Japan
Kamikochi - August 1986
| This was my first visit to the beautiful Kamikochi
Valley and I did it in style......my secreatary Ashihara san was
able to reserve a room for me in the most prestigous hotel in the
Japan Alps, The Imperial Hotel at Kamikochi. |
| The Kamikochi Valley lies at an altitude of 1,500
m and is only accessible through a narrow tunnel cut through the
rocks. The Azuza River flows down the valley and feeds its lakes
and ponds. Mt. Yakedake erupted in June 1915 and the the volcanic
mud dammed the flow of Azusa River creating a pond called Taisho
Ike (Taisho Pond). The Kamikochi Imperial Hotel was built in 1927
in the style of a log cabin, and all the materials for its construction
were brought in by boat across Taisho Ike. High above the valley
floor is a ridge of mountains at 2,900 to 3,100 meters high, such
as Nishihodaka (2,908m), Okuhodaka (3,190m), Kitahodaka (3,094m)
and Yarigatake (3,180m) |
The Imperial Hotel
Nishio Sanso, a 3-hour climb from the valley floor
Pyramid Peak to the left and Doppyo
to the right
Doppyo (Right) with Pyramid Peak
in the background
View down the valley
|
