lake chuzenji cruise schedule

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• See & Do
• Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Boat

This sightseeing ship operates in Nikko National Park in Nikko City， Tochigi Prefecture. Passengers can choose from a wide variety of courses including one that takes the ship around Lake Chuzenji and one that visits the lake’s most famous spots.

Hourly boats circle the lake counter-clockwise， stopping at Chuzenjiko 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.

Passengers can view the beautiful seasonal scenery from the ship， which is especially popular with tourists around the autumn foliage season. You can experience a different charm of Nikko during this comfortable cruise.”

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Basic Information

The Nikko area, in the northwestern part of the prefecture, is particularly mountainous. In the midst of the rich nature, including the 2,486-meter-high volcano Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls, there are numerous shrines and temples that are registered as UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites. From Kinugawa Onsen to Kawaji Onsen, hot springs can also be found throughout the area. There are a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy as well, such as stand-up paddleboarding in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.

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Lake Chuzenjiko

Lake Chuzenji (���T����, 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.

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Sightseeing Boat Cruise

Ryuzu Waterfall

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).

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• Nikko / Kinugawa Onsen / Aizu
• Sightseeing

Tobu Chuzenji-ko Cruise

Nikko / Kinugawa Onsen / Aizu SIGHTSEEING

Beautiful Lake Chuzenji is the highest natural lake in Japan. Visitors can take an excursion boat to enjoy beautiful views of the lake and surrounding nature that changes with the seasons.

Many people from all over the world are attracted to Nikko due to its many sightseeing spots including its temples and shrines, its world heritage status and sites, and easy access from Tokyo. The most popular season is autumn when many visitors from Japan and overseas come to enjoy the many spots where they can view spectacular autumn colors. To enjoy these colors, it is recommended that visitors take a pleasure cruise. From the middle of the lake, you can enjoy a splendid 360 degree panoramic autumn view of the colored leaves in the mountains. You can also enjoy observing these colored leaves reflected on the surface of the lake, an experience that can only be enjoyed from the cruise boat.

Senjugahama, located west of Lake Chuzenji, is a flower meadow full of Japanese Primrose (scientific name: Primula Japonica), a native flower of Japan that blooms profusely in the middle of June. This flower was called "the most beautiful flower in Japan" by Robert Fortune, a British botanist. You can enjoy a breathtaking view of these flowers growing abundantly in the forest among fresh green colors and a clean stream flowing into Lake Chuzenji. As access to Senjugahama by general vehicle is prohibited, it is recommended that visitors take a cruise boat to get there.

A new pleasure cruise, launched in summer 2017 and with a capacity of up to 500 passengers, will operate for the first time in 20 years to complement the vessel "Kegon“, which has a capacity of up to 500 passengers, and "Astoria“, which can carry up to 120 passengers. The new cruise's cabins were designed based on the concept of "Wa” (Japanese style). The vessel, which has a special observation room in the front row of the cabin on the second floor, is eco-friendly due to its utilization of solar power generation as part of the power generation system for lighting, and free Wi-Fi and power outlets in cabins and other areas. We will continue striving to ensure more people can enjoy the splendid views of Lake Chuzenji.

For a limited time only! The Nikko Discount Ticket is now available!

Japan national tourism organization（jnto）operates a visitor hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year., nikko – kinugawa line descent, aizuwakamatsu – tsuruga castle in spring, enjoy tokyo skytree town to the fullest travel from asakusa to nikko, tochigi prefecture using the nikko pass, amazing aizu: 2 days 1 night basking in nature - onsen town - ancient village and super-chic area around the town of aizu, a warm welcome in every sense in kinugawa onsen and yunishigawa onsen area, aboard the sl 'taiju', to kinugawa-onsen, full steam ahead, winter adventures in nikko, 48 hours in nikko: a complete itinerary of what to do, where to eat & where to stay, a one-hour world trip nikko pass - a recommended route for muslim guests, exploring oku-nikko: a hidden summer paradise, snow at its best: yunishigawa kamakura festival, experience every shade of autumn at nikko’s chuzenji lake area, the kanaya hotel -refinement born from a clash of cultures.-, other information, related links.

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Lake Chuzenji & Chuzenji Onsen

Okunikko (literally “Deep Nikko”) is a wild landscape of mountains, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls which is famous for its scenic beauty. However, the central attraction in Okunikko is Lake Chuzenji, the biggest lake in Okunikko and a popular resort area. A cluster of hot spring spa hotels are located on the lake’s eastern shore, and this makes it a good base for exploring other nearby sightseeing spots such as the Kegon Falls , the Ryuzu Falls , the Senjogahara marshland, or Chuzenji Temple (after which the lake is named). Pleasure cruises, water sports and trout fishing are popular activities on the lake, while hiking and bird watching are popular around it. Although Lake Chuzenji is particularly popular in the autumn for its beautiful displays of fall foliage, every season has its special attractions: deep snowscapes in the winter, cherry blossoms in the spring, and in the summer it is simply a cooler, breezier location to escape the heat and humidity.

Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji was formed around 20,000 years ago when the volcanic Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the river that flowed through the valley below. Today the lake is fed by the Yukawa River and its outflow is the Daiya River which escapes over the dramatic Kegon Falls. The sacred mountain, Mount Nantai, rises above the lake’s northern shore, and the Senjogahara marshland spreads out from the north-west. The lake’s surface area is 11.62km2 and its circumference is 25km, which would take around 9 hours to walk.

At 1,269m above sea level, Lake Chuzenji also has the highest elevation of any natural lake in Japan over 4km2, which gives it a relatively cool climate, and this has made it a popular summer retreat area since the 19th century. However, the lake was first discovered in 782 by the Buddhist monk, Shodo Shonin, after he had climbed to the summit of Mount Nantai. Shodo Shonin founded Chuzenji Temple on the shore of the lake, and his ashes are enshrined on Kozukejima, a small island about 100 meters from the lake shore.

A pleasure boat at Chuzenji Boat Terminal

Lake Chuzenji Boat Cruises

Taking a boat cruise is a must when visiting Lake Chuzenji. The standard sightseeing cruise does a circuit of the main sightseeing spots around the lake which include the embassy villas, and Chuzenji Temple.

The view from the boat

The complete circuit lasts 55 minutes and costs 1,400 yen (700 yen for children), but you can pay less for a shorter trip and get off at one of the tourist spots on the way. Normally, there is one cruise every hour between 9.30 and 15.30 departing from the Chuzenji Boat Terminal , although the times may change slightly throughout the seasons. You can also get on a pleasure boat at one of the other terminals. In the autumn there are also special maple-leaf viewing cruises around the lake which take different routes.

The Chuzenji Boat Terminal

The Chuzenji Boat Terminal is an 8-minute walk from Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal.

A pleasure boat tour on the lake

Chuzenji Onsen Hot Springs

Chuzenji Onsen is a small hot spring spa town on the north-east side of the lake. Here you will find a number of resort hotels and traditional inns with their own natural hot spring bathing facilities. This is a good base for exploring the local area as it is served by the Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal, and is within walking distance from sightseeing locations like the Kegon Falls and Chuzenji Temple. The main pleasure boat terminal is also located in Chuzenji Onsen.

Chuzenji Onsen seen from the bus terminal

The main reason to stay in Chuzenji Onsen however is to enjoy the hot spring waters. These waters are rich in hydrogen sulfide which is believed to relieve the symptoms of muscle pain, rheumatism, skin problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure as well as general fatigue. Actually, this water is piped for 12kms from Yumoto Onsen (which is located further to the north). At Yumoto Onsen the water is 78° Celsius, but it cools down to a more comfortable temperature by the time it reaches Chuzenji Onsen.

Two reasonably priced three-star spa hotels in Chuzenji Onsen are Hatago Nagomi and Hotel Hana-an, both of which have their own restaurants. Hatago Nagomi has only Western-style guest rooms, but the hotel restaurant specializes in gourmet Japanese cuisine. Hotel Hana-an is a more traditional Japanese style inn which has both Western and Japanese style guest rooms and a restaurant that serves seasonal dishes using the finest local ingredients.

Nearby, Simplest Nikko is a three-star guest house which has a range of guest rooms and dormitory beds to suit every budget. Simplest Nikko also opens its hot spring baths to day trippers, so you don’t have to stay there to take a dip. Their “One-day Onsen” is normally open from 15.00 to 21.00 (with last entry at 20.00) and entry costs 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. However, during busy periods the “One-day Onsen” may be closed, so it is best to check in advance.

Chuzenji Onsen’s most luxurious resort hotel is the Ritz-Carlton Nikko which has Japanese and Western dining facilities, a 24-hour fitness center, and friendly multilingual staff who can help arrange a variety of local tours, outdoor activities and cultural experiences. If you really want to treat yourself then the Ritz-Carlton is the place to come.

The European Villas

Lake Chuzenji became a popular international summer resort in the late 19th century after the first railway line between Utsunomiya and Nikko was opened in 1890. Foreign villas and summer cottages were built on the lake shore, and yachting and fly fishing became popular activities. Two villas that remain today are the Italian Embassy Villa and the British Embassy Villa and both of these can be visited.

