Looking for a day of adventure outside Tokyo, get up early, board the 7a.m. Chuo Super Azusa in Shinjuku for Matsumoto, walk outside the station to the bus terminal and ride the bus to Kamikochi Park. Total travel time is about four hours and forty-five minutes.
Take the Bus schedule with you so you can plan your way back to the terminal in time for the last bus to Matsumoto. At the Kamikochi bus terminal there is an information center, grab a trail map, buy a bento box across the way, and head out for fun day of walking.
My friend Hiro and I spent Friday afternoon hiking along the Azusa River. There are plenty of picnic tables throughout the park so you can eat your bento with the crowds or dine in a remote area. Note that you need to carry your trash back with you.
The trails are mostly flat and the map gives you approximate times between bridges and trails.
You can spend a few days hiking or make it a one-day trip; the scenery is worth the effort. I am sure you will want to come back again.
See this article about my previous trips to this beautiful park.
If you only have four hours to hike here is a suggested itinerary.
From the Bus Terminal walk to the Azusa-gawa River on the Left Shore Path to the Kappa-bashi Bridge (made famous by author Ryunosuke Akutagawa's book entitled 'Kappa' in 1927).
Take a break and enjoy your bento box.
Once across the bridge walk the Right Shore Path to Dakesawa Marsh, continuing onto Hotaka-jinja Shrine (300 yen entrance fee) and stroll around Myojin-ike Pond. Go from there to the Myojin-bashi Bridge where you will see monkeys on both sides of the river. Start back on the Left Shore Path to the Kamikochi Bus Terminal. This itinerary will allow you plenty of time to take pictures before reaching the Kamikochi bus terminal.
