By: Alex
Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture is a famous summer retreat in Japan, but it also boasts stunning scenery when the green leaves turn red in late autumn, attracting many visitors and photography enthusiasts. However, this year winter seems to have arrived earlier than usual in Japan. According to reports, on the morning of November 4th, Kamikochi welcomed its first snowfall of the season, with temperatures dropping to -4°C.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kamikochi Official Instagram (@japan_alps_kamikochi)
In early November, not all of Kamikochi’s autumn leaves had yet fallen. With the arrival of the first snow, it signals that the cold temperatures are likely to persist for some time. A small number of visitors who managed to arrive in Kamikochi in the early morning—or even stayed overnight the previous day—had the chance to witness the “first snow cover” scene, where red leaves were blanketed in white. Meanwhile, the Hotaka Mountain Range was also covered with a significant amount of snow, creating a rare and beautiful view alongside the autumn leaves (and larch trees), which explains why some tourists braved the cold to visit this spot.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kamikochi Official Instagram (@japan_alps_kamikochi)
However, starting from Sunday, November 15th, Kamikochi will close for the season. Due to heavy snow and safety concerns, Kamikochi is closed to tourists every winter, roughly from mid-November to the end of April, and shops suspend operations during this period. Although the mountains are “closed,” it essentially means vehicle access is prohibited; visitors can stillThe hike takes about 90 minutes (related report). It’s worth noting that hikers must declare in the application form that they are undertaking the climb at their own risk. Therefore, those planning to hike in winter must carefully assess their abilities and stay vigilant about safety at all times.
▲ Mount Hida (Photo by kamikochi_tokusawalodge @IG)
▲ "First Snow Cover" (Photo by aqua000029 @IG)
▲ Shinmura Bridge (Photo by furuyan326 @IG)
▲ Taisho Pond (Photo by ganbaredragons @IG)
▲ Mount Hida (Photo by minnano_tozanki @IG)
▲ Azusa River (Photo by japan_alps_kamikochi @IG)
▲ Azusa River (Photo by alucky_yuya72 @IG)
▲ Mount Hida viewed from Kappabashi Bridge (Photo by aqua000029 @IG)
▲ Mount Hida (Photo by mikiko_616 @IG)
▲ Late Autumn Kamikochi (Photo by aqua000029 @IG)
▲ Mirror-like Meiji Lake (Photo by seiyal @IG)
▲ Larch Trees at Shinmura Bridge (Photo by kamikochi_tokusawalodge @IG)
Source: Kamikochi Tourism, #KamikochiDeepBreath2020