Lake Yunoko
Lake Yunoko, like most of the lakes in the Nikkō area, is a product of volcanic activity. It was formed when lava and other debris from Mt. Mitsudake partially blocked the Yugawa River. “Yunoko” means “warm water lake” and refers to the hot springs around the lake. Although it is a popular spot for fly fishing today, there were no fish there until the late 1800s, when the lake was stocked with trout.
The lake and its surrounding area are part of the Oku-Nikkō Wetlands, a registered site of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. A 3-kilometer hiking trail circles the perimeter of the lake.
Konsei Pass
The Konsei Pass straddles the border between Gunma and Tochigi Prefectures. The pass lies on one of the main Shugendō circuits established by Shōdō Shōnin (735–817), which runs through the mountains of the greater Nikkō area.
The pass is over 2,000 meters high and one of the best places to look out over much of Oku-Nikkō. A trail to Konsei Jinja Shrine is accessible from the parking area. The road is closed in winter.