Nature

2025-08-01 / Last updated : 2025-08-01 Kevin Kato Nature

Mount Koboyama: A Big Destination with the Low Elevation

Here in Matsumoto there’s no shortage of beautiful mountain scenery. If you have the time, we highly recommend a trip up into the Northern Alps. But if you can’t quite, bike or hike just a bit south of town and check out Mount Koboyama, the big destination with the low elevation! 1,500 Year Old Physique Pass by its feet and you probably won’t notice anything special about this hill with the mountainous reputation. But you may notice something intriguing from afar – an angular, flat-topped profile that could only be man-made. And indeed, the top of this mountain was shaped by human hands. Excavation and research have shown that the […]
2025-06-23 / Last updated : 2025-06-25 Tom Taylor Nature

Matsumoto’s Hidden Waterfalls: A Day Trip Adventure

Just a short trip from the city of Matsumoto in the Norikura Highlands, you can find some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Japan. If you’re seeking a tranquil escape, these ‘taki’ (waterfalls) are an absolute must-visit. Known collectively as the “Three Great Waterfalls of Norikura”, each has its own unique charm and scenic trails. Here’s a quick guide to three stunning matsumoto’s hidden waterfalls you won’t want to miss. 1. Sanbon-daki (Three-Peak Waterfall) Sanbon-daki, which translates to “Three Waterfalls,” is a unique geological formation as three separate rivers join to form what is collectively called Sanbon Falls. With a basin elevation of 1840m it is rumoured to have been […]
2022-04-04 / Last updated : 2023-06-08 Kevin Kato Nature

Take In Beautiful Kamikochi, the Jewel of the Japanese Alps

Japan is so chock full of beautiful mountains the hiking and climbing possibilities seem endless. But for a leisurely stroll through the best alpine scenery this country has to offer, go no further than the Kamikochi Valley in the Japanese Alps, right here in Matsumoto! With a series of flat, well-maintained walking paths and a multitude of picturesque natural and geological sights, a trip to Kamikochi and the Japanese Alps makes for an unforgettable day. Here is some of what you can expect. 1-Day Tour: Azumino & Kamikochi Valley See our Photo & Video Gallery Yake-dake Mountain & Taisho-ike Pond The only active volcano in the entire Northern Japanese Alps […]