Nikko is a virtual treasure trove of natural beauty and World Heritage sites. How you enjoy Nikko is all up to you.

■ Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine (World heritage)

Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine (World heritage)This shrine, which still attracts large numbers of worshippers today, is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the long-reigning Tokugawa shogunate. Yomei-mon Gate, one of Japan's most magnificent national treasures, is especially breathtaking in winter because sunlight reflected by the snow shows all of the stunning woodwork's exquisite detail. Worshippers come to this shrine from all over Japan, and various festivals and other events are held year-round.

Features such as the upside-down pattern on one of Yomei-mon's pillars (called the “upside-down pillar that wards off evil spirits”) and the different pattern of the topmost level of the shrine's pagoda reflect the Japanese belief that anything that is completed immediately begins getting old: These features make the shrine unfinished and therefore ageless. The uniquely Japanese atmosphere and lush greenery of the shrine grounds will be a soothing, relaxing experience you'll never forget.

Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine/movie
world heritage pass world heritage pass
Shrine hours 8:00 a.m._5:00 p.m. (closes at 4:00 p.m. in November through March)
Note: Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time
Day closed Open all year
Admission Tosho-gu Shrine tickets - ¥1,300 for adults, ¥450 for elementary and middle-school students
Address 2301 Sannai, Nikko City, Japan
Phone number 0288-54-0560
Public transit access Tobu-nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (5 minutes) → Shinkyo bus stop → 10 minutes on foot
* Or 40 minutes walk from Tobu-nikko Station.
URL http://www.toshogu-koyoen.com/toshogu/(Japanese)
http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/toshogu/index.html(Nikko Tourist Association, English)
top

■ Nikkosan Rinno-ji Temple (World heritage)

The wood pillars are coated with over 30 layers of lacquer.

The temple contains three “gohonzon” shrines to which the faithful come to pray for the welfare of their families and the safety of the nation. The building's 25-meter-tall pillars are each made from a single tree and coated with over 30 layers of lacquer. The best time of year to visit is in the fall or winter.
Nikkosan Rinno-ji Temple/movie


world heritage pass world heritage pass

Shrine hours 8:00 a.m._5:00 p.m. (closes at 4:00 p.m. in November through March)
Note: Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time
Day closed Open all year
Admission Sanbutsudo complex - ¥400 for adults, ¥200 for elementary and middle-school students; Taiyuin complex - ¥550 for adults, ¥250 for elementary and middle-school students; for other fees see the Rinno-ji Temple web site.
Address Sannai 2300, Nikko City, Japan
Phone number 0288-54-0531
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (7 minutes) → Nishisando bus stop → 10 minutes on foot
* Or 30 minutes walk from Tobu-nikko Station.
URL http://www.rinnoji.or.jp/(Japanese)
http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/rinnoji/index.html(Nikko Tourist Association, English)
top

■Futarasan Shrine

Known for “monster stone lanterns” bearing the marks of sword cuts made by warriors who mistook them for monsters in the dark.

Located next to Tosho-gu Shrine, this shrine is said to be the oldest structure on Mt. Nikko. The shrine is also famous for its copper-tiled of front shrine, and eight-gabled roof of main shrine. The “monster stone lanterns” bear the sword marks of samurai warriors who mistook them for monsters and sliced at them in the darkness.
Futarasan Shrine/movi

Futarasan Shrine Futarasan Shrine
Shrine hours 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (closes at 4:00 p.m. in November through March)
Note: Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Day closed Open all year
Admission Main shrine complex - ¥200 for adults, ¥100 for elementary and middle-school students
Address 2307 Sannai, Nikko City, Japan
Phone number 0288-54-0535
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (7 minutes) → Nishisando bus stop → 7 minutes on foot
* Or 40 minutes walk from Tobu-nikko Station.
URL http://www.futarasan.jp/(Japanese)
http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/futarasan/index.html(Nikko Tourist Association, English)
top

■ Shinkyo Bridge

The Beautiful Legendary “Snake” Bridge That Marks the Front Entrance to Nikko

Considered one of the three most unique bridges in all Japan, the Shinkyo Bridge is also a registered World Heritage site. According to legend, in ancient times the benevolent god Jinsha first made a bridge here with two giant snakes—one red, one green—to ferry pilgrimaging monks across the gorge.


Futarasan Shrine
Hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (open 24 hours for self-guided tours)
Day closed Open all year
Fee adults 300 yen, high school students 200 yen, grade school students 100 yen
Address 2307 Sannai, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-54-0535
Public transit access Public transportation access: Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (to Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (7 minutes) → Shinkyo Bridge bus stop → 30 seconds on foot
* Or 40 minutes walk from Tobu-nikko Station.
URL http://www.shinkyo.net/english/shinkyo.shtml(English)
top

■Akechidaira Ropeway

Enjoy the stunning view from Nikko's number-one vantage point.

Akechidaira Ropeway From Akechidaira, located near the end of the No. 2 Irohazaka road, take the Akechidaira Ropeway for a 3-minute ride to the top. The view there is the best in all of Nikko: To the west, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and Mt. Nantai; to the east, cliff-sided mountains and a rolling mountain range.



Hours of operation 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Day closed Open all year
Admission round-trip - ¥710 for adults, ¥360 for children * Panoramic viewing area is accessible free of charge.
Address 709 Fukazawa, Hosoo-cho, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-55-0331 (Akechidaira Station Ropeway)
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (30 minutes) → Akechidaira bus stop → less than 1 minute on foot
URL http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~nikko/akechi-rw.htm(Japanese)
top

■Lake Chuzenji

A high-elevation lake created 20,000 years ago by the eruption of Mt. Nantai.

