Introduction
Kamikochi is a remote mountainous highland valley in the Hida Mountains (Japan Alps) of western Nagano Prefecture, within Chubu-Sangaku National Park, accessible as a day trip from Matsumoto. It sits at about 1,500 meters elevation along the crystal-clear Azusa River, known for scenic spots like Kappa Bridge and surrounded by peaks such as the Hotaka Range. It's a popular mountain resort for hiking and enjoying alpine scenery, open from mid-April to mid-November.