Travelog

5 Best Places to Visit in the North Japanese Alps

2024.10.02

Tokyo tower, Kiyomizu Temple, Mt Fuji, Hiroshima’ Atomic Bomb Dome, Hakone… Been there, done that? How about diving deep into Japan’s natural wonders in the Japanese Alps?

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Mt. Yari (Yarigatake) and Omote Ginza Trail, a part of the Japanese Alps.

What is the Japanese Alps?

The Japanese Alps, also known as the “Roof of Japan” is divided broadly into 3 mountainous regions: northern (Hida Mountains), central (Kiso Mountains), and southern (Akaishi Mountains).

The Northern Alps lies along the prefectural borders between Nagano, Gifu and Toyama. Most of the areas are within Chubu Sangaku National Park, with 10 out of 21 three-thousanders on this mountain range! Within the Northern Japan Alps area, there can be divided into 3 areas: Yari/Hotaka area, Tateyama/Hakuba/Tsurugi area, and Ontake/ Norikura.area.

5 Recommended places to visit in the North Japanese Alps

Here are our 5 favorite spots in the North Japanese Alps.

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Kamikochi

Kamikochi is probably the most popular mountain travel destination on this list. It is hard to not fall in love with this picturesque valley. Getting off the bus at Taisho Pond to start hiking to Kappa Bridge and Myojin Pond is the easiest way to enjoy the highlights in Kamikochi. The park is opened from April 17 until November 15. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the date!

Around late mid-May to mid-July, where everything turns into fresh green and crystal blue, is our recomended time to visit Kamikochi.

Hiking to the peak of Mt. Yake (Yakedake).

For those who aim to summit the peaks beyond Kamikochi, there are so many peaks you can conquer. Mt. Yari (Yarigatake) and the peaks on Hotaka mountain range, namely Mt. Oku-Hotaka, Mt. Mae-Hotaka and Mt. Kita-Hotaka. These are ones that require some hiking experiences. The easier ones are Mt. Yake (Yakedake) and Mt Chogatake.

Karasawa Cirque during the peak of Koyo (autumn leaves) season.

Apart from these peaks, although it is only half-way to the summit, Karasawa Cirque and Dakesawa are also highly recommended to the less experienced hikers.

Hakuba

Hakuba is one of the top-class ski resorts in Japan and always crowded with skier from all around the world. Sadly, it is often overlooked in green season. Here are some breathtaking spots you must visit in Hakuba during the warmer seasons!

Hakuba Happo Pond

Hakuba Happo Pond is definitely one of our top picks in the North Japanese Alps. This jaw-dropping pond is on the halfway to Mt. Karamatsu, at the altitude of 2,060m. If the weather cooperates, you will see the reflection of the “Three Peaks of Hakuba” on the pond. (The Three Peaks of Hakuba consists of Mt. Shirouma, Mt. Yakushi and Mt. Shirouma-Yarigatake.)

Hakuba Happo Pond, reflecting Hakuba mountain range like a mirror.

The gondola and ski lifts will bring you up to an elevation of 1,830m in just a few minutes. From the Hakuba-ike Sanso lift station, it is only about 1.5 hours walk to the pond.

Check out our vlog hiking to the Happo Pond here!

Tsugaike Nature Park

The most iconic photo of Tsugaike Nature Park is the hiking trail in a vast open Watasuge (cotton grass) marshland that turns golden yellow in autumn with the snowcapped mountains in the background.

The most iconic photo of Tsugaike Nature Park with golden cotton grass and mountains as the background.

This hiking trail is not challenging and is recommended to everyone. The whole trail is only about 5.5 km and takes about 3 hours and a half to finish. The goal for this short hiking trail is the viewpoint where you can appreciate the beautiful snow valley (daisekkei) and majestic views of the Japanese Alps up close.

Hakuba Mountain Harbor

Hakuba Mountain Harbor is one of the hot spots in Hakuba Iwatake, attracting many Japanese and foreign travelers. The terrace viewpoint is floating on a cliff, facing the majestic view of Hakuba’s Three Peaks (Hakuba Sanzan): Shirouma, Shakushi, and Hakuba Yari. You can enjoy the panorama view here while having a cup of good coffee and muffins!

Hakuba Mountain Harbor and Hakuba Sanzan

Apart from the splendid view, there are various activities to do: mountain biking, hiking, and riding on “Yoo-hoo! Swing”, mountain cart or buggy cruise!

Hakuba Goryu Botanical Garden

If you love flowers, take the “Telecabin Gondola” from Hakuba Escal Plaza to Hakuba Goryu Botanical Garden to enjoy flower watching!

