March 1st, Saturday

5:00 a.m. – Departed for Nakanoyu Onsen Ryokan, Nagano.
7:30 a.m. – After checking in at the ryokan, we took a shuttle minivan to the trailhead at Kama Tunnel. There was a small stall at the trailhead where hikers could grab a coffee, beer, or a quick bite.
7:45 a.m. – Started our hike toward Kappa Bridge and Konashidaira.
We passed through two tunnels: Kama Tunnel (1,200 meters) and Kamikochi Tunnel (600 meters). Both tunnels had a moderate incline, making for a steady uphill walk.

9:30 a.m. – Reached Kamikochi Bus Terminal and continued for another 15 minutes to arrive at Kappa Bridge.

From the bridge, we enjoyed stunning panoramic views of the Northern Alps mountain range and the crystal-clear Azusa River winding through the valley. At the Konashidaira campsite, two groups had pitched their tents on the snow-covered ground, clearing some snow and piling it around for insulation. Sachi and I took a short lunch break there.

2:30 p.m. – Returned to the ryokan. The spacious, modern lobby had large windows offering a clear, panoramic view of the mountains. The ryokan featured both indoor and open-air onsen baths, available 24 hours a day for guests to enjoy anytime.

We enjoyed a Japanese ryokan-style dinner featuring seafood, meats, and all local specialties.

Afterword

Thank you, Sachi-san, for everything you did—booking the ryokan and driving all the way there. Our next adventure will take us to Mount Karamatsu on March 28th.