Exploring Kamikochi

As I arrived in November, my dreams of going to see the absolute dreamland which is Kamikochi were shattered for anywhere in the near future. But this meant that when I got an invitation to go and see the place, I couldn’t be more excited.

Fresh air, running rivers, snow capped mountains and even a few wild monkeys scampering around; Kamikochi was everything I wanted it to be and more. Luckily we had managed to visit on one of the days that there were very few visitors compared to what we’d expected, so we were able to enjoy everything to its’ fullest potential. Unfortunately we only managed a few hours there, but it doesn’t matter too much.. it definitely won’t be the only visit.

My favourite place - Kamikochi

Matsumoto is a city in Nagano prefecture, Japan. Because this city is surrounded by mountains, in winter it doesn't snow much like Nigata and in summer it isn't so hot.

The most popular place for tourism is Matsumoto Castle. The castle was built in the 16th century, and a samurai called Ogasawara was governing the whole country of Shinano (The old name of Nagano). It is a famous castle which never had a fight. And also it is called "karasu jyo". It means crow castle and this is because it is black. In Hyogo, there's a another castle called white heron castle and it is because it's white.

There are many other places to visit. Kaichi elementary school is a place where you can see combinations of the Japanese and the Western styles. Japan used to do national isolation for 200 years during the Edo period. When a man called Perry from the U.S. came to Japan, it ended. And many Western things came into Japan. This building is one of an example.

Taisho lake

My favorite place is Kamikochi. it's a scenic spot and it's being popular and popular. These days many people from cities comes to escape the summer. In Kamikochi, you can see lots of beautiful mountains of the Japanese Alps. If you climb to an altitude of about 1500 meters, you'll see a beautiful lake called Taisho lake.

Posted for Remi

After reading "Stranger Danger"...hiking memoirs

Write about a hiking trip you made when you were young.

In Mastumoto, it is very popular activity to go hiking during the junior high school years. The destination depends on school, but I went to Kamikouchi for hiking and camping when I was in the first year at my junior high school. We went to there by bus and arrived in the noon. In the afternoon, we walked around the field to see some ponds there. It was a summer activity, but it was very cold there.

We had to cook by ourselves, so we packed food in our backpack. Our group brought a watermelon as a dessert after dinner. We put the watermelon in the river as soon as we arrived there. Our teacher cut it for us and we could share it with everyone in our class. It tasted really good and the most delicious one in my life.

In the night, we watched the stars before we sent to sleep in the tent. The sky was full of stars which were brighter than what I had seen in my town. I felt it was even nearer to me. Watermelon and starts are my good memory of hiking.

Where I live - Matsumoto

I live in Matsumoto, which is a small city in the center of Japan. It has a population of 227,240 people and it's the second biggest city in Nagano.

It’s a beautiful city, and it’s great for walking around. There are lots of narrow streets, and it’s full of historic spots, and shops. It is famous city for the tourism. Matsumoto castle is popular with tourists.

The weather here is very comfortable because it little rains and there are a lot of days of fine weather. The winter can be very cold, and it sometimes snow for day. The summer can be very hot in the daytime but can be cool at night.

Matsumoto is famous for horsemeat dish (but I don’t like it). Kamikochi is popular with tourists too. There are some beautiful ponds, and some hot springs near. A lot of tourists visit seeing the autumn tint in autumn.

I think the best thing about Matsumoto are the beautiful nature enclosed by mountains. I enjoy the changes of the seasons of the mountains. I like natures and history of Matsumoto city.

Where I live - Azusagawa

1. I live in Azusagawa, which is a town in the west of Matsumoto city of Nagano prefecture in Japan. It has a population of approximately 12000 people. It has been combined to Matsumoto city since 2005.

2. It’s a beautiful town, and it has enough nature, mountain and river. There is a big river. It is Azusa River. It runs from Kamikochi and finally runs into the Sea of Japan through Nagano and Niigata. Although my town is rural place that has a lot of farm, it is increasing population recently. Because it has inexpensive land price and is nearby Matsumoto downtown. It is becoming commuter town of Matsumoto.

3. The weather here is dependent on every season. The rain is less than other city nearby coast. The winter can be very cold and dry, and it sometimes snow for days. The summer is not usually too hot. But it’s sometimes can be hot recently. Perhaps the reason is the warming earth.
4. Azusagawa has a lot of apple farm that is most popular in Nagano and these Apples are sending out to all around of Japan. There are a lot of kinds of apple. Above all things, Fuji is the most delicious and popular.

5. But I think the best things about Azusagawa are the atmosphere and the water. They are clean. I can see stars clearly at night in winter. I can drink cold water all the year round.

My favourite photo - Shin

One of my favorite photos is of a beautiful mountain.

I took the photo in the autumn of 2005 when we were climbing the mountain.

It is Yakedake mountain in Kamikochi.
I was deeply impressed with the great beautiful view. I thought that nature was really great.

There were some long iron ladders in the mountain trail. I was afraid of them but I was excited and happy.
We were so tired because we walked for about 7 hours.
I had an onsen-bath near Kamikochi and I relaxed.

I keep this photo in my PC.This photo make me to want to climb the mountain again.

Posted for Shin