A hearty hello to all of our loyal readers near and far!
Today, we’re back after a looooooong absence to share some recommendations for hiking in Kamikochi. This particular guide was compiled by Five Sense blogger, Fu-ta, and focusses on the route from Kappa Bridge to the Myojin area. As many of you will already know, Kamikochi is considerably cooler than other parts of Japan. Now that we find ourselves in the final third of August, there’s a chill in the air that hints at the autumn season to come.
Now, without further ado, let’s chart our course:
Kamikochi to Myojin along Azusa’s right bank
First, a bit of clarification: the right bank of the Azusa River is the side that you are on if you are travelling upriver from the side on which the Bus Terminal is located.
Walking along this path toward the Myojin area, you can enjoy the majestic sight of the Hotaka peaks looming over the mighty Azusa River.
The Wooden Walkway to Dakesawa
Lately, we’ve received a few questions about bears in Kamikochi. While your chances of encountering a bear are low, one way of increasing your chances of avoiding one is to use a “bear bell” to keep them at bay. The most familiar kind of bear bell is the small, portable kind that can be purchased at any outdoor sporting goods store. The large, stationary bear bell located between Kappa Bridge and the Dakesawa Marsh is a novel variation on the theme. Feel free to give it a loud ding as you walk past. The fate of our picinic baskets hangs in the balance!
Dakesawa Marsh
Hot spring curents whirling under the surface of the marsh give its waters their peculiar mix of rich pigmentation and transparency. A powerful sight to behold.
Mountain Streams
En route to Myojin, you will also come across rapidly flowing mountain streams. The rushing waters have a palpable coolness that will hit you like a bucket of ice water as you walk past.
Shady Forest Paths
A shady lane: everybody wants one. And the walkways linking Kappa Bridge to Myojin largely pass through wooded areas offering plentiful shade. Please bear in mind that you should also be applying sunscreen to protect you against the high UV levels of sunlight at higher elevations.
Hotaka Shrine and Myojin Pond
Finally, we arrive at Myojin itself, home to the Hotaka Shrine and the sacred waters of Myojin Pond. After about an hour and 15 minutes of hiking from Kappa Bridge, you will reach the torii (entry arch) of the shrine. If you proceed further to view Myojin Pond, please be aware that a 500 yen donation is now required.
And with that, we conclude our brief guide to the Kappa Bridge to Myojin hike via the left bank of the Azusa River. I say “our guide” even though it was lifted point by point from article posted here. Please visit Five Sense’s homepage where you can find plenty of recent posts as well as info on how to book one of their walking tours.
We hope that you’re all enjoying the summer season wherever you are. Till next time, be well and stay safe.
Source of Information:
Nature Guide Five Sense, Kamikochi blog: https://fivesense.guide/blog/today/136462/
