1
Nikko Futarasan Shrine Chugu Shrine

The Futaarasan Shrine has long been revered as the center of Nikko's mountain worship. There are three shrines in Nikko: the Head Shrine in the city, the Okumiya Shrine on the 2,486-meter summit of Mt.

The shrine was built in 784 (Enryaku 3), and the current building was constructed in 1699 (Genroku 12). The precincts of the shrine are home to seven buildings, including the main hall, which are designated as national important cultural properties. There are many attractions such as "Chugu Shrine Inari Shrine" where many people visit to pray for prosperous business, "Nantaisan Daimajin Statue" which is believed to be a guardian deity of victory and money, a huge yew tree over 1,100 years old, and a treasure house where many treasures such as swords and earthenware are exhibited. The "Tojimon" gate, the only entrance to the sacred Mt. Futarasan (Mt. Nantai), opens on May 5 for the Opening Ceremony and closes on October 25 for the Closing Ceremony.

Futaarasan Shrine, Nikko

• 2307 Sannai, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• 10 min. by car from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station.
• Take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Nishi Sando" and walk about 7 minutes.
• 8:15-16:45
• Entrance fee 300 yen (Entrance fee to the main shrine garden)
• 0288-54-0535
• Charged

2
Lake Chuzenji Pleasure Cruise

If you visit Lake Chuzenji, which spreads out at the entrance to Oku-Nikko, a sightseeing boat ride is highly recommended. The lake is approximately 25 km in circumference, but there are only a limited number of sections that can be approached by car or bus, and the unspoiled nature in the western and southern parts of the lake, which can only be explored on foot, can be easily enjoyed from a sightseeing boat. In addition to the regular 55-minute D course round-the-lake cruise that passes through two piers and takes in the sights of the lake, there is also a special service that operates when the pink and purple clinging flowers bloom on Chitegahama Beach in the western part of the lake (mid-June to early July) and during the fall foliage season.

3
Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park

Located on the southeast shore of Lake Chuzenji, this memorial park offers visitors a chance to experience the history of this international summer resort while being surrounded by lakeside nature. The lovely retro-style building in the park was built in 1928 by architect Antonin Raymond and used as the "Italian Embassy Villa" until 1997, when it was restored according to the original design drawings. The exterior and interior are lined with cedar bark, and the villa's lakeside appearance, in harmony with the natural forests of Quercus crispula, beech, maple, and Japanese white fir in the garden, is very attractive. A pier in the park is reminiscent of the days when the ambassadors enjoyed sailing on the lake.

The first floor of the main residence is a one-room study, living room, and dining room with an open porch overlooking the lake, while the second floor is lined with bedrooms on the lake side, and a cafe on the first floor offers coffee, cappuccinos, and cookies for casual enjoyment.
The sub-residence in the park is now used as the "International Summer Resort History Museum," displaying photos and panels about the history of the summer resort life along the shores of Lake Chuzenji.

4
British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

About a 3-minute walk from the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park is the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park, a villa built in 1896 by British diplomat Ernest Satow, who was especially interested in the view of Lake Chuzenji and Mount Shirane in Nikko. It was used as a "British Embassy Villa" until 2008 (Heisei 20). The current building, with its chic colored exterior walls, was restored in 2016. The garden is beautifully shaped and built around a masonry waterfall and its stream, with rhododendrons, azaleas, and other flowers in bloom. The fireplace and other furnishings in the exhibition room retain the atmosphere of the time when the house was used as a villa.

Ernest Satow, who wrote English-language guidebooks on the natural splendor of Oku-Nikko and made it widely known to the world, has created a refreshing view from the second-floor porch that is as pleasing to the eye today as it was then. The British Cultural Exchange Room, also on the second floor, is a space where visitors can experience the history and culture of the lakeside area based on his diary and other materials.
We recommend the scones and tea served in the café, which is supervised by the chef of the British Embassy in Japan. On a rainy day, it is also a great place to enjoy the view of the nature of Oku-Nikko soaked with dew from the quiet and tranquil interior of the museum.

