Special Sunrise or Sunset Chartered Cruise at Okunikko

【STORY】

■Okunikko: Mountains, Forests, Water – Where the Deities Abound
If you visit the center of sacred place Nikko, you can't miss a stay at Okunikko which spreads over Iroha Slope. This is because the great nature of Okunikko is the object of worship for the world heritage shrines and temples of Nikko, which are visited by many tourists. Among them, Mt. Nantai towering over Lake Chuzenji, which is scenic, is a symbol of this. Mt. Nantai towers over the picturesque Lake Chuzenji like a protective deity. Nikko Futarasan-Jinja Shrine, which enshrines Mt. Nantai as a deity, is the cornerstone of Nikko's unique syncretism of Shintoism and Buddhism. In addition to the main shrine next to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Chugushi Shrine is located at the lakeshore and the Okunomiya Shrine is on the summit.

■The Beauty of Lake Chuzenji Captivated Foreign Diplomats
In the late 19th century, Okunikko gained fame as a summer resort for Western diplomats, merchants, and industrialists. Sir Ernest Satow, a British diplomat and japanologist, was one of the first foreigners to discover the beauty of Lake Chuzenji. Isabella Bird, an English woman traveler, also wrote a travelogue about her visit to Okunikko. Perhaps initially attracted by the local's reverence for the mystical mountain deities and Nikko Toshogu Shrine, foreign travelers became fascinated by the idyllic beauty of Okunikko and soon developed the lakeshore area into a summer retreat, designed for relaxation and socialization.

■Visit the best spots for spectacular sunrise/sunset views from Lake Chuzenji, loved by foreign dignitaries.
On this program, you can enjoy a simulated experience of the scenery from the villas where VIPs from around the world have stayed while relaxing on a motorboat on Lake Chuzenji. We want to introduce you to Mihashiya, a lakeside restaurant that focuses on locally produced foods that serve their customers "hospitality that will make every customer visit Nikko again". The owner's wife is a foreigner who has moved from Taiwan to Okunikko, so she tells tourists about the charm of Oku-Nikko and Lake Chuzenji from a foreigner's perspective. Also, using a jet engine and 4-stroke prevents oil spills and protects the water quality of Lake Chuzenji.

At the Mujinkubo lakeside on the southern shore, which is inaccessible by private car, you can experience the history of Okunikko while looking directly at Mt. Nantai (God's mountain). Mt. Nantai, which is still alive today, shows different scenery depending on the time of day and the season. If you are lucky with the weather, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery that changes color with the sunrise and sunset. Enjoy the nature of Okunikko from the lake at sunrise/sunset.

【HIGHLIGHTS】 

• Enjoy the great nature of Oku-Nikko when the scenery changes color, such as the sunrise and sunset.
• Take a leisurely tour of Lake Chuzenji, the sacred mountain of God created by the eruption of Mt. Nantai, on a chartered boat.
• Indulge in the beautiful VIP view from the lake.
• Spend a moment of mindfulness feeling the tranquility that can only be experienced here at the lakeside on the south coast that cannot be reached by car.

【SCHEDULE】

Choose from two start times, 6:30 or 15:30.

[6:30 / 15:30] Lake Chuzenji Pier
Depart from Lake Chuzenji Pier (Mihashiya boat)

[6:35 / 15:35] Lake Chuzenji
Cruise on a motorboat

[7:00 / 16:00] South Lakeside
Temporary landing at Mujinakubo on the South Coast

[7:20 / 16:20] Lake Chuzenji
Lakeside departure (charter boat)

[7:30 / 16:30] Lake Chuzenji Pier
Arrive at Lake Chuzenji Pier (Mihashiya boat), End

■Since the time of sunset and sunrise varies depending on the season, the experience time will be adjusted accordingly.
For details, please check when making a reservation.

■ Special implementation period: From June 12, 2023 to August 31, 2023
※ For a limited time, we will carry out at a special price.
We ask for your cooperation in completing a simple questionnaire after the program ends.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Time：1 hour
• Meeting point：Mihashiya boat　[MAP]
  2484 Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi 321-1661
  
• Access：15 minute walk from Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal
  
• Pick-up location：
  ・Lake Chuzenji area Hotel
  ・Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal : Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi 321-1661　[MAP]
  ※If you would like to use the shuttle service, please fill out the reservation form.
  
• Language support：Japanese, English, Chinese
• Included：
  ・5-passenger motor boat charter fee
  ・Guiding fee in simple English while on board the boat
  ・One drink : Warm season → Local beer or local cider
                        Cold season → Warm drinks such as coffee/black tea/Japanese tea
  
• Excluded：
  ・Service and guiding costs during your time at the lakeside
  
• Clothes：
  ・Please wear warm clothes as it can get chilly on the lake and while boating.
  ・Please come in clothes that are easy to walk in and shoes that do not damage the environment when walking around the lake.
  ・We recommend that you take proper measures such as sunscreen and insect repellent, as this is a stay program in nature.
  
• Free WI-FI：No
  
• Toilet：No (There is no bathroom on the boat. Please use the bathroom before the experience.)
• Other things to note：
  ・If we decide to cancel the experience due to bad weather, we will contact you in advance through the email address you registered at the time of application.
  (Decision will be made 2 hours before the event. If it is difficult to make a decision, basically the event will not be held.)
  ・If it is light rain that does not affect the operation of the ship, it will be carried out. Please note.
  ・Please, take measures to protect yourself and your belongings, such as waterproofing your smartphone and measures against injuries at the lakeside.
  ・Please note that the course may be changed depending on the natural conditions such as weather and lake conditions on the day of the event.
  ・Please respect nature in national parks, and observe manners such as not taking animals and plants back home, not using fire, not feeding wild animals, and taking your trash home with you.
  (For details, refer to the Ministry of the Environment website: https://www.japan.travel/national-parks/plan-your-visit/good-to-know/parks-rules-safety-disaster-information/)
  ・Please be aware of injuries on the lakeside and take measures yourself such as waterproofing your smartphone.
  ・Please understand that the natural environment entails risks such as injury.
  ・We have insurance for accidents and injuries that occur during boarding as an operating company, but please consider purchasing separate insurance yourself.
  ・A full refund will be given in the event of cancellation due to bad weather or facility convenience.
  ・Children are included in the passenger count for insurance reasons, regardless of whether they occupy a seat.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

7 to 4 days before the tour date: 40% of the tour price
3 to 2 days before the tour date: 60% of the tour price
The day before the tour date, on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour price
※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation.
※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.