Kamikochi …bliss in the Japanese alps

Well, we made it to Kamikochi!!!



It's time to go check-in at our inn (Kamikochi Sansou Alps Inn):  

 

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We need to go sign in….

 

 

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Ah, this little room off to the side of the entrance has….tiny lockers? OH!! No shoes allowed in the inn….this is where you stash your shoes and they've got one-size-fits-all slippers for the guests.

 

 

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Silly me…just taking a photo of the different floorings and the rock/tile wall. Love the rustic look!

 

 

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Sweet living room. No fire in the woodstove. I can imagine how nice and cozy it must be in here during the winter months. (but the floors are heated!)

Check out this lovely room:

 

 

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This is the women's shower and hot tub….Japanese style! (no showers in the rooms) You're supposed to first shower and shampoo BEFORE soaking in the hot tub. It's a communal bath so any women guests can use it. (however, we never had anyone else using it while we were bathing)

And finally!  Here's our room on the second floor of the inn:

 

 

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Check out this awesome room!

Are you ready to sleep on the floor on tatami mats and futons?  

 

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How about some hot brown rice tea???  There is a hot water maker in our room. So, it'll only take a few minutes for the tea to be ready!

Where do you think the bedding is stored in this room??

 

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Ah! It's behind those sliding doors! We even have a bathroom (sink and toilet)….you can see the sliver of light coming from the bathroom on the right -side of the photo.

 

By the way, NO SHOES allowed in the Inn!  NO SLIPPERS allowed on the tatami mats!!!!  

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Relaxing on the tatami mats

 

Let's go out for a short walk…and breathe in the fresh mountain air!!!!

 

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We're heading towards the Kappabashi 

 

The Azusa River with the mountains in the background:

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The river is crystal clear!

 
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MONKEYS!!!!!!
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Any wonder, monkeys attracting everyone's attentions??

The Kappabashi (Kappa Bridge):

 

 

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Kappa Bridge (The Kappabashi) over Azusa River

 

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Don't feed the wildlife. And, just in case you've misplaced your glasses, here are a pair of glasses so that you can read the sign!!!

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I'm going to duck into this shop and see what they've got available. Want to come with me?

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They've got boxes and boxes of various kinds of cookies and tiny cakes for sale (all have a name relating to Kamikochi. I can't imagine they're actually made here?!?)

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I know where I'm getting our lunch for tomorrow! They've got sweet little packages of brie cheese! And is that fresh milk??? (ummmm….no it's not milk! FYI- that's drinkable yogurt! LOL! That was a bit of surprise. 🙂

Wandering around the Kamikochi bus stop:

 

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We ARE starving!  We forgot to get lunch (didn't I tell you to fill up at breakfast????) and now we're more than ready for dinner!  And, OH MY!!!!  What a feast!!!!

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I just adore these individual little cookers!

 

 

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EEEEEEEEPpppppp!!!! Those are some scary looking "fish sticks"!!! Check out the teeth on them! LOL! Actually, they were tasty. Go ahead, try one!

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Oh My!  Not sure about you all but I'm ready to fall over from tired!  It's been quite a long day….I can hear the futons calling me!  Nighty-night!  Tomorrow we've got plans to go on a longer walk/hike so get some rest!!!

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PS.  I've been nearly pulling out my hair because my internet connection lately has been at a snail's pace at times….making it nearly impossible to upload any photos.  AAARRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!