#japanesealps — Public Fediverse posts

https://www.wacoca.com/tour/1124778/ Beyond Kyoto: Discover Old Japan in Gifu #GeroOnsen #gifu #JapanTravel #JapaneseAlps #MAGOME #nakasendo #Okuhida #ShirakawaGo #takayama #北海道 #北海道ツアー #北海道観光 #岐阜 #留夜別村

https://www.alojapan.com/1541025/best-things-to-do-in-nagano-japan/ best things to do in Nagano, Japan #BestPlaceToVisit #BestThingsToDoIn #JapaneseAlps #JigokudaniSnowMonkeyPark #Matsushiro #Nagano #NaganoAttractions #NaganoDestinations #NaganoJapanTravelGuide #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #NaganoWinterActivities #PlaceToVisit #ThingsToDo #ThingsToDoInNagano #ThingsToEatInVariousPlaces #TogakushiShrine #TravelGuide #ZenkojiTemple #長野 best things to do in Nagano, Japan Discover the 10

https://www.alojapan.com/1523897/couple-buy-31000-home-in-japan-during-first-ever-visit-amazing-feeling/ Couple buy $31,000 home in Japan during first-ever visit: ‘Amazing feeling’ #Japan #JapanTrips #JapaneseAlps #JapaneseCountryside #TraditionalJapaneseCountryside #trips Australian Lloyd and Canadian Mandy had never set foot in Japan when, after two years of researching the country’s abandoned akiya homes, they decided to buy one. The couple work online and have spent years travelling the world, but wanted somewhere of their own th

https://www.alojapan.com/1512306/kappa-bridge-in-kamikochi-looks-unreal-%f0%9f%87%af%f0%9f%87%b5-shorts-kamikochi/ Kappa Bridge in Kamikochi Looks Unreal 🇯🇵 #shorts #kamikochi #AzusaRiver #HiddenJapan #JapanNature #JapanTravel #JapaneseAlps #Kamikochi #KamikochiJapan #KamikochiTravel #KappaBridge #MountainViews #Nagano #NaganoDestinations #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #ScenicJapan #shorts #TravelJapan #TravelShorts #viralshorts #長野 Kappa Bridge in Kamikochi Looks Unreal 🇯🇵 #shorts #kamikochi Standing at Kappa Bridge, surrounded by

https://www.alojapan.com/1509690/more-than-monkeys-a-journey-through-nagano-japan/ MORE THAN MONKEYS – A Journey Through Nagano, Japan #AutumnInJapan #CinematicTravel #HiddenJapan #Japan #JapanItinerary #JapanNature #JapanTravel #JapanVlog #JapaneseAlps #JapaneseMacaques #JigokudaniMonkeyPark #Nagano #NaganoDestinations #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #NoeRoseTravels #SnowMonkeys #SoloTravelJapan #TheSoloWays #TravelDocumentary #TravelFilm #wildlife #長野 MORE THAN MONKEYS – A Journey Through Nagan

https://www.alojapan.com/1501052/japans-unreal-nature-peaceful-morning-walk-in-kamikochi-nagano-japan-travel-vlog/ Japan’s Unreal Nature | Peaceful Morning Walk in Kamikochi, Nagano | JAPAN TRAVEL VLOG #HikingVlog #Japan #JapanHiking #JapanTravel #JapanTravelVlog #JapanVlog #JapaneseAlps #JapaneseCountryside #Kamikochi #Nagano #NaganoDestinations #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #RuralJapan #travel #vlog #yt:cc=on #ハイキング #上高地 #旅vlog #旅行Vlog #明神池 #河童橋 #穂高連峰 #長野 Japan’s Unreal Nature | Peaceful Morning Walk in Kamikochi, Nagano | JAPAN

