Going Solo in Japan 10 – Japanese Alps ( 1997 ) Last Updated: January 4, 2024
The Japanese Alps refers to a series of mountain ranges that traverse the main island of Japan. These mountain ranges are divided into three main sections: the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains), the Central Alps (Kiso Mountains), and the Southern Alps (Akaishi Mountains). The Japanese Alps are known for their scenic beauty, diverse landscapes, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Northern Alps (Hida Mountains): These mountains are located in the Chubu region of Honshu, the main island of Japan. The highest peak in the Northern Alps is Mount Hotaka.
- Central Alps (Kiso Mountains): Situated to the south of the Northern Alps, the Central Alps are known for their challenging terrain and beautiful landscapes. Mount Ontake, an active volcano, is part of the Central Alps.
- Southern Alps (Akaishi Mountains): The Southern Alps are located on the border between Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures. Mount Kita is the highest peak in this range.
The Japanese Alps are a popular destination for hiking, mountaineering, and skiing. The region offers a variety of outdoor activities, stunning alpine scenery, and hot springs (onsen) that attract both domestic and international tourists. Nagano Prefecture, in particular, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998 and is a well-known area for winter sports enthusiasts.
I am going to describe our visits to different parts of Japanese Alps starting with where we went first.
Northern Alps
Takayama was our first destination. From here we went to Kamikochi And Shirakawa Go
Kamakochi
To reach Kamikochi we went by a public bus. Bus was chock a block full with tourists. A lady sitting next to me who spoke English told me that if you are here for a day trip reserve your tickets for return journey, when you get down. Later it will be very difficult for you to get a seat of your choice. This suggestion was welcome.
Kamikōchi is a remote mountainous highland valley within the Hida Mountains range, in the western region of Nagano Prefecture.
It is a stunning highland valley located in the Chubu Sangaku National Park, surrounded by the peaks of the Northern Alps. It is known for its pristine landscapes, crystal-clear rivers, and picturesque views of iconic mountains like Mount Hotaka.
Hiking trails in Kamikochi range from easy walks along the Azusa River to more challenging routes leading to mountain summits.
It has been preserved in its natural state within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. It is designated as one of Japan’s National Cultural Assets, on the list of Special Natural Monuments and Special Places of Scenic Beauty. It is sometimes referred to as the “Japanese Yosemite Valley,” although it is considerably smaller than its Californian counterpart.
Hakuba
Hakuba is a popular resort town located in the Northern Alps of Japan, in the Nagano Prefecture. Known for its stunning alpine scenery, world-class ski resorts, and outdoor recreational opportunities, Hakuba has become a year-round destination for both domestic and international visitors.
While teaching at Saku city Hospital once we made a trip further north to go to Hakuba – A Ski resort.
An English speaking gentleman accompanied us to go to Nagano city by Shinkansen train.
He took us to the famous Buddhist temple in Nagano city.
Following that he dropped at the bus stop for our journey to Hakuba. For our stay we had made prior booking at a small hotel for our two night stay. The owner of the small hotel was going to pick us up at the bus stop at a pre decided time. We were supposed to meet at bus station named Happo. On reaching there we didn’t see him and were worried. After a while he came and drove us to his hotel. The small town was very beautiful.
Next day he took us to bus station to reach a place called Happo Village. It is one of the prominent skiing area within the Hakuba region. This being summer there was no skiing activity. But in a little while lots of families with children came to enjoy baloon safari.
While Happo Village is primarily known for winter sports, it also attracts visitors during the summer months. The ski slopes transform into lush green landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. The gondolas often operate during the summer to provide access to higher elevations for hiking enthusiasts.
Happo Village’s combination of winter sports, scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences makes it a popular destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation in the Japanese Alps.
Weather was good and we relaxed watching Balloons going up in the sky.
