Sitting around 20km to the east of the World Heritage Nikko shrine and temple complex, Chunzenji Onsen is a traditional hot spring village lining the shores of Lake Chuzenjiko. It offers a range of accommodation including high-end options such as The Ritz-Carlton Nikko and Hoshino Resort KAI Nikko, along with midrange and budget options. As an ‘onsen’ town, most hotels and guesthouses have their own, in-house hot springs for the exclusive use of guests.

Lake Chuzenjiko sits around 1270 metres above sea level blessing it with a cool climate throughout the year. As such, it has long been used as a place of escape and refuge from the summer heat and humidity of Tokyo. Visitors choosing to stay in the area can enjoy cruises on the lake along with hiking trails that offer some fantastic outdoor experiences and views of the lake, surrounding mountains and wider Oku-Nikko region. For tips and suggestions of what’s on offer, see our ’20 Things to Do Around Nikko & Where to Stay’ page.