Nagano – Japan

Your adventure begins as you arrive in Japan, where transport will be arranged to collect you from Tokyo. It’s well connected to Europe, the USA and Asia, making your journey smooth and hassle-free. The meeting point, where we will start our journey to the mountains is in the city centre. The transfer will leave at 2pm and takes around 3 hours. If you arrive before this time there are several luggage storage places so you can use the time to explore Tokyo. If you’re arriving a day early, we can suggest excellent accommodation options to ensure a relaxed start to your journey.

For the duration of the trip, you’ll be based in Matsumoto, right in the heart of the Japanese Alps. This means you won’t have to carry all your belongings from place to place, and after each day of hiking, you’ll return to the comfort of a warm shower and a cosy bed. Get ready for an unforgettable week exploring one of Asia’s most spectacular mountain landscapes.

Click for Route Map :  13.5 km  4–5 h  ~200 m  ●●●○○ — Moderate

The Kamikochi Valley Trail follows the Azusa River through one of Japan’s most beautiful alpine landscapes. Starting near Taisho Pond, the path winds beneath the peaks of Mount Hotaka and Mount Yakedake, with constant views of snow-streaked ridges and turquoise water flowing below.

The trail passes through cool forest and open riverside meadows, with wooden bridges offering perfect vantage points for photos. Around the halfway mark lies Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi’s most famous viewpoint, where the surrounding mountains reflect perfectly in the river. Continuing toward Myojin Pond, the valley grows quieter, and a small shrine sits beside clear, still water that mirrors the trees and sky.

The route returns along the opposite bank of the river, completing a gentle loop through the valley. It’s an ideal moderate hike that combines calm forest walking with grand mountain scenery — a pure Kamikochi experience.

Click for Route Map :10 km  5–6 h  ~750 m  ●●●○○ — Moderate

The Utsukushigahara hike offers a full day of open ridgelines, sweeping views, and changing alpine light. Starting from the lower trailhead below the plateau, the route climbs steadily through forest before emerging onto wide grasslands at the heart of the Utsukushigahara Highlands. As you gain elevation, the trees thin out and long views open toward the Northern and Central Alps, Mount Asama, and the distant outline of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Once on the plateau, the trail follows gentle hills toward Ougatou, the 2,034-meter high point marked by a weather station and small shelter. The air feels cool and wide up here, with wind moving through the grass and clouds drifting across the sky. The descent follows the same route, offering fresh perspectives of the surrounding ridges and valleys.

It’s a hike that feels both calm and expansive, with enough climb to make it satisfying and views that carry all the way to the horizon.

Click for Route Map :  10 km  6-7 h  ~1350 m  ●●●●○ — Challenging

The Mount Norikura hike is one of Japan’s most rewarding alpine routes, leading to the 3,026-meter summit of Kengamine, the highest of Norikura’s volcanic peaks. Starting from the Tatamidaira trailhead, the path climbs gradually across rocky slopes and volcanic plains scattered with patches of snow, even in midsummer. The landscape feels vast and open, with panoramic views unfolding almost immediately.

As you ascend, the trail passes small alpine ponds, hardy wildflowers, and lava formations shaped by centuries of eruptions. The upper slopes become steeper but remain non-technical, with occasional switchbacks leading to the broad summit plateau. From the top, the view stretches across the Hotaka Range, Mount Ontake, and, on clear days, even Mount Fuji shimmering far to the south.

The descent follows the same route, with a changing play of light across the crater basins and ridgelines. It’s a perfect full-day alpine hike — high, wild, and unforgettable, offering a true sense of Japan’s mountain grandeur without requiring technical climbing skills.

A day off from hiking in and around Matsumoto offers plenty of ways to slow down and enjoy central Japan’s culture, scenery, and food. You can start by visiting Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles, surrounded by a wide moat and views of the Northern Alps in the distance. The nearby Nakamachi and Nawate Streets are perfect for wandering — old merchant houses turned into cafés, craft shops, and small galleries line the narrow lanes.

If you enjoy art, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art showcases works by Yayoi Kusama, who was born here, while the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum holds one of the country’s largest collections of traditional woodblock prints. For something more relaxing, visit the Asama Onsen or Utsukushigahara Onsen areas just outside town, where you can soak in mineral-rich hot springs and look out over the Matsumoto Basin.

Those who prefer a short outing can take a bus or drive to Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino, where shaded walkways follow clear streams through bright green wasabi fields. Local restaurants serve wasabi soba, ice cream, and tempura made fresh from the farm. You could also visit nearby Hotaka Shrine or enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the rice fields of Azumino with the Alps in view.

It’s an easy, flexible day — rich in local flavor, history, and quiet scenery — a perfect counterbalance to time spent on the mountain trails.

Click for Route Map :  10 km  5–6 h  ~750 m  ●●●●○ — Challenging

The Mount Kisokoma hike offers one of Japan’s most impressive high-alpine experiences, combining easy access with breathtaking views. From the Komagatake Ropeway, which ascends into the Senjojiki Cirque at 2,600 meters, the trail begins right in the heart of the Central Alps. The cirque itself is spectacular — a wide glacial bowl ringed with cliffs, alpine flowers, and lingering snow patches well into summer.

The trail climbs steadily over rocky terrain toward the summit ridge, passing small stone cairns and sections of wooden steps. As you gain height, the panorama expands to reveal the jagged peaks of the Southern and Northern Alps, Mount Ontake’s broad cone, and even Mount Fuji far to the east on a clear day. The summit of Kisokoma, at 2,956 meters, feels like a true alpine crest — open, airy, and surrounded by peaks on all sides.

The descent follows the same route back into the cirque, with changing light and shifting clouds creating new colors across the rock and sky. It’s a demanding but accessible mountain day, ideal for hikers seeking real altitude and Japan’s classic alpine beauty in a single outing.

Click for Route Map :  10 km  4-5 h  ~300 m  ●●●○○ — Moderate

The Nakasendo Trail offers a beautiful step back in time, following one of Japan’s historic Edo-period routes that once linked Kyoto and Tokyo through the central mountains. The best-preserved section runs between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago, about an hour south of Matsumoto, and makes for one of the most atmospheric half-day walks in the region.

The trail winds through quiet forest, bamboo groves, and small hamlets where traditional wooden inns and tea houses still line the road. Stone paths and gentle climbs lead over the Magome Pass, with occasional viewpoints across the Kiso Valley and the surrounding hills. Along the way, you’ll pass waterfalls, rice terraces, and rest stops serving tea and local sweets, just as travelers did centuries ago.

Both Magome and Tsumago have beautifully preserved Edo-style streets with wooden facades, paper lanterns, and local shops selling handmade crafts and soba noodles. Walking between them feels like stepping into a living museum — a peaceful, cultural journey through Japan’s mountain heart rather than a strenuous hike.

After an incredible week exploring the wild beauty of the Japanese Alps, it’s time to pack your bags and begin your journey onwards. Transport will be arranged to take you to the airport, or back to Tokyo city. It’s best arrange your flight in the afternoon (after 4pm) or evening as we’ll need time to transfer from the mountains.

If you’re extending your stay, there are plenty of incredible places to explore beyond the mountains. Japan has something for every traveller. We’d be happy to share recommendations to help you make the most of your time.

As you leave Matsumoto behind, you’ll take with you memories of dramatic peaks, glacial lakes, and unforgettable adventures in one of Asia’s most breathtaking landscapes. Until next time!