[2025 Matsumoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Myojin Pond (Updated May)

⛺【About Kamikochi】 📌 Is it open all year round? ❌ No! 📅 Closed from mid-November to mid-April every year (the scenic area is closed to the public due to heavy snow in winter) ✔ Open in mid-April, new greenery in May, cool summer in July and August, and beautiful red leaves in September and October! 📌 How to get there? 🚍 🚗 Self-driving: Private cars are not allowed in Kamikochi! Take a bus or carpool from Matsumoto, Hirayu Onsen, Takayama Station, etc.: Matsumoto Station → Kamikochi (direct bus, approx. 1.5 hours) Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi (bus, approx. 30 minutes) Takayama Station → Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi (approx. 2 hours) 🚶 Recommended for hiking Kappa Bridge → Myojin Pond (2 km, 1 hour) Easy to walk, beautiful scenery along the way! Kappa Bridge → Tokusawa (7 km, 3 hours) Suitable for hiking enthusiasts, the forest and streams are super healing! Challenge Yokoo, Koike Shindo, and Karasawa: Advanced hiking, the scenery is more and more amazing! Must-visit attractions in Kamikochi Kappa Bridge 🌉 📌 The symbol of Kamikochi! Standing on the bridge, you can see the Azusa River and the Hotaka Mountain Range. When the weather is good, the snow-capped mountains are reflected on the water, which is a postcard-level scenery! It is the most beautiful in the morning when there are few people and the morning mist is lingering. It is recommended to come early in the morning! Myojin Pond 🏞 📌 A super quiet secret place, with clear lake water and surrounded by mountains and forests, it is perfect for daze and taking photos! This is a shrine sanctuary, so keep quiet~ Taisho Pond 🌊 📌 The dreamy lake view in the early morning, with dead trees and snow-capped mountains reflected on the lake, is so unreal when the morning mist is lingering! It is recommended to come in the morning, when there are few people and you can take atmospheric photos! 🧡 Travel TIPS (must read!) ✔ Book accommodation in advance during peak season! Popular room types in hotels in the scenic area are fully booked one year in advance! ✔ Wear non-slip hiking shoes! There are slippery roads, so protect yourself! ✔ There is no convenience store here! Remember to buy food and water in Matsumoto/Takayama in advance. ✔ The ultraviolet rays are super strong! Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. If you don't want to get sunburned, be sure to apply sunscreen! ✔ Take your trash with you! The ecological protection here is super strict, and there are no trash cans, so everyone must be conscious!

If you head inland from Kamikochi bus terminal along the Azusa River, you will come to Myojin Pond. Combined with Mt. Myojin visible in the distance, it has a very solemn atmosphere. If you are not planning on hiking, I think this would be one of the final destinations for sightseeing in Kamikochi. It is also a place where the autumn leaves are very beautiful. #hiking #autumn leaves #Kamikochi #Myojin Pond

Summer is coming, where else can we go besides Kumano Kodo? This time I bring you a small guide to going to the highlands! General transportation: Matsumoto → 30 minutes by train → Shin-Shimajima → 65 minutes by bus (reservations are required for this bus to return from Kamikochi) → Kamikochi one-way 3260 yen Matsumoto → Direct bus 1 hour 35 minutes → Kamikochi (reservation required) One way 4000 yen 🔥Follow us and charter a car for the entire journey. The driver will drop you off at Shanggao and you can start hiking! Hiking route: Kappa Bridge ➡️ Myojin Pond ➡️ Tokusawa ➡️ Myojin Pond ➡️ Shirakaba-so Kappa Bridge, it's really too simple, get a small map at the visitor center, the route is too obvious, so just do a pure enjoyment version to appreciate the autumn in Kamikochi Road conditions: gravel road, dirt road, wooden bridge, old tree roots entangled with rocks Climbing: 50 meters, no need for trekking poles or other auxiliary tools, hiking shoes can be worn, there are many rocks Meals: It is recommended to bring two bottles of water and some snacks, which can also be replenished at Myojin Pond Of course, if you travel with us, we will prepare lunch boxes and fruit snacks for you! I felt like I was in the European Alps‼ ️

