Capturing the Winter Beauty of Kamikochi: A Photographer’s Journey

2023-11-24 16:42:10

Text: Alex

Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, will be closed from November 16th this year. In other words, November 15th is the last day of service for mountaineering buses.Film lovers living in Yukute City, Saitama Prefecture Takayuki Nakayama We had originally planned to go to Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture on the 15th to take photos of Mount Fuji and red leaves. However, the day before departure, I suddenly remembered this “important day” and immediately changed my itinerary. I arrived that morning almost before the sun came up. Taisho Pond.

▲The reflection of Taisho Pond and the Hotaka Mountain Range. Shooting time 6:37am

In fact, he had already gone to Kamikochi to take pictures as early as October 26, but he felt that the effect was not as good as expected, so he wanted to take more pictures this year. This time he arrived at Taisho Pond before 6:30am, and there were already regarding 10 photographers filming at the scene. The sun had just come out at this time, illuminating some of the peaks of the Hotaka Mountains into gold, creating the beautiful scenery of “Rizhao Jinshan”.

▲First take a short panoramic video as a warm-up. Shooting time 6:31am

The biggest purpose of this trip is actually the reflection of the Hotaka Mountain Range on Taisho Pond. Nakayama admitted that he decided to change his schedule at short notice and go to Kamikochi. It was worth it even if his nose kept dripping and he didn’t have time to wipe it off, because the scenery was so beautiful. He took horizontal and vertical photos for printing and sharing on Instagram, and the harvest was quite fruitful.

▲Nakayama admitted that it was just to take this reflection that he decided to change his itinerary and go to Kamikochi. Shooting time 7:11am

Follow Nakayama along the trail past Tashiro Pond to Kappa Bridge. The temperature at Tashiro Pond that morning was only -5°C, so frost might be seen. After leaving Tashiro Pond and walking for regarding an hour, you will arrive at Kappa Bridge, the most popular attraction in Kamikochi. At this time, the entire mountain peak has been illuminated by the rising sun, revealing rich layers of colors. He feels that the air clarity is the highest in this season, so the scenery is particularly bright.

▲Winter scenery of Tashiro Pond. Shooting time 7:37am

▲On the way, we passed through a larch forest covered with frost and snow. Shooting time 8:15am

▲ Kappa Bridge, the most popular attraction in Kamikochi. Shooting time 8:36am

▲Nakayama said that not many people can take close-ups of Kappa Bridge like this. Shooting time 8:37am

▲Maybe it’s too early or the tourist season is at the end and there aren’t many tourists. Shooting time 8:38am

Follow Nakayama upstream along the Azusagawa River for a short distance to take photos of the Hotaka Mountain Range from a closer distance. Seeing such beautiful scenery, he has a new plan. He hopes to climb Nishihotakadake, Maehotakadake and Okuhotakadake (the peaks covered with snow in the photo) next year to take pictures!

▲The snow-covered peaks in the distance are Nishihotakadake, Maehotakadake, and Okuhotakadake. Shooting time 8:42 ~ 8:54am

Taking into account heavy snowfall and safety concerns, Kamikochi is closed from mid-November every year and does not reopen until around mid-April of the following year. The so-called mountain closure actually means that the uphill section from Fu Tunnel is closed to vehicles, and the shops and hotels on the mountain are also closed. However, climbers can still walk up the road to Kamikochi, which takes regarding 90 minutes. If you want to see the winter scenery of Shangjigao, you can read this report.


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