Lake Chuzenji South Shore Hike — Section 2: Senjugahama to Mujinakubo
Section 2 of the Lake Chuzenji south shore trail runs 12.6 km from Senjugahama beach west to Mujinakubo, the wildest and most varied leg of the three-part circumnavigation. Expect three cliff viewpoints 100 m above the water, the hidden Senjudo temple, boulder traverses, and a remote swimming cove. A full five-hour day.
Section 2 of the Lake Chuzenji south shore trail covers 12.6 km from Senjugahama beach west to Mujinakubo, running the full middle section of the lake’s south shore through terrain that no road reaches. This is the most varied and most dramatic section of the three-part circumnavigation: three cliff viewpoints 100 metres above the lake surface, a hidden reconstructed temple that most Nikko visitors never find, boulder traverses and creek crossings throughout, an extraordinary mushroom diversity along the north-facing forest floor, wildlife including foxes, deer, serows and bears, and a remote swimming cove on the west side of Hocchode Peninsula. Taken alone, Section 2 is a full 5-hour day. Combined with Section 1, it forms a two-day south shore traverse. It is one of the lake-shore routes in our Nikko hiking guide.
Trail at a Glance — Section 2: Senjugahama to Mujinakubo
| Distance | 12.6 km (one way) |
| Duration | 5 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate — Grade II (almost III, boulder traverses) |
| Start Point | Senjugahama beach, Lake Chuzenji south shore |
| End Point | Mujinakubo (Hangetsu trailhead) |
| Highlights | Senjudo Temple, 3 cliff viewpoints, Hocchode swimming cove |
| Trail Type | Point-to-point (south shore, Section 2 of 3) |
| Best Season | Spring to late autumn (summer best for swimming) |
| Getting to Start | Hike in from the north shore, descend from Hangetsu, or the hybrid bus from Akanuma Nature Center (stop #39) |
| Wildlife | Deer, foxes, serows, rabbits, birds — bears possible |
| Special Feature | Exceptional mushroom diversity due to north-facing shade |
Stay at Earth Hostel Nikko Riverhouse — a riverside hostel on the Kurokawa (Black River), in the mountains of southern Nikko. The free shuttle runs multiple times daily to Tobu Nikko Station or (JR) Nikko Station. Section 2 is best done as an overnight from Section 1, or as a standalone long day.
The Lake Chuzenji Circumnavigation: Where Section 2 Fits
The complete south shore trail of Lake Chuzenji covers three sections, totalling approximately 21 km of off-road trail (plus 5 km of road on the north shore if doing the full 26 km circumnavigation):
- Section 1: Shobugahama to Senjugahama via the north shore coves | 3.98 km, 4 hours, Grade II–III
- Section 2 (this page): Senjugahama → Senjudo Temple → Mujinakubo | 12.6 km, 5 hours, Grade II (almost III)
- Section 3: Mujinakubo → Chuzenji Onsen via the Hangetsu lakeside return | ~3 km, 1 hour, Grade I
Section 2 is by far the longest and most remote of the three. It is best done as a full standalone day rather than combined with Section 1 — the combined distance of nearly 17 km would require an extremely early start and very strong fitness.
Getting to Senjugahama (Section 2 Trailhead)
Senjugahama is not directly accessible by the main bus route. There are three ways to reach it:
- Hike in from Shobugahama: Take the Section 1 north shore trail from Shobugahama (reached by local bus from Chuzenji Onsen), passing the north shore coves to arrive at Senjugahama. Adds approximately 4 km and 4 hours to the beginning of your day.
- Descend from Hangetsu: Hike Hangetsu from the Kegon Falls trailhead and descend to Mujinakubo, then walk west along Section 3 to reach Senjugahama. This reverses the standard direction.
- Hybrid bus from Akanuma Nature Center (bus stop #39): A seasonal bus service reaches the Akanuma Nature Center, from where a trail leads down to Senjugahama beach. Check current schedules with Tobu Bus before planning, and see getting here for pass options.
The Trail: Section 2 in Detail
Senjugahama (start): The beach at Senjugahama is a beautiful, remote starting point for Section 2. Small waves break on the pebble shore, and the far side of the lake — the road, the resort area, the crowds — feels a very long way off. A short distance west, a wooden plank boardwalk marks the beginning of the Section 2 trail.
North-facing forest and mushrooms: Because this stretch of the south shore faces north, away from the sun, the forest floor receives less direct light than most Nikko trails. That creates the conditions for an extraordinary diversity of mushrooms along the whole section. In late summer and autumn the variety and density of fungi growing beside the path is remarkable — the most impressive mushroom trail in the Nikko area by a considerable margin.
