We went to Kamikochi for a 3-day, 2-night trip.
It's a 3-minute walk from the Kamikochi bus terminal.
This is a spectacular view.
What a truly magnificent view.
Every time I come here, I am overwhelmed and captivated by this scenery.
The Hotaka mountain range of the Northern Alps is a chain of mountains reaching over 3,000 meters in height.
It was raining when we arrived, and this view was shrouded in clouds.
This photo was taken on the day I was leaving.
Kamikochi was formerly known as "Kamikochi" (the land where gods descend), based on the legend that Hotakami-no-Mikoto descended upon Mount Hotaka.
The mountains stand there majestically.
It rained on the first day.
From the Kappabashi bus terminal to the inn, which is about 8 kilometers away,
I walked in silence.
The beautiful mountains were hidden in the clouds and could not be seen.
There are sights and beauty that can only be seen when it rains.
However, it wasn't quite a downpour,
A moderate amount of rain.
At times like these, it's hard to feel uplifted.
The second and third days were blessed with fine weather.
If you're young and fit, you could probably make the round trip to Karasawa, but
I can't do something that reckless,
I walked for about an hour from Tokusawa to Yokoo, which is a little further inland.
From there, after climbing the steep slope towards Mt. Chogatake for about 40 minutes,
There's a spot where you can see Mt. Yarigatake.
This is our destination for the second day.
When we arrived, it was a little cloudy,
The weather gradually cleared, and we were able to see it.
I had always wanted to go to the top of that mountain someday,
Lately, I've been thinking it's a bit impossible...
because…
I've learned a lot from going to various mountains.
I don't like being on the edge of a cliff. It scares me.
There's absolutely no way I could climb up to that steep cliff on Mt. Yarigatake.
Only about 10 people can fit on that pointed peak.
Without a fence.
It's terrifying just thinking about it.
Therefore, not the top,
Going to Yarigatake Mountain Hut, which is a little further down,
That's my goal for now.
That's Mount Yarigatake.
I'm completely captivated by how cool he looks.
Day 3.
Mount Maehotaka just after dawn.
The moment the mountains are bathed in the morning sun and turn crimson.
This phenomenon is called "Morgenrot" (morning glow).
It disappears in just two or three minutes.
The inn was closing for the season that day.
I left after promising to meet the staff again next year.
The road back to Kamikochi was different from the road we took to get there.
A blue sky and majestic mountains.
Larch trees with their leaves changing color.
The clear Azusa River.
The scent of the forest.
Clear air.
It truly feels like my mind and body are being purified.
Kamikochi will close for the season on November 15th.
Both the shuttle bus and accommodations will be closed.
And then it gets snowed in.
See you next year.
