Senjogahara is a wetland plateau within Nikko National Park, situated at an elevation of 1400 meters. The name Senjogahara is derived from a mythical battle among the gods of the mountain that supposedly took place here. From June to August, beautiful wildflowers bloom all over the plateau. Home to a rich variety of wild bird species, including meadow buntings, chestnut buntings, and nightingales, the plateau resounds with all kinds of birdsong.

At Lake Chuzenji, selected as one of Japan's hundred most beautiful sights, visitors throughout the year can enjoy all the changing expressions of the passing seasons. The lakeshore is home to the Chuzenji hot springs and various campgrounds located near the Nikko Futara-san Shinto shrine and the Nikko Chuzenji Buddhist temple. Pleasure cruises and lakeside hiking courses await the enjoyment of visitors.

Renowned as one of Japan's three best waterfalls, Kegon-no-Taki Falls boasts an impressive 97-meter drop to the pool below. The surrounding natural beauty and stunning scenic backdrop of this spot, with its verdant foliage in spring, and brilliant autumnal tones in fall, ensure that visitors feel the beauty of the passing seasons. There is an elevator (fee required); alighting from the elevator, visitors to the lookout enjoy a firsthand view of the waterfall basin below.

After proceeding down the road approaching the shrine, surrounded by thick cedar forests, visitors catch their first glimpse of the brilliant gold and vermilion colors of Tosho-gu Shrine. These World Heritage-listed shrine buildings certainly possess an appropriately majestic presence. In addition to the buildings, another popular feature is a carving of the famous 3 monkeys, who represent a teaching from ancient times: see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. Tokugawa Ieyasu, well known for commencing the Edo period, is enshrined here.

Massive rocks appear before your eyes as the boat sends up sheets of spray. Traveling down the Kinugawa River in a wooden boat through one of Japan's most renowned narrow canyons is a thrilling attraction. The magnificent ever-changing natural scenery and the masterful oar techniques of the boat's captain must be seen to be believed. The season runs from mid-April through to late November.

The Kinugawa Onsen and Kawaji Onsen hot springs, together with the Hakone hot springs, are the most renowned of the Kanto region; they are known as the hot springs "in Tokyo's backyard." The alkaline qualities of the Kinugawa pure hot spring water are considered effective for treating burns and scalds, and the Kawaji hot springs on the north side are considered to possess healing qualities.

This region is also a treasure house of nature's blessings. Fruit picking enables you to enjoy the delicious flavors of the changing seasons; it's popular with families, groups, couples, and everyone else!

Strawberry Picking
The strawberries cultivated in Nikko are the Tochiotome variety, very popular in recent years. Large and full of sweetness, they fill the mouth with juicy flavor. The basic strawberry picking course involves an all-you-can-eat deal for 30 minutes.
The season runs from December to June.

Apple Picking
Eight varieties of apple are cultivated in Nikko. Visitors can enjoy picking the different varieties for eating at different times, depending on the season. Admission is free, but you will be charged by weight for the apples you pick to take home. Why not try making your own apple juice with fresh-picked apples?
The picking season is from early September to late November.

You can enjoy hiking, golf, skiing, mountain stream fishing, horse riding, and all kinds of outdoor sports in the area. Pursue your favorite sporting activities with friends all day long; the brilliant beauty of the autumnal season is particularly inspiring.

Nikko Area Ski Resorts

Nikko Area Golf Courses

The Nikko Utsunomiya Road area, situated near the Utsunomiya Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway, is dotted with golf courses. The Kinugawa Country Club, close to Nikko Edomura, has the third-longest history of any golf course in the prefecture. Towards the Nikko direction is the famous Nikko Country Club Golf Course, which became well known for hosting the Japan Open. With such a multitude of golf courses, visitors can enjoy playing golf surrounded by the changing natural beauty of the four seasons.