Published date: October 8, 2024
Incredible Cost-effective Stay & Sightseeing in Matsumoto and Kamikochi
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
It is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from Matsumoto Station, and the interior has a clean and calm atmosphere, particularly emphasizing hygiene.
The rooms and bathrooms, of course, were all clean.
Furthermore, the staff's hospitality was excellent, welcoming us with a friendly and warm attitude.
The evening ice cream or ramen service was really helpful. I chose ice cream.
It was the type that you eat with jam or sauce on top. (I forgot to take a photo)
Experiences during the trip
On the second day of my Matsumoto trip, I visited the famous Matsumoto Castle. The impressive main keep stood majestically against the blue sky, and I was filled with anticipation as I approached it. However, the castle was overcrowded with tourists that day, and I unfortunately couldn’t enter, leaving me a bit disappointed. But the next day, I decided to shake it off and head on a hike to Kamikochi, a place I had long dreamed of visiting.
We left early in the morning and parked the car at Sawando Bridge, the gateway to Kamikochi. From there, we transferred to a shuttle bus to reach the entrance of Kamikochi. The bus ride was about 30 minutes of comfortable travel, during which the magnificent mountains gradually came into view, uplifting my spirit.
Upon arriving in Kamikochi, the air changed completely. The clear sky and the lush green scenery before me made me forget the hustle and bustle of the city in an instant. We decided to walk along the riverside promenade and enjoyed about four hours of hiking. The path we walked along was beautiful with the gentle murmur of the crystal-clear Azusa River, and we stopped by some famous spots like Kappa Bridge. The reflection of the Hotaka Mountain Range in the transparent river surface looked just like a painting, captivating my heart with the grandeur of nature.
Moreover, during the hike, we unexpectedly encountered a group of wild monkeys. They seemed friendly and slowly walked along the riverbank, occasionally glancing at us from afar. I never expected to observe monkeys at such a close distance and couldn’t help but take some photos.
What stood out to me that day was the abundance of foreign tourists. Kamikochi, recognized as a mountain resort worldwide, appeared to be an attractive destination for them as well, as various languages like English and French wafted through the air during our hike. Passing by international tourists, I felt the recognized global popularity of this spot.
After about four hours of walking, we rode the bus back to Sawando Bridge. Time spent surrounded by nature flew by in an instant, and I was able to conclude a fulfilling day with a pleasant sense of fatigue. The great nature of Kamikochi completely made me forget the little disappointment at Matsumoto Castle's crowds — it was a wonderful experience.