Lake Chuzenji, Japan, after a rainstorm, May 2008 by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

Canon G7

Lake Chuzenji is a resort community located in the mountains above Nikko, Japan. The area is reached by an incredible highway (the irohazaka zigzag motorway) with so many hairpin-turn switchbacks that there is one way up and a different way down! Close to where this photo was taken is the splendid Kegon Falls, the highest waterfall in Japan. Mt. Nantai, with its typical volcanic cone shape, dominates the scenery at the right and still had patches of snow on top in late May. The hotel we stayed at had an "onsen" (volcanic hot spring) for guests to enjoy. Once we got used to the sulphur smell (which didn't take long), it was a most relaxing experience! The nearby town of Nikko, a world heritage site, is another well-known tourist destination, as well. To learn more about the area, visit: www.nikko-jp.org/english/chuzenji/index.html