How to visit Kamikochi for the first time?

⛺【About Kamikochi】
📌 Is it open all year round? ❌ No!
📅 Closed from mid-November to mid-April every year (the scenic area is closed to the public due to heavy snow in winter)
✔ Open in mid-April, new greenery in May, cool summer in July and August, and beautiful red leaves in September and October!

📌 How to get there? 🚍
🚗 Self-driving: Private cars are not allowed in Kamikochi!
Take a bus or carpool from Matsumoto, Hirayu Onsen, Takayama Station, etc.:

Matsumoto Station → Kamikochi (direct bus, approx. 1.5 hours)
Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi (bus, approx. 30 minutes)
Takayama Station → Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi (approx. 2 hours)
🚶 Recommended for hiking

Kappa Bridge → Myojin Pond (2 km, 1 hour) Easy to walk, beautiful scenery along the way!
Kappa Bridge → Tokusawa (7 km, 3 hours) Suitable for hiking enthusiasts, the forest and streams are super healing!
Challenge Yokoo, Koike Shindo, and Karasawa: Advanced hiking, the scenery is more and more amazing!
Must-visit attractions in Kamikochi

Kappa Bridge 🌉
📌 The symbol of Kamikochi! Standing on the bridge, you can see the Azusa River and the Hotaka Mountain Range. When the weather is good, the snow-capped mountains are reflected on the water, which is a postcard-level scenery! It is the most beautiful in the morning when there are few people and the morning mist is lingering. It is recommended to come early in the morning!

Myojin Pond 🏞
📌 A super quiet secret place, with clear lake water and surrounded by mountains and forests, it is perfect for daze and taking photos! This is a shrine sanctuary, so keep quiet~

Taisho Pond 🌊
📌 The dreamy lake view in the early morning, with dead trees and snow-capped mountains reflected on the lake, is so unreal when the morning mist is lingering! It is recommended to come in the morning, when there are few people and you can take atmospheric photos!
🧡 Travel TIPS (must read!)
✔ Book accommodation in advance during peak season! Popular room types in hotels in the scenic area are fully booked one year in advance!
✔ Wear non-slip hiking shoes! There are slippery roads, so protect yourself!
✔ There is no convenience store here! Remember to buy food and water in Matsumoto/Takayama in advance.
✔ The ultraviolet rays are super strong! Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. If you don't want to get sunburned, be sure to apply sunscreen!
✔ Take your trash with you! The ecological protection here is super strict, and there are no trash cans, so everyone must be conscious!