Nature Spots in Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji Area
Area
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Tochigi
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Tochigi
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Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji
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Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji
Category
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- Kegon Falls
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4.01658 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2479-2
- This is a magnificent waterfall which cascades down the 97 meter high sheer cliffs in a flash, and is one of Japan’s top three most famous waterfalls. If you go down to the observation deck by elevator which requires the payment of a fee, you will be able to experience up close the intensity of the water falling down which rises from the waterfall basin with a splash. You can enjoy the magnificent fresh greenery and the figure of Asian house martins flying around in the vicinity of the waterfall in the early summer, crimson foliage in the autumn and in winter, the frozen small falls or the twelve falls as they are called located half way up the waterfall provide us with a beautiful display. It is a waterfall which provides us with picturesque scenery from season to season.
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Was in town and took the bus all the way up to the onsen final destination for the day and made a few stops along the way including Kegon falls. I didnt expect much and thought gee one of the most...
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- Lake Chuzenji
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4.0992 Reviews - Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi
- Lake Chuzenji, located in the west of Nikko in Chugushi, Nikko City. The lake, with circumference of 25 kilometers, was formed with the eruption of Mt. Nantai in the north. With an elevation of 1,269 meters this is the highest lake in Japan. During the Meiji and Taisho periods many European embassies built vacation houses around the lake, and they remain to this day. The lake is a pretty scenic spot with Mt. Nantai in the background where visitors can enjoy pleasure boats and of course the beautiful autumn leaves.
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Given an hour here to explore on foot and was lucky to catch some last late blooming sakura near the Futaarasan Shrine, another one that is. There are activities available by the lake such as riding...
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- Ryuzu Waterfall
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi
- This is a sightseeing spot which is representative of Oku-Nikko and is considered to be one of the three great falls in Nikko. The highlight is the appearance of water running down over the roughly 200 meter expanse of lava rock which formed during the eruption of Mt. Nantai. It is said that the naming of Ryuzu Waterfall (dragon head waterfall) is because the waterfall looks just like a dragon’s head with white bubbles streaming down, and due to the waterfall being split into two by a large rock near to the basin under the waterfall. Between May and June is a particularly popular season when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom.
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- Senjogahara Plateau
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi
- Senjogahara Plateau is located in Oku-Nikko which is home to abundant nature, which was formerly a lake but has been transformed into a wetlands, and it is a vast area which is proportionate to the size of 85 Tokyo Domes. The god of Mt. Nantai and the god of Mt. Akagi had a battle here and thus the origin of the name of “Senjo” (battlefield) wetlands. There is a nature exploration route maintained, which you can walk through in about two hours. You can enjoy as many as 350 varieties of plants and numerous birds.
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- Yudaki Falls
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Yumoto
- This is a magnificent 110 meter long and 70 meter high waterfall which is located at the southern tip of Lake Chuzenji. The highlight is certainly the appearance of the lake all at once flowing over the rock wall at Yudaki falls which was created by a lava flow from Mt. Mitsudake which dammed up the Yukawa River to create Lake Yunoko. It is in the middle of the hiking course heading north from the Senjogahara Plateau and it is convenient to access as there is a bus stop nearby.
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- Kirifuri Falls
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Tokorono
- Take the bus from JR Nikko Station, get off at the “Kirifuritaki Iriguchi” bus stop, and walk a further 15 minutes. Kirifuri Falls is considered one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Nikko together with Urami Falls and Kegon Falls, and has also been selected as one of the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. Divided into two tiers the upper 25 meters tall and the lower 26 meters, in total this large waterfall is 75 meters tall. The name of the waterfall, meaning “falling mist,” is derived from the fall’s waters dropping onto large boulders, creating a fine mist. The trail leading to the falls’ viewing platform is famous for the beauty of the foliage in the area in autumn, and visitors can enjoy the view of the falls surrounded by colorful fall leaves from late October.
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- Ryuokyo Gorge
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Fujihara 1357
- This scenic area extends for about three kilometers along the Kinugawa River from Kawaji Onsen to Kinugawa Onsen. It is known for its beautiful scenery along the valley that weaves the forest, river, and volcanic rock of the gorge that's been eroded by the flow of the river into the shape of a dragon. Nature trails provide hiking access where you can take in the seasonal surroundings, including the colorful foliage of fall.
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- Lake Yunoko
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Yumoto
- The Lake Yunoko is a peaceful lake surrounded by mountains on three sides; it was created when the Yukawa River was dammed up by the eruption of Mt. Mitsudake. There is hiking trail around the lake with an overall length of about three kilometers, and it takes about one hour to go around the trail. This is a spot where you can enjoy unspoilt nature with wild birds chirping in the hardwood and coniferous forest. It is also known as a famous spot for trout fishing, and the place is lively with a lot of people fishing during the period when the lake is open for fishing from May to September.
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- Kirifuri Highland
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Tokorono
- This roughly 1,200-meter above sea level highland is at Mt. Akanagisan in Tokorono, Nikko City. Its rich natural environment includes colorful foliage in autumn and alpine plants like nearly 260,000 Nikko kisuge day lilies that bloom from late June. The area has hotels and other accommodation options, as well as leisure facilities that include Ozasa Ranch, the New Kirifuri Camping Ground, and the Nikko Kirifuri Highland Kisuge-daira Park.
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- Kanmangafuchi Abyss
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Takumichou 8-28
- This is a beauty spot which was formed by the lava from Mt. Nantai. A stone statue of Acala is enshrined here which was installed by the high priest Koukai on a large rock on the riverbank. It is said that the name, “Kanman” comes from the last verse of Acala’s mantra. There are a group of about 70 Jizo statues on a cliff upstream on the south bank of the river and since it is said that the number of statues differ each time they are counted, they are called “Ghost Jizo”. The word “kanman” is inscribed in Sanskrit characters on the cliff in the upper stream and is said to have been done by Kobo Daishi.
