Hiking in Nikko: Chanokidaira, Lake Chuzenji, Senjogahara, Lake Yunoko

I went to Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture) last Wednesday. It is a mountainous area not far from Tokyo (~2h from Asakusa station). It is especially known for its historical sites (shrines, temples) but, since I had already visited those before, I instead went hiking in the Oku-Nikko area (奥日光).

Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):

I arrived in Nikko by Tobu train from Asakusa in Tokyo. I then took a bus towards Lake Chuzenji but got off at the Akechidaira Ropeway station. I took the cable car to the viewpoint: The lake, the Kegon Waterfall and Mount Nantai could all be seen. I started walking through the Chanokidaira plateau and went down towards Lake Chuzenji after a while. I visited the Kegon Waterfall and the Futarasan shrine, then took the bus to the Ryuzu Waterfall. I made a detour to have a look at the waterfall but was soon on my way again, walking through the Senjogahara marshland. The trail was pretty much flat and on wooden planks most of the way. I reached the Yudaki Waterfall at some point. I went up to Lake Yunoko and went around it on the west bank until I reached the Nikko Yumoto Onsen area. Finally, I took a bus back to the Nikko train station.

Above, in front of the Tobu Nikko train station.

Above, Akechidaira Ropeway.

Above, Kegon waterfall and Lake Chuzenji seen from Akechidaira Observatory.

Above, forest trail from Akechidaira Observatory to Cha-no-ki-daira.

Above, marshland in Cha-no-ki-daira plateau.

Above, Mount Nantai seen from Cha-no-ki-daira viewpoint.

Above, Lake Chuzenji.

Above, wildlife on the way to Chuzenji.

Above, arriving at Lake Chuzenji.

Above, in front of the elevator to the foot of Kegon Waterfall.

Above, Kegon Waterfall.

Above, Lake Chuzenji.

Above, torii at the entrance to Futarasan Shrine in Chuzenji.

Above, gate to the trail leading to the summit of Mount Nantai, inside Futarasan Shrine.

Above, waiting for the bus.

Above, near Ryuzu Waterfall, after getting off the bus.

Above, Ryuzu Waterfall.

Above, forest trail from Ryuzu Waterfall to Senjogahara plateau.

Above, marshland in Senjogahara Plateau.

Above, Mount Nantai.

Above, Yudaki Waterfall.

Above, dango and fish at Yudaki Waterfall.

Above, Lake Yunoko in the Nikko Yumoto Onsen Area.

Above, on Irohazaka Winding Road, on the bus back to the train station.