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Nikko – World Heritage Site Just Two Hours by Train from Tokyo
Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture) is one of the most renowned sightseeing spots in Japan, and the shrines and temple as well as the remains in the area are registered as world cultural heritages. Since it is located just two hours by train to the north of Tokyo, many domestic and overseas tourists visit the area. 3.82 million people stayed in Nikko in 2007.
World Heritage Shrines and Temple
Nikko’s main attractions are the World Heritage sites of Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple. Toshogu is where TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, who founded the shogunate at Edo (present-day Tokyo) that lasted for 260 years, is enshrined. In the precincts surrounded by cedar trees, there are many architectural highlights to see, such as the shrine’s pavilion and pagoda. Among them, Yomeimon, decorated with more than 500 sculptures, is especially famed for its beauty. It is also called “higurashi-mon” (until dark gate), since you will not get bored looking at the gate until nightfall.
In Toshogu there are two very famous sculptures. One of them is “a sleeping cat,” said to be created by the famous sculpture HIDARI Jingoro. On the back side of the tiny sleeping cat, sparrows are engraved. If the cat awakens, the sparrows are likely to be attacked. They can coexist as the cat is sleeping. These sculptures are interpreted to represent that the endless wars were over and peace had finally been brought by Ieyasu. Another famous sculpture is “three monkeys.” The concept of the sculpture is also found in other countries as a teaching of life, but in the Japanese language the word “saru (zaru)” or monkey is included in the phrase: “mizaru, iwazaru and kikazaru” (Don’t see, don’t say and don’t hear).
In Futarasan Shrine, the god of Nikko’s symbolic Mt. Nantai (2,486 meters high) is enshrined. In the vast precinct, there are 600-year-old sacred cedar trees and a magnificent shrine pavilion, which is the oldest structure in Nikko. The shrine is known as home of the god of good luck and marriage and it is said the spring water there is good for one’s health. During the Toshogu Spring Festival, the biggest event in Nikko (held on May 17 and 18), a procession of over 1,000 people in Edo costumes parades from the precinct of Futarasan Shrine.
Rinnoji is a historic temple established 1,200 years ago (Nara period) and the vivid scarlet red main shrine enshrines the eight-meter high sanbutsuzou (three gold Buddha sculptures). In the treasure house 30 thousand items including national treasures and important cultural assets are stored and about 50 items are displayed regularly. At the Japanese garden named “Shouyouen” visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery all year round.
Lake Chuzenji and Natural Scenery
After visiting the World Heritage sites it is common for tourists to visit Lake Chuzenji via the famous Irohazaka slopes, a curving and sharply descending road. In the spring and autumn sightseeing seasons there are often traffic jams there. Lake Chuzenji was created by an eruption of Mt. Nantai and has flourished as a summer resort since the Meiji era. The 97m-high Kegon Falls at the outlet of Lake Chuzenji is a picturesque and powerful waterfall.
It is recommended to use the ropeway from Akechidaira to enjoy this beautiful sightseeing spot. You can enjoy the panoramic scenery of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, with Oku-Nikko mountains such as Mt. Nantai and Mt. Shirane in the background. You can observe different views seasonally: fresh greenery in spring, red leaves in autumn, and snow and frozen scenery in winter. Especially you should not miss the azalea blooming season in late spring and the tinted autumn leaves. The annual average temperature in the city area is approximately 12 degrees, while it is 7 degrees in the mountain area. Summer is relatively cool, but in winter temperatures often fall below freezing.
Another Aspect of Nikko – Hot Springs and Theme Parks
Nikko is also an onsen (hot spring) resort. You can enjoy onsen at most ryokan (inn) including those in the Lake Chuzenji area as well as Yumoto in the Oku-Nikko highland. Day onsen are also available. One of them is the municipal onsen“Yashio no yu,” located 10 minutes from Nikko station by car and just before the start of Irohazaka. It is said onsen is good for recovery from illness. “Anyo no yu” is located near the source of the Oku-Nikko Yumoto onsen and about 40 people can use it at a time free of charge (closed between December and the end of April). You can easily enjoy an onsen experience by just putting your legs into the white water.
In Nikko there is another famous hot spring resort: Kinugawa Onsen in the eastern part, where onsen ryokan line the Kinugawa River. The area is also known for some theme parks. Many tourists visit this area together with the World Heritage sites and Lake Chuzenji.
Tobu World Square is a theme park that exhibits world famous structures built to one twenty-fifth the actual size. Among the 102 exhibits, 45 are registered as World Heritage sites.
Edo Wonderland (Nikko Edo-mura) is a theme park based on an Edo town where you can enjoy the world of samurai. Passing through the entrance checkpoint and walking the street you will find yourself in an inn town. It leads to a ninja village, where you will see a ninja house and a gold tea room. On the street, you will encounter an oiran (high class call girl) procession and street performances. As all staff wear traditional clothing such as kimono, you may feel as if you have slipped into the Edo period.
Access to Nikko
From Tokyo to Nikko, you can take JR and Tobu lines. “Marugoto (whole) Tobu Free Pass” is convenient and covers local bus services in addition to the train fare from Asakusa, Tokyo. Three different type of pass are available. “Marugoto Nikko Tobu Free Pass” (4,030 yen for adults till March, 4,400 yen between April and November) covers World Heritage sites and Lake Chuzenji area bus services. “Marugoto Kinugawa Tobu Free Pass” (4,240 yen for adults till March, 4,600 yen between April and November) covers Kinugawa and Yunishigawa as well as the theme park area. “Marugoto Nikko & Kinugawa Tobu Free Pass” (5,470 yen for adults till March, 5,980 yen between April and November) covers all the areas above.
For non-Japanese, “World Heritage Pass,” a more inexpensive pass featuring World Heritage sites, is available (3,600 yen for adults). With this pass you can enter the World Heritage shrines and temple at no extra charge. “Kinugawa Theme Park Pass” (7,200 yen for adults) includes admission to Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland. “All Nikko Pass” (4,400 yen for adults) covers bus services in all Nikko’s areas. With these passes you can get some discounts at other facilities and for shopping. Super express fares are not included.
NikkoTourist Association www.nikko-jp.org/
Tourism Association of Kinugawa-Kawaji Hotspring www.kinugawa-kawaji.com/en/
Tobu Railway www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/
Tobu World Square www.tobuws.co.jp/
Edo Wonderland www.edowonderland.net/
(From March Issue 2009)
