Weekend GuideWEEKEND GUIDE

SpotTochigi · Nikko CityVOL.0 · 2026-W43

British Embassy Villa Memorial Park, Lake Chuzenji

Look out at the lake from the veranda a Meiji-era diplomat built for that very view.

By the APEX DRIVE editors (based on official sources)Published Last checked

Illustration: APEX DRIVE (original)

Ernest Satow first came to Nikko in 1872. He published an English guide to Nikko in 1875 and is said to have urged many acquaintances to visit Nikko and Lake Chuzenji. Returning to Japan as British minister in 1895, he built his own summer villa on the lake's south shore the following year. It later became the British Embassy's villa, was used until 2008, was donated to Tochigi Prefecture in 2010 and opened to the public on July 1, 2016.

Leave the car at the paid Utagahama lot and walk about 10 minutes. The second-floor veranda opens onto the lakeshore, and the tea room on the same floor serves scones and tea supervised by the British Embassy's chef. For the park's 10th anniversary, a gramophone concert and an exhibition of British bird prints are planned for autumn.

Also on the south shore is the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park, designed by Antonin Raymond in 1928 and clad inside and out in cedar bark; a combined ticket covers both. The park is open through Nov 30.

Highlights HIGHLIGHTS

  1. 01

    Utagahama parking

    Paid lot about a 10-minute walk from the park, roughly 25 minutes by car from Kiyotaki IC.

    Source：Nikko City Tourism Association nikko-kankou.org
  2. 02

    Second-floor veranda

    From the upper floor of Satow's villa, the view opens over the shore of Lake Chuzenji.

    Source：Nikko Natural Science Museum nikko-nsm.co.jp
  3. 03

    Italian Embassy Villa

    Designed by Antonin Raymond in 1928 and clad in cedar bark; included in the combined ticket.

    Source：Japan Tourism Agency mlit.go.jp

Sources and official information SOURCES

Written by the APEX DRIVE editors from facts in the official sources above (not a copy of the official text).Last checked: . Details may change. Please check the official page before you go.

Also nearby

  • StampIrohazaka, Kegon Falls, Chuzenjiko Skyline (Mt. Hangetsu), Senjogahara Marshland

Stamps are places you can collect in the APEX DRIVE app (names only).

Tochigi this weekend

In seasonAutumn Leaves on the Irohazaka and Lake ChuzenjiUp along the south side of the Kegon gorge, down along the north side: two different roads for one round trip. In seasonAutumn Leaves in Oku-Nikko: Lake Yunoko, Yudaki and Ryuzu FallsFalls, marsh and lake are strung along one stream, and the scenery changes at every step upstream. In seasonHunter Mountain Shiobara Autumn Foliage GondolaPark beside the mountain road and look out from well above its highest point.

Details were checked on Oct 18, 2026, 18:00 JST against official sources. Events may be cancelled or changed due to weather. Follow on-site guidance for parking and traffic restrictions.