Lake Chuzenji

About one hour's travel by bus up the hairpin bends to the spectacular Akechidaira plateau, we set off for a fairly strenuous day walking around the large lake, but a delight under clear blue skies and in warm sunshine.
Most of the lakeside trees are now bare of leaves.
We started from the complex Kegon Falls, named for the Buddhist principle of universal unity, and which cascade 96 metres to the Daiya river; then progressed along the footpath and boardwalks on the beautiful, forested banks of Lake Chuzenji for about two miles.
We hopped on a bus and used our two-day bus pass again for 3 stops up to the foot of the Ryuzu Falls, and then walked to the top of the falls (at 1351 metres above sea level) and down again, in time for for a late afternoon lunch in a small cafe overlooking the cascades.
The bus back to Niiko was full and so we had to stand all the way - a bit of a drag in heavy traffic, and no fresh air!!...but no regrets after an enjoyable experience.