Oku-Nikko

Japanese: 奥日光 - おくにっこう

It is the center of Nikko National Park, along with Omote-Nikko, where Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple are located, from Chugushi in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. It is famous as an international tourist destination, with outstanding natural scenery created by volcanic activity. There are hiking trails to Mt. Nantai, Mt. Omanago, Mt. Taro, and Mt. Shirane, and the area is blessed with lakes and waterfalls such as Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Lake Sainoko, Ryuzu Falls, Yutaki Falls, Lake Yunoko, Lake Kirikomiko, and Lake Karikomiko. The high moors of Senjogahara are a special protected area of the national park. A nature study trail (partly boardwalk) runs from north to south along the Yukawa River, which meanders around the western edge of the field, weaving through forests of larch, oak, and Japanese laurel, as well as marsh plants such as cottongrass.

Yumoto Onsen (Nikko Yumoto Onsen) on the north shore of Lake Yunoko is a base for exploring Oku-Nikko along with Chugushi (Chuzenji Onsen), and a ski resort is opened in the winter. There are many hot springs that gush out, and water is drawn to Kotoku and Chugushi. There are campsites at Senjugahara, Shobugahama, Kotoku, and other locations. The area is over 1,300 meters above sea level, so it is cool in summer and is known as a summer resort. Trout are released into Lake Chuzenji, Yukawa, and Lake Yunoko, and the fishing season is from May to September. National Route 120, including Irohazaka and Konsei Road, runs from Nikko through Oku-Nikko to Numata in Gunma Prefecture. The Nikko-Utsunomiya Road was completed between Utsunomiya and Kiyotaki in Nikko City in 1981, making Oku-Nikko closer.

[Mitsue Hirayama]

[Reference] | Lake Kirikomi and Lake Karikomi | Nikko National Park

Mount Nantai
Together with Lake Chuzenji (in the foreground of the photo), this mountain forms the core of Nikko National Park. It has been revered as a sacred place of mountain worship since ancient times. The inner shrine of Futarasan Shrine is located on the summit. Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Mount Nantai

Mount Shirane (Nikko Shirane)
The main peak, Mt. Oku-Shirane, is in the center of the photo, and is the highest peak north of the Kanto region. It is called Nikko-Shirane in contrast to Kusatsu-Shirane. High mountains including Mt. Mae-Shirane form the outer rim of the mountain. It is part of Nikko National Park. Katashina Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture / Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Mount Shirane (Nikko Shirane)

Lake Chuzenji
A view of the lake surface stretching from east to west and Mt. Nantai from the southern sky. The shoreline on the north shore is straight, but the south shore is full of twists and turns. It is the largest alpine lake in Japan. It is part of Nikko National Park. Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Lake Chuzenji

Lake Yunoko
A small dammed lake located north of Lake Chuzenji. It is about 3km in circumference and has a maximum depth of 12.5m. It is part of Nikko National Park and is known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves. Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture © Nikko City Tourism Association ">

Lake Yunoko

Kegon Falls
A 97m waterfall on the Otani River. It is counted as one of the "Three Famous Waterfalls of Nikko" along with Kirifuri Falls and Uramitaki Falls. It is said to have been discovered by Shodo Shonin, the founder of Nikko, and named after the Avatamsaka Sutra. It is one of the most representative landscapes of Nikko National Park. Nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Kegon Falls

Hot waterfall
This waterfall is located at the southern end of Lake Yunoko, where the lake water flows out as the Yunokawa River. It flows spectacularly down a cliff about 70 meters high. It is one of the most famous waterfalls in Oku-Nikko. It is part of Nikko National Park. Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture © Nikko City Tourism Association ">

Hot waterfall

Senjougahara
Located north of Lake Chuzenji, this plateau is about 1,400 meters above sea level. It is said to be a treasure trove of wetland plants, with colonies of cotton grass (foreground of photo), marsh grass, sundew, and other plants creating a unique landscape. Part of Nikko National Park. Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture © Nikko City Tourism Association ">

Senjougahara

Irohazaka
First Irohazaka is for downhill only. Along with Second Irohazaka (for uphill only), it is part of National Route 120, and was named after the 48 curves in both sections, which are a reference to the 48 characters in the Japanese alphabet. On the right of the photo is the Hondo Falls over the Otani River. Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture © Nikko City Tourism Association ">

Irohazaka

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

栃木県日光市の中宮祠(ちゅうぐうし)から奥地をさし、東照宮(とうしょうぐう)、二荒山(ふたらさん)神社、輪王寺(りんのうじ)のある表日光とともに日光国立公園の中心。火山活動によってできた優れた自然景観が注目され、国際的観光地として著名。男体山(なんたいさん)、大真名子(おおまなご)山、太郎山、白根(しらね)山などに登山路が開け、中禅寺湖(ちゅうぜんじこ)、華厳滝(けごんのたき)、西ノ湖(さいのこ)、竜頭滝(りゅうずのたき)、湯滝、湯ノ湖、切込湖(きりこみこ)、刈込湖(かりこみこ)など湖沼瀑布(ばくふ)に恵まれる。戦場ヶ原(せんじょうがはら)の高層湿原は国立公園特別保護地区。原の西端を曲流する湯川沿いにカラマツ、ミズナラ、ズミなどの樹林やワタスゲなどの湿原植物を縫って自然研究路（部分的に木道）が南北に通じる。

　湯ノ湖北岸の湯元(ゆもと)温泉（日光湯元温泉）は中宮祠（中禅寺温泉）と並ぶ奥日光探勝の拠点となっており、冬季はスキー場が開設される。温泉湧出(ゆうしゅつ)が多く、光徳(こうとく)や中宮祠などに引湯されている。千手(せんじゅ)ヶ原、菖蒲(しょうぶ)ヶ浜、光徳などにキャンプ場がある。標高は約1300メートル以上あり夏涼しく、避暑地としても知られる。中禅寺湖、湯川、湯ノ湖にはマスが放流され、5～9月が漁期である。いろは坂と金精(こんせい)道路を含む国道120号が日光から奥日光を経て群馬県沼田(ぬまた)に通じる。日光宇都宮道路が宇都宮と日光市清滝(きよたき)の間に1981年（昭和56）全通して奥日光が近くなった。

［平山光衛］

[参照項目] | 切込湖・刈込湖 | 日光国立公園

男体山
中禅寺湖（写真手前）とともに日光国立公園の中核をなす山。古くから山岳信仰の聖地として崇められてきた。山頂には二荒山神社奥宮が鎮座する。栃木県日光市©Shogakukan">

男体山

白根山（日光白根）
写真中央が主峰の奥白根山で関東以北の最高峰。草津白根に対して日光白根とよばれる。前白根山をはじめとする高山が外輪山を形成する。日光国立公園の一部。群馬県利根郡片品村／栃木県日光市©Shogakukan">

白根山（日光白根）

中禅寺湖
南方上空より東西に延びる湖面と男体山を望む。北岸の汀線は直線的だが、南岸は曲折に富む。日本では最大の高山湖である。日光国立公園に含まれる。栃木県日光市©Shogakukan">

中禅寺湖

湯ノ湖

華厳滝
大谷川にかかる高さ97mの滝。霧降滝、裏見滝とともに「日光三名瀑」の一つに数えられる。日光開山勝道上人の発見と伝え、命名は『華厳経』によるという。日光国立公園を代表する景観の一つである。国指定名勝　栃木県日光市©Shogakukan">

華厳滝

湯滝