The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, the luxury hotel in Nikko National Park, is the first Ritz-Carlton where guests can enjoy a hot spring. Baths source hot spring water from the historic Nikko Yumoto Onsen. Its soft, milky warm water makes you feel the blessing of the nature of Okunikko. Each suite features a private balcony from which you can enjoy the view of scenic Lake Chuzenji and majestic Mount Nantai, both of which are the symbols of Nikko National Park. You will be sure to lose track of time in these spacious guest rooms, which come with a traditional engawa porch and the décor that blends minimalist and traditional Japanese styles together. For dinner, you can have a traditional multi-course kaiseki meal prepared with fresh ingredients produced in Tochigi Prefecture for you to explore the intricate world of Japanese cuisine. The hotel, being amid the grand nature of Nikko, also offers activity programs including hiking and skiing. 【About the hot spring】 Water color: milky white Spring water type: hydrogen sulfide-type simple sulfur spring water Efficacy: alleviates nerve pain, joint pain, and fatigue, and boosts skin metabolism by removing substances causing atopy Note: people wearing a fashion tattoo are permitted

The Lakehouse the restaurant offers you a garden gastronomy experience with seasonal local vegetables. Starring unique vegetables grown in the great nature of Tochigi Prefecture, dishes are prepared with carefully selected cooking methods using many herbs and spices. Here, you can enjoy multi-course meals for you to savor the flavor of the ingredients. Décor in the dining hall including sketches and pressed flowers of animals and plants found at Lake Chuzenji as well as lighting and artworks inspired by fishing will enhance your lakeside dining experience. The restaurant also has the takeout menu “Grab & Go,” including sandwiches with a lot of seasonal local vegetables, smoothies, cookies, coffee and other drinks. Please drop by and grab some for a picnic or a walk around the area.

Commonly, shakyo and shabutsu involve copying of the whole sutra or the whole image of the Buddha, but at Chuzenji Temple, we have prepared sheets of a sutra and an image that you can finish tracing within 15 to 20 minutes. In 16-character shakyo, you will trace a part of the Kannon Gyo sutra, written in light gray, with a brush pen. In shabutsu, you will trace the central area of the image of the Buddha, drawn in light gray, with a brush pen. In both practices, you will receive blessings by having your mind connected with the Buddha, feel relaxed both mentally and physically, and have the time to familiarize yourself with the Buddha and reflect on yourself. Time thus spent will be a priceless experience for you. After shakyo and shabutsu, you will be given a special red stamp as proof of paying respect to the temple and submitting the sutra/image. ※You can borrow a brush pen from the temple.

Lake Chuzenji is located in the area leading into Okunikko. It has a circumference of 25 km and the water reaches a depth of 163 m. It is said that lava from the eruption of Mount Nantai 20,000 years ago blocked the valley to create the initial form of the lake. Because of the spectacular view in each season, the lakeside area used to be a popular summer retreat for foreigners. That areas still features the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park and British Embassy Villa Memorial Park. The pleasure boat of the Tobu Chuzenjiko Cruise sails through the beautiful scenery and near these tourist destinations. In fall, you can see mountains covered in explosions of red, orange, and yellow from the lake. It is truly a picturesque view. The tour takes about 55 minutes in total, but there are tickets available for visitors to get on/off along the course.

This branch temple of Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple was founded in 784 by Shodo， the first head priest of Nikko. The wooden statue for which it’s named—which represents Kannon， the thousand-armed goddess of mercy—is said to have been carved by Shodo himself. The temple is also home to several historically significant Buddha statues. It is also the 18th stop on the 33 Kannon Temple Bando Pilgrimage route， so many pilgrims visit to see it."