Travel to Lake Chūzenji in Nikko, Japan

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Lake Chūzenji, also called Sea of Happiness, is a scenic lake in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was created 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the river. The lake has a surface area of 11.62 km² and a circumference of 25 km. Its elevation at the surface is 1,269 m, and the water reaches a depth of 163 m. The Yukawa River is the principal source of water. It drains through the Kegon Falls. Chuzenji Lake was discovered in 782 by a priest named Shōdō when his group succeeded in climbing Mt. Nantai. Considered sacred, the mountain was closed to women, horses, and cows until 1872. In the middle of the Meiji period and early Showa period, many European embassies built vacation houses around the lake. The former Italian villa has been renewed and is now open to visitors. Other sites around the lake include Futara Shrine built in 790, Chuzenji Temple, and Kegon Falls. In spring, cherry blossoms are blooming. In summer, people can escape the heat and enjoy bird watching and hiking.

Reservoir pictures in Lake Chūzenji

Zoom @Hoang Dang

Shot with a Canon EOS Kiss X9. Exposure: 13, Aperture: 22, Focal Length: 18.0, ISO: 100