The trail to Chigafuchi takes about 30 minutes each way — manageable for most people at a comfortable pace. The narrow path along the river naturally creates solitude. On weekdays, you may not meet another person. Deep forest, cold water, complete quiet: this is what solo travel is for.
The color is the first surprise.
You expect a mountain stream to be clear. You don’t expect it to be that color — a deep, concentrated blue-green, like something from a travel photo that’s been touched up. But this is real. This is what happens when water filters through layers of granite for decades before reaching the surface.
Ojiro Valley is the source of Suntory’s Southern Alps Natural Water — one of Japan’s most widely consumed mineral waters. The factory is downstream. Up here, the water is still wild.
The trail to Chigafuchi
The main draw for visitors is Chigafuchi (千ヶ淵) — a deep, still pool formed where a waterfall drops into the river. The trail from the parking area takes about 15–20 minutes on foot, following the river through forest.
The path is narrow in places, with rope handrails where the ground gets steep. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. The reward at the end is a pool of water so blue-green it looks artificially lit.
Sit on the rocks above it for a while. The sound of the waterfall, the cold air coming off the water, the total absence of anything human-made — it’s the kind of reset that’s hard to find near a city.
The longer trails
For those who want more, Ojiro Valley connects to a longer trail system running deeper into the Southern Alps. The first section beyond Chigafuchi involves chain-assisted climbing along the canyon walls — physically demanding, genuinely spectacular, and very rarely crowded.
The longer routes require proper hiking footwear and advance planning. But even the short trail to Chigafuchi is worth the drive.
When to visit
- Spring (May–June): Fresh green canopy, cold water, ideal temperatures
- Summer: Cool relief from lowland heat; weekends can be busy
- Autumn (October–November): Fall foliage reflects in the water — exceptional
- Winter: The trail can ice over; crampons needed on some sections
Avoid rainy periods — the trail becomes slippery and the river can rise.
A note on the water
The Ojiro River is one of the purest rivers in Japan. It’s been designated one of Japan’s Top 100 Waters (Meisui Hyaku-sen) by the Ministry of the Environment. The clarity of the water comes from decades of filtration through the granite of the Southern Alps.
You’re drinking it every time you buy a bottle of Suntory natural water. Coming here is seeing where it starts.
Ojiro Valley Trailhead
- Parking: Free, approx. 100 cars
- Access: 10 min from Hakushu IC on Chuo Expressway
- Trail to Chigafuchi: ~30 min round trip
- Note: No facilities on the trail; pack water and wear appropriate footwear
Getting There
By Car (required): 10 minutes from Hakushu IC on the Chuo Expressway. Free municipal parking lot (approx. 100 cars). By Train + Taxi: From JR Kobuchizawa Station, approximately 20 minutes by taxi. Note: There is no direct public transit to the trailhead. A car or taxi is necessary.