Welcome to the overflowing wilderness of the mountain resort Kamikochi

TREKKING

Trekking is the best way to make the most of your stay in Kamikochi. Countless trails are available, with levels of difficulty ranging from hour-long recreational walks to arduous climbing and a tour of all the scenic spots. Select the trail best suited to you and get in touch with Mother Nature.

VIEWS FROM THE TRAILS

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     Please inquire at the hotel for English-speaking guides.

ACTIVITIES & TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

TOURIST ATTTACTIONS

1. Kamonji-goya

Kamonji-goya is a traditional Japanese-style hut fitted with an irori, or square pit in the floor filled with ash for building a fire. This hearth doubles as a dining kitchen and as a heating system. Kamonji-goya invites guests to gather around the irori and enjoy grilled salted char while gazing at the river flowing nearby—a classic Japanese experience.

Access

3hours round trip on foot

2. Azumino

The Azumino area offers a picturesque view of nature in the rustic landscape together with a variety of activities such as making soba noodles with water selected as one of the 100 Best Waters of Japan, riding a “clear boat” with windows in the bottom for gazing at fish, and a glassblowing workshop.

Access

2hours 30minutes by bus and train

3. Shirahone Onsen

The milky white water of Shirahone Onsen is gentle on the skin and ideal for healing fatigue from climbing. Japan is a hot-spring paradise, but only a handful of waters are suitable for drinking. The water from Shirahone Onsen stimulates the organs, cleansing the body from the inside as well as the outside.

Access

1hour by bus

4. Hida-Takayama

Hida-Takayama flourished as a castle town’s community of merchants occupying what is now called Furui Machinami, or “old streetscape,” aka Sanmachi-dori. Selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, the tourist destination is lined with sake breweries that display a ball of cedar needles, called sakabayashi, to announce the season’s first batch of sake is ready. Many restaurants serve the famous brand of Hida Beef.

Access

2hours 30minutes by bus

TRIVIA

An introduction to trivial bits of information about The Kamikochi Imperial Hotel

Colossal mantelpiece

The mantelpiece of the fireplace designed for heating the Lobby Lounge weighs 650 kilograms and is 5.1 meters tall. Lighting demonstrations are organized at 17:00 between late April and mid July, and between mid September and the close of the season in November.

Natural drinking water

All drinking water served in the hotel is natural spring water drawn from Mt. Roppyaku. Our coffee brewed with natural water has an exquisite taste.

Secret of the hotel logo

The Kamikochi Imperial Hotel logo depicts stunning nature of Kamikochi with a fresh sprout of white birch.

INSIDE THE KAMIKOCHI IMPERIAL HOTEL

GUESTROOMS & RESTAURANTS

Guest rooms

The Kamikochi Imperial Hotel offers a variety of guestrooms, from log cabin style to veranda rooms overlooking the grand Hotaka Mountain Range.

Restaurants

Savor a range of dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients from Shinshu at the Main Dining Room, serving traditional French cuisine from the hotel; at our alpine-style casual restaurant; and at our Japanese-style kaiseki restaurant.

HISTORY OF KAMIKOCHI

An introduction to the history of Kamikochi,
a mountain resort that attracts as many as 1.2 million visitors each year

1885

Kamikochi cattle ranch starts grazing

1896

British missionary Walter Weston introduces Kamikochi to the world through his writings

1898

Myojin Pond is included in the sacred precincts of Hotaka Shrine

1910

First Kappa Bridge (suspension bridge) is completed

1915

Taisho Pond emerges following the eruption of Mt. Yakedake

1927

Ryunosuke Akutagawa publishes his novel Kappa; Kamikochi is selected first place in the gorge category of the New 8 Best Views of Japan

1928

Kamikochi is designated a Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument of Japan

1933

Kamikochi Hotel (currently The Kamikochi Imperial Hotel) opens

1934

The Hida Mountains, or Northern Alps, including the Kamikochi area is designated the Chubusangaku National Park

1965

Kamikochi Preservation group is launched

1975

Prefectural Route 24 Kamikochi Koen Line is closed to private vehicles

1977

The Kamikochi Imperial Hotel undergoes complete renovation

1996

Road is closed to private vehicles year round

2004

Road closes to tour buses

2005

New Kama Tunnel opens

Praise from Notable Figures

British missionary Walter Weston raved about his experiences in Kamikochi, the Hotaka Mountain Range, and Mt. Yarigatake, and introduced these destinations to a broad overseas audience in Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japanese Alps (1896).

Ryunosuke Akutagawa drew on his countless visits to Kamikochi and the Kappa Bridge in presenting his novel Kappa (1927).

MEMBERSHIP

Members of the Imperial Club International enjoy a vast array of privileges.
The membership is free of charge and you can apply online.

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