Lake Chuzenji (’†‘TŽ›ŒÎ, Chūzenjiko) is a scenic lake in the mountains above the town of Nikko. It is located at the foot of Mount Nantai, Nikko's sacred volcano, whose eruption blocked the valley below, thereby creating Lake Chuzenji about 20,000 years ago.
Chuzenjiko's shores are mostly undeveloped and forested except at the lake's eastern end where the small hot spring town of Chuzenji Onsen was built. The town is also the site of Kegon Waterfall, the most famous of several waterfalls in Nikko National Park. Another popular waterfall, Ryuzu Waterfall, is located at the northern shores of Lake Chuzenji where Yukawa River discharges into the lake.
Chuzenjiko is especially beautiful in mid to late October, when the autumn colors reach their peak along the lake's shores and surrounding mountains. And during Japan's hot summers, the lake's high elevation (1269 meters above sea level) keeps the area cool and comfortable, which in the past has attracted foreign embassies to build recreation villas along its shores.
It is possible to hike around the entire 25 kilometer circumference of Lake Chuzenji via hilly lakeside walking trails. Alternatively, the lake can be enjoyed from sightseeing boats that depart from Chuzenji Onsen. Panoramic views from above are possible from along the Chuzenjiko Skyline, an eight kilometer long former toll road which is now free of charge.
This famous road connects Lake Chuzenji with the town of Nikko down in the valley. It ascends more than 400 meters and is named "Iroha Slope" because its 48 turns used to equal the number of characters in the Japanese syllabary, formerly referred to as "iroha". Autumn colors along the road can usually be enjoyed from mid October to early November, and are a cause of traffic jams.
Located at the top of the Irohazaka Winding Road, shortly before reaching Lake Chuzenji, the Akechidaira Plateau is a small parking lot with panoramic views over the winding road and the valley below. A ropeway lifts visitors in three minutes from the parking lot to an observation platform with views of Kegon Waterfall in combination with Lake Chuzenji.
Chuzenji Onsen
Chuzenji Onsen is a touristy hot spring resort town at the eastern shores of Lake Chuzenji and at the foot of Mount Nantai. The small town consists mainly of souvenir shops, hotels and ryokan, but also offers some sightseeing spots, including Chuzenji Temple, a Futarasan Shrine, a nature museum and, most of all, Kegon Waterfall. It is also the departure point of sightseeing cruises of the lake.
The almost 100 meter tall Kegon Waterfall (Kegon no taki) is the most famous of Nikko's many beautiful waterfalls. It can be viewed free of charge from an upper observation platform or from an observation platform at the waterfall's base, which is reached via a paid elevator ride.
Nikko Natural Science Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Apr to mid Nov), 10:00 to 16:00 (mid Nov to Mar) Admission: 510 yen Closed: Mondays from December to April; December 29 to January 3
The Nikko Natural Science Museum, which stands just next to the Chuzenji Onsen bus terminal, explores the history and ecology of Nikko National Park. The displays are informative and well presented with multilingual explanations. A large, multi screen video display highlights Nikko's four seasons.
Futarasan Shrine
Hours: 8:00 to 17:00 (Apr to Oct), 9:00 to 16:00 (Nov to Mar) Admission: Free
The second of Nikko's three Futarasan Shrines stands at the shores of Lake Chuzenji, at the base of sacred Mount Nantai. The shrine marks the trailhead of the hiking course to the summit. Futarasan's main shrine stands down in central Nikko, while the third shrine stands on the summit of Mount Nantai.
Chuzenji Temple was built around a unique statue of Kannon. Many centuries ago the statue was carved out of a tree trunk that still stands today with its roots in the ground. The temple also affords nice views over the lake which was named after it.
Italian Embassy Villa
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 in April and November 11-30) Admission: 300 yen (450 yen together with the British Embassy Villa) Closed: December to March, Mondays in April
This elegant complex along the shore of Lake Chuzenji was the former summer residence of the Italian Ambassador to Japan. It was later donated to Tochigi Prefecture and opened to the public.
