Hiking Lake Yu (Yunoko) Yumoto Onsen

Hiking Nikko Japan – Lake Yu / Yunoko in Yumoto Onsen

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Lake Yu (yunoko) and the Yumoto Hot-spring (onsen) are beautiful places.

Most travelers get to Lake Yu by hiking up from Senjogahara or by the bus from Tobu Nikko or JR Nikko stations.  Yumoto is where the trailhead to Shirane Mountain is, however you can’t see Shirane Mountain as it is set back in the range to the northwest.  You can easily see Nantai Mountain from Lake Yu.  The area is about 1500m above sea level, so it’s higher in the mountains and cooler.  In the winter; stores, hot-springs, and general business is closed randomly.  There is usually more snow around Yumoto and Lake Yu than around Toshogu and the world heritage area.

The Lake Yu (yunoko) trail follows the road at times and the ducks are quite tame and approach hikers wanting food offerings.  The hour long hike has a little bit of everything.  There are quiet pockets where you will feel completely in nature; fallen trees, moss, meadows and alcoves.

Yumoto and Lake Yu are the end of the bus pass that you can buy at Asakusa station in Tokyo.

Hot-Spring water Hot-Spring water

a beautiful little lake a beautiful little lake

Lake Yu (yunoko) in the summer Lake Yu (yunoko) in the summer

Lake Yu (yunoko) in the autumn Lake Yu (yunoko) in the autumn

Lake Yu (yunoko) and autumn leaves Lake Yu (yunoko) and autumn leaves

Lake Yu (yunoko) boats Lake Yu (yunoko) boats

Lake Yu (yunoko) rental boats Lake Yu (yunoko) rental boats

Lake Yu (yunoko) autumn foliage Lake Yu (yunoko) autumn foliage

Lake Yu (yunoko) autumn foliage Lake Yu (yunoko) autumn foliage

Lake Yu (yunoko) hiking trail head Lake Yu (yunoko) hiking trail head

Lake Yu (yunoko) hiking path with Nantai Mountain in the background Lake Yu (yunoko) hiking path with Nantai Mountain in the background

many fallen treees on the hiking path of Lake Yu (yunoko) many fallen treees on the hiking path of Lake Yu (yunoko)

Lake Yu (yunoko) ducks Lake Yu (yunoko) ducks

the top of Ryuzu Waterfall from Lake Yu (yunoko) the top of Ryuzu Waterfall from Lake Yu (yunoko)

Sign of nearby mountains around Lake Yu (yunoko) Sign of nearby mountains around Lake Yu (yunoko)

Lake Yu (yunoko) fall colors Lake Yu (yunoko) fall colors

Lake Yu (yunoko) hiking trail follows the road at times Lake Yu (yunoko) hiking trail follows the road at times

bring bread for the Lake Yu (yunoko) ducks bring bread for the Lake Yu (yunoko) ducks

Lake Yu (yunoko) small meadow Lake Yu (yunoko) small meadow

Lake Yu (yunoko) small meadow Lake Yu (yunoko) small meadow

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