After planning for a long time, I completed the Omote Ginza Traverse of the Northern Japan Alps last October. The vast mountainous area in central Japan is home to many mountain ranges over 3,000 meters, including the Alps. Japan has a mature outdoor hiking safety and accommodation guarantee, which can be said to be a hiking paradise. This time, I set off from Matsumoto and spent 3 days (4 days to get out of the mountain) to complete the classic route of the Northern Japan Alps: Omote Ginza Traverse. 💝The three-day itinerary is as follows: 💎DAY1: Matsumoto - Hotaka - Nakabusa Onsen (hiking starting point) - Kassen Hut - Enzanso - Yari-ga-take round trip - Enzanso 💎DAY2: Enzanso - Otenjo - Nishi-dake Hut - Daiten - Sessho - Yarigatake Sanso 💎DAY3: Yarigatake Sanso - Yari-ga-take round trip - Yarigatake Sanso - Sessho - Karasawa-guchi - Yokoo Sanso - Myojinkan 💎DAY4: Myojinkan - Myojin Pond - Kamikochi - Hirayu I recorded the time required for some nodes with my mobile phone while climbing for reference. I have average climbing ability, not a beginner, nor a strong hiker. 💎DAY1 7:00, depart from Matsumoto by train 8:20, take a minibus to the mountain at Hotaka Station 9:30, arrive at the starting point of the climb, Nakabusa Onsen, and start climbing 13:00, Kassen Hut 15:25, arrive at Enzanso 16:00, set off for Yari-ga-take 17:15, return to Enzanso 💎DAY2 6:18, set off 10:20, Otenjo Hut 13:00, Nishi-dake Hut 13:20, set off from Nishi-dake Hut 14:40, Mizugoe 16:50, Daiten 17:00, Sessho 16:20, Yarigatake Sanso 💎DAY3 7:00, set off to climb Yari-ga-take 8:14, return to Yarigatake Hut 8:30, set off to descend the mountain 9:10, Sessho fork 11:35, Tengu Hara fork 13:30, Karasawa-guchi Hut 15:20, Yokoo Sanso 16:15, Tokusawa Sanso 17:00, Myojinkan 💎The fourth day can be regarded as a "walk" route, so I won't record the time. 💖Some additional notes 🍀The itinerary on the second day is a regular route in Japan, and the intensity is not small. If you want to walk more comfortably, you can add one more day in the middle, stay at Nishi-dake Hut, and divide the itinerary into two days, which will be much easier, after all, it is a hike at an altitude of about 3,000 meters. (Strong hikers can ignore it) 🍀On the third day, you can actually go directly to Kamikochi, and there is enough time. Of course, the 10-kilometer flat road from Yokoo Sanso to Kamikochi is also very tiring. My plan is to visit Myojin Pond in the morning of the second day, so I stayed at Myojinkan. I also have plenty of time to visit Kamikochi the next day, but unfortunately, it was cloudy when I arrived at Kamikochi, so I took the bus out of the mountain after a short stay.

Kamikochi is located in Matsumoto, Japan, and you can go there and back in the same day from Matsumoto! Visiting/opening months are from April to November🏞️ Every season has different scenery, so many people visit multiple times🍂 It is a national park in Japan with many peaks and landscapes🌳 Each view is very different along the way. Here is my route for the day: 🍃Taisho Pond - where the Sky Mirror is located 🌋Yakedake - an active volcano and one of the hiking trails 🍃Tashiro Pond and Tashiro ⛰️Hotaka Mountain Range 🍃Kappa Bridge - the most famous attraction in Kamikochi, with the most tourists and the busiest! 🍃 Myojin Pond For more travel and food information around the world, please follow @bunnys2peach_travel 🌷 #GlobalTravel #JapanTravel #Japan #Kamikochi #Matsumoto

