Nikko Toshogu Shrine
The Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the most famous of the three World Heritage Sites in Nikko, and known for its intricately decorated facade, stunning colors and beautiful architecture.
Explore these great things to see and do in Nikko, from the elaborate architecture and decorations of Nikko Toshogu Shrine to scenic Lake Chuzenji and impressive Kegon Falls.
The Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the most famous of the three World Heritage Sites in Nikko, and known for its intricately decorated facade, stunning colors and beautiful architecture.
Experience what life was like in the 17th century at Edo Wonderland, where traditional architecture and towns have been carefully recreated to take you back in time.
One of the 100 Famous Mountains in Japan, Mt. Nantaisan is a 2,485m volcano within the Nikko National Park, and a place of nature worship.
This scenic lake was formed by the eruption of the Mt. Nantaisan volcano roughly 20,000 years ago, and at an altitude of 1,269m it is one of the highest lakes in Japan.
At almost 100 metres high, Kegon Falls is a magnificent natural wonder of Nikko, and ranked one of the three great waterfalls of Japan.
Senjogahara is a large marshland that is home to more than 350 species of native plants and wild birds, much of which is protected under the Ramsar Convention.
The picturesque grassy plains of Odashirogahara lie west of the Senjogahara marshlands, and nature lovers come to admire the unique landscape.
With beauty from every angle, Yunoko Lake offers a scenic one-hour walking course that takes you through a primeval forest and along the lakeside.
From the observatory deck at the base of Yudaki Falls, you can hear and feel the roaring power of this waterfall.
It’s one of the most beautiful drives in Nikko – the 48 sharp curves that make up the winding Irohazaka Slope give drivers a scenic view around every corner.
The Kirifuri Kogen Highlands is a plateau on the side of Mt. Akanagisan which offers a variety of lovely hiking trails.
In the Edo period, the road leading up to the Nikko Toshogu Shrine was planted with 50,000 cedar trees as a contribution to the shrine.
Once when Mt. Nantaisan erupted, it spewed lava into the Daiyagawa River, creating a beautiful and mysterious abyss of black lava, called the Kanmangafuchi Gorge.
The tiny onsen town of Yunishigawa, deep in the mountains of Tochigi, draws visitors every year with this delightful festival.
Visitors to Nikko should try a local specialty, ‘yuba’, or tofu skin.
This fantastic two-day event is the biggest annual festival of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
As a center of mountain worship, Futarasan Shrine is regarded as an ‘ujigamisama’ – a guardian of the area. It is the oldest of the three World Heritage sites in Nikko, built in 782, and deifies Mt. Nantaisan, a magnificent volcano in the Nikko National Park.
The ride up the Akichidaira Ropeway may only take 3 minutes, but the views of Chuzenji Lake, Mt. Nantaisan and Kegon Falls are unforgettable.
The Rinno-ji Temple has a rich history of more than 1200 years. The main temple, Sanbutsudo Hall, is one of the largest wooden structures in Nikkosan, with three impressive 8-metre high Buddhist statues.