Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Nikko, Japan

Nikko in the Tochigi prefecture is famous for Nikko shrines and temples, starting with the Nikko Toshogu. Every day, many sightseers who want to catch a glimpse of the world heritage site visit Nikko, but there are many other sightseeing places apart from the world heritage site! Especially, Nikko has been blessed by nature, so please enjoy its different aspects depending on the passage of the seasons. I will introduce the recommended sightseeing spots which you can enjoy with your child, coming into contact with Mother Nature, history and culture.

1. It appeared in the Guinness Book as the longest boulevard in the world. The classic tourist spot [Cedar Avenue of Nikko]

The [Cedar Avenue of Nikko] 37km in total length is the world’s longest boulevard. You may feel as if you slip back to the distant past when you walk through the avenue where the 380-year- old gigantic trees are lined up. Its history started when Masatsuna Matsudaira who was a retainer of Ieyasu Tokugawa, had them planted, taking 20 years, in order to donate them to the Nikko Toshogu.

As it is an extremely long avenue, I’ll recommend that you should take the route from Imaichi to the Nikko Toshogu, if you want to enjoy it in the limited time. There are many historically famous places such as the cedar avenue park with the large water wheel during your journey, so please walk to the Nikko Toshogu, enjoying nature and the history.

2. Nikko is proud of the world heritage site [Nikko Toshogu]

One of the [Nikko shrines and temples] which has been registered as a world heritage site is Nikko Toshogu. It is the shrine to enshrine the great man, Ieyasu Tokugawa and the approach to the shrine in harmony with nature as well as the main building of a shrine is the highlight. In the precinct, there are 55 buildings in total, including 8 national treasures and 34 important cultural properties.

One of the [Nikko shrines and temples] which has been registered as a world heritage site is Nikko Toshogu. It is the shrine to enshrine the great man, Ieyasu Tokugawa and the approach to the shrine in harmony with nature as well as the main building of a shrine is the highlight. In the precinct, there are 55 buildings in total, including 8 national treasures and 34 important cultural properties.

3. You can enjoy the magnificent nature and the alpine plants! [Odashirogahara]

The [Odashirogahara] is one of the marshes in Okunikko which has been registered by the Ramsar Convention. When you step into the area, the marsh and the plain are spreading out before you and you will be overwhelmed by the magnificent nature. It is the scenery that you only can see there!

The hiking is also recommended and you can walk, enjoying the seasonal alpine plants such as the Nikko thistle with pretty purple flowers and the blue mist shrub which tells you of the arrival of autumn. When you come to Nikko on your holiday, please visit this [Odashirogahara].

4. You can become an expert about fish! The sightseeing place where you can feed fish [Sakana-to-mori-no-kansatsuen]

The [Sakana-to-mori-no-kansatsuen] found at the lakeside of the lake Chuzenji in the Nikko-city in the Tochigi prefecture is the historic facility of the educational institute for fisheries research and you can enjoy yourself there with your child. In the spacious garden with a lot of trees, the river in which the trout swim up is flowing along and you can come across the rainbow trout and chars from the salmon and trout families.

In this facility you can experience feeding fish and coming into contact with fish, so there is no doubt that children will be very pleased! The [Osakana johokan] where the fish ecology and information are displayed is interesting. Why don’t you make yourself a salmon and trout expert in Mother Nature?

5. The mysterious power spot in Tochigi! [Takinoo Jinja (shrine)]

The [Takinoo Shrine] is especially recommended to people who like visiting around the vicinities of the power spots to turn their fortune for the better. It is the associated shrine of the Nikko Futaarayama shrine and it’s said that Kukai (Buddhism priest) had it constructed in order to enshrine the goddess of Mt. Nyoho.

This shrine is located at the bottom of the mountains has been enveloped with a mysterious atmosphere and has the [Takinoo 3 cedar trees] as the sacred trees. These sacred trees are, needless to say, the power spot. This shrine is also famous for the prayer of blessing with children and the safe delivery of a child. It is a totally different atmosphere from the one of the gaudy Toshogu. Please visit this shrine. Something good could happen to you.

