Travel from Asakusa,Tokyo to Nikko (113 miles) and Aizu (55 miles farther) to Combine an Early Experience of Fall at Japan's Highest Altitude Lake with an Introduction to Samurai Culture in a Castle Town.

The northern part of Honshu, Japan's main island, offers so much in the autumn. Nikko's majestic Lake Chuzenji – Japan's highest altitude lake – is approximately a two-hour train ride north of Tokyo's Asakusa station, followed by a 30-minute bus ride. Here colorful foliage arrives about a month earlier than in Tokyo. After enjoying the vivid colors and natural surroundings, travelers should continue to Ouchi-juku (20 miles) to immerse themselves in samurai culture and street scenes preserved as if in the Edo period. Next their journey (just over six miles) should take them to the Aizu Clan School Nisshinkan to learn more about Japan and its historic culture.


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