Senjogahara Marshland
戦場ヶ原
A high marshland at about 1,400 m in Oku-Nikko, with wooden boardwalks crossing grassland and birch forest, and the Ryūzu Falls and Yudaki Falls nearby.
Senjōgahara is a high marshland of about 400 hectares in Oku-Nikko, at roughly 1,390–1,400 meters. Its name comes from a legend in which the gods of Mount Nantai and Mount Akagi fought over Lake Chuzenji here. In 2005 it was listed under the Ramsar Convention, along with Odashirogahara and Yunoko. The marsh has well-built wooden boardwalks, where summer brings alpine plants such as rhododendrons, wild irises and Nikko day lilies, along with birch forest and views of Mount Nantai in the distance. In autumn the grassland turns golden and contrasts with the red foliage. A classic hike runs from Ryūzu Falls, a waterfall whose two streams split like a dragon's head and is famous for autumn color, along the Yu River through Senjōgahara to Yudaki Falls. The total is about 6–7 km and takes 2.5–3 hours; the route is gentle and easy, and you can soak in the Yumoto Onsen at the end. Access: take the bus from Tobu Nikko Station for about 60 minutes and get off at the Akanuma or Ryūzu-no-taki stop. Note: stay on the boardwalks at all times; mosquitoes are common in summer, mornings and evenings are cold in autumn, and there is snow in winter.
Opening hours
Open all day (snow in winter)
Nearby sights
- Odashirogahara Marsh
- Ryuzu Falls
- Yudaki Falls
- Lake Yunoko
- Okunikko Yumoto Onsen
- Lake Chuzenji
- Mount Nantai
- Futarasan Shrine Chugushi