The Italian Embassy Villa

The two Italian Embassy Villa buildings were built in 1928 and designed by Antonin Raymond, a Czech American architect who previously worked with Frank Lloyd Wright, and who had a deep influence on modern Japanese architecture. These buildings remained in use as a recreational retreat for Italian ambassadors until 1997. Today the elegant villa buildings and their grounds are open as a museum called the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park. There is also a café on site where you can enjoy refreshments while admiring the villa gardens. Here is a map showing the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park’s location. It is a 35-minute walk from Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal.

The British Embassy Villa

The British Embassy Villa was built in 1896 by the British diplomat Ernest Satow as his private lake retreat and was later used as the official British Embassy Villa until 2008. Like the Italian Embassy Villa this villa is also open as a museum called the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park and there is a tea-room on site where you can enjoy traditional British scones and tea. The British Embassy Villa Memorial Park is located close by the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park and is situated on a hill with a wonderful view over Lake Chuzenji. Here is a map of the location.

The memorial parks are open from April till the end of November but closed on Mondays in the month of April. Entrance to each memorial park is 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children of elementary school age and younger. But you can get joint tickets covering both memorial parks for 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for children.

Nikko Natural Science Museum & the Oku-Nikko Information Center

Just behind the Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal is a building that houses the Nikko Natural Science Museum and the local Tourist Information Center. The museum has a variety of exhibits related to the history and natural history of the Lake Chuzenji Onsen. There is also a shop on site selling nature-themed gifts and souvenirs. Entry to the museum is 510 yen for adults and 260 yen for children.

Inside the Nikko Natural Science Museum

On the first floor of this same building you can find the Tourist Information Center which has English-speaking staff and a variety of multilingual maps and brochures. Rental bicycles are also available here which cost 1,000 yen to rent per day.

Inside the Tourist Information Center

The Nikko Natural Science Museum and the Oku-Niko Information Center are open from 9.00 to 17.00 from April 1st to November 10th and 10.00 to 16.00 during the rest of the year. They are closed on Mondays between December and April and also closed for the New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd).

Rental bicycles outside the museum and information center

Coin Lockers

Coin Lockers for your baggage can be found at the Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal and also on the 1st floor of the Nikko Natural Science Museum. At Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal these lockers come in three sizes priced at 400 yen, 500 yen, and 600 yen.

The locker room at Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal

At the Natural Science Museum there are a small number of lockers priced at 200 yen, 400 yen, and 600 yen.

Coin lockers at the Natural Science Museum

Lake Chuzenji Location

The easiest way to reach Lake Chuzenji is to take a bus bound for either Yumoto Onsen or Chuzenji Onsen from either the JR Nikko or Tobu Nikko railway stations. Buses leave regularly and take around 45 – 50 minutes to reach Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal.

Chuzenji Bus Terminal

Alternatively, if you are driving, you can take the winding roads of Irohazaka, a famous driving route linking central Nikko with the highlands of Okunikko which has plenty of sightseeing spots on the way where you can stop and take pictures. This route can get busy on weekends and holidays however, and it can get particularly crowded during the fall foliage season of mid-October and early November. If you are interested in hiring a car while in this area, see our article Car Rental in Nikko .

Article by Michael Lambe. Photos by Michael Lambe, akimori/pixta (7), NARU-kun/pixta (8) All rights reserved.

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Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Boat

• #Okunikko Area

This boat moves around Lake Chuzenji, which represents Nikko National Park. There are two courses available - one that goes around Lake Chuzenji once, and the limited-time Senjugahama course - allowing you to see the various famous places of Lake Chuzenji. You'll be able to enjoy the majestic sights of Mount Nantai and Shirane, as well as the beauty of fresh green and autumn leaves on the lake shore, with a view unique to a sightseeing boat.

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Lake chuzenji cruise travel info.

DESCRIPTION

Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖, Chūzenjiko) is a scenic lake in the mountains in Okunikko Area. Lake Chuzenji is especially beautiful during autumn time around mid to late October when the autumn colors reach its peak. Lake Chuzenji has a circumference of 25km, depth of 163m and 1,269m above sea level that makes it “the lake in the highest place in Japan”. The best activity to do here is to ride cruise ship to cruise around Lake Chuzenji. While sitting in the cruise ship, you will see the beautiful lake and mountain covered in colorful autumn leaves.

Chuzenjiko Onsen is connected with central Nikko by Tobu bus. The buses leave from JR and Tobu Nikko Station and are bound for Chuzenjiko Onsen or Yumoto Onsen. There are about three buses per hour. The one way trip from Tobu Nikko Station to Chuzenjiko Onsen takes about 50 minutes, costs 1150 yen and is covered by several Tobu free passes. By Car If you want to travel Lake Chuzenji with less hassle, Easy Travel can provide comfortable car hire with afforable price .

