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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt the bus terminal, there is a tourist information center\nwhere visitors can purchase pocket-sized maps of the area for 100 yen. There is also a rest area where you can plan\nyour route while enjoying refreshments from one of the many nearby shops. Those\nwho need a toilet are encouraged to show their appreciation for cleanliness by\nplacing a tip in a box with a note stating the average amount is 100 yen. There\nare about seven other equally clean toilets scattered throughout the park that\ndeny you this privilege, forcing the use of their facilities for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walking towards the azure waters of the Azusa River, it\u2019s\neasy to see Kappabashi (not to be confused with the popular \u201cKitchen Town\u201d in\nTokyo), the most famous bridge in the area, and a popular landmark where many\nvisitors like to take pictures. The view from there of the nearby mountains\ntowering above is, in a word, stunning. Both sides of the bridge offer a number\nof accommodation and refreshment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A relaxed half-hour walk downstream brings you to the Hotaka\nand Tashiro bridges, which are joined by a small island. Another twenty minutes\nor so from there, either by a river or forest path, brings you to Taisho Pond,\nwhich was formed when nearby Mount Yake, an active volcano, erupted in 1915.\nThe ever-present smoke plume coming out the top can serve as a reminder to be\nrespectful of nature, especially in its most pristine state. Speaking of which,\nvisitors are expected to leave only footprints, bringing all trash home with\nthem (most opt for a rubbish bin in the nearest major town, but some, like my\nroommate, actually do maintain an impressive alter to the god of refuse in\ntheir house).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those who would rather not retrace their steps, and don\u2019t\nmind paying four or five hundred yen, can catch a bus at the nearby Taisho Bus\nStop bound for the terminal, where they can start again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myojinbashi is the next bridge upstream from Kappabashi, and\ncan be reached in about an hour by either a boardwalk across marshes and\nstreams on the north side of the river, or via a footpath through a campsite\nwith toilets on the south side. Keep your eyes open for macaques. Nearby Myojin\nPond (entry \u00a5300) is a must-see. There\nare rest areas either side of the bridge with toilets and refreshments\navailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another hour or so upstream, on the south side, is a grassy\nmeadow dotted with elm trees. This used to be a pasture, but is now Tokusawa\ncampsite. There are more lodging, toilet and refreshment opportunities here as\nwell. For day-trippers, this would be a good place to turn around and head back\nto the bus terminal. Serious hikers staying in the area will want to continue\non a few hours to the peaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is plenty of gorgeous scenery to be enjoyed by all\nfitness levels, making Kamikochi a fantastic destination for all age groups.\nThe usual outdoor common sense (stay on paths, don\u2019t feed wildlings) applies.\nDressing in layers with waterproof gear is recommended as the weather can\nchange from a warm sunny day to hail in a couple hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lovejoyphotographic.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Kamikochi4.jpg\")
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