Our route starts from Konashidaira Campground in Kamikochi, passing through Myojinkan, Myojin Bridge, Myojin Pond, and Hotaka Shrine Okumiya, then returning (one way 3.4km). We started hiking around 6:30 in the morning from the campground. The trail mainly goes through the forest, which made us worry about bears, but there were many hikers along the way. We took photos while walking and rested at Myojinkan (a mountain hut and shop) to eat. Most people also rest here. There are free public restrooms (recommended to use them here as the ones at Myojin Pond require a fee). It took us about 45 minutes to walk from the campground to Myojinkan. Myojinkan is a fork point; one path leads to Myojin Pond, and the other continues up the mountain to Tokusawa and further to Kurasawa. From Myojinkan to Tokusawa is another 3.4km, and Kurasawa is even farther. Tokusawa is a large meadow that used to be a grazing area and is now open for camping. We saw many hikers with camping gear heading there. Interestingly, many people had helmets on their backpacks, making us curious about how dangerous the trail is. We also saw many groups of Japanese children and teenagers carrying their own gear, some with their favorite stuffed toys attached. From Myojinkan to Myojin Pond is only 0.6km, so we continued to our final destination. Soon, we saw Myojin Bridge. After crossing the bridge, there are occasional cafes along the road. Not long after, we saw a torii gate, followed by shops. Kamonjiya Hut, famous for its grilled fish, was still closed when we arrived early in the morning. Following the road to the end, we reached Hotaka Shrine Okumiya. There is a ticket booth to enter Myojin Pond, and there are paid rest areas and restrooms nearby. The ticket booth also sells omamori (charms). Inside, the scenery is stunning. We first saw Myojin Pond One, with a wooden bridge extending into the pond and small boats docked nearby. Myojin Pond has two sections, and there are wooden walkways around the pond, perfect for taking photos. At the end of the walk, there is a small stream and waterfall, where we turned back. We were lucky to have clear blue skies and reflections on the lake, making it look like a fairyland. We spent about 40 minutes taking photos and enjoying the view. The return trip from Hotaka Shrine Okumiya was downhill and very easy, with the trail shaded by the forest, making it very comfortable. Remember!!!! When hiking in Kamikochi, be sure to bring a "bear bell" (available at shops in Kamikochi if you forget). Kamikochi is a bear habitat, and there are frequent signs warning visitors of bear sightings. Although bears generally avoid noisy areas with many people, it's still important to be cautious, especially on less crowded sections of the trail. Avoid staying outdoors alone at night or early morning when bear activity is more likely. Kamikochi and the surrounding peaks are part of Chubu Sangaku National Park. The hiking season is from mid-April to mid-November, after which the area is closed, shops are shut, and buses stop running. Winter hiking with snowshoes is possible but extremely challenging. So, make the most of the open season for an enjoyable experience.

Myojin Pond in Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is a renowned spot known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning natural scenery. The pond consists of two interconnected small ponds, surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains, creating a picturesque landscape. The water here is exceptionally pure, and the surface of the pond reflects the surrounding scenery like a mirror, making it a place that visitors find hard to leave. The hiking route to Myojin Pond is one of the most popular trails in the Kamikochi area. Starting from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach Myojin Pond by walking along the Azusa River. This route is flat and suitable for visitors of all ages. Along the way, you can enjoy magnificent mountain views and clear river waters, with multiple rest stops for visitors to take in the sights. Especially in autumn, the maple leaves along the route are breathtaking. There are several must-see spots around Myojin Pond. First is Myojin Bridge, a wooden bridge that spans the Azusa River and offers a perfect vantage point for capturing panoramic views of Myojin Pond. Next to the pond is Myojinkan, a traditional Japanese building that provides simple dining and accommodation services, making it a great place for visitors to rest. Additionally, the forest trails around Myojin Pond are not to be missed, offering a well-preserved natural environment where visitors can enjoy a peaceful forest walk.

While camping in Kamikochi, I got up early and headed to Myojin Pond. It was just under 40 minutes one way from the campsite where I was staying. It was just the right amount of walk! Myojin Pond was clear in the early morning, and the scenery was truly breathtakingly beautiful. The sunlight, the mist on the water, and the green of the trees reflected in the water were truly beautiful!! [Sightseeing points] -------- ○Mornings are recommended. →Many tourists come to the Kamikochi area by bus during the day, so it is a privilege for guests to be able to leisurely look around and take photos in the morning when there are not many people. ○Mountain climbing shoes are essential. →I was not planning on hiking this time, so I only brought sneakers. The footing was wet with morning dew, so it was slippery and my shoes got wet. ○Something to wear even in summer is essential. →It was colder in the morning than I expected. My Uniqlo down jacket came in handy. [Caution] ------------------------ ○Beware of bears →It seems that bears often appear in this area, and the campsite had some very strict rules. For that reason, I brought a bell with me while walking through the forest just in case. I also thought about eating breakfast in the forest along the way, but I avoided places where there are no people early in the morning. 📍Myojin Ichinoike Pond ▶︎Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture (search by name to find it) ▶︎Admission fee: 500 yen (adult) #Kamikochi #Myojinike Pond #Morning walk #Travel with me

