National Park & Nature

Lake Yunoko

📍 Yunoko, Yumoto, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1662, Japan

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4.2/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: Japan, Nikko-shi
Category: National Park & Nature
Duration: 1 hour (full loop)
Opening Hours: Daily 00:00-23:59 · The lakeside trail is open public space any time; some sections close when frozen in winter, so check Nikko city notices
Ticket Price: Free Admission: Free to enter, no ticket · The north shore Yumoto onsen town offers day-use baths
Address: Yunoko, Yumoto, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1662, Japan
Coordinates: 36.7800, 139.6300

Introduction

Lake Yunoko is a crater lake in the Yumoto area of Oku-Nikko, dammed by lava from Mt. Nantai's eruption at 1,478 m, 3 km around, with clear water ringed by primeval forest. The gentle lakeside trail takes an hour for a full loop; at the south end it meets the 70 m Yudaki Falls, and the north shore is next to the Yumoto onsen town, a base node for Oku-Nikko hiking and bathing. From late September to mid-October the lakeside turns red and gold against Mt. Nantai; fresh green in summer and quiet snow in winter are equally lovely. The lake is free to enter any time.

✨ Highlights

Crater Lake

Lava-dammed by Mt. Nantai's eruption, 1,478 m above sea level.

Primeval Forest

Ringed by old-growth forest and wetland, vivid through the seasons.

Gentle Loop

The lakeside trail is an hour round, flat and easy.

Yudaki Falls

At the south end, a 70 m fall, 10 min walk to its viewing deck.

Yumoto Onsen

The north shore meets the onsen town for day baths.

Best in Autumn

Red and gold leaves from late Sept to mid-Oct against Mt. Nantai.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：Yumoto, deep in Oku-Nikko, Nikko.

→Time Needed：1 hour for the loop, 2 with Yudaki Falls.

→When Open：Trail open any time; sections close when frozen.

→Cost：Free to enter the lake area.

→Access：Tobu bus from Tobu/JR Nikko to Yumoto Onsen, off at Kohan-mae.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday	00:00-23:59
Tuesday	00:00-23:59
Wednesday	00:00-23:59
Thursday	00:00-23:59
Friday	00:00-23:59
Saturday	00:00-23:59
Sunday	00:00-23:59

The lakeside trail is open public space any time; some sections close when frozen in winter, so check Nikko city notices

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free Admission	Free to enter, no ticket

The north shore Yumoto onsen town offers day-use baths

Transportation

Bus

From Tobu or JR Nikko station take the Tobu bus to Yumoto Onsen, get off at Kohan-mae

Driving/Parking

Via Kiyotaki IC, 35 min; parking on Route 120

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Lake Yunoko?

Monday: 00:00-23:59; Tuesday: 00:00-23:59; Wednesday: 00:00-23:59; Thursday: 00:00-23:59; Friday: 00:00-23:59; Saturday: 00:00-23:59; Sunday: 00:00-23:59; The lakeside trail is open public space any time; some sections close when frozen in winter, so check Nikko city notices

How much is the admission for Lake Yunoko?

Free Admission: Free to enter, no ticket; The north shore Yumoto onsen town offers day-use baths

How long should I spend at Lake Yunoko?

A typical visit takes 1 hour (full loop).

How do I get to Lake Yunoko?

Bus: From Tobu or JR Nikko station take the Tobu bus to Yumoto Onsen, get off at Kohan-mae; Driving/Parking: Via Kiyotaki IC, 35 min; parking on Route 120