https://www.alojapan.com/1491206/%f0%9f%87%af%f0%9f%87%b5-snow-corridor-japan-tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-full-day-vlog/ 🇯🇵 Snow Corridor Japan: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Full Day Vlog #AlpineRouteJapan #DayTripsFromTokyo #Hokuriku #JAPANALPS #JapanTravel #JapanTravelGuide #JapanVlog #JapaneseAlps #KurobeDam #Murodo #Nagano #NaganoDestinations #NaganoToToyama #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #SnowCorridorJapan #SnowInJapan #SnowWall #Tateyama #TateyamaKurobe #TateyamaKurobeAlpineRoute #TateyamaRopeway #TateyamaSnowCorridor #toyama #WinterInJapan #立山黒部アルペンルート #長野 #黒部ダム

https://www.alojapan.com/1489417/kamikochi-made-me-forget-about-tokyo-heat-japan-travel-mountains/ Kamikochi made me forget about Tokyo heat #japan #travel #mountains #HikingInJapan #JapanDestinations #JapanMountains #JapanTour #JapanTravel #JapanTrip #JapanVacation #JapaneseAlps #TravelVlog Kamikochi made me forget about Tokyo heat #japan #travel #mountains Japan’s summer heat can be brutal. Escape the summer heat and humidity by exploring Kamikochi, a stunning destination in the Japanese Alps. Here, I highlight the serene beauty of the m

https://www.europesays.com/ch/62592/ Japan Southern Alps Traverse Day 1 #Alps #JAPAN #JapaneseAlps #ThruHike

Title: Mount Asahi, seen from Mount Shirouma (1924)

Artist: Hasui Kawase

https://www.concordia.ca/news/stories/2026/01/29/concordia-study-finds-snow-droughts-in-western-and-southern-canada-could-affect-nearly-all-canadians.html #ShinHanga #Art #Taisho #Winter #Snow #Spring #Nagano #HidaMountains #JapaneseAlps #MountAsahi #MountShirouma #Japan

Title: Taisho Pond, Kamikochi (1927)

Artist: Hasui Kawase

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20260107-302424/ #ShinHanga #Art #Showa #Winter #Snow #JapaneseAlps #Kamikochi #HidaMountains #TaishoPond #Nagano #Japan

https://www.alojapan.com/1409096/3-incredible-fall-hikes-you-need-to-do-in-the-japanese-alps/ 3 Incredible Fall Hikes You Need to Do in the Japanese Alps #CinematicTravelVlog #CINEMATICVLOG #Gifu #goshikigahara #JAPANALPS #JapanHikes #JapanTravelVlog #JapanVlog #JapaneseAlps #KitaAlps #LifeInJapan #LivingInJapan #Mt'Norikura #Murodo #Nagano #NaganoDestinations #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #RyanBednar #ryanbednar #Tateyama #toyama #TravelJapan #VanLife #VanLifeJapan #VanLifeVlog #長野 3 Incredible Fall Hikes You

Discover Myoko Kogen, Japan: A Hidden Gem for Skiing, Culture, and Culinary Delights in 2025 https://www.byteseu.com/1380030/ #2025SkiSeason #Japan #JapanSkiResorts #JapanTravelNews #JapaneseAlps #LatestTravelNewsOfJapan #MyokoKogen #TourismNews

https://www.alojapan.com/1363085/nagano-top-5-travel-guide-discover-beautiful-japan/ Nagano Top 5 travel guide: Discover beautiful Japan! #HirayuOnsen #Japan #JapanTravelGuide #JapaneseAlps #Nagano #NaganoDestinations #NaganoTour #NaganoTravel #NaganoTrip #NaganoVacation #obuse #UnderratedJapan #長野 Nagano Top 5 travel guide: Discover beautiful Japan! Welcome to Nagano! A beautiful region surrounded  by mountains, with lovely places, and amazing food. Just a direct Shinkansen away from Tokyo,  it’s convenient to get to, and re

https://www.alojapan.com/1355779/3-amazing-hikes-you-need-to-do-in-the-japanese-alps/ 3 Amazing Hikes You Need to Do in the Japanese Alps #akadake #CinematicTravelVlog #CINEMATICVLOG #hiking #HikingInJapan #JAPANALPS #JapanHikes #JapanHiking #JapanTravelVlog #JapanVlog #JapaneseAlps #kitadake #komagatake #LifeInJapan #LivingInJapan #MountFuji #MountFujiDestinations #MountFujiTour #MountFujiTravel #MountFujiTrip #MountFujiVacation #Nagano #RyanBednar #ryanbednar #TravelJapan #Yamanashi #富士山 3 Amazing Hikes You Need to Do in the

