Autumn Leaves in Oku-Nikko: Lake Yunoko, Yudaki and Ryuzu Falls

One river ties Oku-Nikko together. The Yu River spills out of Lake Yunoko, falls as Yudaki, winds through Senjogahara and enters Lake Chuzenji. Driving north from Lake Chuzenji traces it back toward Lake Yunoko.

The first falls you can stop at is Ryuzu Falls, sliding about 210 m, some 10 m wide, down lava from Mt. Nantai. A big rock near the pool splits it in two, said to look like a dragon's head. Its maples and lindens are said to turn first in Nikko City; as of Oct 17 it was at its height.

Next comes Senjogahara, about 400 ha of marsh, named, it is said, for a myth of the gods of Mt. Nantai and Mt. Akagi fighting over Lake Chuzenji. As of Oct 17 its Japanese oaks were at peak yellow and starting to drop. Yudaki, 70 m tall, has a viewing deck at its base. Last is Lake Yunoko, formed when lava from Mt. Mitsudake dammed the river, with a 3 km path around it. On its north shore, Yumoto Onsen's milky sulfur spring is said to have been found about 1,200 years ago by the monk Shodo.