There are countless hiking routes across The Northern Japan Alps, but the Karasawa Cirque, starting from Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture, is one of the most superb. The eleven-hour hike, which most visitors tackle over two days, takes in glacial hollows, panoramic mountain views and stunning foliage in autumn.
Karasawa Cirque
Photo by: PIXTA/ 星空 Pitch a tent and go stargazing.
The Karasawa Cirque is a steep valley, standing 2,300m above sea level in the heart of the Hotaka Peaks. The hike is particularly popular in autumn, when the leaves turn red and set the mountain scenery ablaze with color. The route is moderate in intensity, with a mixture of flat pathways, sloping hills and steep, rocky inclines. Most hikers will be able to tackle the circuit across the recommended two-day, one-night itinerary.
Visitors can choose to stay at overnight accommodations or pitch a tent at the nearby campsite. Ambitious hikers can finish the entire eleven-hour trek in one day, but more time is recommended to appreciate the scenery along the route.
Immersion in the Japan Alps
Photo by: iStock/ Noppasin Wongchum Start your adventure here.
The journey begins at the Kappa bridge, a short walk from the Kamikochi bus terminal. This area is usually full of tourists, but the wilderness is not far off. From here, it is a flat, three-hour walk to the mountain hut Yokoo Sanso, a great place to take a breather before the hike begins.
After the Yokoo Bridge, the path becomes steep and rocky, with a dramatic ravine on the other side. This stretch of the hike requires some climbing experience. Above the treeline, patches of snow sometimes remain until mid-August and from early October, a gorgeous vista of autumn colors unfolds.
The rocky terrain continues all the way to the Kawasawa Cirque itself. Once hikers reach the cirque, they can take in the breathtaking view of the glacial valley and the Hotaka peaks beyond.
