Nagano

Kamikochi — Azusa River Autumn Walk

Autumn LeavesNatureMountain Views

An alpine valley walk beside the Azusa River with views of the Hotaka range, October broadleaf colour and late-October larch. Private-car access is restricted and the visitor season ends before heavy winter snow.

Best time to visit: Oct – Valley foliage sequence · Nov – Final larch colour

Azusa River and larch colour in Kamikochi
💡 Colour progresses from the mountains to the valley through October; transport and visitor facilities close for winter in mid-November.
Azusa River and larch colour in KamikochiMonth match · time or weather may differ

Recorded capture month: Oct · Historical photo, not a live view

AUTUMN · Oct

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Weather for your date

Today shows live hourly weather. Future dates show the best available report.

☁️

11°C

Partly cloudy

💧 9% rain chance · wind 3 km/h

Hourly forecast

☁️11°💧 9%
☁️11°💧 14%
☁️10°💧 20%
🌧️11°💧 21%
🌤️14°💧 18%
🌤️17°💧 30%
🌧️16°💧 43%
🌤️15°💧 49%

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Packing checklist

  • Also useful: Warm windproof layer, Waterproof walking shoes

Parking

Parking has not been verified for this place.

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Directions to Kamikochi — Azusa River Autumn Walk

Google Maps directions ↗

Leave the start blank to choose your current location in Google Maps. The pin is an approximate landmark; check the entrance and live services in Maps.

A DIFFERENT JAPAN, EVERY MONTH

When to see this place

Typical viewing windows. Weather and bloom dates vary each year; these are not live forecasts.

AUTUMN · DAY

October · Valley foliage sequence

JNTO describes mountain colour in early October, broadleaf colour along the valley in mid-October and larch colour from late October. Plan around the seasonal bus timetable.

Tourism source ↗

Suitability

Stroller: Not verified

Nursing room: Not verified

Noise level: quiet

Kids: Select a short riverside section for young children; mountain weather changes quickly.

Rules

Fire: no fire

Water access: river

Drones: banned

Coordinates

36.2488, 137.6369

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Nearby places

Within 30 km, closest first.

Nagano

Kamikochi Konashidaira Camping Ground

Kamikochi Konashidaira Camping Ground in Nagano, prepared with map position, photo, accessibility notes and a month-based planning window.

3 km away
Gifu

Shinhotaka Ropeway

A two-stage mountain ropeway in Okuhida whose double-decker cabin climbs to a 2,156-metre observation area facing the Northern Japan Alps. Weather or maintenance can suspend service, and the high station remains much colder than the valley.

5 km away
Nagano

Mount Yarigatake (Mt. Yari)

The spear-shaped 3,180-metre peak of the Northern Japan Alps rises on the Nagano–Gifu border. The reference Yarisawa route from Kamikochi is a demanding multi-day alpine journey with mountain-hut stays and a steep final summit section.

10 km away
Nagano

Shirahone Onsen

A secluded hot-spring village west of Matsumoto near Norikura and Kamikochi. Its mineral-rich water emerges clear and turns a distinctive milky white to pale blue after contact with air. The Alpico bus from Shin-Shimashima takes roughly 55–60 minutes, with seasonal timetables.

11 km away
Gifu

Okuhida Onsen Villages

Five mountain hot-spring districts—Hirayu, Fukuji, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio and Shinhotaka—form Okuhida Onsen-go. More than 100 baths combine open-air bathing with alpine scenery, autumn colour and deep winter snow; access and bathing rules vary by facility.

12 km away
Nagano

Norikura Kogen Camping Ground

Norikura Kogen Camping Ground in Nagano, prepared with map position, photo, accessibility notes and a month-based planning window.

14 km away
Gifu

Mount Norikura

A 3,026-metre volcanic massif spanning Gifu and Nagano, with shuttle access toward Tatamidaira, alpine flower walks and summit hiking. Private cars are restricted on the high roads and winter closes the mountain approach; confirm buses, road status and weather.

14 km away
Nagano

Matsumoto Alpine Auto Campsite

Matsumoto Alpine Auto Campsite in Nagano, prepared with map position, photo, accessibility notes and a month-based planning window.

16 km away
Sources, photo credits and verification

Place information: Official tourism source · Reviewed 2026-09-24

  • 1. Azusa River and larch colour in Kamikochi · lumoplank · Source ↗ · CC0