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Mount Tsurugidake, Kamikochi
Bathing monkey, Yudanaka Onsen
Crow Castle, Matsumoto
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Tateyama-Kurobe
Alpine Route
The Alpine Route connects Toyama
and Nagano prefectures (similar to UK
counties) and is a mountain lover’s
paradise, offering stunning views of the
Tateyama Range of the northern Japan
Alps and many excellent trekking
opportunities. The route is also a must
for engineering enthusiasts, as central to
the traverse is the Kurobe Dam, which
was constructed in 1971 and, at 186
metres, is the tallest dam in Japan and a
staggering feat of engineering.
The most spectacular parts of the
traverse are the cable car journey
overlooking the dam, and arrival at
Murodo, which both offer 360 degree
alpine views. From Murodo there are
plenty of trails to hike or walk along,
varying in difficulty and altitude, with the
hike to the peak of Mount Tateyama
being particularly rewarding. The route is
open from April until October, each
season offering something a little different,
from the steep yuki no otani snow curtains
of the spring to the rich gold and red
hues of the changing leaves in autumn.
Kappabashi Bridge, Kamikochi
Matsumoto
The hub for the Japan Alps region is the
picturesque town of Matsumoto, a small but
cosmopolitan city on the edge of the mountains.
Its history dates back to the 8th century but it is
most famous for its fine castle which was built in
1595 and is known as ‘Crow Castle’ because of
its striking black and white design. Although much
of the city is modern, you can still find traditional
lattice-patterned buildings in the old merchant
district. Most of these are now craft shops, tea
houses or restaurants.
Snow monkeys, Yudanaka Onsen
Kamikochi
Kamikochi is one of the most beautiful places in
Japan; a haven of unspoilt nature. The ice-blue
glacial waters of Azusagawa River carve through
the valley, framed by the soaring Alps, capped
most of the year by snow. Kamikochi is the
perfect place in which to stretch your legs with
easy walks along the river and across the famed
Kappabashi Bridge. Some of the country’s most
exhilarating mountain treks can be accessed from
Kamikochi and there are also plenty of good day
walks that hikers and ramblers alike will enjoy.
Yudanaka Onsen
The small town of Yudanaka is a hot spring resort
popular not only with humans but also with the
native Macaque ‘snow’ monkey. At the Jigokudani
Onsen, which is known as ‘Hell Valley’ due to the
bubbling hot sulphur vents dotted around it, more
than 100 monkeys congregate in one of the hot
spring baths, presumably to relax and warm up as
humans do. They can be seen throughout the
year, but are especially picture perfect during the
cold winter months when the air temperature
drops below freezing and the valley is covered by
a thick layer of snow. The small town of Obuse is
a short train ride away and is home to the
Hokkusai museum containing replicas and originals
of the artist’s wood-block paintings, such as the
acclaimed ‘Wave’.