Lake Chuzenji was formed roughly 20,000 years ago when an eruption of nearby Mount Nantai dammed the Daiya River, creating a scenic highland lake sitting at over 1,200 m elevation. The lake’s outflow plunges dramatically 97 m as Kegon Falls, ranked among Japan’s three great waterfalls and viewable from both an upper platform and a lower observation deck reached by elevator, offering a close-up view of the thundering water. Both sites are especially striking during autumn foliage season.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Nikko, Tochigi |
| Hours | Lake always open; falls elevator ~8:00–17:00 |
| Admission | Free (lake); falls elevator around ¥570 |
| Time needed | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Best time | Mid-October (peak autumn foliage); summer for cool highland air |
What to See
- Lake Chuzenji, a volcanic lake over 1,200 m elevation.
- Kegon Falls, ranked among Japan’s three great waterfalls.
- An elevator down to a close-up lower observation deck.
- Dramatic autumn colour framing both the lake and falls.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Nikko Autumn Foliage sightseeing along the Irohazaka route.
- Pair with Senjogahara Marshland nearby.
- Read our Tochigi overview .
Getting There
- By bus: bus from Tobu-Nikko Station up the Irohazaka road, roughly 50 min.
- By car: roughly 2.5 hours from central Tokyo; the Irohazaka road can be slow in peak season.
Tips
The lower observation deck for Kegon Falls requires a separate elevator ticket — decide if the closer view is worth it, as the upper platform view is free and still impressive. Peak autumn weekends bring heavy traffic on the Irohazaka approach road; a weekday visit is far less congested.
