While not as famous as Kappa Bridge or Taishō Pond, Tashiro Marsh (田代湿原) and Tashiro Pond (田代池) located between the two scenic spots are picturesque throughout the year. Especially in the morning of the colder months, you will find these two spots extra stunning because the plants are covered by a thin layer of frost!
Tashiro Marsh (田代湿原)
After a 5 to 10-minute walk from Taishō Pond, the massive untouched forest that covers the promenade will suddenly come to an end. Instead, you will have the majestic Hotaka mountain range in front of you. The area with such a superb view is Tashiro Marsh!
At Tashiro Marsh, you will find a lot of alpine plants unique to the area. And the highlight of Tashiro Marsh? We would say it is the contrast between the stark mountain peaks against the lush and vibrant marsh.
Tip: Head to Tashiro Marsh in the early morning if you plan to visit Kamikōchi in early spring and late autumn. As the temperature at night is low, frost will cover vegetation in Tashiro March before sunrise. When we got there around 7:30 in the morning, we were amazed by the fantastic view in front of us!
Tashiro Pond (田代池)
Not too far away from Tashiro Marsh, there is a smaller track to your right leading to Tashiro Pond. Make sure you make this detour because you will find the only lake in Kamikōchi that has a red color! And the reason? It is probably due to the iron-rich soil in the pond (‘ω’)ノ.
As always, autumn is one of the best seasons for scenic photo opportunities. But, in April and May, when the peak of the Hotaka Mountain Range is covered by snow (or even November, depending on when it starts snowing), it is another great time to visit Tashiro Pond. You may even be able to see frost on the surrounding trees if you are lucky (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Important: If you ever visit Tashiro Pond when the area is already snowing, even if the pond’s surface seems frozen, don’t attempt to ice skate on top of the pond. Because the Tashiro Pond has underground water gushing out from mountains nearby, the pond won’t freeze completely, even in winter!
You might notice this pond is actually quite shallow. Due to the sand and soil carried by the stream from the Azusa River, the Tashiro Pond has been gradually filling up with silt. Sooner or later, we won’t have a Pond anymore. The whole area will be marsh…
This is why you need to visit the pond when it is still there!!!
Which Course Will You Choose to Get to Kappa Bridge from Tashiro Marsh?
Not far away from Tashiro Pond, there is an intersection. You have 2 courses to choose from, the Azusa River Course (梓川コース) or the Forest Course (林間コース).
If you don’t have time to explore both courses, we recommend going with the Azusa River Course because you will get a greater variety of views!
Walking along the Azusa River, apart from being surrounded by the spectacular mountain range, because the water is so clean and clear, you can also see the fish swimming in the river!
Discover Other Stunning Spots in Kamikōchi
Surrounding by the magnificent Northern Japanese Alps, Kamikōchi is the ultimate tourist destination for nature lovers. There is not a single day that Kamikōchi looks the same because nature changes as the seasons pass. There are rivers, ponds, forests, and wetlands along the tracks in the area. All of these have disappeared from the life of most people nowadays.
So, if you want to escape from the daily hustle and bustle, refer to our article on Kamikōchi to plan your visit!
