Chubu-Sangaku National Park is one of Japan's great mountain national parks, spanning the southern Northern Alps and taking in Kamikochi, Mt. Norikura, and the Hotaka mountain range. Staying right in the heart of Kamikochi — where private cars are restricted — can be a little inconvenient, and a little pricey. Misuzuso, in Norikura Kogen, gives you easy access to both Kamikochi (by bus) and Mt. Norikura (by car to the trailhead). Follow Route 158 a little further and you can also reach the Shinhotaka Ropeway, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go. Misuzuso is your base for exploring the whole park.
Kamikochi, known for Kappa Bridge and Taisho Pond, restricts private vehicles from driving directly into its center. Norikura Kogen sits just outside that zone, making it a convenient place to switch to the shuttle bus.
Lodging right in central Kamikochi is limited and tends to be expensive. Staying in Norikura Kogen lets you enjoy a quieter atmosphere at a more reasonable price.
Just 5 minutes by car from Misuzuso, Ichinose Kusahara is a grassland in Norikura Kogen with an easy boardwalk trail. No special gear needed — just a relaxed walk through open meadows with mountain views all around.
After your walk, unwind at Café Ichinohi, which looks out over the grassland. Take your time with a cup of coffee and enjoy the quiet.
Norikura Kogen is home to the "Norikura Three Waterfalls": Sanbondaki, ranked among Japan's 100 best waterfalls; Bansho Otaki, the largest of the three at 40m; and Zengoro-no-taki, a graceful 21.5m falls with Mt. Norikura as its backdrop. Each is a 5–20 minute walk from its parking area along well-maintained trails, making them great for trekking beginners.
The local tourism association also maps out several other walking courses, past shrines and ponds, for different fitness levels. Staying at Misuzuso, you can explore Norikura Kogen's nature at your own pace.
Mt. Norikura is known as one of the more accessible 3,000m peaks in the Northern Alps. During climbing season, a bus takes you up to Tatamidaira. Misuzuso is a convenient base for reaching the trailhead and bus stop.
Outside of climbing season, you can still enjoy the views from Norikura Kogen and the hiking trails at the base of the mountain.
The Norikura Echo Line, climbing to Tatamidaira above 2,700m, is known among cyclists as one of Japan's premier hill-climb routes. Misuzuso sits close to the starting point — and there's no better reward after the ride than our hot spring.
Fed by snowmelt from the Northern Alps, Azumino is a gentle landscape of rice fields and wasabi paddies. At Daio Wasabi Farm, one of Japan's largest wasabi growing areas, you can stroll past nearly a kilometer of wasabi fields and a scenic watermill, then try the farm's famous wasabi soft-serve ice cream.
About an hour by car from Misuzuso, through Matsumoto — a pleasant countryside drive.
Narai-juku, the largest of the Kisoji post towns along the old Nakasendo highway, preserves nearly a kilometer of Edo-period streetscape. Wander past its lattice-fronted wooden buildings and it feels like stepping back several centuries.
About an hour by car from Misuzuso — worth combining with the other post towns along Kisoji.
Misuzuso is also a convenient base for exploring the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture — Takayama, the Shinhotaka Ropeway, and Shirakawa-go. Taking Route 158 through the toll Abo Tunnel, it's about 1 hour 10 minutes to central Takayama, 50 minutes to the Shinhotaka Ropeway, and about 2 hours to Shirakawa-go.
Takayama's preserved old town, the Northern Alps panorama from the Shinhotaka Ropeway, and the UNESCO World Heritage gassho-zukuri village of Shirakawa-go — all within reach for a day trip by rental car or your own vehicle.
At 1,400m elevation and surrounded by mountains, Norikura Kogen has little light pollution and clear night skies. On a clear night, you can see a sky full of stars and the Milky Way.
Step outside after your bath and take a moment to look up at the quiet night sky.
By car
~50 minA further
~15 minBy car
~2 minBy car
~5 minTake a break between sightseeing with our milky-white hot spring and the mountains' bounty.
NORIKURA KOGEN ONSEN