The Gods Descend upon Kamikochi

Early autumn hiking in the mountains

Takako Sakamoto Sep 06, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Mt. Hotaka and the Azusa River can be seen from anywhere in Kamikochi</p>

<p>In the early morning, I took a shuttle bus at Hirayu Parking and headed toward Lake Taisho</p>

<p>Mystic view of Lake Taisho in the morning mist, with Mt. Yake showing her face through white veils</p>

<p>Mysterious view of a snag in Lake Taisho</p>

<p>Autumn foliage in the marshlands near the Lake Tashiro</p>

<p>Leaves on the trees in Lake Myojin are changing colors already</p>

<p>Depending on the light, the scenery becomes as crisp as if it was frozen by the cold air</p>

<p>Conifer trees, standing on red pedestals, reaching high up into a crystal blue sky</p>

<p>Back-lit leaves shining in radiant gold!</p>

<p>Brilliant contrast created by primary colors</p>

<p>The shapes and colors of maple leaves don't look the same as we know them on lowlands</p>

<p>View from Hirayu Akandana Parking Lot, where the shuttle bus to Kamikochi departs</p>

Kamikochi Highlands is known as a place which 'the Gods descend upon'. Amazingly picturesque, more than 1.5 million tourists visit here each year to enjoy its mountainous beauty.

The magnificent view of the Hotaka mountains and the emerald green water of Azusa River are widely known. I visited here to enjoy the crisp, fresh air of the mountains and to feel the frigid-cold water of the river just being thawed. The whole area is open to the public only for half a year, from May to Oct. I chose the season when the beauty of the mountains would be best appreciated in brilliant colors, but it was a little bit too early to visit. (Photos were taken in early Oct., 2012)

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...