A popular activity around Takayama is mountain hiking in nature. One of the representative spots is Kamikochi which has some secrets. Today, a guide teaches us the secret why the water in Kamikochi is emerald green.

“Kamikochi（上高地 means 神降地）means the place where the god descends. It has lots of nature such as wild animals and the nature view, but the most impressive one is the emerald green water in the river and the pond. Light refraction of natural phenomena produces the beautiful color. Even if you scope up the water with your hands, the water does not have the color. It is very mysterious, isn’t it.

The water is emerald green as if by magic.

Let’s imagine the emerald green sea with white sand. The water in Kamikochi is also emerald green at deep point and clear at shallow point. The reason is that snow melt gently and flow into the river, so the water does not become muddy and the sand and gravel brought by the water are also white. In addition, the water is as clear as you can see the bottom of the river. The environment produced by nature makes absorption and infection of light, and the water looks emerald green.

The water looks emerald green but clear if your hand puts into the water.

There are many photography spots in Kamikochi, but we strongly recommend you of taking a picture with the emerald green water. You must visit this mysterious spot.

Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso near Kappa-bashi bridge was renewed in Apr 27,2018. The restaurant ”La bellforet” made a terrace area facing nature.