Taishō Pond

Taisho Pond was born on June 6, 1915, when Mt. Yake erupted and a mass of mud and boulders slid into the valley, damming the stream below. The submerged tree trunks still visible in the water are a quiet reminder of that morning. Today the pond reflects the Hotaka Range and Mt. Yake in crystalline water, one of the most photographed views in Kamikochi. A boardwalk connects the pond to Kappa Bridge about one hour away, passing wetlands and forest home to more than 70 bird species. The pond also feeds a hydroelectric intake pipe that supplies power to the Kasumizawa Power Station near Sawando.