Morning Start: A Simple In-Room Breakfast
Since we planned to head out early to Kamikochi, we kept breakfast simple.
The night before, we bought some bread from a local bakery (honestly can’t remember the name), and had it in our room the next morning. I paired it with the Yirgacheffe coffee I brought from home, which turned out to be such a good decision — smooth, fragrant, and comforting.
Although the hotel had basic amenities available for use, they didn’t provide coffee or tea in the room, which was a bit surprising. Our room also didn’t include breakfast, but that wasn’t a big issue since there were still options outside if needed.
That said, I really enjoyed this quiet little breakfast moment — simple, but peaceful before a full day out.
Trip to Kamikochi: Not Quite According to Plan
According to my original plan, we were supposed to: 👉 start at Taisho Pond
👉 then walk one-way towards the bus pick-up point
But… I completely forgot everything I planned
We arrived at the parking area and noticed that everyone was getting off at Taisho Pond. At that point I was honestly confused, but stubbornly thought:
“No, we should go to the Visitor Center first.”
So we stayed on the bus and continued to the Kamikochi Visitor Center.
In the end, we accidentally turned our route into a round trip:
- Visitor Center → Taisho Pond
- Then Taisho Pond → back to Visitor Center
Thankfully, it worked out perfectly.
Starting the Walk: Visitor Center
We began our walk from the Visitor Center, where the air immediately felt crisp and fresh.
One of the things I loved most about Kamikochi is that it is completely car-free. No traffic, no engine noise — just nature. It really makes a difference to the overall experience, making the whole place feel calm and unspoiled.
The trail towards Taisho Pond is:
- Flat and easy
- Well-marked
- Suitable for anyone, even if you’re not into hiking
The Walk: Quiet and Refreshing
The route felt incredibly peaceful. Compared to busier spots like Kappa Bridge, this stretch was much quieter.
Along the way, we passed:
- Forest paths lined with trees
- Clear streams flowing gently beside us
- Occasional open views of the mountains
It didn’t feel like a “hike” — more like a slow, mindful walk.
Autumn (Not Quite There Yet)
When we visited, the autumn colours hadn’t fully peaked yet.
Instead of vivid reds and oranges, the scenery was:
- Mostly green
- With hints of yellow just starting to appear
At first I thought we might have come too early, but honestly, it still felt beautiful in a more subtle way.
Lunch at Kamikochi: Alpen Hotel (Alpenrose)
By the time we headed back, the cold was starting to set in, so we decided to stop for lunch at one of the hotels — Kamikochi Alpen Hotel (Alpenrose restaurant).
The vibe was:
- Warm and cosy
- Slightly old-school, like a classic mountain lodge
- A nice contrast to the cold outdoors
Exactly what we needed.
I had the scrambled egg rice, something similar to omurice.
At first glance, I thought it came with curry sauce —
but it turned out to be a tomato-based sauce instead.
🍴 Taste:
- Simple
- Comforting
- Nothing fancy
What made it good was: 👉 Having a warm, hearty meal
in the middle of a cold day
And that alone made it satisfying.
Taisho Pond: The Highlight
When we finally reached Taisho Pond, it was absolutely worth it.
Even without peak autumn colours, this place stood out.
What I loved most was the reflection:
- The mountains mirrored perfectly on the water
- Trees reflected so clearly it almost looked like a painting
- The stillness made everything feel surreal
We spent quite a bit of time here just soaking it all in.
Walking Back: Different Path, Different Feel
Even though we walked the same route back, it didn’t feel repetitive at all. This time, we were on the opposite bank, which gave us a slightly different perspective — new angles of the river, changing views of the trees, and a fresh way to take in the scenery.
The last leg was a bit of a rush as we heighten our pace to catch the last bus before 3.30 pm to Akandana parking lot.
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