Chūzenji-ko

Introducing Chūzenji-ko

This area 10km west of Nikkō is (relatively) natural and offers a bit of seclusion, even if the namesake lake has the usual tourist facilities. The big-ticket attraction is the humbling, 97m-high falls, Kegon-no-taki (55-0030; adult/child return ¥530/320; 7.30am-6pm May-Sep, 9am-4.30pm Dec-Feb, sliding hr in btwn). Take the elevator down to a platform to observe the full force of the plunging water. Futarasan-jinja (55-0017; 8am-5pm Apr-Oct, 9am-4pm Nov-Mar) complements the shrines at Tōshō-gū and on the mountain, Nantai-san (2484m). The shrine is about 1km west of the falls, along the lake’s north shore.

For good views of the lake and Kegon-no-taki, get off the bus at the Akechi-daira bus stop (the stop before Chūzenji Onsen) and take the Akechi-daira Ropeway (Akechi Plateau Cable Car; 55-0331; adult one way/return ¥390/710, child ¥190/360; 8.30am-4.30pm Apr-Nov, 9am-4pm Dec-Mar) up to a viewing platform. From here, it’s a pleasant 1.5km walk across the Chanoki-daira to a vantage point with great views over the lake, the falls and Nantai-san. From here you can walk down to the lake and Chūzenji Onsen.

Chūzenji-ko has the usual flotilla of sightseeing boats at the dock (prices vary). The lake (161m deep) is a fabulous shade of deep blue in good weather, with a mountainous backdrop.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009