Popular Walking Routes

Kappa Bridge to Taisho Pond and back might be the course that best represents the park. You get to see a lot of iconic scenery such as the smoke-spewing Mount Yake and the Hotaka peaks reflected in the mirror like waters of Taisho Pond. As an added bonus, you can pass through the pleasant marshy area around Tashiro Pond on your way back. Expect to cover around 3.8 - 4 km and to spend 2.5 hours walking. The terrain is not difficult, and the scenery is pleasingly varied. You can further take advantage of the relaxed time frame by stopping for lunch along the way.

Note: some people opt to get off the bus at Taisho Pond and proceed to Kappa Bridge on foot, thus making it a one-way hike and shaving off roughly half the walking time.

Hiking upriver from Kappa Bridge, you'll pass through an area that can't be accessed by bus or taxi. The most popular destination along this route is the Myojin area with its famous pond, shrine and bridge. The level surfaces of the paths pose no significant challenge to those who are able-bodied, but the total round-trip distance is 5.5 km. A brisk walk takes about 2 hours, but expect it to take longer if you want to savor the scenery and admire the wildlife along the way.

Continue upriver for another hour from Myojin to reach Tokusawa. This area used to serve as a pasture and is known for various seasonal highlights. In May, the area is bedecked in a mantle of soft white wildflowers, as seen here:

In autumn, the elms and birches display beautiful foliage, with orange and yellow leaves setting the scene for a pleasant autumn stroll. Expect to spend four to five hours getting from Kappa Bridge to Tokusawa and back. And if you fancy stopping for lunch at Tokusawa, there are several lodges serving up curries and other tasty victuals. The Tokusawa area also happens to be a nice place to set up camp or spend the night at one of the lodges.
Note: It is actually possible to start at Taisho Pond and hike all the way to Tokusawa (or even further) and still have time to circle back to the Bus Terminal in a single day. To do so, make sure you get an early start and are up for a long and tiring trek.

If you're pressed for time, it's best not to wander too far from Kappa Bridge and the Bus Terminal. Fortunately, Tashiro Bridge and Tashiro Pond are both easily accessible, taking about 25 and 45 minutes on foot, respectively. Keep in mind that if you alight at Taisho Pond and walk to Kappa Bridge, you'll spend a similar amount of time while enjoying more sights along the way.

Lastly, If you're really REALLY pressed for time, you might have to content yourself with a leisurely walk to Kappa Bridge and perhaps to the nearby Konashidaira Campgrounds, which clocks in at around 20 minutes of walking time.

Walking Course Guide

1-Hour Course

● Bus Terminal → Kappa Bridge → Right Bank of Azusa River → Weston Monument → Tashiro Bridge → Left Bank of Azusa River → Bus Terminal

2-Hour Course

● Bus Terminal → Kappa Bridge → Left Bank of Azusa River → Myojin Pond → Right Bank of Azusa River → Kappa Bridge → Bus Terminal

3-Hour Course

● Bus Terminal → Kappa Bridge → Myojin Fork → Myojin Pond → Kappa Bridge → Weston Relief → Tashiro Bridge & Hotaka Bridge → Bus Terminal

4-Hour Course

● Bus Terminal → Kappa Bridge → Visitor Center → Myojin Bridge → Myojin Pond → Kappa Bridge → Weston Monument → Tashiro Bridge → Nature Trail → Round Trip to Taisho Pond → Bus Terminal

5-Hour Course

● Bus Terminal → Kappa Bridge → Myojin → Tokusawa → Shinmura Bridge → Tokusawa → Myojin Bridge → Myojin Pond → Kappa Bridge → Weston Monument → Tashiro Bridge → Bus Terminal

Luggage

There is a baggage room on the first floor of the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, but there are no coin lockers. See here.

The Baggage Delivery Service can be used by visitors staying at participating accommodations to help deliver their luggage between the bus terminal and their accommodation. See here.