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What do you do in the Nikko?

2024/07/31

• tochigi
• nikko
• temple #shrine

The northwestern part of Tochigi Prefecture is where Nikko is located, and it is well-known for its vast and rich nature and the numerous famous sightseeing destinations, which include historical shrines and temples.

What is like Nikko?

Nikko is a small town that borders Nikko National Park, and is most well-known for Toshogu, the most lavishly decorated shrine in Japan and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogunate leader.

Before Toshogu was built in the 1600s, Nikko was a place where Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship took place, and the park still boasts scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.

Nikko's top attractions

Toshogu Shrine

The Toshogu Shrine stands as a stunning tribute to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate and ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. More than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest make up the lavishly decorated shrine complex. In Japan, shrine architecture has traditionally been characterized by simplicity, but the buildings were decorated with countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf in a way that was not common.

The storehouses are decorated with many colorful and elaborate wood carvings, but the most well-known ones are the'see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil' monkeys and Sozonozo Elephants, created by an artist who had never seen elephants.

Shinkyo Bridge

Futarasan Shrine owns the Shinkyo Bridge situated at the entrance of Nikko's shrines and temples. One of Japan's three best bridges is the bridge, which is also included in Yamanashi Prefecture's Kintaikyo and Saruhashi.

A bridge of some sort had marked the same spot for a long time before the current Shinkyo was constructed in 1636, but the exact origins of it are unclear.In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it underwent extensive renovations, and visitors now have the option to walk across the bridge and back for an entrance fee.

Tamozawa Imperial Villa

The 106 rooms at Tamozawa Imperial Villa are infused with traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture. Prior to moving to Nikko, the building was the home of a Tokugawa family branch in Tokyo and was also used briefly as the Imperial Palace.

Tamozawa Imperial Villa is one of the largest wooden buildings in Japan, in addition to its long line of distinguished occupants. The villa's interior is a unique blend of Japanese and Western styles. There are many carpeted floors and elaborate chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Sliding paper doors and tatami flooring are among the Japanese elements that are noticeable in the villa.

Kanmangafuchi Abyss

A pleasant riverside walking trail can take you to this gorge near central Nikko, which is only a few hundred meters long.

Kanmangafuchi is also known for its row of about 70 stone statues of Jizo. It is Bodhisattva who cares for the deceased. These Jizo statues are also referred to as "Bake Jizo", "Narabi Jizo", or "Hyaku Jizo".

From the statues, you can see over the river and Nikko Botanical Garden, but there's no way to enter the botanical garden from the abyss.

Have fun taking day trips to Nikko!

We suggest taking day trips to Nikko. Was the place intriguing to you?

The Toshogu Shrine is a striking reminder of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who forged the Tokugawa Shogunate and ruled Japan for more than 250 years until 1868. Futarasan Shrine is one of Japan's three best bridges.

And Tamozawa Imperial Villa has 106 rooms that embody traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture. Kanmangafuchi is also known for its row of about 70 stone statues of Jizo.

Have fun taking day trips to Nikko!