Hours & Fees

Operational Period 14 April ~ 30 November 09:30 ~ 16:20 Price for full course travelling Lake Chuzenji Course D 55 minutes Adult ¥1,250 Child ¥630

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Lake Chuzenji

The sacred lake in nikko.

Lake Chuzenji is a body of water located at the foot of Mount Nantai in the Okunikko area of Nikko, in Tochigi prefecture. Shaped 20,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, it is the highest lake in Japan, culminating at 1,269 meters above sea level. Many cultural and sport activities are available along the 25-kilometer circumference of its scenic shores.

Lake Chuzenji and the nearby Kegon Falls come as Nikko’s second touristic site after the Toshogu’s religious complex, and make an interesting nature outing :

• In summer to find cooler air, and,
• In winter for the marvelous snowy landscapes.

However, it is during the changing of seasons, namely in spring   🌸 (late April ) and in autumn   🍁 (mid- October ), that the natural landscape is vividly adorned with its warmest colors. The clear blue of deep and large body of water, overlooked by its guardian Mount Nantai , keeps its attractiveness all year round.

Chuzenji was deemed a sacred place by Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin , and the place of worship has maintained syncretistic features with an impressive torii  ⛩️ (Shinto) gate at its main entrance. The area was forbidden to women and animals for a long time.

Lively lakeside in summer

It was only from the Meiji era (1868 - 1912) that the shores of the lake opened and became a summer destination for foreign diplomats living in the capital. Many buildings belonging to foreign embassies are still in use nowadays, as well as former Italian and British secondary residences that it is possible to visit , but only in summer.

Aquatic activities are in full swing during the hottest months, with the classical rowing boats , canoe, or swan shaped pedal-boat. Cruises of about one hour offer a loop ride on the lake and beautiful views on the surrounding mountains. Several hiking trails are available, of various lengths, around the lake. It is possible to just stroll around on the northern shores as well as to walk the full tour of the lake, the latter taking about one day of walk.

Spiritual and natural getaway all year long

As they are close enough to each other to allow a combined visit walking or by bus, and as they are open all year long, Futarasan Chugushi shrine and Chuzenji Tachiki-Kannon temple make a nice complement to the tour of the lake. The spiritual heritage was largely inspired by Shodo Shonin. It is also recommended to stop by Akechi-daira and its belvedere (accessible by a ropeway) and enjoy the view on Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Ryokan traditional inns with onsen   ♨️ hot baths welcome visitors who would like to spend several days on the site.

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Lake Chuzenji

Seasonal Scenery to be Enjoyed at Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji Cruise

Enjoy the Lake on a Boat

Futarasan Shrine Chugushi

Italian Embassy's House Memorial Park

Nikko Kanaya Hotel

Chuzenji Onsen

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Lake Chuzen-ji in Winter

Snowy views of Chuzenji-ko, near Nikko

At 11.5 kilometers, Lake Chuzen-ji is the largest mountain lake in Japan. It sits at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, and provides spectacular views. While the area is a touristy town in summer, the winter weather brings out the pure natural beauty in the landscape. Many of the views from Chuzen-ji Temple are breathtaking.

Find out more about Lake Chuzenji .

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Lake Chuzenji, Early Autumn

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Futarasan Chugushi Shrine in Snow

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Lake Chuzenji

Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661 ( Directions )

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Kayak Around Lake Chuzenji: Place of Beautiful Spring and Fall Foliage

Nikko is a popular tourist hot spot just two hours away from Tokyo that's chock-full of World Heritage sites , historical landscapes , verdant nature , and relaxing hot springs . If you travel further into Nikko from its urban center, you'll find yourself in the Oku Nikko area, where one of Nikko 's must-visit places of interest, Lake Chūzenji - a natural lake located at a higher altitude than most lakes in Japan - awaits. In view of the upcoming season , joining a kayaking session at Lake Chūzenji is definitely something worth considering! To ensure that you get all the details needed before heading down, we personally signed up for this water sport and compiled our experience in this report for your reference!

What is Lake Chuzenji?

As mentioned at the outset, Lake Chūzenji is located in Oku Nikko , which is about 40 minutes by car from Nikko Station. This is Japan's largest and highest elevated natural lake , and it is well-known as a scenic spot for fall foliage in Japan.

Kayaking Experience Tour: A great way to fully explore Nikko's nature!

What would it feel like to kayak surrounded on all sides by such a beautiful environment? We signed up for this recommended summer activity to see if it lives up to the hype!

