Kamikochi, Mountain valley in Matsumoto, Japan
Kamikochi is a valley in the northern part of the Japan Alps near Matsumoto that stretches for roughly 15 kilometers and is surrounded by peaks reaching up to 3190 meters. The Azusa River winds through the basin and creates shallow pools and flat gravel banks lined by forests of larch, birch, and alder.
The area was used for logging in the 19th century until a British mountaineer began advocating for its protection in the early 1900s. The Japanese government subsequently declared it a protected area and restricted motorized traffic to preserve the natural environment.
The Azusa River flows through this basin and takes its name from a mythological figure venerated in the region. Hikers often encounter small wooden bridges and trail markers that point to old pilgrimage routes used by worshippers to reach sacred peaks.
The basin is accessible only between April and November using public buses that operate from major cities, and private vehicles are not allowed to enter. The walking trails are well marked and range from short flat strolls along the river to full-day ascents toward surrounding peaks.
A shallow pond at the upper end of the valley formed in 1915 when a nearby mountain erupted and debris blocked the river course. On calm mornings the surrounding peaks reflect in the smooth water surface and create a doubled image of the mountains.
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