Walking Kamikochi? Starting from Taisho Pond is the Absolute Best Choice!

【Kamikochi Column Vol. 2】

Hello from Keiryuso Siorie.

In our last post, we focused on choosing the right accommodation for your Kamikochi trip. From this post onward, we would like to share tips on how to actually enjoy your time sightseeing in Kamikochi.

First, guests visiting Kamikochi for the first time frequently ask us:

"Where should I walk?"

"I don’t have much time, but can I still see the classic views of Kamikochi?"

Kamikochi is much vaster than you might imagine, and the highlights are scattered all over. Broadly speaking, the park is divided into the Taisho Pond area, the Kappa Bridge area, the Myojin Pond area, and the Tokusawa area. If you extend your trip into actual mountain climbing, the options expand even further.

The route we highly recommend today is the 90-minute walking course from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge, which allows you to fully experience the breathtaking views with ease. Since it covers the most iconic scenery of Kamikochi without requiring too much physical strain, it is particularly recommended for first-timers.

To take this route, you will board a bus heading to Kamikochi from the Bus Terminal for Kamikochi, which is a 10-minute walk from our inn. However, instead of riding all the way to the final bus terminal stop, you will get off early at "Taisho Pond" (Taisho-ike).

As its name suggests, Taisho Pond was formed during the Taisho period when Mount Yakedake erupted and dammed the river. The sight of Mount Yakedake towering beyond the withered trees standing in the water, with its reflection mirrored perfectly on the surface, is one of the most iconic landscapes representing Kamikochi.

While it is stunning on a clear day, you can also enjoy a deeply ethereal atmosphere on slightly misty days or during the quiet hours of the morning. We highly recommend stopping here for a moment to take in the view at a relaxed pace.

Next, you will walk toward Tashiro Wetlands (Tashiro Shitsugen).

Looking across the wide, open marshland, the magnificent Hotaka Mountain Range opens up before you, offering a grand and majestic view that is classic Kamikochi.

The scenery changes beautifully with each season:

* Fresh, vibrant new greenery in spring

* Deep, brilliant green in summer

* Golden grasslands and colorful foliage in autumn

No matter how many times you visit, it holds a different charm. It is also a highly popular spot for photography, and if you are lucky, you might even encounter wild Japanese macaques (monkeys).

Following that, take a leisurely stroll along the Azusa River.

Once you pass the Tashiro Wetlands, the path leads to a wooden boardwalk right along the Azusa River.

The true charm of Kamikochi is not just about looking at the scenery.

* The soothing sound of the flowing river

* The gentle rustle of trees swaying in the wind

* The sweet chirping of wild birds

If you slow down your walking pace just a little bit, all of these sensations become incredibly comforting. Since the walking paths are beautifully maintained, you can walk safely and comfortably without any specialized hiking gear, which is another great feature.

*By the way, lately, after passing Tashiro Pond and walking along the Azusa River, the encounter rate with wild Japanese macaques has been quite high. Before you know it, you might find one right above your head like this...

The grand finale is the symbol of Kamikochi: "Kappa Bridge" (Kappa-bashi).

The end of your stroll brings you to Kappa Bridge. Standing on the bridge, you can look out over the Azusa River toward the Hotaka Mountain Range, where the exact landscape most people envision when they think of Kamikochi opens up before your eyes.

There is a unique beauty that can only be appreciated because you walked all this way to see it, and the sense of accomplishment upon arriving at Kappa Bridge is truly special.

There are facilities nearby where you can take a rest, so we highly recommend sitting down for a bit while admiring the view.

■ Recommendations from a Local Ryokan

For your first time in Kamikochi, there is no need to feel pressured to walk a massive distance. The course from Taisho Pond to Kappa Bridge alone allows you to fully enjoy the most iconic landscapes the area has to offer.

In Kamikochi, by walking without rushing and pausing frequently along the way, we believe you can deeply feel the unique air and serenity of this special place. For guests staying at our inn, we are always happy to provide personalized walking advice tailored to that day's weather and crowd conditions. We hope this serves as a helpful reference for enjoying your first Kamikochi experience!

*Since you'll be seeing it in person, we’ll intentionally keep the photo of Kappa Bridge a surprise and won't post it here!