We went with Nikko Nasu Outdoor Service for our kayak experience this time, a company that provides services for water activities such as kayaking or rafting in the Lake Chūzenji and Kinugawa areas. One of the reasons why we recommend going with them is because they have English-speaking staff on hand who can take you through the experience in English if you like! That's one less barrier to your overall enjoyment!

This is Mr. Rai, the company's English-speaking Nepalese staff. For our experience, however, we'll be under the care of Mr. Yabu, a Japanese guide.

Our meeting point is the carpark in Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel . You can reach this place by taking a bus from Tobu- Nikko Station and getting off at the "34: In Front of Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel " bus stop.

Once you see this signboard, just keep walking. It may be a little hard to figure out, but the meeting car park is in front of the bathing facilities of a hotel called Sora no Yu.

If you can spot tents and canoes, you're on the right track! The staff will be waiting for you here.

Get your pre-booked experience tour right away!

First of all, everyone will need to register for the activity and pay the stipulated fee. What's an experience without a photograph or two, right? But since this is a water sport, the chances of your phone or camera becoming lost to the depths of the lake are pretty high... Well, fret not! For a separate fee of 1,000 yen, a staff member will take as many photographs as you like using waterproof cameras and send all the data to you after the activity as a souvenir!

The staff will also kindly make adjustments to your gear for you, according to the weather conditions at the time of your experience. When the wind is strong, the lake surface can get rather chilly, but when you're paddling hard, your body will heat up quite a bit as well, so having the right gear is critical for an enjoyable experience! On the day we went, the weather was cool and crisp, so we were given windbreakers to go along with our wetsuits. During summer , however, just a T-shirt and a pair of beach shorts will be completely fine!

After changing, we start off with some warmup exercises on land.

The staff teaches us three basic ways to paddle. The instructions are clear and detailed, making it easy for even first-timers to the activity to pick up. Once our guide has ascertained that we've adequately practiced our strokes, we take our oars and head down to the lake with great excitement.

The guide's detailed instructions allows even first-timers to learn quickly!

Our guide reassures us these kayaks have been designed to be steady and difficult to overturn. To ensure this, when sitting down, we are advised to keep to our legs turned out and let the soles of our feet, knees, and waist line up flush against the kayak. By so doing, there is little room for the body to shift during the activity, which reduces the likelihood of any actions that may cause the kayak to flip. The guide also reminds us not to make any sudden actions to the left or right because of wanting to take in the scenery more fully, as it will shift the head's axis away from the center of the kayak, which is very likely to cause the kayak to overturn. Hopefully his good advice doesn't make us overly conscious of our posture, as that may have the opposite effect instead!

Once everything is ready, we finally start leaving the lake 's shore behind! We are reminded that it's really all about putting what we'd been practicing on land into use in the water. As we lower our oars slowly into the water and do just that, we slowly start making our way around through the water of the lake .

Drops of water fall onto our arms as we lift the oars out from the water. Maybe we're just really bad at this? Our guide reassures us otherwise. Having water splash on our arms is apparently clear evidence that we're paddling our oars correctly! Although none of us seem to be in danger of overturning our kayaks, the waves at the lake are quite a bit stronger than we had anticipated - it almost feels like we're at an actual sea!

The highlight of this kayaking session is being able to take in the scenic surroundings right from the water!

Depending on the time of visit, you may even get to see fish jumping out from the water surface, or catch a glimpse of campers by the lake side on weekends. Kayaking is a great way to see the highlights of Nikko !

After paddling to the center of the lake , we turn around and there, looming over us is the symbol of Nikko in its full glory - Mount Nantai. To see Mount Nantai on a kayak, you'll need to at least paddle out to the bay area. On the day we were there, the mountain peak was obscured by clouds, and this is apparently a common occurrence. Nevertheless, the clouds here tend to move quickly as well, so even if the peak is obscured at a certain time, there's always a possibility that you can see it later when the clouds float away!

In case you're interested, this is what the mountain looks like on a clear day!

The feeling of freedom you get as you gaze at the natural surroundings from the center of the lake must be experienced personally to be fully understood, and it's an experience you can only get from atop a kayak!

Since Lake Chūzenji is best known as Nikko 's top spot for autumn foliage viewing, you can be sure that kayaking in the lake during fall season will be an incredible experience that's like no other. The leaves around Lake Chūzenji unconventionally turn into all shades of red and yellow during autumn , making the landscape prettier than usual - a scene you can only see in Nikko . Mr. Yabu warns us that many visitors drop by the lake during fall for precisely this reason, so traffic jams are common. If you intend to join the kayaking tour during autumn , therefore, be sure to plan a lot of leeway into your schedule, just in case!

