Kamikochi Highlands is known as a place which 'the Gods descend upon'. Amazingly picturesque, more than 1.5 million tourists visit here each year to enjoy its mountainous beauty.
The magnificent view of the Hotaka mountains and the emerald green water of Azusa River are widely known. I visited here to enjoy the crisp, fresh air of the mountains and to feel the frigid-cold water of the river just being thawed. The whole area is open to the public only for half a year, from May to Oct. I chose the season when the beauty of the mountains would be best appreciated in brilliant colors, but it was a little bit too early to visit. (Photos were taken in early Oct., 2012)
