Lake Chūzenji

- Mt. Nantai, Tachiki-kannon, Road to Nikko

Lake Chuzenji is a scenic lake that was created 20 000 years ago after the eruption of Mount Nantai (or Futara-san), a 2 486 m high stratovolcano. Lake Chūzenji has a surface area of 11.62 km², a depth of 163m and elevation of 1,269 m. It is a popular tourist spot and village, with frequent tour buses going up there from the city of Nikko, that is 10km East of the lake. There are many residences belonging to embassies in the area around the lake, for example the Italian embassy. The Chuzenji Temple and the gate Tachiki-kannon are sitauted around the lake. There is also a village with shops and restaurants where the buses stop. Near the lake is Kegon Falls, a beautiful waterfall that we visited.

Since Nikko is so spread out and one of Japan's largest towns by size, there is a tour bus that goes around the most important spots in the area. The bus ride to Lake Chūzenji and Kegon Falls is spectacular with winding, narrow roads going up and down green mountains, with scenic views of the surrounings.