Kamikochi is a small basin, 1,500 meters above sea level on the upper stream area of Azusa-gawa River, which runs through the western part of Nagano. The Hodaka Mountains, Yake-dake Mountains and Jonen Mountains surround Kamikochi. It was Walter Weston, a British missionary and mountain climber who introduced this place to the world in the 19th century and since then many climbers have come to know about this place. Kamikochi is one of the most scenic spots in Japan and belongs to Chubu-sangaku National Park.