British Embassy Villa
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 in April and November 11-30) Admission: 300 yen (450 yen together with the Italian Embassy Villa) Closed: December to March, Mondays in April
Formerly a holiday home of Ernest Satow, an influential British diplomat during the Meiji Restoration, this villa later became a British Embassy villa before being opened to the public. The building was restored in 2016, and inside are exhibitions on Satow's life in Japan as well as on British culture. There is also a cafe where visitors can drink English tea overlooking Lake Chuzenji.
Hours: Always open Admission: Free viewing platform
Mount Hangetsuyama lies at the southeastern corner of Lake Chuzenji. The observation deck close to the top of the mountain offers great views onto the lake and Mount Nantai. During fall each year, autumn colors add to the scenery viewed from here, making this a popular autumn leaf spot.
Sightseeing Boat Cruise
Available from mid April through November
Sightseeing cruises are another way to view the area and get around. Hourly boats circle the lake counter-clockwise, stopping at Chuzenji Onsen, Shobugahama Pier near Ryuzu Waterfall, a pier near the Italian and British embassy villas and Chuzenji Temple. In June only, a line also serves Senjugahama at the lake's western end.
Chuzenji Onsen is connected with central Nikko by Tobu bus. The buses leave from JR and Tobu Nikko stations and are bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen. There are about three buses per hour. The one way trip from Tobu Nikko Station to Chuzenji Onsen takes about 50 minutes, costs 1250 yen and is covered by the Nikko All Area Pass.
A 2-day pass for unlimited bus rides between Nikko and Chuzenji Onsen is available for 2300 yen at Tobu Nikko Station.
Note that during the autumn leaf season in October, traffic between central Nikko and Lake Chuzenji can be very heavy, and buses can incur heavy delays, especially on weekends. The Irohazaka Winding Road becomes particularly congested. If possible, try to visit during the week and not on weekends.
Sightseeing boats can sometimes double as a way to get between destinations around Lake Chuzenji, although they would only make sense if the original intention is to tour the lake by them. The sightseeing boats making a loop around the lake (one hour, 1680 yen, hourly departures) operate only from the second week of April through November. From Chuzenji Onsen, these boats make stops at Shobugahama (20 minutes, 780 yen) and close to Chuzenji Temple (50 minutes, 1480 yen). Infrequent boats go between Shobugahama and Senjugahama in June (40 minutes, 1200 yen).
Located in Nikko and only 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, B&B Izumi Nikko provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 2-star bed and breakfast features river views and is 3.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station. Every room comes with a balcony. Certain units in the bed and breakfast have private entrance and are fitted with desk and outdoor furniture. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and slippers, the units at the bed and breakfast have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the bed and breakfast, all units have bed linen and towels. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Nikko Station is 4.2 km from the bed and breakfast, while Kegon Falls is 18 km away. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 121 km from B&B Izumi Nikko.
Featuring free WiFi, Stay Nikko Guesthouse offers accommodation in Nikko. Nikko Station on the Tobu and JR lines can be reached within a 13-minute walk. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this guest house is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Views of the mountains, river or garden are featured in certain rooms. Guests will find a microwave, toaster and kettle on site. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 20-minute stroll from Stay Nikko Guesthouse, while Kegon Falls is a 50-minute bus ride from the property.
Located in Nikko, 2.1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Sanga Nikko provides rooms with free WiFi access. The property is set 10 km from Kegon Falls and 22 km from Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en. Nikko Station and Tobu-Nikko Station are within a 5-minute walk from the property. The property is equipped with two private bathrooms. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and fishing. A supermarket is situated within a 5-minute walk from the property. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Rinnoji Temple and Shinkyo Bridge. Futarasan Shrine is 2.2 km from the property, while Chuzenji Lake is 12 km away.
