Senjogahara — Attraction in Nikko

One of the best hike I have ever done in Japan. Amazing hike throughout spring-late summer times. From Nikko Station, take the bus to Akanuma Bus Stop (will take you around 50min), and the hiking trail starts right there. The destination is the small town of Yumoto on the other side of Yuno lake (where the bus also departures). The hike is well marked and preserved, and there are not many up and downs (easy level), except from few areas near the lake.

There are some nice local shops to rest and taste local delicacy, like fish and rice balls. The destination of Yumoto is a natural hot springs onsen town. The water is natural and can smell sulfuric (you can actually smell it from the lake), but they say it has great minerals for your skin. This is the place where bloody battles took place during the japanese feudal era, and the locals say you can see a ghost during night time, so be alert! Ideally you want to stay over in a accomodation in Yumoto town, or at the camping site. Also make sure to bring water and snacks since there are not many shops.

How to get there: Express Train from Asakusa Station (1hr+) - Bus from Nikko Station (50min) - get off at Akanuma Bus stop - Hike 2-3 hrs - Yumoto town (bus back to Nikko Station or stay over to explore the...

The Senjogahara Plateau Nature Trail follows Yukawa River during most of its course between Yumoto Onsen and Ryuzu Waterfall near the shores of Lake Chuzenji. The hiking trail offers excellent views of the marshland and surrounding mountains, and it takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. Odashirogahara plataue is not far from Senjogahara plateau, a smaller but equally idyllic marshland, which is worth a detour or separate visit. During winter, the marshland is usually covered by several centimeters of snow typically between December and March, during which the hiking trails may not be possible. But when enough snow accumulates, visitors can see a different side of the marshland by walking along the hiking trails...

This place is ridiculously calm. And if you want to visit this place, remember not to go alone, especially in the winter. The walkway becomes icy and slippery, you may fall off into the grassland(it looks like swamp). And beware of the bears.

Edit: last time I visit was in September 2016, I visited again in December 2017, surprisingly the weather was better.

Note: This maybe trivia, but don’t walk on the icy-snow, they are extremely slippery. Take extreme care while crossing the wood bridge during snow season, I once almost fell off.

They will have construction of removing old wooden walking route, a huge portion of the route will be removed. The construction starts from December and ends in...