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| Oku-Nikko
is the area of the whole place from Chuzenji Temple
to Yumoto, while are located in the northwestern part
of Tochigi Prefecture, escaping from central Nikko with
Shrines and Temples, and having gone up the long winding
curve called Iroha-zaka. This area is a tourist resort
region blessed with natural resources, such as marshland,
Senjo-ga-hara, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon waterfall, and the
outstanding scene including Mt. Nantai. Hiking, autumnal
leaves, mountain climbing, camping, fishing, photography,
the recreation at a hot spring will interest visitors. |
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Lake Chuzenji |
 Lake
Chuzenji has about 25km surroundings and its size is
the No.1 of the natural lake in Japan. There is the
Chugushi shrine, which religiously belongs to Nikko
Futarasan Shrine. Also, Chuzenji Temple of Mt. Nikko,
Chuzenji hot spring, camp, cottage of foreign embassy
are around the Lake Chuzenji. Also, the location of
the Chugushi shrine is an approach to Mt. Nantai. In
addition, you can enjoy hiking to stroll around, and
riding on the motorboat, which make a tour on the Lake
Chuzenji.
Foreigners' domestic tour became free gradually at the
Meiji era, and the diplomats of Western countries came
to visit to pass the summer. Cottages were built to
the lakeside and the Japanese Imperial Family, a Japanese
aristocrat, etc. came to visit also. The yacht race
was opened there, an airplane came flying for movement.
There was a Western atmosphere there. Fishing was the
most popular play among the visitors. It was British
style trout fishing (fly-fishing), and was carried in
for the first time in Japan. "Tokyo Angling and
Country Club" was inaugurated to enjoy golf and
fishing at Senju-ha-hama beach. The members of the club
consisted of the leader of political and business circles,
the diplomat in Japan, and the Imperial Family. As a
resort in which a high-class person gathers, the outskirts
of Lake Chuzenji was established its status. Although
there was also time currently called "Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of summer" in early stages of
Showa from Taisho, the area was damaged by World War
II. Only the chimney of a fireplace portion stands still
at the lakeside now. Although it is lonely, there was
the romance.
Access from the Hotel Seikoen:
Shinkyo bus stop ~ Chuzenji-onsen bus stop
(For 40mins by bus, 1,000yen for one-way) |
| Kegon Waterfall |
 The
Kegon waterfall is recognized as one of the great waterfall
of Nikko. The water of the Lake Chuzenji falls from
a height of 97m. The elevator leads to observatory,
and you will see a spray of powerful waterfall with
beautiful scene.
Access from the Hotel Seikoen:
Shinkyo bus stop ~ Chuzenji-onsen bus stop
(For 40mins by bus, 1,000yen for one-way)
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| Senjo-ga-hara |
 Senjo-ga-hara
The name of Senjo-ga-hara originates in the "battlefield"
which appears in the myth. The struggle occurred regarding
territorial possessions of Lake Chuzenji. The battle
was done by the God of Futarasan of Shimotsuke (former
Tochigi prefecture) and the God of Mt. Akagi of Kouzuke
(former Gunma prefecture). Shimotsuke and Kouzuke are
the countries, which adjoin across Lake Chuzenji. This
battle was by the large herd of snake on Futarasan side,
and the large herd of centipede on Mt. Akagi. The Futarasan
was inferior in strength at the first time, but the
God of the Futarasan remembered the man, who might defeat
troop of the Mt. Akagi. He was the expert of a bow called
Sarumaru. The God of the Futarasan tried to lure Sarumaru
out by changing his appearance to the white deer. Sarumaru
chased the white deer and came to Futarasan as the white
deer intended. The God of Futarasan asked Sarumaru to
defeat the troop of Mt. Akagi. Sarumaru found two-horned
giant centipede, which seems to be the enemyﾕs leader.
Sarumaru hit the left eye of the enemy's leader, and
defeated enemy of the Mt. Akagi finally.
Nature
Senjo-ga-hara is one of the marshland representing Japan,
and there is about 400ha of width. It is the treasury
of an alpine plant and flowers, and can be enjoyed from
June to August. Also, there are deciduous broad-leaved
tree woods, such as a Japanese oak, HARUNIRE, and ZUMI
around the marshland. Moreover, SHIRAKAMBA, which has
a nickname as "Noblewoman of Odashiro-gaharaﾓ,
is the popular target among the hiker and photographer.
Wild birds
Senjo-ga-hara is also well known for many kinds of wild
bird. You will see them at the forest zone, and by walking
along the "Senjo-ga-hara Natural Research Path".
Those wild birds will multiply around May to July in
Senjo-ga-hara.
Weather
Although many hikers visit Senjo-ga-hara in the blooming
season of an alpine plant, weather of Senjo-ga-hara
is not easily influenced even if it were the rainy season,
while it is raining in the central Nikko. Therefore,
you should better check the weather of both the station
front and the destination.
Skiing
Senjo-ga-hara is covered with snow in winter, and is
also the prosperous place of cross-country skiing. Various
courses have gathered from the beginner course to the
official-recognition course. Koutoku, which is located
in the east of Senjo-ga-hara, is the starting point
of each course.
Access from the Hotel Seikoen:
Shinkyo bus stop ~ Sanbon-matsu bus stop
(For 1 hour by bus, 1,400yen for one-way) |
| Hiking
around Lake Kirikomi, Lake Karikomi |
 Beautiful
autumn leaves
You will enjoy the beauty of autumnal leaves of Oku-Nikko
(literally "deep Nikko") in a comparatively
easy hiking course of Lake Kirikomi and Lake Karikomi.
It takes you 4, or 5 hours (9.6km long) including lunch
time from Yumoto hot spring to Koutoku Pasture (or the
reverse course) to complete the course. Relaxing at
the Yumoto hot spring after the hiking will be great.
Course Information
No rest room on the hiking course
It is hard to walk from Koutoku to Sanno Touge mountain
pass on the reverse course. Ordinary course is more
comfortable.
Parking lot available at Koutoku, but not at the Koutoku
starting point for hiking. Please be careful of number
of buses running between the Koutoku and Koutoku entrance.
They are very few.
The first ten or twenty days of October are the best
season to observe autumn leaves.
Highlight
A Fountainhead of Yumoto
The source of a hot spring is located in the area Yuno-daira,
Marshland to Lake Yunoko. The hot spring flows into
Yuno-daira marshland and is cloudy.
B Lake Kirikomi, Lake Karikomi
Both lakes are connected each other and there is no
stream going out.
C Kare-numa Dried up Swamp
The prairie looks like a grinding bowl. The flower of
trees will mainly bloom in June and July.
D Flower of trees
Most of flower of trees will bloom in July, August and
September.
E Wild bird
Time required (parenthesis is reverse course)
Yumoto onsen ~1hour (1hour) ~ Lake Karikomi ~ 1hour
and half(1hour and 20 minutes) ~ Sanno mountain pass
~ 1hour(40 minutes) ~ Koutoku ~ 30 minutes(30 minutes)
~ Koutoku entrance
Access from the Hotel Seikoen:
Shinkyo bus stop ~ Koutoku Entrance bus stop
(For 1 hour by bus, 1,450yen for one-way) |
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GORVERMENT-REGISTERED
HOTEL
( JAPANESE-STYLE )
HOTEL SEIKOEN
Sannai 2350, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
TEL.+81-288-53-5555 FAX.+81-288-53-5554 |
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