Japan Alps: Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture

Located in the birthplace of the Japanese Alps, Kamikochi offers breathtaking views and access to your next adventure. The natural history of Kamikochi is one of great elemental upheavals occurring over many thousands of years, though some of these were also quite recent. The mountains and valleys were shaped in part by glacial activity, evidence of which can still be seen in some of the most prominent peaks. Another major player in the formation of the area was Mt. Yakedake, whose eruption over 14,000 years ago changed the course of the Azusa River, causing it to run through the basin in which present day Kamikochi and Matsumoto are located. Mt. Yakedake would again play a role in shaping Kamikochi’s landscape when another eru#asia tion in the summer of 1915 dammed the Azusa River, creating Taisho Pond. It should be mentioned that Mt. Yakedake is the only active volcano in the Northern Alps and still proclaims its fury to the heavens by constantly emitting a plume of smoke. #japan #nationalpark #travel #nagano #kamikochi #mountains #hiking #asia