Around the World with Wes and Masami - Around the World Travelogue by Wes and Masami Heiser with Journal Photographs Expenses Lodging Guide Schedule Preparation Route

KEY

¥ = Japanese Yen; US$ 1 = ¥ 118.9

Ratings

= Excellent

"with WC" = toilet and shower/tub in room.

= Very Good

"WC" not stated = shower, toilet shared by guests.

= Good

Prices include hotel taxes.

= Fair

English spoken unless otherwise stated.

= Poor

= Terrible

Kamikochi

Yarisawa Lodge	Tel: 0263-95-2626
	Int'l: +81-263-95-2626

5 hours hike in along the riverbank from the Kamikochi bus terminal.

¥8500 per person including dinner and breakfast.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Lodge is open from the end of April to the end of October. Sleeping is dormitory style and is very cramped on weekends. Toilet paper is provided, but bath towels are not. Hot bath hours are 15:00-16:00 for women and 16:00-17:00 for men. Detergents are prohibited, including soap and toothpaste, to keep the environment clean. Dinner is a plentiful collection of Japanese dishes and served at 17:30. Breakfast is filling and served at 05:30. Lights-out at 20:30 but dim hall lights at night make a flashlight unnecessary to find the toilet in the middle of the night. No English is spoken.

Tochio Onsen

Minshuku Takarasugi	Tel: 0578-9-2515
	Int'l: +81-578-9-2515

50 meters from Kami-Tochio bus stop. Ask the bus driver to notify you when the stop is reached.

¥7500 per person including dinner and breakfast.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Tatami room with low tea table, TV, and futons. Common WC is downstairs. The common natural hot-spring outdoor bath (rotenburo) can be locked and used privately. Be sure to wash BEFORE getting into the tub. Toilet paper is provided but bath towels are not. Dinner is a delicious assortment of 9 Japanese dishes. Breakfast is Japanese style with rice, nori, fish, egg, miso soup, and tea. Tochio is about half-way between Hirayu Onsen and Shin-hodaka Onsen on the No-hi Bus Line. Shin-hodaka Onsen is a possible exit point from hikes in the Kamikochi Mountains and has high priced accommodation. Riding the bus from Shin-hodaka Onsen to Tochio (last departure is 18:20) gives alternate cheaper accommodation options. Telephone in advance. No English is spoken.