Included: An experienced English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 8-day Kamikochi hiking tour in Japan Accommodation: 7 nights in mountain huts, inns, and a 3-star hotel Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches (bento boxes), 7 dinners Add-ons: Single supplement—please leave a note upon checkout Not included: Flights Transport between Tokyo and Matsumoto Meals not indicated in the itinerary Drinks during meals Optional activities Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This Kamikochi hiking tour in Japan is rated moderate to challenging. All participants should be relatively fit for proper alpine hikes up to 7 hours and 10 km (6.2 mi) per day, while gaining up to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) in elevation. You can find more detailed hiking distances in the itinerary. Looking to explore a different side of Japan? Check out these cycling adventures!

What’s the food like?

Meals served in the mountain huts will be typical Japanese fare like curry rice, noodles, miso soup, rice, rice balls, udon, and vegetables. Hikers with food allergies are advised to prepare their own food.

What to do about high altitudes?

This trek isn’t just a walk in the park—it’s a serious high-altitude adventure. We’ll be climbing above 2,900 m (9,500 ft), where the air gets thinner, and the body has to work harder. Some hikers may experience mild altitude effects like headaches, dizziness, or fatigue. To help the body adjust, it’s recommended to hydrate constantly, pace yourself, and get plenty of rest. The itinerary is designed to allow gradual acclimatization, but if you have concerns about altitude sickness or pre-existing conditions, consult your doctor before the trip. If possible, spend time at an altitude before the trip.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Backpack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag) Backpack cover Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Mountaineering boots Comfortable hiking clothes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket and pants Hat Down jacket / fleece Toiletries (sunscreen, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.) Headlamp Gloves Sunglasses Trail snacks Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Important note: Please bring a separate bag to store your non-hiking related luggage, which will be left in Matsumoto on the morning of Day 2. You will get this luggage back when you return to Matsumoto on Day 7.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Kamikochi hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants. A Kamikochi hiking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Kamikochi hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Kamikochi hiking tour is Matsumoto. To get there, most people fly into Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Matsumoto Airport (MMJ) . The most convenient way to get to Matsumoto from Tokyo is to take the Azusa Express train which runs out of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. The train journey is around 3 hours, and there is a train departing almost every hour. Train tickets can be bought at any JR Ticket Office (JR = Japan Railway) that can be found at major hubs in Tokyo (Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Shinjuku Station) and other JR Stations (including at the airports in Tokyo). From Matsumoto Airport, you can take a shuttle service or use public transport to reach Matsumoto. Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at the hotel in Matsumoto. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

NAGANO | JAPAN

Hiking Kamikochi and the Panorama Ginza in Japan: Trail to the Heavens

From $3,610 ()

Duration

8 days

Season

July through October

Book a call

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Accommodation
Things to know

All aboard the wildest trek in Japan! Next stop—every breathtaking ridgeline our legs can handle! We’ll start in Matsumoto, land of castles and cool vibes, before cranking up the altitude, bagging peaks, and chasing horizons across the legendary Panorama Ginza. Think knife-edge ridges, gravity-defying climbs, and an ever-changing backdrop of peaks, valleys, and absolute magic. Nights in mountain huts, mornings above the clouds, and trails that test our quads and reward our spirits—this is hiking turned up to the max. If you’re looking for a breezy stroll, look elsewhere, but if you want the hike of a lifetime, grab your gear and let’s go!

Adventure highlights

Samurai meets summit

From castle grounds to cloud-touching ridgelines, history and adventure collide
Ridgeline thrills

Hike the legendary Panorama Ginza, where every summit feels like the top of the world
Mountain hut magic

Sleep where the air is thin and the stars are close, with sunrises you’ll never forget

Itinerary

Download itinerary

The Japanese Alps aren’t just a backdrop—they’re the main event. This trek launches from Matsumoto, where samurai once roamed, and sends us straight into the clouds along the legendary Panorama Ginza route. We’re talking steep climbs, razor-sharp ridgelines, and views so unreal they belong in a woodblock print. Nights in mountain huts above the clouds, views of cloud-kissed peaks, and a grand finale descent into Kamikochi? Absolute perfection. If you’ve ever wanted to earn your ramen with a week of heart-racing adventure, this is your ticket.

After the arrival in Matsumoto, there will be a welcome briefing at 5pm at the hotel lobby, followed by a group dinner.

