Yake-dake Volcano

Kamikochi is a small basin, 1,500 meters above sea level on the upper stream area of Azusa-gawa River, which runs through the western part of Nagano. The Hodaka Mountains, Yake-dake Mountains and Jonen Mountains surround Kamikochi. It was Walter Weston, a British missionary and mountain climber who introduced this place to the world in the 19th century and since then many climbers have come to know about this place. Kamikochi is one of the most scenic spots in Japan and belongs to Chubu-sangaku National Park.

	The whole area is covered with virgin forests of birches, Japanese larch trees and Japanese hemlocks. Taisho-ike Pond, Tashiro-ike Pond and Myojin-ike Pond are scattered in the forest and produce a beautiful landscape by reflecting the high-rising mountain peaks. Taisho-ike Pond presents a very special scene. In the early 20th century, Mt. Yake-dake erupted and dammed Azusa-gawa River to form Taisho-ike Pond, where trees stand decayed in the blue water. The young leaves of birch trees are so beautiful in June that they are called "light green mist", and attract many tourists. The foliage is at its peak in October and many visitors come to admire their beauty.
What we could see The pictures you can see here are that what we expected, but terrible mist and fog didn't show us anything. We even couldn't see our hands in front of us. On top of the crater, it started to snow and plants as well signs were covered with ice. At a temperature of minus 5 degrees we crossed the peak and didn't hesitate to descend immediately again. After approximately 1 hour we reached a hut, where we took a rest, before we went further down to the Azusa river.
	The peak started gradually to get covered by mist and fog and was invisible from half of the trip. As higher we came, as colder and inhospitable it was. The pictures below show the hike as it was in reality. The day started with good prospect and turned in a frightening adventure.
Right side: after half an hour walk Further way was covered by mist, fog and ice.
	The sign didn't show anything but ice

First rest after we stepped over the peak	The sun gave a mysterious light to the close mountains

The flow of the lava still is visible and stones and plants seem to be frozen since the last eruption in 1995.	The way down from Yakedake to Kamikochi and the Azusa river valley showed bizarrely formed landscapes.

The golden forest with Azusa river and Okuhotaka	Autumn forest wit sunlight in the mist
	How to reach the mountains around Kamikochi
From Shinjuku Station, 2 hours 40 minutes by JR Chuo Honsen Limited Express to Matsumoto Station.	From Matsumoto Station, 30 minutes to Shin-shimashima Station by Matsumoto Dentetsu Line. The bus from Shin-shimashima Station to Kamikochi takes 1 hour 7 minutes.