The guides know the most scenic spots of the lake no matter the day or condition of the lake!

To our surprise, our guide actually recommends kayaking on a rainy day! His reasoning is that while clear days are great for kayaking, you can get quite hot paddling around with no shade at all. The wind and waves can also get quite strong. On rainy days, however, the breeze is lighter and there won't be much waves on the surface, which in turn makes the water easier for you to paddle through!

It's slightly cloudy on the day of our experience. As the mountain range peeked out from behind a veil of thick clouds, it exuded an air of mystique that is uniquely Nikko as well. The clouds here move at a rapid speed, so the backdrop to kayaking sessions will keep changing, keeping the surroundings fresh and exciting!

How far you can paddle and what sights you get to see really depends on your stamina, the wind and weather that day, and the condition of the lake 's surface. Not to worry, though - that's what your helpful guide is there for! Kayak tours are held from the end of April to the end of November every year. Each season has different things to offer: Summer allows you to cool down and admire new foliage, whereas autumn lets you relish the stunning sight of autumn leaves painting the mountains over with warm hues of yellow and red.

Time flies as we admire the landscape from the water surface, and we finish our two-hour kayaking tour in the blink of an eye. The experience of physically exercising our bodies while taking in clean and fresh air surrounded by nature has been both exhilarating and refreshing at the same time.

Going to Lake Chuzenji? Give the kayak tour a go!

Designed to be easy to pick up for participants of all levels of proficiency, the Lake Chūzenji Kayak Tour will make you feel much closer to Nikko 's nature and we highly recommend it as a fun-filled outdoor activity when you're in the area! Facility Info / Reservation Info NOS Nikko Nasu Outdoor Service: http://www.tkcnet.jp/ ・Tours are conducted twice a day Morning 10:30 a.m. / Afternoon 1:00 p.m. *During autumn leaves season (first Saturday of October to November 4): Morning 9:00 a.m. / Afternoon 12 noon ・Fees 1-Person Kayak (Payment made in advance) Adults: 7,700 yen Children: 6,200 yen *Children 10 and above are required to take a 1-person kayak. 2-Person Kayak (for adults and children) Two persons: 12,400 yen (Same-day payment) Adult: 8,000 yen Children: 6,500 yen Two persons: 13,000 yen *All prices are inclusive of lesson fee, kayak rental, gear rental, and consumption tax) ・How to apply Through the application form or email Deadline: At least 20 hours before meetup time ・Foreign languages supported: English, Nepalese, Hindi English translation by: Huimin Pan.

Written by:

Miyu Shimada

Miyu is a travel writer and tour conductor with over a decade of experience in developing educational content for working individuals. She has a passion for exploring new cultures and has visited more than 150 cities in around 50 countries. Her goal is to sample great food, experience nature, enjoy historical sites, and bathe in hot springs around the world. Miyu left her corporate job to pursue her passion for travel and now spends over 100 days a year abroad while working as a writer. She promotes the joy of travel, the beauty of Japan, and the diverse cultures of the world by traveling to different parts of Japan and collaborating with inbound tour operators and fellow travel writers. On X/Twitter: @myuu_works.

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Lake Chuzenji Hiking

One of Japan’s highest natural lakes, Lake Chuzenji is located 1,269 meters above sea level at the foot of Mt. Nantai. The lake was formed by an eruption of Mt. Nantai about 20,000 years ago. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was a popular summer resort with villas owned by foreigners and embassies. A 25-kilometer hiking course runs along the perimeter, and visitors can view blooming azaleas in early summer and bright foliage in autumn.

How to get there: 45 minutes from Nikko Station or Tobu-Nikko Station by buses bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen to Chuzenji Onsen bus stop.

When: Open year-round

Contact: Nikko City Tourism Association +81-288-22-1525

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Areas of Nikko

Central nikko.

The heart of Nikko combines World Heritage shrines and temples, traditional cuisine and crafts, and lush natural settings. Add a trip to this area to a stay in surrounding regions, such as Kinugawa Onsen.

Located in the center of Nikko National Park, Okunikko includes the marshlands of Senjogahara, Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls. The area has many hot spring retreats and inns.

Kinugawa-Kawaji Onsen

Set along the Kinugawa River, this area is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts. Beyond ryokan and hotels, there are theme parks and many natural attractions. Kinugawa is a good base for further Nikko adventures.

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This area is known for its remote location and restorative waters. Enjoy a relaxing escape as you explore undeveloped nature and hot springs.

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Elderly American couple stranded in Spain after Norwegian Cruise ship left without them

They missed the boat — literally.