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- Mt. Nantai
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi
- A 2,486 meter tall mountain located on the north bank of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Long revered as a holy mountain, the rear shrine of Nikko Futarasan-jinja Shrine is located at the top. Lake Chuzenji, a popular tourist destination for those visiting Nikko, was created through the mountain's volcanic activity.
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- Kinu-numa Swamp
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Kawamata
- "A swamp located in high altitude wetlands situated roughly 2,020 meters above sea level. Also known as the ""sky top wetlands,"" visitors can see beautiful natural scenery and alpine plants such as Geum pentapetalum and bog rosemary. There's also a trekking course and many hot spring inns at the trailhead. Particularly large numbers of visitors come during the flower blooming season."
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- Setoaikyo Canyon
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Kawamata
- A two-kilometer-long canyon with walls some 100 meters high which was created via the erosion of tuff rock. Situated along the upper reaches of the Kinu River, visitors can enjoy fantastic, picturesque scenery from the Watarasshai Suspension Bridge spanning the canyon. The canyon is also a renowned destination for fall foliage and, in addition to being visited by numbers of tourists in autumn, it has been selected for inclusion in a list of Tochigi's Best 100.
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- Mt. Akakura
- Travel / Tourism
- Nikko city, Tochigi prefecture
- This mountain is near Lake Chuzenji in Tochigi Prefecture. The roads crossing Asegata Pass and Hangetsu Pass that connected Ashio and Nikko's Chugushi ran along either side of the mountain. There is a small parking lot at the end of a forest road where climbers heading for the summit start from. The area around Hangetsu Pass prospered along with the area's copper mining, but with roadwork and the closing of the mines, the paths have primarily been reduced to animal trails. As there aren't proper walkways, you need to take care not to get lost.
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- Nikko Kirifuri Highland, Kisuge-daira Park
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Tokorono 1531
- Nikko Kirifuri Highland, Kisuge-daira Park is located around 30 minutes' drive from the Nikko Interchange of the Nikko Utsunomiya Road, via the Kirifuri-ohashi Bridge and Kirifuri Highland Road. The Park is a highland area at an elevation of around 1,200 meters on the slopes of Mt. Akanagi. It is a treasure-house of alpine plants; it is particularly famous for Brown Dwarf Day Lily flowers, around 260,000 of which can be seen in bloom from late June through into mid-July. Kisuge-daira, the area where the flowers grow, also has hiking trails for visitors to use. Starting in late October, there is beautiful autumn foliage, and in winter visitors can enjoy skiing. There is also the Nikko Kirifuri Kogen Chirorin Village leisure facility, which is ideal for both couples and families.
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- Jao Falls
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Kamikuriyama
- This waterfall is located off of Prefectural Route 23 to the east of Kawamata Lake in Wakama, Nikko City. The name comes from the cascade's serpentine appearance. It's surrounded by forest, and the scenery is especially beautiful during spring with its young leaves and when the foliage turns colors in the fall.
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- Kawamata Lake
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Kawamata
- This reservoir in Kawamata, Nikko City is formed by the Kawamata Dam on the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River. Visitors come for camping, fishing, and the beautiful colored foliage in autumn. Nearby you'll find the bath houses of Kawamata Onsen, as well as Setoaikyo Canyon, a well-known scenic spot.
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- Lake Ikari
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Nikko-shi Go
- "An artificial lake created by the construction of a multipurpose gravity dam on the Ojika River. The lake's name, which means ""50 'ri' lake,"" is derived from the fact the lake is located 50 'ri' (an old Japanese unit of distance equal to approximately 3.927 kilometers) from Nihonbashi in Edo. During the fall foliage season from mid-October to early November, the lake and the fiery leaves of the trees on its shore create a beautiful contrast, attracting large numbers of visitors. Around May 5th each year, koinobori carp streamers can be seen ""swimming"" as they are flown from the top of Ikari Dam."
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- Odashirogahara Marshland
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Nikko-shi Chugushi
- "This large marshland with a circumference of around about two kilometers sits to the west of Lake Yuno. Surrounded by a forest of Mongolian oak, the marshland gifted with a naturally beautiful setting. Although there is much in terms of beautiful seasonal nature to enjoy, the lone Japanese white birch known as ""the Lady of Odashirogahara"" that grows in the middle of the marshland is especially beautiful. The rare marshland has traits of both wetlands and grasslands.standard dishes. Each is served on Mashiko ware. Their soba noodles are made with buckwheat flour produced locally in Mashiko. The cafe's homemade sweets are also popular."
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- Yunodaira Marsh
- Travel / Tourism
- Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Yumoto
- A wetlands where the source of the waters used in the Yumoto Onsen hot spring district is found. High temperature hot springs well up from the ground in various locations around the marsh, and a sulphurous smell hangs in the air. Due to the qualities of the hot springs, the ground has been turned an ash white, and few plants grow here. The area is dotted with low huts housing pumps for drawing hot spring water. As it is dangerous to walk directly on the marsh ground, the area has been outfitted with wooden walkways for use by tourists and the people who monitor and maintain the hot spring waters.
Tochigi Areas
Most visits to Tochigi revolve around Nikko, a small city home to the spectacular, lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine and Nikko National Park with its mountains, lakes, waterfalls, onsen, and wild monkeys. Neighboring Oku-Nikko is an extension of the fantastic scenery famous for its autumn leaves, while Tochigi’s capital, Utsunomiya, is the only place in the world where you can find oya stone beautifully exhibited in temples and the Oya History Museum.
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