The gateway to Kamikochi at 1,504m elevation. Shops, restaurants, and the Visitor Center cluster here. The Visitor Center has free natural history displays — a good first stop to understand the terrain and wildlife. In May, bear sightings are common, so check current bear activity information here and rent or buy a bear bell (available at shops and inns).

The restaurant inside Gosen-jaku Hotel right beside Kappa-bashi, where you can eat with a view of the Hotaka peaks framed by the bridge. Popular dishes include Shinshu beef curry (around ¥2,000) and Kappa soba (¥1,300). The terrace opens in May, making lunch in crisp mountain air especially enjoyable. Arrive by noon on busy days to avoid waits.

A 37m wooden suspension bridge, the symbolic center of Kamikochi, said to have been first constructed around 1891. The view from the bridge — Hotaka peaks above the crystalline Azusa River — is especially dramatic in May when residual snow still blankets the summits. Early morning (6–8am) is uncrowded and offers clear-air photography conditions; afternoons see the most visitors.

A memorial to Walter Weston (1861–1940), the British missionary who introduced Kamikochi and the Japanese Alps to the world through his 1896 book. Located about a 10-minute walk west from Kappa-bashi along the Azusa River. The annual Weston Festival held the first weekend of June celebrates his legacy. A quiet stop with a personal historical connection — worth the short detour.

A 50-minute walk (approx. 3km one way) from Kappa-bashi along the right bank of the Azusa River leads to the sacred Myojin Pond, home to the inner sanctuary of Hotaka Shrine. The two pools — Ichi-no-ike and Ni-no-ike — have remarkable water clarity; surrounding old-growth forest reflects in the still surface. May greenery makes this one of the most photogenic times of year. Admission: ¥500. Take the right bank going, left bank returning for different views.

Opened in 1933, this mountain resort hotel with its distinctive red-pitched roof is a Kamikochi landmark. Non-guests can use the Tea Lounge, which serves the hotel's signature beef curry (¥2,600) and apple pie (¥1,100). The formal mountain setting feels genuinely special after a day on the trails. The 16–17 o'clock window tends to be quieter than the peak afternoon rush.

Created in June 1915 when the Yakedake volcanic eruption dammed the Azusa River with debris, leaving dead trees standing in the water — a landscape unlike anywhere else. Photographers favor the early morning hours (6–8am) when mist drifts across the surface and the first light turns the water gold. About 20 minutes walk from the Bus Terminal, or take a bus to the Taisho Pond stop.

A small pond and wetland area about a 15-minute walk from Taisho Pond. Far fewer visitors than the main sights, making it a calm retreat. In late May, nirinso flowers frame the wetland edges, and the clear stream flowing through the sandy riverbed is a reminder of how clean the water here truly is. Fallen logs and moss are left untouched in their natural state.

About 6km (90 minutes) from Kappa-bashi, Tokusawa is an open meadow that has served as a mountain climbing base for the Hotaka peaks since the first ascent in 1953. The Tokusawa-en restaurant's soft-serve ice cream and nozawana-fried rice hit differently after a long walk. The hand-pulled espresso from a German machine (¥600) is a genuine mountain luxury. Rest in the meadow for views of the Hotaka Range before the return walk.

The riverside trail between Kappa-bashi and Myojin runs on both banks, each offering a different experience. The left bank is open and airy, with the Hotaka peaks visible ahead and nirinso flowers lining the path in May. The right bank runs through quiet old-growth forest. Both banks are flat and easy walking, roughly 50 minutes one way. Using different routes for the outward and return legs makes the most of both landscapes.

One of Japan's twelve surviving original castle keeps, designated a National Treasure. Construction was completed around 1593–1594 during the Sengoku period, built for actual warfare — hence the nickname 'Karasu-jo' (Crow Castle) for its black exterior. The sixth floor of the keep looks out toward the Northern Alps, a meaningful view to close a Kamikochi trip. Admission: ¥700. Late May is much less crowded than summer peak season.

The Nawate-dori shopping street south of Matsumoto Castle preserves the atmosphere of the Edo-period castle town. Frog-themed shops, traditional condiment stores (miso, vinegar, soy sauce), and local craft stalls line the street. Matsumoto's soba noodles are highly regarded in Nagano Prefecture — classic restaurants like 'Tsuta no Ha' (founded 1920) make a perfect final meal before the return Azusa express.