Asia, Japan

Day trip to Nikko, Tochigi

Got a day to spare? Check out some things to do in Nikko, Tochigi.

Whenever people think about traveling to Japan, they only consider visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. And while these two, without a doubt, represent the Japanese culture very well and consist of the majority of the important tourist spots of Japan, there are other lesser-known cities as well that make your experience equally memorable.

Only 1.5 to 2 hours away from Tokyo, Nikko is located in the Tochigi Prefecture. The city of Nikko is known as the Mystical city of Japan. In Nikko, you have the opportunity of witnessing some of the most amazing natural landmarks of Japan like mountains and waterfalls as well as historical temples and shrines. Not only that, it is also home to some of the most famous and prominent World Heritage Sites.

It is in this naturally rich city of Nikko that you will find The Kegon Falls; one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan. These magnificent waterfalls are approximately 100 meters tall and are located near the beautiful lake of Chuzenji. Of course, the visit itself does not cost an entrance ticket or anything like that, but if you want to get up close, then buying a ticket for the elevator ride that will take to the top of the Kegon Falls is recommended.

The mention of The Kegon Falls cannot go without the mention of Lake Chuzenji. It is located in the Nikko National Park and is the largest lake that you can find in the Tochigi Prefecture. The lake is known to have breathtaking views in every season.

When it comes to the shrines and temples in Nikko that represent the culture and history of Japan, then the Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine is the most famous. The shrine was initially built in 1617 for Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was a feudal lord at the time when Japan was going through civil wars. He also known to be the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. The shrine is one of the most decorative shrine in Japan and the decorations are more than just a symbol of how glorious and luxurious the era of Tokugawa was. They also carry with them religious meanings. The Tosho-gu Shrine also serves as the venue of traditional Japanese weddings. Because of its historical importance, it was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Now that you know how great the city of Nikko is, don’t forget to include in your plan next time you are organizing your visit to Japan. Visiting Nikko is a great way to experience the culture, natural beauty and historical sites of Japan without having to put up with the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.

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