Most of the people staying in Japan for a while climb Mt. Fuji 富士山 once. It is a very tough hike of 6-7 hours uphill and 3-4 hours descent. But in the end, good weather provided, it is one of the most rewarding hikes that can be done. I did it back in 2006 and was not disappointed. In fact, since I climbed Mt. Fuji, I began to get interested in mountain climbing in general and once in a while go out to exhaust myself in pure nature.
This time, I went to Mt. Nantai 男体山 (lit. "tough mountain"), which is located at Chuzenjiko 中禅寺湖 in Nikko 日光. To get there from Tokyo, take the Hibiya line 日比谷線 or Hanzomon line 半蔵門線 to Kitasenjuu 北千住 and switch into a train on the Tobu line 東武線 bound for Tobu Nikko 東武日光. Trains are usually packed and seats are rare. From Nikko 日光, take a bus to Chuzenji 中禅寺. In order to climb the mountain, you have to go to Futarasan Shrine's Chugushi 二荒山中宮祠 first and pay a fee. Then, they let you climb one of the holiest vulcano Japan's. The hike takes about 3-4 hours vertical uphill and the descent is about 2 hours.
The red Tori in Chuzenji 中禅寺 with Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖 in the background.
Some sacred place on the way to the entrance.
Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖.
This stopper looks like he has a face.
Mount Nantai as seen from Lake Chuzenji.
In the summer, using these swan-shaped boats to explore Chuzenji is famous.
Some coffee shop along the lake.
At the entrance of the shrine one has to pass in order to climb the mountain. You also have to give them your contact details in case something happens at the mountain. Once paid the 500 Yen fee, you receive a O-Mamori お守り that should keep you safe while climbing Mt. Nantai.
The entrance to the path is marked with this shrine gate.
Climbing after rain is never recommended, as there will be a lot of mud in the forest.
At 3rd station 三合目, looking at Lake Chuzenji.
This white Torii 鳥居 marks the 4th station 四合目.
Japanese with their full-body hiking accessories.
This group came from Fukushima prefecture 福島県 and apparently does this for practice.
Fellow hikers taking a break at one of the other stations.
The ascent is really steep.
Almost on top.
Because it is a vulcano, there is a lot of red sand and stones everywhere.
And of course, the summit is above the clouds.
One of the 3 different summit areas. A small mountain hat.
So beautiful...
Me and Niels in front of the monument at the summit.
Of course, there are some temples too.
The summit bell. People arriving here kept ringing it.
The summit offers a spectacular panorama.
The obligatory Torii 鳥居.
Almost everyone abandoned his/her O-Mamori お守り at the summit. Wasn't it intended to bring the climber safely to the top and back?
Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖 in the far.
Just awesome.
No comment.
Cloud photography.
Cloud photography 2.
The colors there were just stunning.
One problem, once we got back, was the bus going back to Nikko. Around 6pm, too many people are waiting for it (line on picture above) so that it is a real pain to take it at this time. We waited for the next one instead.
Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖.
This time, I went to Mt. Nantai 男体山 (lit. "tough mountain"), which is located at Chuzenjiko 中禅寺湖 in Nikko 日光. To get there from Tokyo, take the Hibiya line 日比谷線 or Hanzomon line 半蔵門線 to Kitasenjuu 北千住 and switch into a train on the Tobu line 東武線 bound for Tobu Nikko 東武日光. Trains are usually packed and seats are rare. From Nikko 日光, take a bus to Chuzenji 中禅寺. In order to climb the mountain, you have to go to Futarasan Shrine's Chugushi 二荒山中宮祠 first and pay a fee. Then, they let you climb one of the holiest vulcano Japan's. The hike takes about 3-4 hours vertical uphill and the descent is about 2 hours.
The red Tori in Chuzenji 中禅寺 with Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖 in the background.
Some sacred place on the way to the entrance.
Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖.
This stopper looks like he has a face.
Mount Nantai as seen from Lake Chuzenji.
In the summer, using these swan-shaped boats to explore Chuzenji is famous.
Some coffee shop along the lake.
At the entrance of the shrine one has to pass in order to climb the mountain. You also have to give them your contact details in case something happens at the mountain. Once paid the 500 Yen fee, you receive a O-Mamori お守り that should keep you safe while climbing Mt. Nantai.
The entrance to the path is marked with this shrine gate.
Climbing after rain is never recommended, as there will be a lot of mud in the forest.
At 3rd station 三合目, looking at Lake Chuzenji.
This white Torii 鳥居 marks the 4th station 四合目.
Japanese with their full-body hiking accessories.
This group came from Fukushima prefecture 福島県 and apparently does this for practice.
Fellow hikers taking a break at one of the other stations.
The ascent is really steep.
Almost on top.
Because it is a vulcano, there is a lot of red sand and stones everywhere.
And of course, the summit is above the clouds.
One of the 3 different summit areas. A small mountain hat.
So beautiful...
Me and Niels in front of the monument at the summit.
Of course, there are some temples too.
The summit bell. People arriving here kept ringing it.
The summit offers a spectacular panorama.
The obligatory Torii 鳥居.
Almost everyone abandoned his/her O-Mamori お守り at the summit. Wasn't it intended to bring the climber safely to the top and back?
Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖 in the far.
Just awesome.
No comment.
Cloud photography.
Cloud photography 2.
The colors there were just stunning.
One problem, once we got back, was the bus going back to Nikko. Around 6pm, too many people are waiting for it (line on picture above) so that it is a real pain to take it at this time. We waited for the next one instead.
Lake Chuzenji 中禅寺湖.
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