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.

日光中禪寺湖_Lake Chuzenji in Nikko，明智平纜車_Akechidaira Ropeway

日光中禪寺湖_Lake Chuzenji in Nikko 展望中禅寺湖、日本三大名瀑之一：華厳の滝

日光中禪寺湖_Lake Chuzenji in Nikko

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.

日光甜豆皮_tofu sheet roll in Nikko

日光中禪寺湖_Lake Chuzenji in Nikko

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 Chuzenjiis 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 yougo towards the West, there areFutarasan 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~

日光中禪寺湖_Lake Chuzenji in Nikko

日光中禪寺湖_Lake Chuzenji in Nikko，二荒山神社中宮祠附近

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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