If you are the type of person who likes walking along the water and viewing beautiful mountains, but hesitate to climb up a mountain path, Kamikochi Hiking is for you. This hiking course along the Azusa River is well maintained and almost flat. And it takes about only one hour each from Kappa-bashi to Myojin-ike or Taisho-ike Pond. You will feel quite satisfied with the view of these magnificent mountains that are in the 3000-meter class: Mt. Oku-Hodaka and Mt. Yake-dake. At Hodaka Shrine just in front of Myojin-ike Pond, they hold a special Shinto ritual on October 8 every year. Shinto maidens perform a ritual dance, and priests get on a small boat and go around the pond. A very famous mountain guide, Kamijo Kamonji had a hut near Myojin-ike Pond. Now, the great-great-grandson of Kamonji runs a restaurant and B&B in the same location. When you get there, please try their tasty grilled fish: It’s nice and soft and easy to eat bones and all. The places I introduce in this video (with some links provided) are listed below:
- Taisho-ike Pond: Azusa River & the Japanese Alps with morning mist
- Tashiro-ike Pond
- Kamikochi Imperial Hotel: Coffee made from water of Japanese Alps
- Kappa-bashi Bridge: So crowded that no Kappa were spotted!
- Camping Site near Kappa-bashi: Konashidaira campsite and its beautiful surroundings
- Hiking along Azusa River: Mountains, morning mist, and beautiful forests
- Myojin-ike Pond: Dead trees standing in the crystal clear pond
- Hodaka Shrine: Special Shinto ritual in October
- Kamonji Goya -1: Interview with descendant of mountain guide, Kamonji
- Kamonji Goya -2: Let's see how they cook their original grilled fish
