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.
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, 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).
How to get to and around Nikko
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Nikko
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SponsoredKamenoi Hotel OkunikkoA hotel surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, and mountains in Okunikko. Warm up at a famous onsen with 1200 years of history and explore the nearby Toshogu Shrine World Heritage site.View siteSponsored
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Stay Nikko GuesthouseFeaturing 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.View on Booking.com -
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B&B Izumi NikkoLocated 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. Popular points of interest near the bed and breakfast include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. Ibaraki Airport is 121 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Sanga NikkoLocated 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 shared bathrooms for 3 rooms. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and running. 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.View on Booking.com -
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Okunikko Guesthouse JUNLocated 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. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km from the guest house, while Nikko Station is 18 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Honke BankyuEstablished in 1666, Honke Bankyu is housed in a registered historical building. The Japanese rooms feature traditional decor, futon bedding and a flat-screen TV. The hotel has 5 hot-spring baths and serves local specialities for dinner. Shoji paper screens, tatami (woven-straw) floors and views of greenery add to the zen flavour of each air-conditioned room. A yukata robe is provided. All rooms have a private toilet, and some rooms have a private bathroom. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Yunishikawa-Onsen Train Station. Heike Village Museum is just a 10-minute walk away. Ryuokyo Canyon is a 40-minute drive, and Nikko Toshugu Shrine is 50 km away. A private hot-spring bath can be reserved, for a fee. You can relax at the library, take a stroll in the garden or browse the unique items in the gift shop. Japanese style breakfast and set-menu dinner are served at the hotelfs dining room.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel HanaanLocated in Nikko, near Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Nikko Futarasan-Jinja Nantaisan Okumiya, Hotel Hanaan features an open-air bath. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy lake views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. An Asian breakfast is available at the ryokan. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 15 km from Hotel Hanaan, while Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Nikko Guesthouse SumicaFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is located in Nikko, 300 metres from Nikko Station and 300 metres from Tobu Nikko Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a tour desk for guests. At the guest house, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.7 km from the guest house, while Kegon Falls is 20 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 117 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi NikkoSet in Nikko, within 1.8 km of Tobu Nikko Station and 2 km of Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a terrace and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service for guests. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.4 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko, while Kegon Falls is 20 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 119 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Nikko Akarinoyado Villa RevageHomely 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. 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.View on Booking.com -
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Nikko Beans HotelNikko Beans Hotel is set in Nikko, within 16 km of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 18 km of Tobu Nikko Station. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.5 km from Kegon Falls. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in Nikko Beans Hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. Nikko Station is 19 km from Nikko Beans Hotel, while Chuzenji Lake is less than 1 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 130 km away.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Nikko
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SponsoredExperience the Samurai Spirit through Ogasawara-style Archery – Including a Private Prayer Tour at Nikko Toshogu ShrineYabusame is the ancient traditional art of mounted archery, in which a rider on horseback shoots at consecutive targets during a gallop. In this plan, guests can experience yabusame or the related traditional art of kyudo, archery performed on foot – along with a guided tour of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site.View experienceSponsored
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Nikko Sightseeing 10 Hours Private Chartered Car Tour from TokyoLake Chuzenji is Japanfs highest natural lake, located just west of Nikko and is part of the Nikko National ParkView on Klook -
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Nikko Toshogu Shrine & Kegon Waterfall One Day Tour from TokyoVisit the famous historical and natural attractions in the city of Nikko on this day tour from TokyoView on Klook -
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Kanto private chartered one-day tour | Kamakura & Yokohama & Hakone & Mount Fuji & Karuizawa | Departing from TokyoDeparting 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!View on Klook
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