Lake Chuzenji

Introduction

Lake Chūzenji in Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan, formed when lava from Mt Nantai dammed a valley about twenty thousand years ago. At 1,269 m above sea level it is one of Japan's highest large natural lakes, covering roughly 11.6 sq km, reaching 163 m deep and running about 25 km around. Water leaving its eastern end immediately becomes Kegon Falls, while Mt Nantai rises like a screen to the north and reflects with unusual symmetry. In the Meiji era Western diplomats built summer villas here for the cool air; the restored British and Italian embassy villas now open as memorial parks, and their lawns and verandas still carry the atmosphere of 'summer diplomacy'. On the southern shore, Chūzen-ji temple enshrines the Tachiki Kannon, a standing thousand-armed image traditionally carved by the monk Shōdō. In the second half of October the maples of Hatchō-dejima peninsula colour in bands down to the water in one of eastern Japan's classic autumn views, while winter brings ice and a rare stillness.

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