British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

• 2482 Chugu Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 35 min. by car from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station.
• From JR Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen/Yumoto Onsen (via Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station). 50 minutes, alight at Chuzenji Onsen and walk about 35 minutes.
• April, November 11-30, 9:00-16:00
  May 1-Nov. 10, 9:00-17:00
• May-Nov. No holidays
  April: Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be open on the following day)
• Adults 300 yen, children from 4 years old to junior high school students 150 yen
  (*Shared ticket with the British Embassy is ¥450 for adults, ¥200 for junior high school students from 4 years old to junior high school students.
• 0288-55-0880
• Free of charge

5
Chuzenji Tachiki-Kannon (Goddess of Mercy)

Chuzenji Temple, located on the eastern shore of Lake Chuzenji, is a branch temple of the World Heritage Site Rinnoji Temple on Mt. The principal image of the temple is the "Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva," a nationally important cultural property. It is called "Tachiki Kannon" (meaning "Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva" in Japanese), because it is said that Shonin carved the image of the golden Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara appearing on Lake Chuzenji on a standing tree of the Japanese cinnamon tree. The Kannon was then washed to Utagahama on the opposite shore and enshrined on the present hill. Even though the location has changed, the standing tree is still rooted in the ground.

From Godaido, located about 100 steps up from the main hall, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the lake. Chuzenji Temple is also the 18th temple of the Bando Sanjusan Kannon Sacred Shrine, and is visited by many worshippers throughout the year.

6
Kegon Falls

In Nikko, which is known for its many waterfalls, visiting waterfalls is one of the pleasures of a trip to the area. The three most famous waterfalls in the Oku-Nikko area are Kegon-no-taki Falls, Ryuzu-no-taki Falls, and Yudaki Falls. Let us start with Kegon-no-taki Falls.
Kegon Falls is a large waterfall where water from the eastern end of Lake Chuzenji falls 97 meters down a precipitous cliff. The water volume is so powerful that the area around the basin is enveloped in a white mist-like spray. The "Twelve Falls," a series of narrow waterfalls flowing from the middle of the main stream, also contribute to the beautiful scenery.

Kegon-no-taki Falls has an elevator that descends to the viewing platform near the waterfall basin. After descending 100 meters through the bedrock, a cool underground passageway leads to the viewing platform. You can look up at the waterfall in front of you and see the 4.5-meter-deep waterfall basin below up close.

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Ryuzu Falls

Ryuzu-no-taki Falls is located in the northern part of the Oku-Nikko area, just before the "Yugawa River" flows from "Lake Yunoko" through "Senjogahara" and empties into "Lake Chuzenji. The waterfall is about 210 meters long and flows down over lava from the eruption of Mt. It is said that the name "Ryuzu no Taki" comes from the fact that the area near the basin is bisected by a large rock, resembling the horns of a dragon's head.
A promenade has been built next to the waterfall, and visitors can easily stroll along the promenade while admiring the beauty of the abundant and varied mountain stream, which can be compared to the scales of a dragon.

8
Yudaki Falls

Yudaki is the northernmost of the three most famous waterfalls in Oku-Nikko. Water from the southern end of Lake Yunoko flows down from a height of 70 meters and is up to 25 meters wide. The entire surface of the waterfall is beautifully illuminated from 11:00 to 13:00, so if your travel schedule allows, it is recommended to visit during this time. Rhododendrons, which turn pink in mid-May, are usually at their best around the area. This spot is also the end of the Senjogahara hiking trail, and there is a rest house where you can have a meal.

9
Yunoko

Lake Yunoko was formed when the Yugawa River was dammed by the Mitake lava flow during the eruption of Mitake (Mt. Mitake), which rises to the north of Senjogahara. Located at an elevation of 1,478 meters above sea level, the lake is surrounded by virgin forests of white cherry, white birch, and asunaro, allowing visitors to enjoy the rich and untouched nature of the area. The hiking course around Lake Yunoko (approx. 3 km / approx. 1 hr. 10 min.) is easy and enjoyable as if you were taking a walk, with Azuma rhododendron and Rhododendron metternichii in bloom from May to June, and in autumn, visitors can enjoy the magnificent view of the vivid autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the lake. In winter, waterfowl such as mallard ducks and white-fronted teal can be seen.

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Senjogahara

Senjogahara is a marsh spreading out between Lake Yunoko and Lake Chuzenji at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters. The area is registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland along with Lake Yunoko, Yukawa River, and Odashirogahara, and is recognized as an internationally important wetland, especially as a habitat for waterfowl. Originally a dammed lake created by the eruption of Mt. Nantai, it eventually became a marshland, and its current size is about 400 hectares.
A wooden nature trail has been developed along the western side of the marsh, and it is a popular spot for hikers. In spring and summer, wild birds chirping and many wetland and alpine plants delight hikers, and in autumn, autumn leaves fill the field of view.
The name "Senjogahara" is said to derive from a legend that the gods of Nantaiyama and Akagiyama in Gunma Prefecture fought a battle for territory here in ancient times.