Major city · Japan
Kamikochi上高地
Spend a full day for the main hikes; add a night in a mountain lodge if you want on‑site lodging.
Kamikochi is a high‑altitude valley in the Japanese Alps, reachable only by bus or taxi. Its flat trails, iconic bridge and pond can be explored in a day, but on‑site lodges let you extend the experience.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- MMJ
- Nights
- 0–1 (optional on‑site stay)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kamikochi110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kamikochi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyKamikochi is safe; main risks are weather changes and staying on marked trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMMJ Matsumoto Airport (Bus from terminal to Kamikochi about 1 h 30 min).
- Getting aroundPrivate cars prohibited; take Alpico Kōtsu bus from Matsumoto or Shinjuku to the valley entrance…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus from Matsumoto to Kamikochicheck¥1,200–1,400 (≈ US$9–10)
- Budget bedCampground tent site, a night, per person¥2,000 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedCampground tent site, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedCampground tent site, a night, per person¥4,000 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MMJ Matsumoto Airport (Bus from terminal to Kamikochi about 1 h 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Nov (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kamikochi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Private cars prohibited; take Alpico Kōtsu bus from Matsumoto or Shinjuku to the valley entrance, then walk or use the internal shuttle (check schedule).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Matsumoto
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Alpico bus from Kamikochi terminal, about 1 h 30 min
Historic castle and streets; easy return same day.
Takayama
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h 30 min
Bus from Kamikochi to Takayama, departs 15:00Bus from Kamikochi to Takayama, departs 3:00 PM
Longer ride; consider overnight in Takayama.
Oku‑Hida Onsen Villages
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
Bus from Kamikochi terminal, about 1 h
Hot‑spring villages for a relaxing end‑day soak.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mountain lodges (e.g., Kamikochi Imperial Hotel)
Simple rooms, meals included; book early
Campground
Tent sites by the river, basic facilities
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mountain lodge (e.g., Kamikochi Imperial Hotel)1 × 1 night × ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥8,000 | ¥8,000 |
| Alpico bus Matsumoto ↔ Kamikochi (round‑trip)1 × ¥1,300 · check schedule | ¥1,300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × ¥3,500 · check provider | ¥3,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,280 |
| Trip total≈ ¥25,080 per person per day, bed included | ¥25,080≈ US$170 |
incl. meals; book early
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Kappabashi Bridge souvenir (kappa keychain) | ¥500–800 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Kamikochi ice cream | ¥600–900 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochicheck | ¥1,200–1,400 (≈ US$9–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No private vehicles allowed inside the valley; park at the entrance.
- Japan Rail Pass does not cover the bus to Kamikochi (check price).
- Last bus from the valley runs around 16:30–17:00; plan return accordingly.Last bus from the valley runs around 4:30 PM–5:00 PM; plan return accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Kamikochi上高地
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Osaka; Japanese embassy in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Matsumoto ↔ Kamikochi bus: about ¥1,300 (≈ US$9) round‑trip, 1 h 30 min each way (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- バス停はどこですか？ — Where is the bus stop? (basutei wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kamikochi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in a mountain lodge for sunrise over the river.
- Combine with a Takayama overnight for Alpine culture.
Sources
Ask about Kamikochi
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