Real Africa

Taisyoike Hotel Kamikochi , Japan

The guestrooms are mainly in the Western style, with raised beds and a small seating area. A handful of Japanese-style rooms on the first floor are furnished with traditional tatami floors, low chabudai tables and zabuton seating. Though fairly cosy in size, the pale décor and wide windows make the most of the space and let in plenty of light as well as giving you fantastic views towards the forested mountains. All rooms are en-suite and you are provided with traditional yukata robes to wear during your stay.

The hotel is particularly proud of its menu, which includes a wide selection of traditional Japanese dishes as well as some more unusual regional specialities. Dine in the Lake View restaurant, where you can accompany your meal with the hotel’s own wine or micro-brewed beer, or grab a soba-oyaki filled bun from the onsite shop and picnic al fresco.

Both of the public baths are located indoors so you can comfortably use them whatever the weather, and each has a large window with a view over the lake. What could be better than soaking in a hot bath while gazing out at the picture-perfect scenery? Pure bliss.

NB Private cars are restricted within Kamikochi in order to preserve the natural beauty of the area, so the last leg of your journey will be by bus or taxi right to the door of the hotel.