Comments on: Taisho-ike (大正池)

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:55:01 +0000

Thanks a lot for your help Wes!!!
:)

I think we will try the Mt. Yake tour!
:)

By: wes

wes — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:49:06 +0000

I’d say about 5 hours up, 2-1/2 to 3 hours return. About the same time it takes to get to Yake and back

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:00:34 +0000

Any idea how long the climb for an medium hiker might be from KK up to the peak of Doppyo?
:)

By: wes

wes — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:42:23 +0000

You don’t have to leave Kamikochi to reach Doppyo. The only reason for heading to Shin-hotaka would be to ride the ropeway, which will take the fun out of hiking. There’s a trail from Kamikochi to Nishi-hotaka hut. The only reason I didn’t recommend this route is because of the crowds! There’s nothing worse that putting in all the hard work on a hike only to be met by hoards of daytrippers in sandals who took the easy way up. If you want to hike up to Nishi-hotaka area, there’s a trail just off the road (on the other side of the river from Taisho lake). It’ll take a few hours to reach the ridge from Kamikochi.

Personally I think Dakesawa is a more beautiful (and pristine) area. The hut there is nice and it feels like you’re in alpine country. You can play in the many snowfields as well.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:11:42 +0000

Thanks again!
:)

Well this seems to be a bit too hard!
;)

I was given this advice in a forum:

I advice you hit Doppyo Peak, the lowest peak of Mt West Hotaka, as your day hike from KK on day2. Yes, that means getting temporarily out of KK and riding Shin Hotaka Ropeway, though.
IMO, as a first-timer, you shouldn’t try to hit a peak after a peak day by day; Mt Yake/Doppyo
Peak will suffice.

What would you say?

By: wes

wes — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:34:33 +0000

It depends on how fit you are. You can hike up to Dakesawa hut in about 2 hours. From there you can head up towards the treeline towards Mt. Mae-hotaka for a couple of hours. It’s pretty hard to make it up Mae-hotaka and back unless you’re really fast and start at the break of dawn (which is about 4am nowadays). It might be worth the challenge though

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:53:59 +0000

Hello Wes,
thanks for your reply! :)
No we are not afraid of hieghts and to be honest we are looking forward for this ladder!
:)

Is there any other more challenging climb in addition to this one that also doesnt need an overnight at a hut?

By: wes

wes — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:33:59 +0000

I’d head for Mt. Yake. It’s an active volcano located on the other side of Taisho lake. It’s a pretty tough climb (about 900 meters of vertical elevation change). Even if you don’t make it all the way to the summit, there’s a small hut where you can rest at about 2000 meters above sea level. The wildflowers in that area are wonderful and the views back down to Kamikochi are nice. The only tricky thing on that route is that there is one section with vertical ladders that you must maneuver through. If you have a fear of heights or suffer from vertigo then maybe you should avoid this hike)

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 03:05:07 +0000

Hello Wes, my wife and me will be in Kamikochi in middle of june and stay there for 3 nights. I would like to ask you if there is a nice mountain climb that doesnt need a stay at a hut. Maybe even summiting? We are not the fittest but we have done some hiking and climbing before. Last year we did a 3 days hike in Lombok indonesia (Mount Rinyani volcano). It was tough but we made the hike. Or maybe a 2 day hike with one night at a hut? Any help will be appreciated very much!!!
And congrats to this wonderfull website!
:)

Best wishes,
Andy
:)

By: Ki

Ki — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:44:00 +0000

Hey Wes, thanks for the wonderful advice! You’re a goldmine! lol
I just checked the “sunflower” ferries site, and unfortunately it seems like there is no vacancy for tomorrow night (Fri). So I’m thinking about getting the shinkansen to Hakata, local train to Kumamoto, and then either Mt Kuju as you suggested, or Mt Aso (I guess both would not be possible?). And then getting the ferry back from Beppu to Osaka on Sunday night. I’m a little worried about getting all the buses to link up though..
What do you think?