It takes an hour to walk from Kappa Bridge. The area where Myojin Pond is located is quite quiet. Because it is located in the Okumiya of Hotaka Shrine, the atmosphere nearby is quite solemn and sacred. The only thing you need to pay to see it is the ticket price of 300 yen per person. Because it is located inside the shrine, there are also many monkeys. But I don’t think the scenery is more beautiful than Kappa Bridge. It’s just a lake as smooth as a mirror. This is a transit area with hostel cabins, shops, and the famous Hotaka Shrine. If you have time, you can continue to the next attraction, Tokusawa. But it’s nothing special. If you don’t go up the mountain, you can go back to Kappa Bridge along the other side after reaching Myojin Pond. #JapanMust-visitCheck-inPoints #JapanTravelStrategy #OverseasTravel #Relax #Kamikochi #JapanAttractions #JapanTravel #JapanFreeTravel

The hiking route is in the opposite direction of the one to Taisho Pond, and the scenery is also very different. It is almost like walking in the forest. Although we are still worried about bears, there are really a lot of people hiking. We even met people who were walking back one after another. They were also taking pictures while walking, and they didn’t sit down to rest until they reached Myojin-kan (it is a mountain hut and a store). There are also public toilets here that are free (it is recommended to use the toilet here first, because the toilets at Myojin Pond require payment). It takes about 45 minutes to walk from the camping area to here. Myojinkan is also a fork in the road. One side goes to Myojin Pond, and the other side goes to continue up the mountain to Deze or even Guze. It is 3.4km from Myojinkan to Deze, and Guze is even farther. I heard that Deze is a large grassland that used to be a grazing area and later opened to camping. So you can see many climbers carrying equipment to go hiking and camping along the way. What is very special is that many people almost carry helmets on their backpacks. I am curious about how dangerous that road is. I also met many Japanese children and teenagers who carried their own equipment. It was so cute that some children tied their favorite dolls to their equipment. It is only 0.6km from Myojin-kan to Myojin Pond, so we continued towards our final destination. You can see the Myojin Bridge after walking for a while. After crossing the bridge, you will occasionally see a roadside cafe. After walking for a while, you will see the Torii Gate, and then there will be a shop. I heard that this Kamonji Hut Grilled Fish is very famous, but it was not open when we arrived early in the morning. Going along the road to the end is the Hotaka Shrine Okumiya. There is a ticket office next to it. You need to buy a ticket to enter the Myojin Pond. There are also rest areas and public toilets next to it, but you need to pay~ The ticket office also sells amulets. After entering, it is really a very different view. At the beginning, you will see the Myojin Pond, with a wooden bridge extending into the pond, and there are also boats docked on the side, which is super beautiful. There are one and two ponds in Myojin Pond. There are wooden plank roads along the ponds. You will take photos non-stop. When you reach the small stream and waterfall at the end, you need to turn back the same way. We happened to encounter blue sky and white clouds, and the reflection on the lake was really beautiful~ It was like a fairyland~ We stayed here for 40 minutes to take pictures. It was really good to take pictures~ The Kamonji Hut at the entrance of the Okumiya Torii Gate of Hotaka Shrine has also started business. The outbound journey is a slight slope, so the return journey is a downhill journey. It is very easy to walk all the way and it is super comfortable to be in the forest without sun exposure~ Myojin Pond Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1520Japan #Chubu Sangaku National Park #camping #cabin #Nagano Prefecture #Kamikochi #kappa bridge #Kojira Campground #Kojira Camping Area #Bears are around #Bear Bell #Myojin Pond #Myojin Hall #Myojin Bridge #Hotaka Shrine #Okumiya #Kamonji Hut