Excursion Cruises on Nikko, Japan's Beautiful Lake Chuzenji

[Marian Goldberg]

In the historic, culturally rich, and breathtakingly scenic region of Nikko/Kinugawa Onsen, about two hours north of Tokyo via the TOBU railway, nature-oriented travelers should make time to experience spectacular Lake Chuzenji in the mountains just above the main Nikko UNESCO World Heritage temples and shrines travelers should not miss spectacular At 4,163 feet above sea level, the 535-foot deep, nearly 4½-mile-square Chuzenji-ko is the highest lake in Japan. 


Now the new excursion boat Nantai is taking travelers around the lake, showing off golden-and-crimson foliage, pink-and-white cherry blossoms, pink-and-fuchsia Japanese primroses, and dense greenery, depending upon the season. These seasonal displays of nature blanket sacred Mt. Nantai, whose eruptions created Lake Chuzenji at its foot nearly 20,000 years ago.

Nantai cruises operate through November 30, their debut comes just in time for the 2017 fall-foliage season, and they'll resume in April for cherry-blossom viewing, and continue through next summer and autumn.

Boats depart Chuzenji Station from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (full timetable here), with stops including the port of Shobugahama and Tachikikannon  site of the 1,300-year-old Chuzenji Temple. 

Fees for the 55-minute circle course are: 1,250 yen for adults, ¥1250 for junior high school students, and ¥630 for elementary-school students. Group rates are also available, with a special private room for ¥4000. The eco-friendly ship is equipped with solar-power generators, as well as complimentary WiFi for those visitors excited to post photos on the spot.

For more information on Nantai cruises or TOBU Railway Group in general, visit TOBUJaapanTrip.com; for images and video, log on to MyNewsdesk.com/TOBU-Railway.