okunikko | Japan Travel Insights by season

Before checking into the onsen hotel in Chuzenji-ko we dropped by the Kegon fall. Unfortunately, it was completely obscured in fog+mists+rain. Well, we had seen it four times before. That’s the consolation we told ourselves 🙁

Chuzenji-ko (中禪寺湖)

On the next morning after hotel checkout, the rain did not stop nor did the visibility improve – the entire Mt Nantai was obscured. Thus, we just dropped by an observatory point along the lake rim before returning to Takasaki along the same road.

Fukiware-no-taki (吹割の滝)

Before reaching Numata city we dropped by the funnel-shaped Fukiware falls. It was a short walk of about 30min and worth it.

We returned car in Takasaki and stayed in Tokyo for the weekend. Due to rainy days, we did not go for any outdoor trip but dropped by Roppongi Hills where the Halloween decorations and goods were on the shelves.

Next we headed to Kamikochi while the super-typhoon Lan was approaching.

==> Part 3 ==>

First koyo trip in 2017 which span for 2 weeks in late October – Okunikko, Kamikochi, spots in Nagano Prefecture, Myoko Kogen and Naruko.

We had originally planned to take a boat ride again in Mogamigawa in Yamagata Prefecture, but due to typhoon 22 which brought heavy rain and windy weather to Tohoku, we had to drop it.

We travelled by trains to the nearest stations and picked up cars to visit all those locations (except for Kamikochi). In between we returned to Tokyo for breaks during weekends to avoid crowds.

Okunikko (奥日光)

Our 5th visit but first time by car approaching from Takasaki in Gumma Prefecture.

After landing in Tokyo, we travelled to Takasaki by Shinkansen, picked up car and headed to Ikaho onsen overnight.

==> Ikaho onsen stay

It was raining when we checked out. We drove along the Romantic Road passing the Oze-kogen and headed towards Yunoko @1500m in Okunikko. Koyo was in peak though the lake was obscured in fog/mist. Next we drove to Yudaki waterfall slightly downhill.