Senjudo Temple (千手堂): Midway through Section 2 the trail passes Senjudo (Senjudoji) — a reconstruction, completed in November 2016, of a temple originally built in 784 CE by the monk Shodo Shonin, the same founder who established Nikko’s main shrine complex. The original was lost. In 2015 the hostel team hiked out here searching for its foundation remains, only to find the following year that a new reconstruction had been completed. The temple stands alone in the forest, directly across the lake from Nantai, surrounded by nothing but trees and water. It is one of the most atmospheric and least-known religious sites in Nikko. Coming from Senjugahama it is 0.8 km along the shore — the signpost at the pier points the way.
Three cliff viewpoints: Section 2 includes three cliff sections 100 metres above the lake surface, each opening onto a panoramic view of Nantai and Lake Chuzenji. These are the best elevated lake views on the entire south shore trail — high enough for real perspective, but still close enough that the colour of the water is visible below.
Boulder traverses and creek crossings: As on Section 1, this trail includes multiple stretches of large boulder traverse where careful foot placement is required, and creek crossings ranging from planked bridges to improvised stepping stones. Some crossings have no bridge at all — boots will get wet. This terrain is what makes the trail Grade II (almost III) despite the modest elevation change.
Hocchode Peninsula swimming cove: On the west side of Hocchode jima (Hocchode Peninsula) the trail passes a remote swimming spot reachable directly from the path. The cove is sheltered, clear, and away from any boat traffic. In summer it is one of the finest wild swims on Lake Chuzenji.
Wildlife: Section 2 consistently produces the highest wildlife count of the three south shore sections. Birds are constant companions. Deer are frequent. Foxes, rabbits and serows (Japanese mountain goat-antelopes) are all possible. Bears have been reported in this corridor — carry a bear bell.
Mujinakubo (end): Section 2 ends at Mujinakubo, a quiet bay on the lake’s southwestern shore. This is also where hikers descending the Hangetsu loop reach the lake. From Mujinakubo the lakeside path continues east toward the Italian Embassy Villa and Chuzenji Onsen — Section 3, approximately 3 km and 1 hour on easy lakeside trail.
Best Season
| Season | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Fresh green; quiet; minimal visitors | Creek levels can be high from snowmelt. Best for solitude. |
| Summer | Lush; mushrooms beginning; Hocchode swimming excellent | Best season for the swimming cove. Carry a bear bell. |
| Autumn | Peak mushroom season; autumn colour; the clearest light | Best season overall. Fungal diversity at its maximum in early autumn. |
| Winter | Not recommended; bus access to the trailhead unreliable | Confirm all access options before attempting. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the Section 2 trailhead at Senjugahama?
Three approaches: (1) hike Section 1 from Shobugahama via the north shore coves; (2) descend Hangetsu to Mujinakubo and walk the trail in reverse; (3) take the seasonal hybrid bus from Akanuma Nature Center (bus stop #39) — check current Tobu Bus schedules.
What is Senjudo Temple and why is it significant?
Senjudo (Senjudoji) was originally built in 784 CE by the monk Shodo Shonin, founder of Nikko’s UNESCO World Heritage shrine complex. The original was lost over the centuries. A faithful reconstruction was completed in November 2016, standing alone in the forest directly across Lake Chuzenji from Nantai. It sits 0.8 km south of Senjugahama beach, and it is one of the most atmospheric and least-visited heritage sites in Nikko.
Are there bears on Section 2?
Bears have been reported in this corridor. The south shore of Lake Chuzenji is wildlife-rich and relatively undisturbed. Carry a bear bell, make noise as you walk, hike in a group where possible, and do not leave food unattended.
Can I do Sections 1 and 2 in the same day?
Technically possible for very fit hikers, but the combined distance is nearly 17 km with boulder traverses and creek crossings throughout. Most hikers treat them as separate days, or camp at Shobugahama between them.
Where does Section 2 end and what comes next?
Section 2 ends at Mujinakubo bay. Section 3 continues east along the lakeside to Chuzenji Onsen via the Italian Embassy Villa — approximately 3 km and 1 hour on easy flat trail. This section overlaps with the descent route from Hangetsu.
Plan Section 2 from Earth Hostel
Section 2 is one of the most rewarding long hikes in Nikko National Park, and one of the least known. Earth Hostel is the natural base — the free shuttle runs multiple times daily to Tobu Nikko Station or (JR) Nikko Station, and there is no curfew (music off 10 PM), so early starts are easy. We can help you plan access to Senjugahama, advise on bear bells, confirm the current bus situation for the Akanuma option, and sequence Section 2 with Section 1 or Hangetsu into a multi-day Chuzenji trip. See rooms and rates or how to get here. See all hiking trails in Nikko ›
Last updated: July 2026. Seasonal bus access to Senjugahama via Akanuma Nature Center — confirm current Tobu Bus schedules before planning. Bear activity on the south shore is year-round; carry a bear bell.
