Senjogahara Marshland

Senjōgahara is a vast high-altitude marshland located about 1,400 m above sea level. It covers roughly 400 ha and was formed thousands of years ago when eruptions from Mount Nantai blocked the flow of the Yukawa River, gradually transforming an ancient lake into a wide peatland. The name Senjōgahara literally means “battlefield plain”, and it comes from a local legend telling that the gods of Mount Nantai and Mount Akagi once fought here over the possession of Lake Chūzenji. Today, however, this “battlefield” is one of the most peaceful landscapes in Nikko — an open plateau of grasses, streams, and mountain light. The area is known for its rich biodiversity — with more than 350 species of plants and many species of birds — and is protected under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. Wooden boardwalks make it easy to explore without disturbing the ecosystem, and the landscape changes dramatically with each season. We walked the trail from Ryuzu Waterfall to Yumoto Onsen. The route passed through open plains framed by distant mountains, and the golden grasses shimmering in the sunlight made the whole scenery look almost surreal. Even in mid-October, many trees were still green, but the marsh itself glowed with warm autumn tones — a calm, quiet beauty.

The route mostly have wooden deck and the incline is easy. It's beginner friendly hike. For the route, it's better to get off at Yudaki and then hike to Akanuma.

Beautiful scenery, highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys nature, even on a cold day we had it was worth it. Good for novice to more advanced hikers as the trails offer many different routes.

Extremely beautiful place to explore! It makes for a great day trip from Nikko, just take the bus up and back and you’re set. The trails are clearly marked/visible and I saw many monkeys along the way. Great place for bird watching as well as just enjoying the great outdoors. Easy hiking and good vibes make this a great way to spend the day!

The Senjogahara Marshland hike was among the highlights of our trip. Highly worth it! We took the Yumoto Onsen-bound bus and began our hike at Yudaki Falls. You can also begin your hike at Akanuma as well (the same Yumoto Onsen bus stops here too). There have been sightings of bears, so I highly recommend purchasing a bear bell (you can get it from the shop opposite the Akanuma Bus Stop). I will definitely do this hike again - it was amazing! Entry is free and I recommend heading in around 7am-8am. The hike was around 2 to 3 hours. It is an easy hike.