The highlands of Nikko, especially those above 1,200 meters above sea level, up the Iroha slope, are called "Oku-Nikko" which literally translates to “Deeper Nikko”.

The Oku-Nikko area, centering on Lake Chuzenji, is extremely popular both in Japan and abroad, especially as a place where visitors can enjoy breathtaking and magnificent nature. Activities in nature are also popular, including hiking and SUP in summer and snowshoeing in winter.

It is also famous as a summer resort, with an average temperature of around 72°F even in August, and many people visit every summer to find a place to cool off.

Holding of G7 Summit

The Group of 7 (G7) will be held in the city of Hiroshima this May. The accompanying meeting of ministers in charge of gender equality and women's activities will be held in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, in June. This is the first time for Tochigi Prefecture to host an international conference organized by a government or other organization.

With the decision to host the G7 meeting, Nikko's diverse attractions, including the World Heritage sites of Nikko's temples and shrines and the wetlands of Oku-Nikko, which are registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland, will attract even greater attention in the future.

Kegon Falls

One of the three famous waterfalls in Japan, Kegon Falls is one of the most popular and beautiful waterfalls in Japan. It is also a very spectacular waterfall where the water from Lake Chuzenji falls 318 feet down the cliff. In May, the spectacular fresh greenery makes the waterfalls stand out even more.

Lake Chuzenji

The first thing that greets tourists at the entrance to Oku-Nikko is the famous Lake Chuzenji. Lake Chuzenji is one of the highest lakes in Japan, at 4,163 feet above sea level, and pours into the Kegon Falls.

It is a serene summer resort area selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan and shows different atmospheres in the morning and evening. It is recommended to take a sightseeing boat to enjoy the scenery from the water. The area attracts tourists all year round because of its hot springs, but it is especially popular during the azalea season in early summer and the autumn foliage season in fall.

British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

After 120 years, the former British Embassy Villa has become the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park. About 120 years ago, Ernest Satow, a British diplomat who greatly influenced the history and culture of Japan, built a villa in Oku-Nikko because he liked the scenery of Lake Chuzenji, which reminded him of his hometown in England. Since then, the villa has been loved for many years as a British Embassy villa. The museum introduces the history of the villa as an international summer resort and the British culture of the time. From the windows, visitors can enjoy the view of Lake Chuzenji, which Satow praised as a "picturesque landscape”.