Lake Chuzenji Located at an elevation of 1,269 meters, this is one of Japan's most famous lakes. The lake is said to have formed when an eruption of Mt. Nantai 20,000 years ago dammed its basin. Pleasure boats allow you to enjoy the lake up close.




Lake Chuzenji
Address Chugushi, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-54-2496 (Nikko Tourist Association)
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (50 minutes) → Chuzenji Onsen bus stop → less than 1 minute on foot
URL http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/chuzenji/index.html (English)
top

■Kegon Waterfall

The waters of majestic Kegon waterfall drop 97 meters.

Lake ChuzenjiOne of Japan's three most famous waterfalls. The waters falling 97 meters from a sharp precipice into the river below are exhilarating to see. You can take an elevator (for a fee) to the bottom of the falls for an even more exhilarating experience.



Kegon Waterfall
Hours of operation 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (varies in some seasons)
Day closed Open all year
Admission round-trip elevator ride - ¥530 for adults, ¥320 for children
* Panoramic viewing area is accessible free of charge.
Address 2479-2 Chugushi, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-55-0030 (Kegon Waterfall Elevator)
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (50 minutes) → Chuzenji Onsen bus stop → 5 minutes on foot
URL http://www.nikko-jp.org/perfect/chuzenji/kegonnotaki.html(Japanese)
top

■Senjogahara Plateau

A beautiful marshland where the gods are said to have fought eons ago.

Senjogahara Plateau This vast marshland lies at the foot of Mt. Nantai. Its name comes from a legend in which the god of Mt. Nantai and the god of Mt. Akagi fought over Lake Chuzenji. This site contains beautiful high-elevation plant life, wild birds, and of course stunning scenery of unspoiled nature.





Address Chugushi, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-54-2496 (Nikko Tourist Association)
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Yumoto Onsen via Koutoku-Onsen) (1 hour 5 minutes) → Sanbonmatsu bus stop → less than 1 minute on foot
URL http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/senjogahara/index.html (English)
top

■Kirifuri Kogen

The highlands of Kirifuri Kogen offer rich natural beauty year-round.

Senjogahara Plateau Spring offers the azaleas of Tsutsujigaoka (“Azalea Hill”), early summer the yellow alpine lilies of Kisugedaira (“Alpine Lilly Plain”), fall the rich red and yellow autumnal foliage of the entire plateau, and winter skiing at the Kirifuri Kogen Ski Resort. Each season offers its own unique sights to see. Various leisure facilities allow you to experience nature up close.


Address Shono, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-54-2496 (Nikko Tourist Association)
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Kirifuri Kogen) (27 minutes) → Kirifuri Kogen bus stop (last stop)
URL http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/kirifuri/index.html (English)
top

■Nikko Yumoto Hot Spring Resort Area

The distinctive smell of sulfur tells you this is a hot spring resort town - where you'll even find a free foot bath!

Nikko Yumoto Hot Spring Resort Area This area has long been popular for the healing properties of its hot spring waters. The waters are rich in sulfur, the smell of which pervades the entire town. Today there are many hot spring hotels and inns, and at the center of town is a free foot bath.



Address Yumoto, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-54-2496 (Nikko Tourist Association)
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Yumoto Onsen) (1 hour 27 minutes) → Yumoto Onsen bus stop (last stop)
URL http://www.nikko-jp.org/perfect/yumoto/index.html(Japanese)
top

Hotel




■Nikko Lakeside Hotel

The hotel overlooking Lake Chuzenji in the front and Kegon Waterfalls in the back.

Nikko Lakeside Hotel Situated on the shores of Lake Chuzenji, with a view of Kegon Waterfalls in the back, this is a hotel where you can experience all of Nikko's seasonal beauty up close. Private baths with translucent white100% pure spring water are also available to overnight guests and (for a fee) to visitors as well. This hotel has a long history of patronage by foreign dignitaries.Nikko Lakeside Hotel/movi

Nikko Lakeside Hotel Nikko Lakeside Hotel
Address 2482 Chugusi, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-55-0321
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (50 minutes) → Chuzenji Onsen bus stop → 3 minutes on foot
URL http://www.tobu.co.jp/hotel/nikkolake/index.html(Japanese)
top

■Hotel Seikoen

A three-minute walk from Tosho-gu Shrine. Famous for its hospitality toward foreigners.

Hotel Seikoen Not only is it the closest to Tosho-gu Shrine, but Hotel Seikoen is also famous for its open-air bath garden and its traditional Japanese cuisine - and for the excellent service the staff (using gestures and dictionaries) provide to foreign visitors. In the fall, you can set out for a short nighttime stroll to Tosho-gu Shrine, where outdoor illumination lights up the shrine grounds and the beautiful autumn leaves.
Hotel Seikoen/movie

# #
Address 2350 Sannai, Nikko City
Phone number 0288-53-5555
Public transit access Tobu Nikko Station → Tobu bus (for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) (5 minutes) → Kamibashi bus stop → 8 minutes on foot
URL http://www.hotel-seikoen.com/en/ (English)
top

Note:
* All travel times (by bus or walking) are approximate. Your travel time may vary depending on traffic conditions or other factors.
* All information is subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information, please contact the facility or location in question.