Karasawa Cirque Snow Hike (Nagano)

Tee
May 1
3 min read

Karasawa Cirque (2300m) is a stunning glacial Kar accessible as an overnight hike from Kamikochi, typically starting around Golden Week in April and May. Depending on the year the Cirque retains a significant snowpack requiring gear such as crampons and warm layers even if temperatures in the valley are high.

		
⏲︎	Time: 10-12h
✎	Kanji: 涸沢カール 
⚲ 	Location: Nagano
↔	Distance: 29km
✮	Difficulty: Intermediate
ᨒ	Elevation Gain: 1140m
☀	Multiday: 2D/1N
☉	Snow Season: Mid October 
	to mid June

Access

Car

Kamikochi is only accessible by bus ot taxi, no private cars. If you are coming by car you need to part at Sawando Parking Lot (East) or Hirayu Akandana Parking Lot (West) and take the bus. Bus takes about 30min to get to Kamikochi bus terminal.

Parking is 600¥ per day.

From Hirayu and Sawando the fare is both 2800¥ return.

Public Transportation

If you are coming from Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka/Kyoto there are direct buses a couple of times a day (depending on the season). If not Matsumoto, Nagano and Takayama also have buses directly to Kamikochi.

Trail description

Days 1: 6-7h, 14.3km, 956m elevation gain.

Start at the Kamikochi Bus Terminal and head toward Kappabashi Bridge. Continue walking along the same side of the river toward Konashidaira Campground. After about an hour, you'll pass Myojin on your left. This makes a nice short break spot, though depending on the time, it’s often better to explore the area on the way back. From Myojin, it’s about 50 minutes to Tokusawa, and from there, another hour to Yokoo Sanso. Altogether, the flat section of Kamikochi takes around 3 hours to walk.

At Yokoo, cross the large bridge, and you’ll soon begin ascending into the forest. Depending on the year, snow often starts just after the bridge. At first, you might manage without spikes or crampons, but they soon become helpful—and safer—for the snowy climb. Once the huts open for Golden Week, the trail is marked with poles, ribbons, and mineral powder. If you're heading up earlier, you'll need to find your own way. Be mindful of the river hidden beneath the snow, as well as the risk of rockfall and avalanches from the slopes above.

Depending on snow conditions and your pace, it should take around 3–4 hours to reach the hut from Yokoo.

Day 2: 5-6h, 14.3km, 181 elevation gain.

Today, you’ll be descending back to Kamikochi. If you leave early in the morning, the trail is likely still frozen, so crampons or at least microspikes are recommended for a safe descent. The hut starts serving food and coffee from 6:30 a.m., so you can enjoy breakfast after watching the sunrise over the cirque.

After about two hours, you’ll reach the bridge and Yokoo Sanso, marking your return to the busier part of Kamikochi. From there, it’s an easy walk along flat river paths to Tokusawa Campground, and then on to Konashidaira Campground.

If you’re lucky, you might spot the large group of monkeys that frequent this area. This is also a good place to stop for lunch and a bath—the bath usually opens from 2 p.m.

If you have extra time, consider stopping at Myojin Pond, or continue walking all the way to Taisho Pond and catch the bus from Taisho-ike.

Extra info:

Don't attempt in bad weather or if there is snow in the forecast. It’s easy to get lost with low visibility.
Bring the right gear and warm clothes. Snow storms are not uncommon during Golden Week.