Enjoy Fall Colors Early in the Season on Irohazaka Widing Road, Setting of the Popular Manga “Initial D”. The Scenic Beauty of Nikko, One of Japan’s Favorite Locations for Tourism in Fall

Nikko, in the outer reaches of the Tokyo Metropolitan region around two hours from the capital, is a historic city hosting World Heritage Sites. One of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, the area is rich in seasonal beauty, particularly in fall, where the altitude is around 1400 meters, brings the fall colors earlier than elsewhere in the region. Below are some of the recommended areas with superb views.

■Enjoy the fall leaves with a cruise on Lake Chuzenji, Japan’s highest lake

Lake Chuzenji is in a national park, and the surface of the lake is particularly scenic. Various cruises available on the lake made the most of the seasonal scenic beauty. Cruises are particularly popular in fall, when cruise customers can enjoy the rich canopy of changing colors.

Peak season: Mid to late October

URL: http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/tourism/nikko_kinugawa/3.html

◇Staying at the ChuzenjiKanaya Hotel

The ChuzenjiKanaya Hotel, in a forest on the lake’s north shore, is designed in a log cabin style and is famous for the stunning outdoor bath“Sora-Buro”, which are ideal for enjoying either the fall colors or a starlit sky. Why not relax with a morning walk in the fresh air along the lake shore?

URL:https://www.kanayahotel.co.jp/eng/ckh/

■Aerial Tramway Provides Glorious Views of Kegon Falls, One of Japan’s Three Most Famous Cascades

IrohazakaWiding Road, as featured in the manga “Initial D”, is one of the most well-known attractions of Nikko. At Akechidaira, near the end of the uphill route, visitors can take a three minute ride on the aerial tramway through the air, enjoying spectacular views on the way to the Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck, said to be the most popular spot in all of Nikko, taking in dramatic views of the Kegon Falls on the way.

The panorama, which also includes Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai, provides a great opportunity to soak up the fall atmosphere in Nikko.

* Operating hours of Akechidaira Ropeway may vary during season of fall colors.

Peak season: Mid October to early November

URL：http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/tourism/nikko_kinugawa/11.html

■Go off the Beaten Track at Lake Yunoko to Enjoy Fall Colors Reflected in the Water

Lake Yunoko, in Oku-Nikko, is a beautiful spot with a mysterious aura lying off the usual tourist circuit. The lake is around 3 km in circumference and surrounded by mountains on three sides. Its untouched natural beauty is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the stunning fall colors. We also recommend dipping your toes into the nearby Anyo no Yu foot spa, filled by the waters of the Oku-Nikko hot spring.

URL:https://www.japantimeline.jp/en/tochigi/tobu-tochigi/yunoko_lake

Peak season: Early to mid-October

◇Oku-Nikko Cycle Sharing to Start During 2018

The Nikko Natural Science Museum operates a cycle-sharing scheme giving visitors an easy opportunity to hire bicycles including electrically-assisted bicycles for people who may struggle under their own pedal power. This great service helps tourists enjoy the beautiful scenery in the Lake Chuzenji area and make their own way to popular destinations including Ryuzu Falls.

URL:http://docomo-cycle.jp/okunikko/en/

The Discount Pass for foreign visitors to the Nikko and Kinugawa areas will be upgraded on July 1, 2018 to provide discounts on Lake Chuzenji cruises and the Akechidaira Ropeway mentioned above.

For further details, please go to http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/.