Published date: May 7, 2025
Solo Trip to Kamikochi: Using Limited Express Trains and Buses
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
[Check-in & Check-out]
I checked in a little after 3 PM and found it crowded, with a wait at the front desk. There were plenty of tables and chairs, so the wait wasn't a problem. When checking in, it seemed hard to find my reservation with hafh since it was in romaji.
[Room]
The room had two larger beds and a unit bath. There was also a large public bath, so I only used the shower in the morning. In the refrigerator, there was chocolate, coffee, and one complimentary bottle of water. *Drinks in the fridge are charged.
[Public Bath]
It wasn't a very large bath, but the water temperature was on the hotter side, which was just right. There were about five shower stalls. Since it doesn't hold many people, I think it's best to go at a time when it looks less busy.
[Dinner & Breakfast]
Dinner was a course meal made with local vegetables, and I was very satisfied with both the taste and the portion. The breakfast was a buffet, featuring made-to-order Eggs Benedict. It seems to get crowded early, so I intentionally chose a later time to eat on the terrace. I was very satisfied to eat in such a lovely view. Since there were a few bugs outside, I think it’s better to use insect repellent spray.
[Access]
I took a limited express train from Shinjuku to Matsumoto Station, then changed to a tram to Shinshima, and finally took a bus to Kamikochi. It took about five hours one way, which was honestly pretty exhausting, but it’s still a place worth visiting.
Experiences during the trip
This time, I wanted to enjoy beautiful scenery as much as delicious food at the hotel, so I chose several days with good weather by changing my dates. I think the ability to change at the last minute is one of the appeals of using hafh. I hadn't researched beforehand, but it seemed I coincidentally visited during the 'Opening Festival', and it was very lively. They were also distributing celebratory sake, and I never expected to go hiking with sake in hand. The scenery was great, and there were lots of animals, which helped me feel refreshed. The water was clean, so there were places to collect spring water, and it turned out to be a trip that made me love hiking.