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Lake Chūzenji facts for kids

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Lake Chūzenji
中禅寺湖  (Japanese)
Mount nantai and lake chuzenji.jpg
Lake and Mt. Nantai
Location of Lake Chūzenji in Japan.
Location of Lake Chūzenji in Japan.
Lake Chūzenji
Location in Japan
Location Nikkō National Park, Nikkō, Tochigi
Coordinates 36°44′26″N 139°27′44″E / 36.74056°N 139.46222°E / 36.74056; 139.46222
Basin countries Japan
Surface area 11.62 km2 (4.49 sq mi)
Average depth 163 m (535 ft)
Surface elevation 1,269 m (4,163 ft)

Lake Chūzenji (中禅寺湖, Chūzenji-ko), also called Sea of Happiness, is a beautiful lake in Japan. It's located in Nikkō National Park, in a city called Nikkō in Tochigi Prefecture. This amazing lake was formed about 20,000 years ago!

Lake Chūzenji: A Natural Wonder

Lake Chūzenji was created by a huge natural event. About 20,000 years ago, Mount Nantai, a large mountain nearby, erupted. The lava flow blocked a river, and over time, the water collected to form this stunning lake.

The lake is quite large. It has a surface area of 11.62 square kilometers (about 4.5 square miles). The distance around the lake, its circumference, is 25 kilometers (about 15.5 miles). The lake sits high up, at an elevation of 1,269 meters (4,124 feet) above sea level. The water in the lake is also very deep, reaching 163 meters (508 feet) at its deepest point. The main river that feeds water into the lake is called the Yukawa River. The water then flows out of the lake through the famous Kegon Falls.

Exploring the Lake's History

Lake Chūzenji was first discovered in the year 782. A priest named Shōdō found it when he and his group successfully climbed Mount Nantai. For a long time, Mount Nantai was considered a sacred mountain. Because of this, women, horses, and cows were not allowed to go up the mountain until 1872.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many European countries built vacation homes around the lake. These homes were used by their embassies as summer getaways. One of these, the former Italian villa, has been restored. Today, you can visit it and learn about its history.

Other interesting places around the lake include Futara Shrine, which was built in 790. There's also Chuzenji Temple and, of course, the impressive Kegon Falls.

Fun Things to Do at Lake Chūzenji

Lake Chūzenji is a great place to visit any time of year. Each season offers something special:

  • In spring, you can see beautiful cherry blossoms blooming all around the lake.
  • In summer, the lake offers a cool escape from the heat. It's perfect for bird watching and hiking on the many trails.
  • In fall, the area is famous for its stunning autumn leaves. The trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.
  • In winter, you can enjoy the Snow and Ice Festival. There are also winter sports like skiing and ice skating nearby.

The lake was a favorite summer spot for Sir Ernest Satow. He was Britain's envoy (a type of diplomat) in Japan from 1895 to 1900. His diaries show how much he loved the area. He even built a house by the lake. This house was used as a villa by the British Embassy for over a hundred years!

Views of Lake Chūzenji

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lago Chuzenji para niños

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