Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji, located in Nikko National Park, is the largest lake in Tochigi Prefecture, covering an area equivalent to 250 Tokyo Domes. It is also the highest altitude lake in Japan, sitting 1,269 meters above sea level. The lake is believed to have been formed from the volcanic activity of Mt. Nantaisan some 2,000 years ago as the valley stopped the flow of lava. Similar types of lakes are Akanko Lake and the Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji. Although it is not well known, there is a small island called "Kouzuke Island" in Lake Chuzenji. As legend has it, the God of Mt. Nantaisan and God of Mt. Akagisan fought over possession of Lake Chuzenji. When the God of Mt. Nantaisan won, the island was created in memory of his victory. There are also graves here believed to be those of the eminent monk Shoudo Shonin and Jigen Daishi, a monk who served the great general Iyeyasu Tokugawa. The island is only 100 meters from shore, so you can walk to it when the water level of the lake is low.