An elderly American couple was left behind by Norwegian Cruise Line in Spain this week after they returned late to the ship and the vessel refused to wait for them — despite it routinely departing behind schedule during the voyage.

“I am a very experienced traveler and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime,” Salt Lake City resident Richard Gordon, 84, told CNN.

“Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system.”

Gordon and his wife Claudene, 81, had gone on an independently booked excursion to view the city of Grenada while their ship, Viva, was docked in Motril on Monday. Due to a rainstorm, they ran late for the 5:30 p.m. all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6 p.m. departure.

At 5:45 p.m. the Gordons, who were taking the cruise to celebrate Richard’s 85th birthday this week, notified a relative on board that they were running late but were nearby.

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“Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4 p.m.,” he claimed.

“Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

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Elektrostal

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Lake Chuzenjiko

Lake Chuzenji (���T����, 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.

Irohazaka Winding Road

Akechidaira Plateau

Chuzenji Onsen

Kegon Waterfall

Nikko Natural Science Museum

Futarasan Shrine

Chuzenji Temple

Italian Embassy Villa

British Embassy Villa

Mount Hangetsuyama

Sightseeing Boat Cruise

Ryuzu Waterfall

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).

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Experiences around Nikko

Norilsk: The city built by gulag prisoners where Russia guards its Arctic secrets

Environmental activists are frustrated by how authorities handled a diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

International correspondent @DiMagnaySky

Friday 3 July 2020 23:41, UK

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The drive from Norilsk airport to the city takes you past mile after mile of crumbling, Soviet-era factories.

It looks like an endless, rusting scrapyard - a jumble of pipes, industrial junk and frost-bitten brickwork. If you were looking for an industrial apocalypse film setting, this would be your place - but you're unlikely to get the permissions.

Norilsk was built in Stalin's times by gulag prisoners. This gritty industrial city is a testament to their endurance both of the cruelty of Stalin's regime and of the harsh polar climate. There were no thoughts then on how to build to protect the environment, just to survive it.

Vasily Ryabinin doesn't think much has changed, at least in ecological terms. He used to work for the local branch of the federal environmental watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, but quit in June after exposing what he says was a failure to investigate properly the environmental impact of the gigantic diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

At 21,000 tonnes, it was the largest industrial spill in the polar Arctic .

Despite the Kremlin declaring a federal emergency and sending a host of different agencies to participate in the clean-up, just last week Mr Ryabinin and activists from Greenpeace Russia found another area where technical water used in industrial processes was being pumped directly into the tundra from a nearby tailing pond. Russia's investigative committee has promised to investigate.

"The ecological situation here is so bad," Mr Ryabinin says.

"The latest constructions such as the tailing pond at the Talnack ore-processing plant were built exclusively by Nornickel chief executive Vladimir Potanin's team and supposedly in accordance with ecological standards, but on satellite images you can see that all the lakes in the vicinity have unnatural colours and obviously something has got into them."

Mining company Nornickel would disagree. It has admitted flagrant violations at the tailing pond and suspended staff it deems responsible at both the Talnack plant and at Norilsk Heat and Power plant no 3 where the diesel spill originated from.

On Thursday it appointed Andrey Bougrov, from its senior management board, to the newly-created role of senior vice president for environmental protection. It has a clear environmental strategy, provides regular updates on the status of the spill, and its Twitter feed is filled with climate-related alerts.

But what investors read is very different to the picture on the ground.

Norilsk used to be a closed city - one of dozens across the Soviet Union shut off to protect industrial secrets. Foreigners need special permissions approved by the Federal Security Service (FSB) to enter the region. It would take an invitation from Nornickel to make that happen and, for the past month since the spill, that has not been forthcoming.

Unlike in Soviet times, Russian citizens are now free to come and go. That's why our Sky News Moscow team were able to fly in and travel around the city, even if getting to the spill site was blocked. What they were able to film provides a snapshot of the immense challenge Russia faces in upgrading its Soviet-era industrial infrastructure, particularly at a time when climate change is melting the permafrost on which much of it was built.

Just downwind from one of the rusting factories on the city outskirts is a huge expanse of dead land. The skeletal remains of trees stand forlorn against the howling Arctic winds. Sulphur dioxide poisoning has snuffed the life out of all that lived here. Norilsk is the world's worst emitter of sulphur dioxide by a substantial margin.

"For 80km south of here everything is dead," Mr Ryabinin says, "and for at least 10km in that direction too. Everything here depends on the wind."

Immediately after the spill, Mr Ryabinin filmed and took samples from the Daldykan river just a few kilometres from the fuel tank which had leaked. By that point the river was a churning mix of diesel and red sludge dredged up from the riverbed by the force of the leak. Norilsk's rivers have turned red before and the chemical residues have sunk to the bottom, killing all life there. Nothing has lived in those rivers for decades.

