Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖) is a beautiful lake located above the city of Nikko. It sits at the base of Mount Nantai, Nikko’s sacred volcano, whose eruption around 20,000 years ago formed the lake.

The area around the lake is not heavily developed, consisting mostly of forest, along with a small and charming hot spring town called Chuzenji Onsen. From here, you can visit Kegon Falls - the most famous of several waterfalls in Nikko National Park. Another popular waterfall, Ryuzu Falls, is located along the northern shore of the lake and is often the starting point for the Senjogahara hiking trail (from Ryuzu Falls to Yudaki Falls).

The area is especially beautiful from mid to late October, when autumn colors peak along the lakeshore and surrounding mountains. During Japan’s hot summer months, the lake’s high elevation (1,269 meters above sea level) keeps the area relatively cool and comfortable.