After getting my Japanese driver's license I had to start getting used to the narrow roads in Tokyo and the busy highways towards the Japanese country side. My first destination driving solo was in Nikko, Tochigi, a famous travel spot offering glorious temples and shrines, amazing mountain peaks, rejuvenating hot springs, picturesque lakes and waterfalls.
I decided to leave Kevin alone at home for his "me time", or non-stop gaming, rather. My friend, Astrid decided to join me; but since it was weekdays, she had to work remotely from the hotel.
Nikko is also a popular destination in autumn. It is where Lake Chuzenji, the highest natural lake in Japan, is located. I left home at 10am, got lost getting into the highway, exited at the wrong toll exit, and finally reached the hotel after 4 hours. 😅
The next day, while anticipating the flock of tourists around the lake, I decided to go further towards Senjogahara marshlands. In the recent years, even though the area has been so dry that it has become merely grasslands, it is still one of the most famous hiking spots in Japan.
It took about 40 minutes to drive from the hotel to the trail parking lot where, Mount Nantai, a sacred stratovolcano at 2486 meters, looked so close. One day I am going to be on its peak. 😉
It was a cold sunny day, the breeze in that altitude was chilly. With just water in a thermal bottle, a pair of gloves and a pack of mixed nuts, I set into a 9-km loop trail from Senjogahara to Odashirogahara and back.
A few minutes in this gentle nature trail, I found myself in an endless sea of evergreen trees in the process of surrendering themselves to the changing season. It was like being on a trance, hearing only the birds and smelling the forest. I saw a woodpecker, for the first time, drumming on a tree.
It was not that long until I reached the first observatory at Senjogahara.
It was too early to cool down, so after enjoying the view of what used to be a marshland, I continued towards Odashirogahara, where most of the hikers rested and ate their lunch.
Well, who would not enjoy having a picnic lunch with that scenery? If only I brought food, I would. 😒
The hunger pangs started to annoy me, so I quicken my pace and headed back to the parking lot. It was a good 2-hour forest bathing. I was sure Kevin would have loved it too.
Anyhow, I drove back towards the lake and stopped by Coffee House Yukon, where finally had my lunch. It was expensive, but the ambience was pleasant.
I sat near the lake and soaked up the mid-day sun, staring at the gentle ripples, freeing my mind off its regular loads: "what to do next", "where to go for dinner", "I should find a onsen (hot spring) near the hotel", "where should we hike tomorrow", it's usually endless. I sat on the ground of mixed dirt and pebbles, enjoying my solitude and tried to think about nothing. Man, it was hard, hahaha. 😒
After what felt like eternity, my face hurt (too much sun), I drove towards Kegon Waterfalls. Driving there was tedious; a traffic jam was not surprising. But it was all good. This giant 100-m falls never failed to amaze onlookers with its massive drops and mini falls around it. It looked more perfect together with the autumn colors.
Driving on Irohazaka winding road was just so beautiful. The scenery was breath-taking, the overall drive experience made me so elated. I have been to Nikko so many times since the last decade, but each time is always better than the last.
There is, however, one secret area that I want check out the next time I go back. Let's see in spring. xoxo