Kamikochi is the southern gateway to the Northern Alps and a sacred place for mountain resorts.
This Kamikochi area is not accessible by private car due to environmental regulations.
If you drive your own car, on the Matsumoto City side in Nagano Prefecture, park at Sawando and take the local bus for 30 minutes or a cab for 25 minutes.
On the Okuhida Onsenkyo side of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, park your car at the Akandana parking lot at Hirayu Onsen and take the 25-minute route bus.
However, it is possible to bike to Kamikochi.
So, I rented an e-bike at Okuhida Base in Hirayu Onsen and tried cycling in Kamikochi.
<PR > This is an announcement from Hirayu Onsen Tourist Association.
For two days only, on October 28, 2023 (Saturday) and October 29, 2023 (Saturday), “Only Now! Only here! Kamikochi and Awa Pass Cycling Tour by Rental e-bike” will be held.
The maximum number of participants is expected to be 6 for each session. Early reservations are recommended.
Only Now! Only here! Please join us for our autumn Kamikochi Cycling Tour.
For more information or to sign up, click here.”
The route is from Hirayu Onsen (Okuhida Onsenkyo) to Kamikochi and back.
Details are below.
Hirayu Onsen” ⇔ (Awa Pass｜Old Route 158 road) ⇔ Nakanoyu Onsen ⇔ (Kama Tunnel/ Kamikochi Tunnel) ⇔ Taishoike ⇔ Kamikochi Bus Terminal
Hirayu Onsen→Kamikochi｜Outward journey about 2 hours and 30 minutes
Kamikochi→Hirayu Onsen｜Return trip: about 2 hours
Including the time spent in Kamikochi, the activity will last approximately 6 hours.
Course（Google map)
*Time for walking is shown.
*Express buses are convenient from TokyotoHirayu Onsen (Okuhida Onsen-kyo), the gateway to Kamikochi.
Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes by direct highway bus from Basta Shinjuku (2 rest stops are included).
>> Basta Shinjuku→Hirayu Onsen (Okuhida Onsenkyo) →Hida Takayama Highway Bus Details
7:30
2-minute walk from Hirayu Bus Terminal where direct buses from Shinjuku, Takayama and Matsumoto and shuttle buses to Kamikochi arrive and depart.
Arrival at Okuhida Base
Because this is an unmanned bike rental station, it has long hours of operation and bicycles can be rented from 7:00 in the morning.
Basta Shinjuku⇔Hirayu Bus Terminal
7:45
Located in Hirayu Hot Springs at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters above sea level Okuhida Base at Hirayu Onsen, about 1,200 meters above sea level!
Bicycles cannot pass through the Awa Tunnel and other Chubu Longitudinal Expressways.
Take the old Route 158 road to Awa Pass (elevation 1,790m).
At a stretch, it raises the elevation about 600 meters.
This road has extremely little traffic and is comfortable, but because it is an old road, the road surface is rough in places. Please be careful.
The two men pedaled their bicycles through the pleasant forest, “hooting and hollering.
8:40
Awa Pass (elevation 1,790m) Arrive at the border between Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture and Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
It is downhill from here. The descent is very dangerous, so please drive slowly.
Everyone cycled down the mountain pass with spectacular views of the Northern Alps, including Yake-dake (焼岳).
9:05
Nakanoyu Hot Spring
From this point on, the road surface is rough in places and hairpin curves continue, so cyclists continue to descend the hill slowly.
9:20
Arrive at the entrance/exit of the Chubu Jukan Expressway (Awa Tunnel)
Take the national highway down toward Kama Tunnel, Kamikochi, and Matsumoto.
You can leisurely ride a bicycle downhill where you would normally pass by in a car in an instant.
Discover new scenery, including a beautiful river!
9:25
Arrive at the Nakano-yu store. From here, it is a connecting road to Kamikochi, where private cars are restricted.
A security guard comes up to me at the Nakano-yu store.
Will they get mad at me?” I was nervous, but he gave me a card with a route guide and a warning about Kamikochi.
And “Take care!” and kind words.
Now, from here, we will bike into the ” Kama Tunnel, ” which is once again a difficult obstacle to overcome.
Length 1,310m
Maximum gradient is 10.9 percent
The kettle tunnel alone increases the elevation by about 100 meters.
Although private cars are regulated, there is more traffic than you might imagine, including large buses, cabs, and cars of related parties.
Watch out for cars and do your best to cycle up.
After passing through the KamaTunnel, the Kamikochi Tunnel appears, which is 588 meters long.
When we get out of here…
9:50
Yake-dake and Taisho Pond can be seen at a glance!
It seems that they have been rewarded for their hard work so far.
Kamikochi is still wonderful!
The ability to enjoy this wonderful scenery at a leisurely pace at one’s own pace is one of the best things about biking!
From here, full-fledged cycling in Kamikochi begins!
A gradual uphill slope continues.
10:15
Arrive at Kamikochi Bus Terminal!
Park your bicycle at the bicycle parking lot and walk to the Kappa Bridge from here.
I would have enjoyed walking around Myojin Pond and more, but there was not enough time this time, so I could only walk around Kappa Bridge (T T).
nevertheless
We enjoyed exploring Kamikochi until it was time to go.
11:10
Depart from Kamikochi Bus Terminal!
A gentle descent continues to the Kama Tunnel.
The inside of the kettle tunnel is a steep descent!
We descend, frightened by the sound of cars and buses approaching from behind.
It is dangerous, so please descend slowly and carefully.
The bicycle passed through the kettle tunnel and returned to the Nakanoyu store.
But… the most difficult part is now waiting for us ^^;;;.
From the Nakanoyu store at an elevation of 1,315 meters to the Awa Pass at 1,790 meters, you will gain elevation in a single bound.
It is an uphill slope.
On the way home, it is already tiring and enduring for a 50 year old. But…I have to go!
12:00
We returned to Nakanoyu Hot Spring.
From here, it continues uphill.
Even with the electric bicycles, it’s still hard… hard… hard…
12:30
We arrived at the Awa Pass, the border between Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture and Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture!
Once you get to this point, all you have to do is go down.
We will descend slowly, taking safety first.
13:00
Arrive at ” Okuhida Base ” in Hirayu Onsen!
Return the rental bike and go straight to the hot springs to relieve your panting feet! ^^
advice of a point (advice that may be helpful to some people)
The route from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi has many ups and downs and consumes a large amount of e-bike battery power.
In order for the assist to function throughout the entire journey, the healthy onward journey is operated in ECO mode to conserve energy!
For the return trip, it is recommended to increase the assist power in Auto mode.
*Express buses are convenient from TokyotoHirayu Onsen (Okuhida Onsenkyo), the gateway to Kamikochi.
Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes by direct highway bus from Basta Shinjuku (2 rest stops are included).
Shinjuku – Hirayu Bus Terminal (to Hida Takayama)
Adults 5,800 yen ～ 6,200 yen
Children 2,900 yen – 3,100 yen
Details, Timetable, Reservations
Become a LINE friend with Keio Bus and
Let’s win gorgeous prizes!
Please add us as a friend on the official Keio Bus LINE,
If you participate in the campaign via message,
100 winners will be selected by drawing for a one-way express bus ticket.
Click here for more details about the campaign.