During summer, different kinds of alpine and non-alpine flowers take turns blooming from June until September. The peak period of blooming alpine flowers is around the month of July. You can see pink Komakusa (Dicentra peregrina), the queen of alpine flower, from June until August.

The garden covers the whole area from Alps-daira station to the to the highest lift station. From there, you can hike to Mt. Kotomiyama (2,007m), about 3 hours up and down.

Norikura

Norikura is a lesser-known area in the Japanese Alps with so many hidden charms to be explored, only about an hour from Kamikochi. If you are a going to visit both, we recommend using 2-Day Free Passport, a discounted bus pass.

Mt. Norikura Tatamidaira

Mt. Norikura (3,026m) is famous for being a three-thounsander that is easy to climb as a daytrip. Alpico and Nohi buses will take you to the highest bus terminal in Japan at an altitude of 2,702m, from there you have only about 300 meter left to conquer the peak!

A crater lake near the peak of Mt. Norikura.

The scenery along the Echoline road from Norikura Kogen to the summit during autumn season is another attraction not to be missed, so don’t sleep on the bus!

An Alpico bus running along the Norikura Echoline during autumn leaves season.

Norikura Kogen (highlands)

Norikura Kogen is where you have to transfer a bus to get to Mt. Norikura. There are many attractive ponds, falls and natural hot springs to enjoy. You can rent a mountain bike or an e-bike to visit those beautiful spots.

The iconic clear dome café in Norikura Kogen. A cup of good coffee with mountain views? Yes, please!

A hiking trail to Zengoro Fallls, Norikura’s most popular waterfall.

Maime Pond just before autumn ends.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is undeniably the most famous destination in the Japanese Alps for its majestic snow walls. This 90-kilometer scenic route starts from Ogizawa to Tateyama station, crossing the Japanese Alps. It is worth visiting not only during spring season but also in summer and autumn for hiking.

The world’s most famous snow wall in spring.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during the golden season.

Shin-Hotaka Ropeway

Do you like traveling through the sky? This Japan’s first double-decker ropeway will take you from an altitude of 1,117m to 2,156m to witness the greatness of the North Japanese Alps. Halfway to the observation deck, there’s a footbath and outdoor hot spring waiting for you! From the summit station, Nishihotaka-guchi station, you can enjoy hiking to Mt. Nishihomaruyama (2,452m) and Kamikochi (1,500m).

If not for that red line, the ropeway would have completely disappeared in the white snow!

Access to the North Japanese Alps

These breathing spots above are all located in the mountainous area where trains don’t reach. But don’t worry because the access is possible by public bus. Read below for details on how to get there and bus timetables.

Getting to Kamikochi

To preserve natural environment, private cars are not allowed inside the park. To get to Kamikochi, please use public transportations by train and bus.

See all the bus timetables to Kamikochi >

Getting to Hakuba

The easiest way to travel to Hakuba is by bus. There are various bus lines running from major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagano and even from Narita and Haneda Airport. If you have a JR East pass, you can take a Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Nagano station then change to a bus to get to Hakuba, as well.

See all the bus timetables to Hakuba >

Getting to Matsumoto

Matsumoto acts as a transport hub, connecting train and bus to from major cities to the popular tourist destinations around the Japanese Alps. Matsumoto is accessible by both train and highway bus.

See all the bus timetables to and from Matsumoto >

Getting to Nagano

Like Matsumoto, Nagano city is another major transport hub in Nagano prefecture, especially if you are traveling to Hakuba, Togakushi and Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Shinkansen can bring you as far as Nagano city (1.5 hrs), from there it is necessary to use a local bus to get to the final destinations.

See all the bus timetables to Nagano and nearby sightseeing >

Getting to Norikura

To get to Norikura Kogen (highland), it is recommended to travel from Nagano side, via Shin-Shimashima station by train and bus. However, if you are going to Mt. Norikura, it is accessible from both Nagano (via Norikura Kogen) and Gifu (via Honoki-daira).

See all the bus timetables to Norikura from Nagano side >
See all the bus timetables to Norikura from Gifu side >

Getting to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is accessible from both ends in Nagano and Toyama. There is a direct bus service from Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto to Ogizawa station which is a starting point to the alpine route from Nagano side during hiking season. Traveling from Nagano station to Ogizawa is also another popular travel option.

See all the bus timetables to Ogizawa >

Getting to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway

Shin-Hotaka can be accessed from both Takayama and Matsumoto by bus via Hirayu onsen.

See bus timetable from Matsumoto to Shin-Hotaka >
See bus timetable from Takayama to Shin-Hotaka >

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