When traveling to Kamikochi, Norikura, or the Japan Alps (Mt. Yarigatake & Mt. Hotaka) by private car or rental car, you must park your vehicle at the base area due to strict year-round private car restrictions. The main gateway on the Nagano/Matsumoto side is the Sawando Area (Sawando Onsen). Here, you will find both Municipal (City-run) and Private parking lots, each offering different payment methods and rules for vehicle types (motorcycles, camper vans, etc.). This compre

When planning a trip to Kamikochi or Mt. Norikura in the autumn, the most common question we receive is: "When is the best time to see the autumn leaves?" To answer simply: In this area, you can enjoy stunning autumn foliage anytime from late September through early November—a span of about a month and a half. The secret behind this long season lies in the difference in altitude. Starting from the high peaks at 3,000 meters above sea level down to Sawando Onsen (1,000 m) and