6. You can come into contact with monkeys on the summit of the mountain! You will be comforted by their cute behaviour. [Kinugawa-onsen Ropeway ~Osau-no-yama~]

The Kinugawa hot-spring area has prospered as a hot-spring town for feudal lords and priests during the Edo-era. There is a mountain where scores of monkeys have been living at the end of the ropeway from the Kinugawa-onsen sanroku station. You can see the monkeys who are living their lives freely. It is a very popular sightseeing spot.

You are allowed to feed these cute fine monkeys. Children must be pleased, musn’t they? On the summit, there is the observation deck from where you can have a view of the townscape of Kinugawa and the Onsen shrine. Please come and enjoy them.

7. The trip to travel around the world in a day! If you go to Nikko for sightseeing, you can’t miss this place! [Tobu World Square]

The [Tobu world Square] is the facility where you can enjoy the interesting exhibitions which were constructed one twenty fifth of the actual size. The world famous architectures were truly depicted, starting with the UNESCO world heritages. The site is divided into 6 areas such as Japan, Asia, America, Europe and each area has the architecture, elaborating on the history and genuineness, lined up.

Even though they are smaller than the real ones, only the world heritage can show them like this. You will surely be captivated. You can experience the feeling of traveling around the world and even adults are completely absorbed in looking at them. Please have fun there!

8. The magnificent garden with the site of 10,000-tsubo (33,000㎡) The place full of charm [Matsuyashiki]

The [Matsuyashiki] which was opened to the public in 2016 is a luxurious spot where you can enjoy the historic Japanese-styled house and magnificent garden. Originally, it had been used as a sanatorium for the founder family of the Kanaya Hotel which was the oldest Japanese resort hotel. You can enjoy the good olden time Japanese scenery here.

Starting with more than 150 Japanese red pines, the seasonal flowers are in full bloom. During the season of leaves changing their colours, it is said that you can see the most beautiful landscape. However, the opening to the public dates are fixed, so you need to check it out before you visit. It is worth seeing.

9. Slip back to the Edo-era in time! The royal road of the Nikko sightseeing [Edo Wonderland Nikko Edo-mura]

You can’t miss the popular spot, the [Edo Wonderland Nikko Edo-mura] as your Nikko sightseeing.

When you step into the Nikko Edo-mura, it’s the townscape from the Edo-era, such as the highway, post-town, samurai residence and Ninja-no-sato. You can walk, wearing the Edo-era clothes and experience the Edo craftsman, Ninja and theatergoing.

The character which I’d like you to meet is the [Nyanmage] with an absent-minded surrealistic character! Please take a photo with the [Nyanmage] pause. Let’s slip back to the Edo-era in time!

10. The heavenly pasture! The place where you can come into contact with animals [Nikko Kirifuri-kogen Ohzasa-bokujo (farm)]

The [Nikko Kirifuri-kogen Ohzasa-bokujo] is a vast farm at 1,300m above sea level and you can command a view of the Kanto plain. On this pasture, the Brown Swiss and Holstein have been grazed and there is the area where you can come into contact with the young goats and sheep. There is no doubt that little children will be very pleased!

The experience of making ice-cream and butter is well organised at this farm. They also have a restaurant, so you can enjoy the delicious gourmets of the Tochigi prefecture! Why Don’t you be comforted by the cute animals and admire the vast grassland and the seasonal wild flowers?

Let’s enjoy the attractive Nikko full of history, nature and hot-springs!

What is your impression about this article? Nikko is really full of nature and no matter where you go, the nature is nearby, so enjoy the scenery. The sightseeing spots which I’ve introduced are all good for a married couple, a family, a young couple and indeed everyone. When you go to Nikko, please visit these places! I’m happy if you could enjoy the delicious gourmets which only the Tochigi prefecture can provide as well !