Nikko
Travel Guide > Asia > Japan > Honshu > Kanto > Nikko
In this Article
- Introduction
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
In the 8th century, the Buddhist priest Shōdō Shōnin founded the first temple at Nikko, the temple of Rinnō-ji, on his way to Mount Nantai. The village became a renowned Buddhist-Shinto religious centre, leading the renowned warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu to choose it as the site for his mausoleum. His grandson, Togugawa Iemitsu, had his shrine-mausoleum, Tosho-gu built in 1634, ensuring it would impress on any rivals the might of the Tokugawa clan. Iemitsu's own mausoleum, Taiyun-byo, is also located in Nikko, in a sublime setting of Japanese cedars. These shrines and temples make it a popular destination for travellers.
Sights and Activities
To get access to the main sights in Nikko's temple area, the most sensible option is to buy the combination ticket (¥1,000), which covers most of sights at the Tosho-gu and Taiyun-byo shrines and the Rinno-ji temple.
A guide can be hired for two hours for ¥5,500 for groups of up to 20 people.[1]
Tosho-gu Shrine
The Tosho-gu Shrine is the burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the dynasty that ruled Japan for 250 years. The shrine is a dazzling display, created by his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu. Some 15,000 artisans worked on the shrine for 2 years, decorating almost anything that could be decorated.
Open: 8am-4:30pm daily (3:30pm Nov-Mar). Ph: (0288) 54-0560
Taiyun-byo Shrine
The Taiyun-byo Shrine, completed in 1653, is Tokugawa Iemitsu's mausoleum. Several ornate gates ascend to the sanctuary (Haiden) and inner sanctuary (Honden). The shogun's ashes are beyond the final, sixth gate.
Open: 8am-4:30pm daily (3:30pm Nov-Mar). Ph: (0288) 53-1567.
Other
- The red-lacquered, wooden Shinkyo Bridge arches over the Daiya River, where, as legend would have it, Shodo Shonin crossed on the backs of two large serpents. The original bridge was built in 1636, for the exclusive use of the shoguns, but was destroyed by a flood. The current bridge was completed in 1907.
- Rinno-ji Temple was founded by Shodo Shonin in 766 and originally called Shihonryu-ji, until it became a Tendai-sect temple in the 17th century. Behind the temple, you will find the Shoyoen, a picturesque Edo style stroll-garden, carefully landscaped to be of interest no matter what the season is. (Open daily)
- Futura-san Shrine was dedicated to the gods of Mounts Nantai, Nyotai and Taro, their child by Shodo Shonin in the 8th century (Open daily).
- The Nikko Botanical Gardens are home to some 3000 varieties of flowers and plants from Japan and around the world. (Open Tue-Sun from Apr 15th - Nov 30th from 9am- 4pm. Adults: ¥330. Discounted prices for over 30 year olds and students).
- The Nikko Lacquer Museum (Nikko Urushi Hakubutsukan) showcases the lacquer arts of Nikko and Japan as well as examples from overseas. (Open Tue-Sun. Adults: ¥400. College, high school students: ¥300. Elementary school students: ¥200).
Getting There
By Train
The train is the most convenient way to access Nikko.
The cheapest, most direct connection is on the Tōbu Nikkō Line (東武日光線) from Tokyo's Tobu-Asakusa station. The total journey should take about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
If you have a JR Rail pass, you can take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Ueno or Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya and then connect to the JR Nikko line. The total trip will can take from 1 hour and 40 minutes to over 2 hours, depending on the connection in Utsunomiya.
Be sure to stop and admire the JR Nikko Station building itself, which was designed by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
By Car
By Bus
Getting Around
By Car
By Public Transport
Several bus routes run through Nikko.
By Foot
Most of the main sites in Nikko can easily be reached on foot, although the landscape is hilly, so you can expect to get somewhat worn out.
By Bike
Eat
- Gusto, opposite the tourist information office, has some good value meals.
- Hippari Dako is a typical travellers' resting place, serving yakitori (chicken kebabs), noodles and a range of vegetarian options. The little old lady who runs the place is very friendly and has earned herself some very good reviews from Lonely Planet, among others, which has only served to drive more business to her restaurant. The walls are plastered with business cards and notes from previous visitors.
- Nikko Kanaya Hotel serves up some classy, albeit pricey meals.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
- Nikko Park Lodge is located about 20 minutes walk from the shrines and offers dorm beds as well as private rooms. (Location: 2828-5 Tokorono).
- Turtle Inn Nikko offers western and Japanese style rooms about 10 minutes walk from the shrines. (Location: 2-16 Takumi-cho).
- Annex Turtle Hotori-An is run by the same people as Turtle Inn with slightly higher prices. (Location: 8-28 Takumi-cho).
- Nikko Daiyagawa Hostel is a Hostelling International hostel with 4 dorm rooms. (Location: 1075 Nakahatsuishi-machi. Price: ¥2730 p/p for HI members).
- The Nikko Shi Koryu Sokushin Center offers several dorm and family rooms.
Mid-Range
- Hotel Kanaya is a grand old western style hotel overlooking Shinkyo bridge. It has been the chosen residence for some very notable characters through the years, including the likes of Indira Gandhi and Frank Lloyd Wright. (Location: 1300 Kamihatsuishi-cho. Ph: (0288) 54-0001).
Upscale
Keep Connected
Internet
- Milky House, a coffee shop at 2-2-3 Inari-machi charges ¥500 for 30min. Open 10am-10pm daily.
- The Tourist Information Centre offers internet at ¥100/30 minutes. Located on the main street, halfway between the station and the shrines at 591 Gokomachi.
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
References
- 1 Sourced from Nikko Tourist Association Jan '08
This is version 4. Last edited at 13:38 on Aug 30, 09 by Utrecht (+68). 1 article links to this page.
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