After check-in, we’ll rest for a couple of hours before meeting the guide in the lobby. We will get to meet our tour-mates, and then be briefed about the itinerary and the climbs before heading out for dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Matsumoto
Today, we can enjoy local sights. A must-see is Matsumoto Castle, one of the few remaining original castles in Japan. After lunch, we will move to Nakabusa Onsen, where we will spend the night at a traditional Japanese inn, close to the trailhead for the next day’s hike.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Japanese inn
On Day 3, we will go through a forest as we climb up the mountain, traversing some steep climbs over paths ridden with roots. When we reach the ridge, we’ll drop off our bags at the mountain hut. From there, it’s just a little bit more to the summit of Mt. Tsubakuro.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 6 km (3.7 mi), 6 hours
Accommodation: Mountain hut
The trail starts with an easy hike heading south along the ridgeline, towards the summit of Mt. Otensho. The ascent of this mountain is steep, over loose rocks and gravel. Mt. Otensho is the highest peak on the Panorama Ginza route. After summiting, we will continue with several more descents and ascents towards Jonen, all the while enjoying views of the Japanese Alps.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi), 7 hours
Accommodation: Mountain hut
The hike on Day 5 starts with a steep and rocky climb to the summit of Mt. Jonen. Once at the top, we will be greeted with panoramic views of the mountains and a glimpse of the Kamikochi basin below. After Mt. Jonen, our hike will dip below and above the tree line until we reach Mt. Choyari and Mt. Chogatake. While walking along the ridgeline, we can view the Japanese Alps on one side and Matsumoto valley on the other, until we reach our mountain hut.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 6.5 km (4 mi), 6 hours
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Our last hike will take us down to Kamikochi, back to civilization. It is not a particularly technical route. After check-in, we can enjoy views of the Japanese Alps from below in the evening, and settle in for our last night in this national park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 5 hours
Accommodation: Japanese inn
After breakfast, we will board the bus and head towards Matsumoto city. After lunch, we can rest up in the afternoon or explore local sights before our final group dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Matsumoto
Today is the last day of this hiking tour, and we’ll part with our tour-mates and guides. We’ll say our goodbyes and depart back home.

Meals: Breakfast

Hiking Kamikochi and the Panorama Ginza in Japan: Trail to the Heavens

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Yohei Ueda

Yohei has been climbing mountains for many years now across Japan, and beyond including Mt. Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua in South America. He has a love for mountains, and is a regular contributor to online magazines, books and has also been featured in the media.

5.00

Tomoyuki Ishihara

Tomoyuki Ishihara is a certified UIMLA International Mountain Leader. He's been climbing and skiing for 22 years, and started guiding 14 years ago. Tomoyuki is a tour guide in every region in Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu and Yakushima, while the Japanese Alps are his favorite playground.

5.00

Venture

Venture specializes in small group events, expeditions, and adventures. They mostly deal with sports groups looking to travel to build a trip around an event, clubs looking to take their training to a new level (running, swimming, or triathlon), businesses wanting to design a team-building adventure, and groups of friends wanting to build a unique experience that they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Accommodation

Accommodation

On this Kamikochi hiking tour, we’ll be staying in mountain huts, Japanese-style inns, and a 3-star hotel.

In mountain huts, we’ll be sleeping on futons on the floor in shared rooms, dormitory-style. There are no showers, so participants are asked to bring wet wipes. Bedding is supplied by the mountain huts, so there’s no need to bring sleeping bags.

We’ll stay 2 nights in a Japanese-style inn (Days 2 & 6). The bedding will be in the form of futons laid on tatami flooring. Toilets and baths are shared. Please note that shared baths in Japan are separated by gender, but shared with other staying guests. Clothing of any kind is not allowed in the baths.

Finally, we’ll also rest at a comfy 3-star hotel in Matsumoto.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced English-speaking hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 8-day Kamikochi hiking tour in Japan
  - Accommodation: 7 nights in mountain huts, inns, and a 3-star hotel
  - Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches (bento boxes), 7 dinners
Add-ons:
- - Single supplement—please leave a note upon checkout
Not included:
- - Flights
  - Transport between Tokyo and Matsumoto
  - Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  - Drinks during meals
  - Optional activities
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
This Kamikochi hiking tour in Japan is rated moderate to challenging. All participants should be relatively fit for proper alpine hikes up to 7 hours and 10 km (6.2 mi) per day, while gaining up to 1,500 m (4,921 ft) in elevation.

You can find more detailed hiking distances in the itinerary.

Looking to explore a different side of Japan? Check out these cycling adventures!
Meals served in the mountain huts will be typical Japanese fare like curry rice, noodles, miso soup, rice, rice balls, udon, and vegetables.

Hikers with food allergies are advised to prepare their own food.
This trek isn’t just a walk in the park—it’s a serious high-altitude adventure. We’ll be climbing above 2,900 m (9,500 ft), where the air gets thinner, and the body has to work harder. Some hikers may experience mild altitude effects like headaches, dizziness, or fatigue.

To help the body adjust, it’s recommended to hydrate constantly, pace yourself, and get plenty of rest. The itinerary is designed to allow gradual acclimatization, but if you have concerns about altitude sickness or pre-existing conditions, consult your doctor before the trip. If possible, spend time at an altitude before the trip.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Backpack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Backpack cover
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Mountaineering boots
  - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket and pants
  - Hat
  - Down jacket / fleece
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.)
  - Headlamp
  - Gloves
  - Sunglasses
  - Trail snacks
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Important note: Please bring a separate bag to store your non-hiking related luggage, which will be left in Matsumoto on the morning of Day 2. You will get this luggage back when you return to Matsumoto on Day 7.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Kamikochi hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
A Kamikochi hiking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Kamikochi hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Kamikochi hiking tour is Matsumoto. To get there, most people fly into Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Matsumoto Airport (MMJ).

The most convenient way to get to Matsumoto from Tokyo is to take the Azusa Express train which runs out of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. The train journey is around 3 hours, and there is a train departing almost every hour. Train tickets can be bought at any JR Ticket Office (JR = Japan Railway) that can be found at major hubs in Tokyo (Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Shinjuku Station) and other JR Stations (including at the airports in Tokyo).

From Matsumoto Airport, you can take a shuttle service or use public transport to reach Matsumoto.

Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at the hotel in Matsumoto. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.