Esential Visits
Are you thinking about a trip to Nikko? These are the spots you shouldn't miss out on the visit
Tradition and culture in a green lung loaded with stories to tell. Nikko is a mountain city famous for one of the most spectacular sanctuaries in Japan, Toshogu, considered a World Heritage Site; but also for its National Park, in which each of the seasons of the year unfolds with a special beauty.
Summer is the favorite time for many tourists to travel to the country of the rising sun, and an excursion to the so-called Land of the Gods is practically essential. Lakes and waterfalls merge with a multitude of places of worship that show the most authentic Japan outside the traditional circuits.
Getting to Nikko from Tokyo takes only two hours, but once there it is important to have a way to access all the main points. The first decision that must be taken is the time of stay: although many choose a simple excursion, others decide to stay a few days to discover each of the corners of this jewel among mountains.
If the plan is to spend 48 hours in the territory of Nikko, there is the perfect pass to visit different World Heritage sites, temples and the area of Kinugawa-Onsen, a thermal water complex perfect to disconnect. The NIKO PASS world heritage area of TOBU covers, for a price of 2000 yen (about 16 euros) or 600 yen (around 5 euros) in the case of children, the round trip from Asakusa, in Tokyo, to Kinugawa Onsen, plus unlimited buses in the area ranging from essential monuments, such as Toshogu temples, Rinnoji or Futarasan sanctuary to theme parks such as Tobu World Square, which summarizes the world architecture on a small scale; o Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, dedicated to the Edo era.
Both have additional discounts included in the offer, which also includes lower prices in stores, restaurants and selected accommodations.
If the visit to Nikko lasts a few more days, Tobu also has the perfect pass: NIKKO PASS all area covers, for four days, a territory that also extends to the area of the Natural Park, with essential areas such as the Kegon Falls, the Senjōgahara plateau or the Akechidaira cable car, famous for its spectacular views. Add that area to all those mentioned in the previous pass.
On this occasion, the price in summer is 4520 yen (just over 35 euros) in
the case of adults, and 1150 yen (about 9 euros) for children.
SANCTUARY OF Toshogu
Many people participated centuries ago in the construction of this space, made up of 55 buildings, 8 of them considerated National Treasures and 34 Important Cultural Assets. Together they form a World Heritage Site loaded with Japanese crafts, with figures as important as the Three Monkeys.
nikko mountains
Lovers of nature have the Nikko mountains as a must. Mount Nantai keeps the sacred aura that the monk Shodo Shonin gave him in the 8th Century and which is reflected in the Okumiya of the Futarasan sanctuary. There are many temples and monuments hidden in the forests.
kegon waterfall
It is one of the must-see visits for tourists passing through Nikko. Created by the lava produced by Mount Nantai, it has a drop of 97 meters and is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan.
Lago Chuzenji
One of the highest points of Japan, this lake can be visited by boat or on foot; on a short distance by bus are Lake Yunoko and the plains of Odashirogahara, that separate the grass from the Oky-Nikko wetlands.
eDO WONDERLAND
NIKKO EDOMURA
What was Japan like during the Edo era? This amusement park moves the visitor in time to settle between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Typical costumes, practices of ninja or samurai, themed meals ... everything you need to relive one of the great periods of Japanese culture.
Hotel nIkko
KANAYA
It's the oldest resort in Japan, working since year 1873. During this time, it has been the favourite for lots of renowned people and it has been registeded as Tangible Cultural Property. On the building, Japanese and western culture are blended, which allows an incredible experience.
Chuzenji Kanaya
hotel
Placed near the shore of the Lake Chizenjiko, this hotel is perfect to admire the lands of Okunikko, very popular among Japanese tourists for its breathtaking beauty during the four seasons and the calm that surrounds it. It's the perfect spot for wind down while visiting the Nikko area.
Produced by Bluemedia Studio for TOBU Railway
Text by Bea Langreo