In his capacity as deputy head of the local environmental watchdog, Mr Ryabinin says he insisted that he be allowed to fly further north to check the levels of contamination in Lake Pyasino and beyond.

Nornickel at the time claimed the lake was untouched by the spill. Mr Ryabinin says his boss encouraged him to let things be.

"I can't be sure I would have found anything, but this sort of confrontation - making sure I didn't go there with a camera, let alone with bottles for taking samples, it was all very clear to me. It was the final straw."

Rosprirodnadzor refused to comment to Sky News on Mr Ryabinin's allegations or suggestions that the agency was working hand in hand with Nornickel.

Georgy Kavanosyan is an environmental blogger with a healthy 37,000 following on YouTube. Shortly after the spill, he set out for Lake Pyasino and to the Pyasina River beyond to see how far the diesel had spread.

"We set out at night so that the Norilsk Nickel security wouldn't detect us. I say at night, but they've got polar nights there now, north of the Arctic Circle. So it's still light but it's quieter and we managed to go past all the cordons."

He is one of the few to have provided evidence that the diesel has in fact travelled far beyond where the company admits. Not just the 1,200km (745m) length of Lake Pyasino but into the river beyond.

He says his measurements indicated a volume of hydrocarbons dissolved in the water of between two and three times normal levels. He thinks after he published his findings on YouTube, the authorities' vigilance increased.

Greenpeace Russia have spent the last two weeks trying to obtain samples from Lake Pyasino and the surrounding area. They have faced difficulties getting around and flying their samples out for independent analysis.

They are now waiting for results from a laboratory in St Petersburg but say the samples remain valid technically for just four days after collection and that they weren't able to make that deadline due to the authorities' actively obstructing their work.

Elena Sakirko from Greenpeace Russia specialises in oil spills and says this has happened to her before. This time, a police helicopter flew to the hunter's hut where they were staying and confiscated the fuel for the boat they were using. Then a deputy for the Moscow city parliament tasked with bringing the samples back from Norilsk was forced to go back empty-handed.

"We were told at the airport we needed permission from the security department of Nornickel," Ms Sakirko says. "We asked them to show us some law or statement to prove that this was legal or what the basis for this was, but they haven't showed us anything and we still don't understand it."

Nornickel announced this week that the critical stage of the diesel spill is over. The company is now finalising dates for a press tour for foreign media and for other international environmentalists.

Mr Ryabinin thinks this should have happened weeks ago.

"If we don't let scientists come to the Arctic region to evaluate the impact of the accident, then in the future if anything similar happens, we won't know what to do."

A spokesperson for Nornickel said the company "is actively cooperating with the scientific community and will meticulously assess both the causes and effects of the accident."

Nornickel considers permafrost thawing to be the primary cause of the accident, but is waiting for the end of investigation before making a final statement, the spokesperson said.

They added that the company "accepts full responsibility for the incidents on its sites these past two months and holds itself accountable for any infrastructural deficits or poor decisions by personnel.

"The imperative is to do everything to clean up our sites, instil a stronger culture of transparency and safety in our workforce, and ensure that such situations do not occur in the future."

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• Hiking at Lake Chuzenji

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hiking at Lake Chuzenji

Hike around one of Japan’s highest natural lakes in Nikko National Park

Nikko City Tourism Association

Located in Nikko National Park, Lake Chuzenji is located 1,269 meters above sea level at the foot of Mt. Nantai. The lake was formed by an eruption of Mt. Nantai about 20,000 years ago. 

During Japan’s hot summers, the lake’s high elevation makes it a pleasant place to escape the humidity. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many foreign embassies built summer villas here for breaks from the city heat.

Surrounded by hills and forest, one of Japan’s highest natural lakes has a hiking trail around its entire 25-kilometer circumference. On the route towards east and north, visiting the Embassy Villa Memorial Park and having a picnic by the lake shore is recommended. The course from Ryuzu Falls to Sejigahama beach takes 100 minutes one way. You can enjoy secluded beaches, seasonal flowers, and a stay at Senjugahama Beach.

After hiking, have a relaxing overnight stay at Chuzenji Onsen or Okunikko Yumoto Onsen.

How to get there

From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station (48 minutes), then take the JR Nikko Line to Nikko Station (42 minutes). Next, take a bus from JR Nikko Station to Chuzenji Onsen (45 minutes).

Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken

Visit Nikko

More Information

Kanto Region | JNTO Official Website

Tochigi Prefecture | JNTO Official Website

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• Japan’s Local Treasures

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