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. Lake and mountain. It's impossible to think of one without the other, so inextricably are they joined.
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.
Coordinates are taken at the elevation sign at the end of the lake near Chuzenji Temple with its Guardian Kings, Agyo and Ungyo.
Nikko National Park was established on December 1934 as Japan's fourth largest national park encompassing 114,908 ha (443 sq. mi.). In 2007, a 37,200 hectare (143 sq. mi.) portion was separated to form Oze National Park, Japan’s largest area of highland marsh. The following description of Nikko National Park is from the Natural Parks Foundation:
Nikko National Park has both natural and man-made attractions. It enjoys varied natural beauty such as high mountains of 2,000 – 2,500 m above sea level, abundant forests, marshes and lakes, and also exquisite architecture typified by the Nikkotoshogu Shrine. As it is close to the metropolitan area and accessible via public transportation, the park attracts many visitors.
The core of the park is the Nikko area which has two types of attractions. One is its historic architecture of cultural value, such as the Nikkotoshogu Shrine, Futarasanjinja Shrine and Rinnoji Temple listed as one of the UNESCO World Cultural sites. The other is the beautiful nature of Oku-Nikko, which is in the upcountry.
Nikkotoshogu Shrine is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a shogun who played a great role in Japanese history. It was built in the 17th century and has both cultural and historical value. There are many structures and items of interest including exquisite objects of craftwork kept in different buildings in the mausoleum.
Oku-Nikko contains a variety of scenic spots such as Senjogahara and other marshes, mountains including Mt. Shiranesan (2,578 m), which is the highest mountain in the Kanto Region and northward. There are also Lake Chuzenjiko and other lakes, many waterfalls, including Kegonnotaki Waterfall which drops off from a 97 m stone face, surrounding forests of Japanese oaks (Quercus crispula) and other trees and hot springs. While signs of aridification can be observed in Senjogahara Marsh, its open landscape dotted with trees, such as Japanese larches (Larix kaempferi), still has great charm.
Further north, there are many hot springs upstream of the Kinugawa River and its tributaries. In a mountain over these hot spring resorts lies Kinunuma Marsh. This area also enjoys many scenic valleys and waterfalls.
In the northern part of the park stretches the Nasu Mountain Range centering around Mt. Chausudake (1,915 m) which has a very broad base. The range's highest peak is Mt. Sanbonyaridake (1,917 m) where some alpine plants grow. On the slopes of mountains in the northern part of the range, plateaus with broad-leaved forests and ranches stretch out.
In the Shiobara area, there are some hot spring resorts with long histories. Happogahara, a terrace famous for communities of Japanese azalea (Rhododendron molle subsp. japonicum), extends to the east.