Lake Chuzenji with about 25km of circumferences and a maximum depth of 163m, is a representative lake of Nikko. Above-sea-level altitude is 1269 meters and it is the highest in Japan. (Except artificial lake, and larger than 4km of circumferences) The lava dammed up a ravine by eruption of Mt. Nantai about 20,000 years ago. It became basic landscape of today's Lake Chuzenji.

Priest Shoto, who popularized mountainous worship in Nikko, found the Lake Chuzenji in 782 when he climbed Mt. Nantai. Two years later, he and his followers built Jinguji Temple lakeside. Since then, ascetics visited and Funazenjou was taken place. The Funazenjou is an event that ascetics visit holy place lakeside by boat with reading sutra out. In the medieval age and early modern times, more ascetics came to Nikko, and they prayed a lot for miracle.

However, Nikko lost its religious fever when Hideyoshi Toyotomi confiscated the mountainous area of Nikko. Nonetheless, Nikko was activated again by Bishop Tenkai's arrival, and after reconstruction of Toshogu Shrine. Construction of teahouse was permitted for ascetics' use in 1741, and 6 teahouses were built lakeside in 1804. People lived there from spring to fall, but they climbed down the mountain in winter.

A remarkable turning point came in 1872, when women were allowed to go inside the mountainous area. They climbed Mt. Nantai and the first delivery in that area was recorded in 1884. Also, Meiji Emperor came to Nikko and named "Lake of happiness" for the Lake Chuzenji.

Although, number of visitor made a rapid progress, foreigners built the basis. Diplomats from Western countries came to Nikko to pass the summer, and they built cottage lakeside. You will still find some cottages of foreign embassies such as France, Belgium, and two other nations. International celebrities were listed on the membership of Tokyo Angling and Country Club. The outskirts of Lake Chuzenji established its status as a resort in which a high-class person gathers.

However, the brightness was lost by influence of the World War II. Although, Nikko revived as a tourist resort, it was caused by maintenance of road network such as opening of Irohazaka toll road in1954. It has resulted in the present figure as a tourist resort that visitors can approach enchantingly and easily.