Kamikochi 2014

2014/09/13 - 2014/09/14

It is my first time to visit at Kamikochi, where I wanted to go for many years. We went there for the three days off weekend and it was crowded in main part... though, the nature was great and I felt it is the place to visit again.

エリア 上高地(長野)

• 一人あたり費用: 3万円 - 5万円
• 旅行の手配内容: ツアー（添乗員同行なし）

We went there by express Asama from Shinjuku, changed the train at Matsumoto, took local train to Shinshimashima (新島々, its name sounds and looks a bit strange). The local train was crowded and couldn't get seats... It stops a lot compared to the distance. But the public transportation system is well-organized, getting off the train and just out of the station, there is the bus terminal. Even those people, they prepared enough seats. We got off the bus not at the terminal stop, Taishoike, one advice, if you get off the middle of the way, you should have seat in front! Because they use the extra seats in aisle for more passengers, so we needed to say "Excuse me!" many times when we got off the bus.

We arrived there past noon, and took lunch at the restaurant in Taishoike Hotel, where we would stay. I ordered Tempra Soba (it is not speciality at all), and mon mari ordered Sansai Soba (mountain vegetable). Soba was pretty delicious, sure Nagano is famous for!

After lunch, we started to walk, the path from Taishoike to Kappa-bashi. This path was well organized.

We found the crow by the pond, he looked shabby (look his head), never seen such a miserable crow! A bit funny, ojisan karasu.

Nice contrast with crowds, sky and shadow of trees.

there were some dried trees, but good objects to take photos.

The river water was so clear and transparent. We could see the bottom of the river.

We could find some thistle flowers (Azami) by the path.

Cute mushrooms! I sang the song "Kinoko no ko no ko genki no ko..." (a song from the commercial of "Hokuto"), again and again in my head.

This is the famous bridge in the Kamikochi, Kappa-bashi, usually being used for their tourist brochures.

We walked for more than 1 hours and was a bit hungry, so took small treat, he ate a soft cream (it was so delicious, second best of them, best was in Aizu, he said) and me Oyaki with spicy vegetable. Yummy!

We bought this shop. Next to the Kappa-bashi and Gosenjaku Hotel.

The strange flower we found by the path. Its shape look like worm! But nice with picture.

There is the entrance of the Mt Nishi Hotaka. I think mountain trekkers (not one day trip) start here... I wish I would do the several days trekking someday.

Nice flowers:)

This is the picture of Taishoike in the late afternoon. Beautiful reflection of the sky.

It is the menu for the diner. It's included in the hotel staying plan. The diner was not big, but enough quantity and tastes were good.

It is salvelinus (Iwana, local river fish). Very soft inside, skin and even bones, could eat almost everything. The river fishes are not favorite usually but it was very taste good.

It was the morning view of Taishoike from the room. About 5:30 am. Even so early morning, there are some hikers already by the pond! Well, I prefer the view from the room, much comfortable and could go to bed again.

We could see the changing view of Yakedake. Each hours it shows different view. Very beautiful.

Breakfast was prepared style, we could chose the western or japanese one. The hams were very tasty! We wanted it more actually.

It was very fine day again. We took the bus in front of our hotel to Kamikochi bus terminal. We could use the ticket from yesterday (didn't need to pay extras).

We started at the Kappa-bashi the second day and walked to the Myojinike in the forest path. Wilder and more natural than the path from yesterday. It was nice walk.

I found my favorite objective, moss!

Even nicer! A mushroom in the moss bed.

The Myojinike was related to shrine and need pay for entrance. There was line for this and we were too lazy to get in. Anyway we could enjoy and found nice views around this area.

On the way back to the Kappa-bashi, we took the way other side of the river. Also nice riverside walk.

I enjoyed to take photos of reflections.

They were really really tiny moth flowers. I used a quite strong zooming up.

We could see many fishes in the river, it might be Iwana.

They were preserved well the nature here. We could see many beautiful wild sceneries.

We came back to the Kappa-bashi around noon and had Sanzoku Bento (lunch box of mountain bandits!). It was fried chickens with rice, not so bad.

I also took the soft cream after my lunch, because mon mari recommended so much (and my mind was so weak to say no).

We went back to Matsumoto and a little walk to Matsumoto castle. It was crowded to get in (waiting for 60mins) and too late, so we saw only outside. It is a bit pity it has a few under construction parts, so difficult to take pictures without them. But the castle itself was so impressive.

We still had time and went by small shopping street, well made old style for tourism, I guess. But the shops were a bit strange (Kitch), and there were many "Frog" things, seems their favorable god. I am sorry to say that, but cannot compare to real historical or natural things.