Anna Film Production

• 旅

河童橋の名前の由来は文字通り河童が住んでいそうだからというものと橋ができる前に頭にものを乗せながら川を渡る姿が河童に似ていたからというものがあるそうです。芥川龍之介の小説『河童』の中で、上高地と河童橋が登場したことで一躍有名になったとのことです。

Kappa Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Azusa River in the center of Kamikochi, not far from the bus terminal. Several hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops can be found around the bridge.

The structure of the bridge is wooden and it has become a distinctive symbol of Kamikochi. It inspired the 1927 novel, “Kappa,” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, in which the narrator and protagonist journeys to Kamikochi only to stray into the mysterious land of the kappa, a quirky race of water spirits from Japanese folklore.

Kappa Bridge is especially popular as a photo spot with a terrific view of the Hotaka Peaks and Mt. Myojindake that can been seen when facing upriver. Looking downriver, one has a good view of Mt. Yakedake, the iconic peak at the entryway to Kamikochi whose smoking crater reminds us that it is a very active volcano. The area around the bridge is home to Kesho Yanagi (a local species of willow) and Japanese larch trees.