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 can now be used 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 (Mid November to March: 10:00 to 16:00) Admission: 510 yen Closed: December 29 to January 3, Mondays from November to May
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 (November to March: 9:00 to 16:00) 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: 200 yen (300 yen together with the British Embassy Villa) Closed: December to March, Mondays in April
This elegant complex was the former summer residence of the Italian Ambassador to Japan. It is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Chuzenji and was 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: 200 yen (300 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.
Hours: Always open Admission: Free viewing platform
Ryuzu Waterfall ("dragon head waterfall") is named for its resemblance to the head of a dragon. This waterfall is one of Nikko's most famous autumn color spots, usually at the peak of its autumnal beauty in early October.
Getting there and around
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, 1400 yen, hourly departures) operate only from the second week of April through November. From Chuzenji Onsen, these boats make stops at Shobugahama (20 minutes, 650 yen) and close to Chuzenji Temple (50 minutes, 1240 yen). Infrequent boats go between Chuzenji Onsen and Senjugahama in June (40 minutes, 1000 yen).
Located in Nikko, 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 3.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station, B&B Izumi Nikko provides accommodation with free WiFi and a garden with a terrace and mountain views. Fitted with a balcony, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet and free toiletries. A fridge and kettle are also featured. A ? la carte, American or Asian breakfast is available daily at the property. Popular points of interest near the bed and breakfast include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Jiunji Temple. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Located in Nikko, Hotel Tokugawa is a traditional Japanese-style ryokan featuring a hot spring bath. It offers Japanese-style and Western rooms with free WiFi access, and provides free pick up service from Nikko Train Station. Guests at Tokugawa Hotel can unwind in the public hot spring bath, savour a massage treatment or go hiking in the area. Guests can also take full advantage of the hotelfs shuttle service from Toshogu Shrine. Free luggage storage and valet parking is also offered by the hotel. With a garden view, each air-conditioned room here will provide you with a refrigerator, an electric kettle and a yukata (Japanese bathrobe). The private bathroom comes with a bathtub, free toiletries and a hairdryer. The ryokan is a 6-minute drive from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and a 10-minute drive from Nikko Train Station. The on-site dining area is open from 08:00 to 09:00 for breakfast. An authentic Japanese dinner will be prepared for guests with meal plans.
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.
Just 1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Turtle Inn Nikko offers value-for-money accommodation with river views. Hot spring baths are available and breakfast is offered. Nikko Turtle Inn offers easy access to the historical temples and beautiful nature of the Nikko area. Chuzenji-ko Lake and Kegon-no-taki Waterfall are a 40-minute bus ride away. The Nikko temples are less than a 15-minute walk away. The cosy rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs. Guests can fall asleep to the calming sound of the Daiya River. Staff at Nikko Inn Turtle speak English and are always happy to help with sightseeing or other requests. Breakfast are served in the dining room and require an extra fee. Breakfast includes eggs, fruit and bread.
Guests can enjoy soaking in the indoor and outdoor public hot-spring baths at Nikko Senhime Monogatari. Massages can be requested and a sauna room is available for an extra relaxation. A free shuttle is available from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station, which is a 5-minute drive away. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are included in each. A safety deposit box is provided and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can purchase local products at the gift shop. Travel assistance is provided at the tour desk and photocopying services are available at the front desk. A traditional multi-course meal is served for dinner, and Japanese-style meal is served for breakfast. All meals are served at the dining room. Monogatari Senhime Nikko is a 10-minute walk from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and a 25-minute drive from Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.
About a 20-minute walk from the Nikko shrines, Annex Turtle Hotori-An is situated next to the Daiya river and green forests. It features hot spring baths with river views. Only 1.5 km from the Toshogu and Futarasan shrines at Nikko, Hotori-An Turtle Annex Hotel also offers easy access to local hiking trails. A 40-minute drive brings guests to historical theme park Nikko Edomura. The Japanese-style rooms feature tatami (woven straw) floors and traditional futon beds. Each room includes a private bathroom. Turtle Annex Hotori-An features a gallery showing local Mashiko-yaki pottery. English-speaking staff are available to help with sightseeing. Breakfast features fruit, eggs and bread. Property staff can recommend nearby dinner options upon check-in.
