Karasawa Cirque (涸沢カール)

Nagano(長野)
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Karasawa Cirque is a mountain destination located on the Nagano side of the Hotaka mountain range in the southern part of the Northern Alps. A “cirque” (kar) refers to a huge valley carved out by glaciers, and Karasawa Cirque spreads at approximately 2,300m elevation. In autumn, the entire cirque turns red, orange, and yellow, making it one of Japan’s finest autumn foliage spots that attracts many hikers. The area between Karasawa Hutte and Karasawa Koya serves as a tent site, and on the busiest weekends, up to 1,000 tents may be pitched. Kamikochi is the standard starting point for reaching Karasawa Cirque.

This page shows how to get to Kamikochi by bus.

*Timetable last checked: May 15, 2026

Map

Access to Trailhead

  1. 1. Going: Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi Bus Terminal
  2. 2. Going: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Highway Bus)
  3. 3. Return: Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Shin-Shimashima Sta.
  4. 4. Return: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Highway Bus)

1. Going: Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi Bus Terminal

From the bus terminal in front of Alpico Kotsu Shin-Shimashima Station, take the “Matsumoto – Shin-Shimashima – Kamikochi” line bus to Kamikochi Bus Terminal.

Travel time: Approx. 65 min
Fare: 2,850 yen (one-way)
Operating period: April 17 to November 15, 2026 (reservation required)

Bus Timetable: Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Kamikochi BT

Shin-Shimashima Sta. (Dep.) Kamikochi BT (Arr.)
06:00 07:05
07:10 08:15
08:00 09:05
08:40 09:45
09:30 10:35
10:05 11:10
10:50 11:55
11:30 12:35
12:10 13:15
12:50 13:55
13:30 14:35
14:10 15:15
14:50 15:55
15:30 16:35

Reference: Alpico Kotsu

2. Going: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Highway Bus) → Kamikochi

From various areas, use the Sawayaka Shinshu-go highway bus operated by Alpico Kotsu (reservation required).

Bus Timetable: Sawayaka Shinshu-go → Kamikochi

Shinjuku → Kamikochi (Day/Night)
Busta Shinjuku (Dep.) Kamikochi BT (Arr.)
07:15 12:02
22:25 05:20（翌日）
Shibuya → Kamikochi (Night)
Shibuya Mark City (Dep.) Kamikochi BT (Arr.)
22:00 05:20（翌日）
Osaka/Kyoto → Kamikochi (Night)
Osaka (Hankyu Sanbangai) (Dep.) Kyoto Sta. Hachijo Exit (Dep.) Kamikochi BT (Arr.)
21:30 22:50 05:20（翌日）
Nagano → Kamikochi (Day)
Nagano Sta. (Dep.) Kamikochi BT (Arr.)
08:30 11:10

Reference: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Alpico Kotsu)

3. Return: Kamikochi Bus Terminal → Shin-Shimashima Sta.

From Kamikochi Bus Terminal, take the bus to Shin-Shimashima Station.

Travel time: Approx. 65 min
Fare: 2,850 yen (one-way)

Bus Timetable: Kamikochi BT → Shin-Shimashima Sta.

Kamikochi BT (Dep.) Shin-Shimashima Sta. (Arr.)
07:50 08:55
09:30 10:35
10:40 11:45
11:25 12:30
12:05 13:10
12:40 13:45
13:20 14:25
14:05 15:10
14:40 15:45
15:15 16:20
16:00 17:05
16:40 17:45
17:15 18:20
17:55 19:00

Reference: Alpico Kotsu

4. Return: Kamikochi → Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Highway Bus)

Return to various areas using the Sawayaka Shinshu-go highway bus (reservation required).

Bus Timetable: Kamikochi → Sawayaka Shinshu-go

Kamikochi → Shinjuku (Day, extra services on busy days)
Kamikochi BT (Dep.) Busta Shinjuku (Arr.)
14:30 19:17
15:50 20:37
16:50 21:37
Kamikochi → Shibuya (Day)
Kamikochi BT (Dep.) Shibuya Mark City (Arr.)
16:20 21:10
Kamikochi → Kyoto/Osaka (Day)
Kamikochi BT (Dep.) Kyoto Sta. Hachijo Exit (Arr.) Osaka (Hankyu Sanbangai) (Arr.)
16:10 21:31 22:15
Kamikochi → Nagano (Day)
Kamikochi BT (Dep.) Nagano Sta. (Arr.)
15:00 18:05

Reference: Sawayaka Shinshu-go (Alpico Kotsu)

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