Day 5: Mist and the Magic of old Japan

We set off on a slow and scenic drive into Kiso Valley, bound for the historic village of Narai. On the narrow Japanese country roads, the speed limit is just 40 km/h — and honestly, that’s perfect. It invites you to slow down, to really take in the landscape unfolding around you. We first drove through rice fields and orchards with apple trees, but as we turned deeper into the valley, the scenery changed — we drove into mist-covered and densely forested mountains again.

Narai is a beautifully preserved old post town from the Edo period, once an important stop along the Nakasendo Trail, which connected Kyoto and Tokyo. Perhaps because of the weather — or simply because it was low season — we had the village almost entirely to ourselves. 

We wandered down the main street, about one kilometer long, admiring the rows of dark wooden houses. Taking photos in the rain was a bit tricky — umbrella in one hand, camera in the other, trying to keep everything dry!

That’s why we were happy to discover that one of the historic houses had been turned into a museum. It was the perfect place to step inside, learn more about how people lived during the Edo period, and enjoy a little break from the rain.

Soon though, the drizzle turned into a downpour, and we had to abandon our original plan to hike part of the old Nakasendo trail in the afternoon.

Instead, we returned to Matsumoto, had some lunch, strolled through the city and visited Matsumoto Castle again in the afternoon, this time from the inside. Built in 1594, it is one of the few castles in Japan that has been preserved in its original form — and it was absolutely worth exploring.

Inside, a museum showed how the castle was constructed, its defense systems, the weapons and strategies used, really interesting, and everything in Japanese as well as in English. We climbed all the way up to the sixth floor — up some steep, narrow wooden staircases, more like ladders— and were rewarded with views over the city and the cloudy mountains.

And after so much sight-seeing it was time for some ice cream and souvenir shopping. It was another wonderful day. Relaxed, but we still saw a lot and made so many nice memories. I love Japan more and more each day!

Day 4: Back to the Valley of the Gods

I’ve now been back in Austria for more than a week. There’s been a lot of calming garden work (though honestly, it’s far too hot for that — but when living in the desert, I guess nothing really feels hot anymore). Aikido practice, horse-riding… and I do feel much calmer. However, loud noises still startle me and sudden sounds still make my heart race.

But let’s go back to the beautiful things in life – Day 4 of our June Japan trip.

We liked Kamikochi so much that we decided to return the very next day. We had perfect hiking weather again. Some clouds, some sun and a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius.

This time, we headed south, taking a trail that led along the river first, but then winded through lush, green wetlands, framed by bursts of bright orange azaleas in full bloom. And in the distance, those same snow-capped peaks stood watch, just as majestic as before. 

Birdsong filled the air, and in the forested sections, sunlight filtered softly through the leaves, casting a dappled glow over everything. It felt like walking through a dream.

Along the way there were signs in both Japanese and English — sharing details about the region’s unique ecosystem, geology, and wildlife.

We followed the trail all the way to Taisho pond and took the same trail back, because we just couldn’t get enough of the beauty. And we even met a monkey along the way. No bears though, although there are sightings every day.

Back at Kappabashi Bridge, we enjoyed a late lunch before making a final stop at the National Park Information Center — a wonderful place for learning more about this beautiful valley.

Late afternoon it was time to return to Matsumoto. In the evening, after dinner, we took a quiet stroll to Matsumoto Castle, illuminated against the night sky. Light rain began to fall — soft, refreshing, almost like a blessing to end the day.

