Kamikochi/Norikura Custom Snowshoe Trekking Tour
This type of Tour is for those who are interested in having a custom tour in Kamikochi and/or Norikura. For these tours we offer full day Kamikochi Tours to Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi+Norikura frozen waterfall combination tours, and other tours upon request. Starting times and finishing times can be adjusted. We can also pick you up at your hotel (Norikura, Shirahone, Sawando area only) or at certain bus stops (Oyakodaki, Sawando, Nakanoyu) if you are traveling from Matsumoto or Takayama.
Custom Full Day Tour to Kappa Bridge
This tour is a custom tour for those who want to hike to Kappa Bridge in Kamikochi. It is a total of 13km round trip and so we recommend this tour for active hikers who want to explore deep into Kamikochi to see the vast view from Kappa bridge. It is not an easy hike so make sure you are prepared.
**IMPORTANT Notice: Arriving to Kappa Bridge is not guarunteed depending on physical fitness, time schedule, and for those coming by Bus. If you want a higher chance at arriving at Kappa Bridge we must start earlier at around 8:00am. For an 8:00am start you must stay in Norikura prior to the Tour or come by rental car to NORHTSTAR. There is no early bus that arrives at this time. Please plan accordingly. Guides will make the final decisions on the trail regarding when to turn back.
Custom Combination Tours (Kamikochi Taisho Pond+Norikura Frozen Waterfall)
This tour is a custom full day tour where the guide will take you to Taisho Pond in Kamikochi in the morning and explore the frozen waterfalls of Norikura in the afternoon. We can adjust starting times and finishing times upon request and make the tour fully custom. After Kamikochi the guides can stop at a local Soba shop or restuarant for lunch before heading to the frozen waterfall in the afternoon. The total distance of this tour is 8-10km depending on how far you would like to hike.
Custom Full Day Tour
Cost:
- 2 people: ¥35,000/person
- Group (3 or more people): ¥23,000/person
Distance: 13km round trip. There is 2km of uphill and 2km of downhill and the rest is generally flat.
*This tour can be very challenging for beginners or those who are not physically active. It is a long distance and can be even more difficult wearing snowshoes and in deep snow. Please make sure everyone in your group understands this before booking the tour. Arriving at the Kappa Bridge is not guarunteed depending on everyones hiking level and time.
For: Must be older than 12 years old.
Sample Schedule for Full Day Kamikochi:
**Time schedule can vary depending on hiking experience, weather conditions, etc.
- 8:00 Arrive at NORTHSTAR, meet guide, finish registration. Rentals and gear check. Depart in Northstar Van
- 8:30 Start hiking from Nakanoyu (Hiking through tunnels with headlamps 2km)
- 10:30 Arrive at Taisho-ike pond or Tashiro pond (Toilet)
- 12:00 Arrive at Kabba Bridge (Toilet)
- 12:15 Lunch time and break (Lunch is not provided, please pack a lunch)
- 12:45 Depart Kappa Bridge
- 14:00 Arrive at Taisho Pond
- 15:45 Arrive at Nakanoyu gate (Toilet)
- 16:00 Return to NORTSHTAR
>>Takayama to Kamikochi: How to travel for NORTHSTAR Tours
>>Matsumoto to Kamikochi: How to travel for NORTHSTAR Tours
Sample Schedule for Full Day Combination Tour to Kamikochi and Norikura:
- 9:05 Arrive at Nakanoyu Bus Stop and meet with NORTHSTAR guide. Rentals and gear check.
- 9:20 Start hiking from Nakanoyu (Hiking through tunnels with headlamps 2km)
- 11:00 Arrive at Taisho-ike pond or Tashiro pond (Toilet)
- 11:30 Depart Taisho Pond
- 12:30 Arrive at Nakanoyu
- 13:00 Return to Norikura Kogen / Lunch at Soba noodle, or other local restarulant (optional)
- 14:00 Start hiking to the frozen waterfall
- 14:20 Arrive at Zengoro Fall (frozen waerfall)
- 15:00 Arrive at NORTHSTAR
- 16:06 Take bus towards Matsumoto from N-29 Norikura Kanko Center
Season:
Late December to mid March*
*No tour is available between mid November to mid December due to bad weather and no snow.
*Disclaimer*
Guides will make the final decision about the tour operation based on weather and applicable terrain conditions. Your safety is our priority.
All NORTHSTAR Guides are fluent in English and Japanese.
>> Kamikochi Half/Full Snowshoe Tour-What does the day look like?
Equipment – What to Bring
Required Equipment:
- Water proof snow jacket and pants
- Snow gloves
- extra insulation jacket (packable down jacket/extra layer to put in backpack)
- snow boots (30cm high)
- Hiking backpack (around 30L size / capable to carry snowshoes)
- water bottle (500mL ~ 1L)
- Lunch (Simple and easy to eat)
- Snacks
*Please make sure you have all the required equipment. Temperatures in Kamikochi can drop below 0C to -10C on some days. Without the proper equipment it can become uncomfortable and possibly dangerous. Plan ahead for rental equipment.
**NORTHSTAR does not provide lunches. Please bring your own snacks and lunch for the tours.
>> Please read our blog post for Winter Outdoor Equipment Guide
Rental Equipment:
- Snowboots (snowboard boots) : ¥2,500
- Snow Wear Set (ski jacket, ski pants, beanie, gloves, goggles）: ¥4,000
- Backpack 30L: ¥1,500
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