Nikko · Irohazaka road and Chuzenji Onsen

Akechidaira Lookout

How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24

A viewpoint partway up the Irohazaka road. From the lookout, reached by ropeway, you see Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai.

Nearest station: About 40 minutes by bus; the ropeway is closed
Hours: Ropeway normally 9:00–15:30 (currently suspended)
Admission: Ropeway (normal fares): adults ¥600 one way / ¥1,000 return; children ¥300 / ¥500 (currently suspended)

What to see

Panorama: from 1,373 m you can see Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Shirakumo Falls and the Byobu rock wall (once the ropeway reopens).
Azaleas and autumn leaves: the area is known for azaleas in May and June and for autumn colour.
Irohazaka road: the road from Nikko town up to Okunikko has 48 hairpin bends and climbs about 440 m.

Seasons

In the autumn colour season the Irohazaka road jams badly: a drive that normally takes about 20 minutes can take 2 to 3 hours. Buses are affected too, so allow plenty of time.

Getting there

About 40 minutes by bus from JR Nikko or Tobu-Nikko Station toward Chuzenji Onsen; the "Akechidaira" stop is right there. The lookout is a 3-minute ropeway ride up, but the ropeway is closed at present.

Address：Hosoo-machi, Nikko, Tochigi

Directions in Google Maps →Official website →

Before you go

The ropeway is closed for renovation. The Nikko tourism association lists the closure as 16 January 2026 to 31 August 2027; the operator, Nikko Kotsu, says service stopped after 15 January 2026 and reopening is planned for September 2027. We could not confirm from official pages what can be seen near the bus stop while it is closed.

Lake Chuzenji area (about 50 min by bus)

Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.

Nearby sights

← Nikko guide: trains from Tokyo

Sources

Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.