Day 3 – Into the Heart of the Japanese Alps

We picked up our rental car in the morning — a Kei car, perfect for small mountain roads. We only had to drive about 35 kms, but we were winding our way up into the mountains. The narrow, twisting road felt familiar, like driving up somewhere back home in the Austrian Alps.

Our route took us through a steep, forested gorge, with the waters of the Azusa River below .Eventually, we reached the edge of Chūbu–Sangaku National Park. Since private vehicles aren’t allowed inside the park, we left our car at the designated lot and hopped onto a shuttle bus that runs to Kamikochi valley every 30 minutes. As we climbed higher, the snowy peaks of the 3,000–4,000 metre mountains came into view. After about 30 minutes we arrived at the bus terminal and info center of the National Park and walked along the river to Kappa bridge.

Kamikōchi means “where the gods descend” — and it’s easy to see why. The snowcapped mountains, the turquoise waters of the Azusa River , the dense green forest – it’s simply breathtakingly beautiful.

As it was a Sunday morning, the famous Kappa Bridge was a popular spot. (Kappa is a mischievous water spirit) And yet, even with the crowd, the atmosphere was serene. No shouting, no pushing — just quiet awe. People waited patiently to take photos, stayed on the paths, and moved with care. Everyone respects everyone else. Back home in Austria, we avoid popular spots on a Sunday, because we like peace and quiet and being alone in nature. But in Japan, even a crowd somehow feels gentle — it simply doesn’t disturb the peace.

After some lunch, we quickly visited the nearby visitor centre, which was full of interesting displays about the region’s ecology. 

At around 1,500 metres above sea level, the weather was perfect for hiking— about 20 degrees with some wind.

 We set out on a hike upstream, following the river for just over an hour until we reached Myojin Pond, a still, emerald green mountain lake with rocky islands. This sacred place is part of a Shrine, and according to Shinto belief, it is watched over by the mountain kami of this region. Standing there, with Mount Myōjin rising behind the trees and the shrine nestled beside the water, it was easy to sense why people come here to pray, reflect and give thanks. It was so peaceful with just the frogs croaking, the birds singing and the people silently and respectfully greeting the mountain gods. 

There have been quite a few bear sightings recently, and nearly every Japanese hiker we passed wore bear bells on their backpacks. We figured we didn’t need one — other people were doing the jingling for us…

What struck me most was the forest. Towering, ancient trees and thick undergrowth, an untouched wilderness. This was primary forest — nature as it must have looked in Europe a thousand years ago. And the birds! Japanese birds don’t just chirp — they sing melodies!

Eventually, we made our way back to the shuttle bus, returned to our car, and drove the winding road back to Matsumoto — tired, happy, and just in time for dinner in town. 

But the beauty of Kamikōchi stayed with us. And as the weather forecast promised another dry day in this normally rainy season, the decision was easy: we’d be going back the very next day.

Day 2: Into the Japanese Alps

It took us about 90 minutes by train to reach Shinjuku/Tokyo, where we changed trains for the next leg: a two-and-a-half-hour journey to Matsumoto. As we left the flat landscapes of Chiba and Tokyo behind, the scenery began to change. Majestic mountains gradually rose on the horizon — and at one point, we even caught a fleeting glimpse of Mount Fuji, standing tall and serene in the distance, but mostly covered in clouds.

We arrived in Matsumoto in the early afternoon. Our hotel was perfectly located — just a two-minute walk from the station and about ten minutes from the castle — which meant we still had plenty of time to explore.

Matsumoto would be our “base camp” for the next five days. Nestled in a wide valley surrounded by the peaks of the Japanese Alps, the city immediately won our hearts. It’s lively and welcoming, with an artistic, youthful energy that makes it feel vibrant and relaxed at the same time. We loved the atmosphere!

