Kamikatsu(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Kamikatsu, the standout eco-lodging is Mori no Ie Ryokan, a former schoolhouse transformed into a sustainable retreat nestled in the Shikoku Mountains. Built with reclaimed wood and solar panels, every room features natural materials and zero-waste practices. Guests can join hands-on workshops like kōzo paper-making or wild foraging tours led by local artisans.

Another gem is Kataoka Forest Cabin, perched at 600 meters above sea level with panoramic views of red maple forests and misty valleys. It runs entirely on renewable energy and uses composting toilets. Both properties emphasize zero-waste living, with guests encouraged to sort waste into 12 categories—a hallmark of Kamikatsu’s world-renowned recycling system. Book early—these unique stays fill up fast.

The best areas for accommodation in Kamikatsu are Ōmachi Center and Takabata District. Ōmachi offers easy access to town hall, the library, and local cafes, ideal for travelers seeking quiet cultural immersion. Takabata, deeper in the Shikoku Mountains, provides serene forest surroundings perfect for nature lovers and those wanting to experience authentic rural life.

Both zones host family-run guesthouses and eco-cabins that offer guided forest walks, organic farming experiences, and even stargazing nights. With minimal light pollution and crisp mountain air, Takabata is especially recommended for night photography and peaceful solitude. Choose a stay near a stream or forest edge for the most immersive experience.

Kamikatsu is renowned for its paper heritage. Visit the Kamikatsu Washi Workshop to craft traditional kōzo paper using century-old techniques—soaking, pounding, and hand-pulping mulberry bark. Each sheet becomes a personal keepsake.

Attend the annual Kamikatsu Paper Festival in October, showcasing intricate art pieces from lanterns to origami installations. Another highlight is the Forest Meditation Retreat, led by Zen practitioners in the Shirakami-Sanchū forest, where participants practice mindful breathing amid ancient trees.

Some lodges also offer overnight camping in forest cabins with candlelit dinners and storytelling sessions under the stars—perfect for deep connection with nature and tradition.

Yes, Kamikatsu is highly family-friendly. Stay at Midoriyama Kids Nature House, a renovated elementary school turned eco-kids’ hostel featuring a nature classroom, insect observation garden, and mini farm where children can plant vegetables and feed goats.

The town hosts weekly Family Nature Workshops on topics like plant identification, stream ecology, and woodcrafting, all free or low-cost. The Takabata River Trail has child-safe paths with interactive signs and nature puzzles, turning hikes into educational adventures.

All activities are supervised by trained staff, and many accommodations provide family-friendly meals using organic local produce. This peaceful, green environment fosters curiosity, creativity, and connection—ideal for raising young explorers.

Kamikatsu’s cuisine centers on wild mountain ingredients and organic farming. Must-try is Yamagata Nabe, a hearty hot pot made with seasonal wild greens like ferns, fuki-no-to, and mountain celery, simmered over a charcoal hearth. Try it at Mori no Shokudō, a family-run restaurant using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Another specialty is Washi Mochi, soft rice cakes made with kōzo tree pulp flour and filled with matcha or red bean paste. Available at the local craft market. Locals also enjoy wild honey, harvested from native beehives, which adds a subtle pine flavor to toast or yogurt. These dishes reflect the town’s commitment to zero-waste, hyper-local eating—a true taste of Shikoku’s untouched wilderness.

To reach Kamikatsu, take the Tokushima Bus from Tokushima Station to Kamikatsu Town Hall, a 90-minute journey with 3–4 daily departures. For more flexibility, rent a car via Kōtō Expressway then follow Prefectural Route 5 through scenic mountain roads.

Within town, the Community Shuttle Bus (Kōkai Bus) connects major sights and lodgings like Ōmachi and Takabata. Check schedules in advance via the Kamikatsu Tourism Association website. Many guesthouses offer free pickup services, especially helpful for elderly travelers or families with luggage. HopeGoo ahead is essential during peak seasons.

Kamikatsu has a temperate humid climate with distinct seasons. Spring (March–May) brings blooming foliage and mild temps (10–18°C), ideal for hiking and foraging. Summer (June–August) is warm and humid, occasionally affected by typhoons, but the mountains offer cool relief.

Autumn (September–November) is the prime season—temperatures hover between 12–22°C, and the maple forests turn vibrant red. Perfect for photography and forest walks. Winter (December–February) is cold and dry, with occasional snow, though snowfall is light due to elevation. Pack layers and waterproof footwear year-round. Always check Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts before travel to avoid disruptions.

Top photogenic locations in Kamikatsu include the Shirakami Mountain Viewpoint, offering sweeping vistas of emerald forests and drifting clouds—ideal for sunrise shots. The Washi Paper Bridge, a delicate arch woven from hundreds of handmade sheets, glows in golden light and reflects beautifully in the Takabata River.

Ōmachi Old Stone Path features moss-covered walls and vintage wells, evoking timeless Japan. For a hidden gem, visit the Red Cabin in the Woods, a surreal artist installation deep in the forest, accessible only via guided tour. Best photographed at dawn or dusk when light filters softly through the trees—perfect for moody, artistic compositions.

Kamikatsu is globally recognized as a zero-waste pioneer. Since 2000, the town has achieved a 97% recycling rate by sorting waste into 12 categories—including compost, glass, metal, and paper—ensuring nearly all materials are reused or repurposed.

The community operates a centralized recycling center and hosts monthly swap markets where residents exchange clothes, books, and tools. Over 80% of homes use solar power, and some lodges run on full self-sufficiency. Strict forest management policies limit logging to sustainable cycles, preserving biodiversity.

Visitors can join forest clean-up events or paper recycling workshops, learning how to transform waste into art. These efforts exemplify circular living—a model for sustainable tourism and community resilience.

Evenings in Kamikatsu are magical. Join the Firefly Night Walk (June–August) along the Takabata River, where thousands of fireflies illuminate the forest in a glowing spectacle, accompanied by lantern processions and ambient music.

On clear nights, attend Stargazing Sessions atop Shirakami Mountain, equipped with telescopes and expert guides explaining constellations and meteor showers. With minimal light pollution, the Milky Way shines brilliantly.

Some lodges offer overnight forest cabin stays with campfires, grilled local food, and storytelling under the stars. Others host washi lantern exhibitions, where handmade lights cast soft shadows on trees and streams. Reservations are required—book early for these unforgettable experiences.