Nikko ー
日光
Place of mausoleum of a gorgeous general：
Nikko is located in the north of Kanto, there are many historical temples, shrines such as the Toshogu Shrine, a typical Japanese shrine. It has traditional buildings and large spot where there are many natural scenes such as Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Waterfall, damp plains, hot springs, and walking trails.
Access and Getting Around
There are two stations in Nikko, one is JR Nikko Station and the other is Tobu Line Nikko Station, so it is easy to get by JR or private railways from Tokyo. It is near enough to have a one-day tour from Tokyo, but it is recommended to stay a night to have a hiking not just visit to various temples as there are many hot spring hotels nearby.
Frequent buses take tourists to tourism spots from Nikko Station, which makes it convenient to tourists to get there.
By train
1 hour 50 minutes from Tobu Asakusa Station to Tobu Nikko Station by the Tobu Line with 1 train per 30 minutes.
2 hours from JR Shinjuku Station to Tobu Nikko Station by the Tobu Line with 2 trains per day; 50 minutes from JR Tokyo Station to JR Utsunomiya Station by the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Line then transfer to the JR Nikko Line for 42 minutes to JR Nikko Station.
By car
2 hours 10 minutes from Tokyo Station.
Features
-Shrines
NIkko Toshogu is a Shrine used to worship the first general Tokugawa Ieyasu of the Edo periodwho has been defied.It is considered as the headquarters of all Toshogu Shrines of Japan.55 buildings including eight national treasures and 34 important cultural properties are lined,and full lacquer colors are painted and sculptures are decorated on pillars by the craftsmen from all over the country.Bec...
-Shrines
Nikko Futaarasan Shrine was founded 120 years ago as the beginning of Nikko,which is worshiped as the God of Marriage.It is the deep side of Toshogu....
-Shrines
It is the mausoleum of the third generation general, Tokugawa Iemitsu, located next to the Futaarasan Shrine.It is quiet compared with the luxurious and gorgeous Toshogun Shrine,but the beauty of colorful buildings and gardens makes tourists feel its history.In particular, Four Buddha statues at the Yashamon Gate are colorful and splendid....
Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial
-Historic Sites
The Villa was used as a sanitarium of the Imperial Family.It is a wooden building surrounded by the beautiful garden in a spacious site, is now open to the public.It is close enough to walk to from Toshogu Shrine....
-Specific Nature -Outdoor Activities
The back of Tamozawa Imperial Villa is a mountain stream, and it is very impressivethat several stone statues called “ Obake Jizo” line in the deep water where small strange-shaped rocks continue.There are a rest house ,a good seat along a trail in the clear stream....
-Shrines -Outdoor Activities
It is a shrine in the deep forest of Toshogu Shrine and Taiyuin,whose quiet atmosphere compared with crowdedness of Toshogu Shrine makes it a pleasant walking trail.There is a motorway from the right side of Toshogu Shrine, it is accessible by car in case of getting to the shrine only....
-Specific Nature
Lake Chuzenji is located at the foot of a volcano called Mount Nantai, the symbolic mountain in Nikko.It is the lake formed by the natural damming of a river by the volcano. Chuzenji Onsen is at the side of the lake.There are pleasure boat piers, Souvenir shops, restaurants and lodging facilities,and Kegon Waterfall which is one of the three big waterfalls in Japan along the Onsen.It is a resort o...
-Specific Nature
The water of Lake Chuzenji falls 97 meters high, which makes a magnificent waterfall.The basin of a waterfall seen from the Kanbakudai Observatory which can get by an elevator is perfectly splendid.Yet, it is quite crowded in the red leaves season, so adequate time is necessary.It is in the Chuzenji Onsen area. ...
-Mountain View
It is in the middle of the way from Nikko downtown to Lake Chuzenji , on which Mount Nantai, Lake Chuzenji ,Kegon Waterfall can be seen.Get there from the parking lot by cable car.Yet, the scenery changes depending on the weather, so fine days are recommended to climb....
The Italian Embassy Villa Memorial
-Historic Sites
The previous Italian Embassy Villa Memorial has now been revived and is open to the public.It is decorated with the peel of cedars interiorly and exteriorly,and is a perfect combination of Japanese cedars and a western building.The site of the villa memorial on the shore of Lake Chuzenji is a relaxing park....
-Mountain View
The mountain is located in the southern bank of Lake Chuzenji ,and the view of Mount Nantai and Lake Chuzenji seen from the Observatoryis the best spot of view around the Lake Chuzenji ....
-Outdoor Activities
Senjogahara is a large damp plain located in the middle of way from Chuzenji Onsen to Nikko Yumoto Onsen,in case of the prospects of the damp plain only it is possible from the observatory along the motorway,but hiking is recommended.A road for natural research is maintained to go around the damp plains,and prospect sites to be able to look around the very large damp plains with Mount Nantai as it...
-Specific Nature
It is a waterfall in the southernmost of Lake Yunoko , standing in front of it is really wonderful.It is possible to see the waterfall on the way of hiking. ...
-Onsen(Hot Spings)
Niko Yumoto hot spring resort is located in the deepest site of Lake Chuzenji.It is convenient at all for sight-seeing of Oku-Nikko.It is located on the north side of a lake called Lake Yunoko which is surrounded by mountainsand is in a quiet atmosphere.In case of using a car, there is a route passing through Oze....
-Outdoor Activities
It is a three km trail going around the lake from Nikko Yumoto Onsen.It is worth recommending because you can walk around the shore of the lake in the forest,with Lake Yunoko on the way.It will take you one hour. ...
Accommodation around Nikko