Matsumoto Castle, dating back to the late 16th century, is one of the few original castles still standing in Japan. With its dark wooden exterior and the mountains in the background it’s a photographers dream. We took our time wandering through the castle park and town.

Along the way we discovered two Shinto shrines — peaceful sanctuaries that you can find at every corner in Japan. These are always an oasis of peace and quiet, and an opportunity to pause and calm down. As we do the same greeting at the beginning and end of each Aikido class, my daughter and I are familiar with the correct way to enter and pay respect and feel quite at home.

In the evening we went back to the railway station to check out where we had to pick up our rental car the next day – and had a hard time choosing dinner, there were literally hundreds of restaurants and bars around!

Happy Monday from Japan, and a good new week to all!

Kamikōchi is a mountainous highland valley in Nagano Prefecture. Some photos from an autumn hike from Kappa Bridge to Myōjin Pond.

#photography #fotografie #naturephotography #shotoniphone #japan #nagano #kamikochi #japanlife #mountains #hiking #japanesealps #photographersofmastodon

Title: Mount Asahi, seen from Mount Shirouma (1924)

Artist: Hasui Kawase

https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id19434 #ShinHanga #Art #Taisho #Winter #Snow #Spring #Nagano #HidaMountains #JapaneseAlps #MountAsahi #MountShirouma #Japan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-1IDzBCnaY

#Winter #Snow #JapaneseAlps #Kamikochi #HidaMountains #TaishoPond #Nagano #Japan

Title: Taisho Pond, Kamikochi (1927)

Artist: Hasui Kawase

https://visitjapan-vegetarian.com/taisho-pond-one-of-the-most-scenic-spots-in-kamikochi/ #ShinHanga #Art #Showa #Winter #Snow #JapaneseAlps #Kamikochi #HidaMountains #TaishoPond #Nagano #Japan

Before the pandemic, there was only one yoga teacher in Nozawa Onsen, but Australian Rowie Geraerts has brought mindful exercise and more to the sleepy town in Nagano Prefecture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2024/11/25/our-lives/nozawa-onsen-yoga/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #japanesealps #nagano #nozawaonsen #yoga #expats #vegan #tourism

Kamikōchi (上高地) is a mountainous highland valley in the western part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. In the autumn of 2022, we visited there on a perfect day to enjoy the splendid scenery, and hiked from Kappa Bridge to Myōjin Pond. A perfect place to recover from Tokyo’s hustle and bustle. 🏔️🥾

Video taken near Kappa Bridge.

#video #japanlife #nature #mountains #japan #nagano #kamikochi #scenicphotography #japanesealps #hiking #thegreatoutdoors #shotoniphone

Autumn Morning in Azumino | 安曇野秋の夜明け https://www.alojapan.com/979622/autumn-morning-in-azumino-%e5%ae%89%e6%9b%87%e9%87%8e%e7%a7%8b%e3%81%ae%e5%a4%9c%e6%98%8e%e3%81%91/

#4k #8K #a7riv #Alpha #autumn #azumino #colors #dawn #faliage #fall #fog #foggy #Japan #JapaneseAlps #jonendake #morning #mt.jonen #mt.nagamine #nagamineyama #Nagano #Naganodestinations #Naganotour #NaganoTravel #Naganotrip #Naganovacation #Nihon #nippon #Northernalps #sea​​of​​clouds #shinshu #Sony #timelapse #timelapse #travel #ソニー #タイムラプス #信州 #北アルプス #夜明け #安曇野 #常念岳 #朝 #百名山 #秋 #紅葉 #長峰山 #長野 #雲海 #霧 #飛騨山脈

Kamikōchi (上高地) is a mountainous highland valley in the western part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. About a year ago, I visited there on a perfect autumn day to enjoy the splendid scenery, and hiked from Kappa Bridge to Myōjin Pond. A perfect place to recover from Tokyo’s hustle and bustle. 🏔️🥾

All photos shot on iPhone.

#photography #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #japan #nagano #kamikochi #scenicphotography #japanesealps #hiking