Lake Chuzenji-ko area ’†‘TŽ›ŒÎ
Lake Chuzenji is located in the Nikko National Park, which sits on the prefectures of Tochigi, Gunma and Fukushima. The area is particularily scenic and popular during the koyo (autumn leaves) season.
The lake is 161m deep and was created by an erruption of Mount Nantai (2482m), a sacred volcano which god is enshrined in Futarasan-jinja (see below). The Chuzenji Onsen is one of the most popular hotspring resorts with Tokyo residents, aside from Hakone and the Izu Peninsula.
You can walk around the lake, take boat tours or hike from the Ryuzu Falls at the north-western end of the lake to Yumoto Onsen (about 3 hours).
Watch out for the monkeys as they love to snatch anything they can from unwary tourists, like handbags, cameras or wallets. They can also be aggressive, so keep your distance and do not try to feed them or attract their attention.
Kegon Waterfall 華厳滝
The 97m tall Kegon Waterfall (kegon no taki) has been a traditional place for lovers with no prospect of marriage to commit suicide.
The waterfall is right behind the Akechidaira bus stop, one stop before Chuzenji Onsen coming from Nikko.
An elevator (￥520 return) goes down a platform to observe the falls from its bottom.
If you prefer a panoramic view of Kegon-no-taki, there is a cablecar leading up to the Chanoki-daira plateau. It can also be accessed on foot.
Futara-san Shrine 二荒山神社
This shrine is part of the Tosho-gu complex in Nikko.
It was established in 782 by the Buddhist priest Shodo Shonin (735-817) and is dedicated to Nikko's three sacred mounts : Nantai, Nyotai and Taro.
There are three Futara-jinja shrines. One is near Nikko's Toshogu, another one shrine sits on the shore of lake Chuzenji and the innermost shrine is at the top of Mount Nantai-san.
How to get there
You can reach Chuzenji by bus from Nikko (50min, ￥1100). Buses leave from the Tobu Nikko station, or from the bus stop near the Nikko Museum, on the main road just outside the Toshogu.
Yumoto Onsen is another 30min by bus from Chuzenji Onsen (￥840).
There are about 3 buses per hour. They are bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and pass through the very scenic Irohazaka road.
If you are coming from Tokyo and planning to stay more than one day, you should consider buying the Nikko Mini Free Pass (valid for 2 days, ￥4,940) or Nikko-Kinugawa Free Pass (valid for 4 days, ￥5,740), which entitles you to travel from Tokyo to Nikko (on the Nikko Tobu line), on all buses between Nikko, Chuzenji, Ryuzu Falls, Yumoto Onsen, Kunigawa, Kirifuri Plateau and Lake Ikari-ko, and gives you discounts on some attraction such as the cablecar in Chuzenjji and Nikko Museum.
The pass can be purchased at any Tobu station in Tokyo, Kanagawa or Saitama prefectures. For most tourists, the most convenient place is at Tobu Asakusa station.
| 
