Japan is full of mountain ranges that run through the country like a spine. In the middle of main island Honshu there is a vast mountain range called the Japan Alps that holds several 3,000 metre class mountains. It consists of Hida Mountain Range (North Alps), Kiso Mountain Range (Central Alps) and Akaishi Mountain Range (South Alps).

From the family hikers to the hard-core mountain climbers, Japan Alps can offer highlands and mountains with outstanding views and the freshest air. There are many skiing resorts with powder snow in the winter time as well.

As always, we don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information and we want to keep it simple! We would like to recommend three places Hakuba, Kami Kochi and Suwa in Nagano prefecture (where the 1998 Winter Olympics was held) that are fantastic to visit and not too far from Tokyo – but far enough to spend a couple of nights. If you are going there for winter sports, you definitely want to stay longer than just a couple of nights!

Hakuba

Hakuba means White Horse in Japanese. It is famous for its quality powder snow in winter and very popular skiing and snowboarding resorts. It is about 3.5 hours by Express Train or a 4 hour drive from Tokyo. From spring to autumn you can enjoy the mountain trekking whilst spotting different kinds of alpine plants and flowers, not to mention colouring leaves before the snow starts to fall. They also provide many activities such as river rafting, canoeing and kayaking, hot air-balloon, buggy and paragliding. For more details including how to get there, click HERE.

Kami Kochi

Kami Kochi (pronounces as Kami Koh-chi) is absolutely beautiful, full of fresh air with utterly wonderful sceneries. There are many great sightseeing spots including crystal clear water ponds; Taisho Pond and Tashiro Pond that were formed by the volcanic activities. It is best to go there between spring and autumn – summer time is most ideal – not suitable to visit during winter. Make sure you bring warmer clothing with a good pair of walking shoes. You can refer to their official page HERE.

Access to Kami Kochi:

TRAIN: You need to change trains/bus several times.

• From Shinjuku Station: catch JR Express “Super Azusa” -> Matsumoto Station (3 hours): change to Kami Kochi Line -> Shin-Shimashima Station (30 minutes): catch a local bus or taxi to Kami Kochi Bus Terminal (60 minutes).
• From Tokyo Station: catch Shinkansen Bullet Train “Asama” -> Nagano Station (1.5 hours): change to Express Line “Wide View Shinano” -> Matsumoto Station (1 hour): change to Kami Kochi Line -> Shin-Shimashima Station (30 minutes): catch a local bus or taxi to Kami Kochi Bus Terminal (60 minutes).

EXPRESS BUS: There is a direct express coach service run by two companies; Chuo Highway Bus and Keio Highway Bus, from Shinjuku Kosoku (Highway) Bus Terminal at West Exit of Shinjuku Station. This will be an easier choice over train as they will take you straight from Shinjuku to Kami Kochi Bus Terminal, however, it is a seasonal limited service, so please check their schedule beforehand with those companies.

Suwa

Do you want to try an Onsen hot spring? Before you go further into the North Alps area, lies a famous Onsen hot spring town Suwa and Lake Suwa. There are a lot of Japanese Retreats with Onsen bath to stay in this area. From this town you can see the beautiful North Alps mountains. Have you read the book or watched the movie “Shogun”? The main Shogun character in the story was modeled after the great war lord Shingen Takeda from this region and there is a myth that his grave has been built deep underneath this lake according to his will.

There is a big shrine called Suwa Taisha where a famous festival “Onbashira festival” is held; a bunch of brave males try to ride on the enormous wood pillar as it slides down the steep hill. Just check youtube with a key word “Onbashira” and you can see how dangerous and crazy it is!

Popular and family friendly Kirigamine Highlands is also easy to access from Suwa. You can enjoy the seasonal mountain plants and flowers such as broad dwarf day-lily, azalea, lotus flowers etc.  Enjoy the great view of Japan Alps and Yatsugatake Range as well as Mt. Fuji from here!

There are three train stations around Lake Suwa – Kami Suwa, Shimo Suwa and Okaya that you can easily access from Shinjuku Station or Tokyo Station by JR Express Train.

Nagano