Entrance Torii - Lake Chuzenji, Japan - Freestanding Arches on Waymarking.com

How to describe Lake Chuzenji? Sparkling like a diamond in the summer with traditional archers aiming for floating targets, tourists on paddle boats, but also secluded and tranquil in winter, venerated as a spiritual center for thousands of years, a mystical aura that attracts hundreds of pilgrims and hikers to the slopes of Mt. Nantai.

Mt. Nantai, a significant landmark mountain in central Japan, towers to a height of 8,156 feet, almost 4,000 feet above Lake Chuzenji, the highest lake in Japan. It is thought that the lake was formed as long as 20,000 years ago, but there is some evidence that Mt. Nantai itself may still be "active" with eruptions as recent as 7,000 years ago.

There is a series of three shrines on this side of Mt. Nantai. The first is at the base and the second only a little further up the trail. But, a pilgrimage to the third to complete the journey will take you to the top of the mountain. There one can see the rim of the old crater, and the small shrine at the side. Collecting rubber stamps at each shrine in one's passbook is a popular hobby for hikers.

This area is sometimes called "Inner Nikko" part of Nikko National Park. The famed Nikko Shrine, with its sprawling grounds and the "Three Monkeys" is further down the mountain, but not continuing up to this area would be a great mistake. At the south end of the lake is its only outlet, cascading down the slope to form the dramatic Kegon Falls.

Type: Gateway Subtype: Torii Location: Lake Chuzenji

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