After the usual Japanese breakfast at Hirayu Prince Hotel, I set off for Kamikochi via Abo Pass.
Breakfast at the Hirayu Prince Hotel
After the Norikura Skyline Road the previous day, going up Abo Pass didn`t seem so difficult. It was around 8km to the top of the pass and it took a little less than 2 hours. The weather was good and the air was fresh, so it was a great climb up!
Start of the uphill climb through Abo Pass
At the top of Abo Pass (1,780m above sea level)
The view from Abo Pass
From the top of Abo Pass, it was a 7km downhill, hairpin descent to the base of Kama Tunnel - entrance to Kamikochi. The descent was marked by 15 hairpin curves, and each curve had a signboard showing the number of curves left! Rather interesting...
Similar to the Norikura Skyline Road and Norikura Tatami-daira, private cars were restricted from entering Kamikochi. The only way in was either by taxi, public bus, or in my case, bicycle. The entrance, Kama Tunnel, is a 3km long tunnel that slopes uphill at a gradient of 16%. Inside, there was a 50cm wide footpath used by bicycles and pedestrians. 50cm was about the width of my bike with all the panniers on, so it was a little precarious.... hahaha...
Although there were no other cyclists or pedestrians using the tunnel, it was still rather slow going as I had much difficulty pedaling up the steep incline with my overweight bike...
Entrance of Kama Tunnel
Inside the Kama Tunnel
After almost half an hour inside the tunnel, I finally emerge on the other side into Kamikochi. It was still a 6km ride to the actual bus terminal where my accommodation for the day was.
On the Kamikochi side of Kama Tunnel
The short ride to the bus terminal was rather pleasant as traffic was limited to the rare bus or taxi. Took me about 30 minutes to finally reach the bus terminal.
Taisho Lake
View of Mount Yakedake from Taisho Lake
Leaving my luggage at the lodge, Kamikochi Nishitoya San-So, I take a hike around the beautiful surroundings.
Kamikochi is located in a valley within the Northern Japan Alps mountain range. Through it, runs the Azusa River. This river was created by repeated eruptions and lava flows from many of the once active volcanoes in the area such as the Hotaka Peaks and Mount Yakedake.
The snow covered Hotaka Peaks
Clear mountain water in the Azusa River
From my accommodation at Kamikochi Nishitoya San-So it ｗａｓ a 2 hour hike to Myojin Lake. I did not want to pay the 250yen entrance fee to see the lake and the temple inside, so I bypassed the entrance booth and took pictures at the nearby riverbank instead.
Mount Myojindake
Evening by the riverbank
On the way back to the ryokan, I pass by the Weston Relief. Walter Weston was a missionary and mountaineer from England who was one of the first to ascend the many peaks of the Japan Alps. He was so impressed with the beauty of these mountains that he named them the Japan Alps, after the Alps in Europe.
Every year, on the 1st of June, a small festival commemorating Weston is held at Kamikochi. This festival also marks the beginning of the hiking and mountaineering season in the Japan Alps National Park.
The Weston Relief
Standing on Kappa Bridge with the Hotaka Peaks in the background
After a whole day of hiking, I return to the lodge for a hearty dinner and a good rest.
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