday now behind us, you might expect the weather to be cooling off a bit in the leadup to autumn. This hasn't been the case, however. All around Nagano Prefecture, daytime highs in the mid-30s persist, with some cities posting record temperatures for this time of year.
As always, Kamikochi remains a popular alternative to sweating out the long summer days in towns and cities. Visitors can expect much cooler temperatures above the 1,200m mark and on clear nights, you might have the chance to do some stargazing.
In the leadup to the Bon Holiday, Five Sense Blogger Yuushi posted an informative guide to stargazing in Kamikochi this summer. We've decided to adapt it into a short English feature for the delight and edification of our readers.
In the summertime, The Milky Way can be seen rising above the Hotaka peaks around 8pm. Because there is minimal light pollution in Kamikochi, a vast number of stars are visible to the naked eye.
You should also be able to make out the bright stars of the Great Summer Triangle as indicated in the photo below. The triangle is comprised of three stars each of which is the brightest of its constellation:
The uppermost star in the picture is Vega, the brightest star of Lyra; the star in lower right is Altair or the Aquila constellation; and the star in the lower left is Deneb of the Cyngus constellation.
You can also see the "w" (or "m") shaped constellation, Cassiopeia, in the center of the Milky Way:
While Cassiopeia is more of an autumn constellation, you should be able to see it with relative ease around 10pm.
At the bottom right of the picture, you can see the Andromeda Galaxy indicated by the red arrow.
While it can be difficult for newcomers to stargazing to make out various elements of the star formations, the become easier to see around the time of a new moon.
Stargazing Tips
As mentioned above, there are no outdoor lights at Kamikochi making the outdoors pitch black at nighttime. The main benefit to this is that you'll be able to see stars very clearly.
Please bear in mind that, due to the difficulty of getting around in the dark, you should stick close to your place of lodging. You will also want to take a good look at your route before it gets dark to build familiarity with the surrounding area. We also recommend carrying flashlights and "kuma-yoke" bear-repelling chimes.
Regarding Bear Activity
Due to reports of bear activity around central Kamikochi, nighttime curfews may be announced at short notice. Please act in accordance with restrictions at such times. You can still enjoy views of starry skies from your window.
Recommended Spots for Stargazing
Five Sense Blogger Yusshi recommends the following spots for stargazing in Kamikochi:
Taisho Pond: If you're staying at the Taisho-ike Hotel, you can enjoy the sight of starry skies reflected on the surface of the water on clear nights.
Tashiro Bridge: Those based at the Kamikochi Imperial Hotel will want to take the short hike out to the bridge to check out this vantage point.
Weston Relief: Staying at the Kamikochi Onsen Hotel or the Lumiesta Hotel? Why not head down to the riverside to enjoy the excellent views?
Kappa Bridge: A cool and conveniently situated spot.
Myojin Bridge: Recommended for those based at the Myojin-kan.
Recommended Times for Stargazing:
Despite the absence of light pollution in Kamikochi, there are two factors that can make it difficult to see stars: cloudy conditions excess moonlight. More specifically, light from the moon when it is full or nearly fully can interfere with stargazing.
With that in mind, here are some recommended dates for 2025:
August 13-28 21:00~
September 11-26 21:00~
One Further Advisory:
For those venturing out after dark to enjoy the starry skies, we advise you to exercise caution and common sense. Footing along some paths can be very tricky, so please familiarize yourself with the area ahead of time to avoid injury.
Remember, Kamikochi's animal population includes black bears. If you happen to encounter one while hiking, a dangerous confrontation may ensue. We recommend staying close to your place of lodging at night as well as carrying flashlights and bear-repelling chimes.
Guided Night Hikes
Nature Guide Five Sense currently offers guided nighttime walks. For details, please consult the following: https://fivesense.guide/en/guide-en/
And with that, we conclude today's (longer than expected) blog. A massive thanks to Yuushi at Five Sense for providing the exhaustively detailed and copiously illustrated guide on which today's article was based.
Till next time, stay cool and enjoy your summer.
Sources of Information:
Nature Guide Five Sense, Kamikochi blog: https://fivesense.guide/blog/column/142612/
