Nikko is located in the northwestern part of Tochigi Prefecture, best known for its vast and rich nature and the many famous sightseeing spots, including historical shrines and temples.
As it used to be the sacred land of mountain worship, many people visit Nikko for its distinctive mystical atmosphere.
Guide to Nikko area's famous sightseeing locations and activities…
1. Kegon Falls: One of Japan's Highest
The Kegon Falls has an impressive height of 97 meters and is a representative natural landmark of Nikko. Legend goes that Kegon waterfall was named after the Kegon-kyo (Avatamsaka Sutra) which is one of the Buddhist scriptures. You can feel its mystical energy just by looking at the powerful waterfall.
With its stream coming from Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls is one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Nikko, next to Kirifurinotaki Falls and Uraminotaki Falls, making the area a major sightseeing spot.
If you take the elevator down to the waterfall viewing spot, you'll be able to get really close to the basin where the water falls with deafening sound. The powerful waterfall that was designated as a National Scenic Beauty in 1931 and its magnificent scenery is a sight you won't forget.
Kegon Falls
Chuguushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
Nikko
2. Lake Chuzenji: A Place to Witness the Breathtaking Beauty of Changing Seasons
Lake Chuzenji is a lake situated in Nikko National Park that was created by a volcanic eruption as long as 20,000 years ago. It is the largest lake in Tochigi Prefecture with a perimeter of about 25 kilometers.
It is also known as the lake with the highest elevation level in Japan (among the lakes with an area of 4 square kilometers or larger, excluding artificial lakes).
The area used to be prosperous as a summer resort for international visitors and today, there are countless accommodations and restaurants by the lake.
The lake side is also dotted with hot springs and public baths with nature as the main backdrop of the area. The view of Lake Chuzenji changes with every season, such as azaleas in early summer and red leaves in autumn.
Lake Chuzenji
Chuguushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
Nikko
3. The Great Waterfalls of Oku-Nikko
Yudaki is a great waterfall measuring 70m in height and 110m in length. This waterfall with its unique forked shape is one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Oku-Nikko, next to the Kegon Falls and Ryuzunotaki waterfall – not to be confused with the three great waterfalls of Nikko.
Yudaki can be found on the hiking trail continuing from Senjogahara. From the waterfall viewing spot near the basin, you'll get a magnificent view of it flowing down for about 70 meters along the surface wall of the south side of Yunoko Lake, located at the foot of Mt. Nikko-Shirane. The thundering sound of the water is almost deafening. …
