Experience the ethereal beauty of Taishō Pond (Taishō-ike, 大正池), one of the most iconic and photogenic landmarks in the heart of the Kamikōchi highlands. Formed by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Yakedake in 1915, this stunning mirror-like lake is famous for its standing withered trees and the breathtaking reflections of the Hotaka Mountain Range. As the premier starting point for any hiking itinerary in Nagano Prefecture, the pond offers a serene introduction to the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, particularly early in the morning when mystical mists rise from the turquoise water. Whether you are capturing the vibrant hues of autumn foliage or seeking the crisp clarity of the Japanese Alps in spring, our guide to Taishō Pond covers the best photography spots and essential travel tips for visiting this natural masterpiece.
About the Taishō-ike
Taisho Pond was only formed in 1915 when Mt. Yake (焼岳) erupted. The Azusa River (梓川) was dammed, and the Taisho Pond was formed. The pond is famous for its reflections of the magnificent Mt. Yake, with a few dead trees standing here and there.
If you ever wondered where the dead trees came from, they resulted from Mt. Yake’s eruption. We still find it amazing how those trees can still stand there without falling apart (*’▽’).
You will see a staircase as soon as you get off the bus. Walk down the stairs, and your field of view will suddenly open up!
In front of you is the emerald-colored Taisho Pond, which reflects the only active volcano of the Northern Japanese Alps, Mt. Yake, with the Hotaka mountain range further back (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ. Don’t forget to look down, too. You will be impressed by the water’s transparency!
As a side note, this gorgeous pond will eventually disappear as its size gradually decreases due to the accumulation of soil and sand and the number of dead trees…
The Taisho Pond bus stop is located in front of the Taishoike Hotel. Before you walk too far from the hotel, grab a drink from the vending machine at the bus stop if you have forgotten your water bottle. There is also a public toilet in the parking lot next to the Taishoike Hotel (refer to the photo).
Taishō Pond Public Toilet (大正池公衆トイレ) was newly built and opened in June 2023. To use it, a 100 yen coin must be inserted. No other toilets will be available until you reach Tashiro Bridge.
Mt. Yakedake (焼岳)
Mount Yakedake is the only active volcano in the Northern Japanese Alps. The 2,455-meter-tall mountain is at the border of Nagano Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture. This volcano has erupted dozens of times in the past. And even now, smoke continues to billow from multiple craters.
But if you decide to hike the mountain, please be aware of your surroundings. Walking away as soon as possible is highly advisable if you sense that something is not right (‘ω’)ノ.
As the sun slowly shines on Mt. Yake, the top of the mountain would look like it was burning! Or maybe it looks more like the mountain top is colored in gold?
The Best Time to Visit Taishō Pond
| Time of Day | What to Capture | Why? |
| Early Morning | Moya (Morning Mist) | Mist rises from the pond as the sun hits the water, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. |
| Mid-Morning | The Mirror Reflection | Before the afternoon breeze starts, the water is perfectly still, reflecting the Hotaka Peaks. |
| Sunset | Mt. Yakedake | The setting sun hits the volcanic peak of Mt. Yakedake, turning the rocks a deep, glowing red. |
The best photo opportunity at Taishō Pond is during the early morning, especially at sunrise. Before sunrise, photographers and tourists would gather at the lakeshore so that they don’t miss out on that precious moment when the first rays of the sun hit the pond!
If you can’t get there for sunrise, try to arrive at Taisho Pond before 8 am when the wind is calmest.
But even if you miss the moment the sun first peeks above the mountains, the morning haze will last another hour or two. So, you will still have a chance to capture this fantastic morning landscape!
Furthermore, if waking up early is just not your thing, come back in the late afternoon! The pond’s surface should also be calm at this time, making it a perfect mirror reflecting the great Mt. Yake (^_-)-☆.
The other choice is to stay at the Taishoike Hotel (大正池ホテル), which is just located in front of the pond. All you have to do is wake up just in time to see the sunrise from your room’s window! You can refer to the Instagram post. Those were the photos we took while we were at the hotel. While it wasn’t cheap, we had a picturesque view of the pond the entire time we stayed there!
For more information about the hotel, please refer to their website HERE.
Important: Choose your room type wisely. Not all hotel rooms have a waterfront view.
Stargazing at Taishō Pond
You can stargaze wherever you like as long as there is mild to no pollution. But how about stargazing at the beautiful Taishō Pond? The land is dark, but the pond will be glowing, reflecting thousands of stars up in the sky!
Remember to bring a torch if you plan to venture out at night in Kamikōchi, as the area will be completely dark after sunset!
Tip: Ask the accommodation staff if they have a torch you can rent out.
How to Get to Taishō Pond
Get off at the Taishō Pond stop for any bus services you take.
Refer to our Kamikōchi article for more information about the bus services.
Discover Other Stunning Spots in Kamikōchi
Surrounded by the magnificent Northern Japanese Alps, Kamikōchi is the ultimate tourist destination for all nature lovers. There is not a single day when Kamikōchi looks the same, as the seasons change. There are rivers, ponds, forests, and wetlands along the tracks in the area. All of these have disappeared due to the growing human population.
If you want to escape from the daily hustle and bustle, refer to our article on Kamikōchi to plan your visit!
