Iroha-zaka & Lake Chuzenji — Nikko MountainClimb.
Distance
70 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
950 m
Iroha-zaka & Lake Chuzenji — Nikko Mountain Climb.
The Iroha-zaka is one of Japan's most famous winding roads — 48 hairpin curves climbing 440m from the Nikko basin to the alpine plateau of Lake Chuzenji. Each bend is signed with one of the 48 syllables of the old Japanese alphabet (iroha). The lower (older) road handles only descending traffic; the upper (newer) road only ascending. Built as one of Japan's first toll roads in the 1950s, now toll-free. Combined with Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji at the top, this is the perfect day from Tokyo. Best in autumn (mid-October to early November) when the maples ignite.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance70 km
Days1
Total climb950 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
Nikko ToshoguStart · Start at the UNESCO World Heritage Toshogu Shrine — Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum. Fuel up here before the mountain climb. Visit the shrine (1 hour) before riding.
Iroha-zaka Lower EntryScenic Point · The 48 hairpin road begins. Take the new (upper) road for ascending traffic. Each curve is signed with one of the iroha syllabary characters in order.
Akechidaira Plateau ObservationPhoto Spot · The signature lookout over the entire serpentine road below. Best photo of the Iroha-zaka. Cable car (5 min) to upper deck for the wider panorama.
Kegon FallsScenic Point · One of Japan's three great waterfalls — 97m vertical drop into a natural amphitheatre. Free observation deck above; paid elevator (550 yen) descends to the base for the full force view.
Lake ChuzenjiScenic Point · 1,269m alpine crater lake formed by Mt Nantai's eruption 20,000 years ago. Quiet shoreline road on the south side. Bring a jacket — 10°C cooler than Nikko below.
Chuzenji OnsenRestaurant · Lakeside hot spring resort. Try yuba (tofu skin) — a Nikko specialty served as kaiseki at lakeside ryokan. The 1899 Italian Embassy villa is a quiet detour.
Yumoto OnsenEnd · End at Yumoto, Nikko's highest hot spring village (1,500m). Sulphurous milky-blue waters in the open-air baths. Return via the descent-only old Iroha-zaka for the best curve experience.
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