Featuring a garden, Midorian is located within Nikko National Park. The property is around 1.5 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, 8 km from Kegon Falls and a 16-minute walk from Futarasan Shrine. The guest house features mountain views, a terrace, and free WiFi is available throughout the property. On-site parking is available free of charge. Guest rooms in the guest house are fitted with a kettle. A shared kitchen comes with a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. At Midorian, every room comes with a shared bathroom with a hair dryer. Cycling and hiking are among the activities that guests of the accommodation can find nearby. Rinnoji Temple is 1.6 km from Midorian.
Located in Nikko and only 1.1 km from Kegon Falls, Okunikko Guesthouse JUN provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 1-star guest house features lake views and is 16 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km from the guest house, while Nikko Station is 18 km away. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 133 km from Okunikko Guesthouse JUN.
Homely rooms with mountain views, free Wi-Fi and a private bath await guests at Villa Revage, 350 metres from Nikko Botanical Garden. It is completely non-smoking, and free private parking is available on site. Rooms at Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage are heated and come with simple furnishings and art on the walls. An LCD satellite TV is included. Both a hairdryer and toiletries are provided. You can relax on the sun terrace, enjoy the garden or unwind in one of the private reservable baths. A Western breakfast is served at the dining room, which boasts a high ceiling and forest views. The hotel is 4 km from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station. Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is 800 metres away, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2 km away.
Just a 3-minute walk from JR Nikko Train Station, Guesthouse Sumica offers beds in dormitory rooms, as well as Japanese-style private rooms. It features a shared kitchen and free tea and coffee. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the whole building. The Sumica Guesthouse is a 5-minute drive from the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine, and a 30-minute drive from both Lake Chuzenji-ko and historical theme park village Edo Wonderland (Nikko Edomura). JR Nikko Train Station is a 3-minute walk away. Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is a completely non-smoking hotel. It offers luggage storage, and it has a curfew at 23:00.
Sumica apartmens offers accommodation in Nikko, 900 metres from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 9.3 km from Kegon Falls. The property features views of the city and is 18 km from Nikko Yumoto Hot Spring. The accommodation is only a 2-minute stroll to Shinkyo Bridge, known as the entrance to the Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kitchenette is fitted with a microwave. Towels and bed linen are offered at sumica apartmens. Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en is 22 km from sumica apartmens, while Rinnoji Temple is 600 metres from the property.
Boasting open-air natural spring baths that look out to the surrounding mountains, Asaya provides chic Japanese accommodation that displays flower arrangements throughout. A bus stop is located right in front of the property, and shuttle buses are available from Utsunomiya Train Station, an hour away, at an additional fee. Featuring a relaxing ambience, each room comes with a flat-screen TV, a telephone and a fridge. Asaya Hotelfs front desk is open 24 hours, and massages are available at an additional cost. Karaoke facilities and a gift shop are on site. Some of the hot spring baths can be reserved for private use for a fee. A tour to Edo Wonderland can be arranged upon request. The hotel is a 13-minute walk from Kinugawa Koen Train Station. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 40-minute drive away, and Edo Wonderland Nikko theme park is a 10-minute drive from the property. A buffet is served at one of the on-site restaurants. The dinner buffet serves about 80 various dishes ranging from Chinese, Japanese and Western meals, while the breakfast buffet provides about 60 variations, mainly Japanese and Western dishes.
Situated next to Lake Chuzenji, Hatago Nagomi is renovated in August 2017. The hotel features a restaurant, bar and free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available on site. Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV and lake views. Rooms have a private bathroom equipped with a bath and hairdryer. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. Some rooms includes a balcony. You will find a shared bath with natural free-flowing hot spring water at the property. Hatago Nagomi provides a buffet breakfast, and guests can sample kaiseki mutli-course dinner or made with local produce. A la carte dinner can be requested on site. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The area is popular for fishing, hiking and mountain climbing.
Departing from Tokyo, a customized 10-hour chartered one-day tour of the Kanto region, with professional drivers recommending scenic spots, the entire route can be freely planned, and you will have a relaxing and rich one-day tour!
