Lake Chuzenji, Nikko, Tochigi Pref.
Nikko is a beautiful town in Tochigi Prefecture, a place not far from Tokyo, a place that has really stunning views. It has been recommended by Lonely Planet. One of the perfect time to visit is in late October when the color of autumn leaves in Lake Chuzenji, Nikko comes to a peak.
Date of the trip: 27/10/2017(Fri), Sunny day
The time I stayed: a whole day
Access: takes 45mins by bus from train staion, please refers to Access to Nikko
Travel route: ①Akechidaira Ropeway明智平山頂展望台→ ②Chuzenji Onsen中禅寺溫泉站→③→④→⑤Ryuzu_Waterfall竜頭ノ滝→②Chuzenji Onsen bus terminal→⑥British, Italia Embassy Villa Memorial Park英国大使、イタリア大使館別荘記念公園(you can read the following content with the route map on the bottom)
Travel route in Lake Chuzenji, Nikko (The time indicates that of my arrival)
08:30 ①Akechidaira Ropeway明智平山頂展望台
It takes 45mins by bus to get to Akechidaira Ropeway bus stop from Nikko train station. After that, just follow the long lane waiting for the cable car to the peak. I would recommend going there as early as you can. It was Friday 08:30. But I still had to wait for almost 50mins as it was a peak season when it comes to autumn. Besides, if you want to take a satisfying picture at the peak viewpoint, flat direct light is present in the morning.
11:30 ②Chuzenji Onsen中褝寺溫泉站
Then, take the bus again to the Chuzenji Onsen, where bus terminal, information center, and museum are located. It was lunch hour so I got to a random restaurant there first. The top left dish in the picture is tofu sheet roll, a specialty from Nikko. It was juicy, sweet and I love it. If you want to give it a try, just look for ゆば(湯葉), the word written outside the restaurants and you can probably find it. I suppose different shops make them with similar taste.
12:30 ②→③→④bike trip around Lake Chuzenji, Nikko
Beside the bus terminal is the museum, you can acquire a map, bus timetables here. And most importantly, you can rent an electric bike here. The distance between spots around Lake Chuzenji is long on foot, but short enough by bus. Yet, the bus is not frequent enough. So I strongly recommend renting a bike to travel between them. Also, somehow there were some secrets, quiet, stunning spots to take pictures where the bus did not stop there. You have to walk or ride a bike in order to notice those places.
on the way you go towards the West, there are Futarasan Jinja二荒山神社 and Lake Chuzenji Boat House中禅寺湖畔ボートハウス…etc. Enjoy yourself and take loads of pictures~
14:30 ⑤→②Ryuzu_Waterfall竜頭ノ滝
Reaching Ryuzu Fall, you can no longer go anyway far to the West if you are using a bike. The official website of Nikko showed that the peak time of autumn leaves there had already gone, but I still went inside to take a look and then back to Chuzenji Onsen bus terminal again.
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16:00 ⑥British, Italia Embassy Villa Memorial Park英国大使、イタリア大使館別荘記念公園(Please refer to Ch.2)
Read more:
Not necessarily Kyoto! 5-days autumn-leaves-trip in Tohoku,Kanto(North,East Japan)
Nikko,Odashirogahara Moor,Senjogahara Moor-backyard of Kanto(EastJapan)(Ch.3)
Travel route of the 2-days in Nikko
Day1: Akechidaira Ropeway明智平山頂展望台, Around Lake Chuzenji中禅寺湖, Ryuzu_Waterfall竜頭ノ滝(This Ch.)
Day2: British, Italia Embassy Villa Memorial Park英国大使、イタリア大使館別荘記念公園(Ch.2)
Day3: Odashirogahara Moor小田代ヶ原, Senjogahara Moor戦場ヶ原(Ch.3)
Link to the original bus route map: http://www.tobu-bus.com/pc/area/nikkou.html
Access to Nikko, transportation in Nikko (Choose 1 from the 2)
- Various JR East Japan pass (e.g.5-days Tohoko Area pass ¥19000) + 2-days Bus free pass
- 4-days Nikko All Area Pass
Choice(1.) is suitable for those who are going to somewhere else in East Japan area as well. It takes 45mins by Shinkansen train from Ueno上野(in Tokyo) to Utsunomiya宇都宮. Follow by 50mins of the train to Nikko日光. Right after you arrive, RMB to buy the bus pass.(You have to!). Basically, the pass is already worth it even you just take a round-trip to the Chuzenji Onsen for once. Pass covering Chuzenji Onsen is sold at ¥2000, and that covering Senjogahara Moor area is sold at ¥2650.
Choice(2.) suitable for those who mainly travel in Nikko and Tokyo. It takes 2hrs from Asakusa(浅草) in Tokyo to Nikko by Tobu Railway. You don’t have to but the bus pass afterward since Nikko all area pass has already covered the transportation from Tokyo to Nikko and the buses in Nikko.
JR East Pass: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html?src=gnavi
Nikko Bus Free Pass: http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/
Nikko All Area Pass: https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/ticket/nikko/all.html
