From shimmering lakes and snowcapped mountains to World Heritage shrines, temples and rejuvenating hot springs, it’s no secret why Nikko has drawn visitors for centuries. Here’s why it should be your next adventure (and why you should probably go twice or more).

The near-mystic quality of the landscape may explain the area’s long history of drawing Buddhist and Shinto practitioners. It gained extra significance in 1617 when Nikko Toshogu shrine was completed. It was to be the final resting place for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan. This subsequently attracted many visitors during the Edo period (1603 – 1868) and thereafter.

Get off the bus at Yutaki Iriguchi at the southern tip of Lake Yunoko. This is a walk framed by waterfalls, beginning at the beautiful Yudaki Falls and ending at the equally striking Ryuzu Falls. Much of the trail is smooth and flat, with several boardwalks, allowing for a relaxing stroll with great views over the Senjogahara Moors surrounded by mountains. It’s popular with birdwatchers, and you can also see many wetland plants and flowers. One particularly charming spot is Odashiro Bridge, a wooden walkway over the Yugawa River, where fallen moss-covered trees conjure the image of a jungle, especially in the green summer months.

Lake Kirikomi & Lake Karikomi Trail
Moderate | Distance 9.6km | Time 4 hrs. 15 min.

Beyond the UNESCO World Heritage Area, Okunikko has plenty more temples to be dis- covered. Chuzen-ji houses the Tachiki Kan- non, a six-meter-tall statue of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with 1,000 arms. Follow the wooden walkway up to the colorful second story. Be sure to look up, as the ceiling is decorated with a mesmerizing white dragon by Nanpu Katayama. Other panels are filled with nearly 150 colorful depictions of flower varieties found in the Nikko area. Another temple worth noting is Onsen-ji, which is an extremely rare example of a temple with a hot spring. Visitors can take a bath in its cloudy waters, which are said to promote health and longevity, then enjoy tea and a traditional snack afterwards.

Stroll a short way uphill from Tobu- Nikko Station and your eye will land upon several stores with intricately carved wooden items, from mirrors and plates to ornate cabinets. Nikkobori – literally “Nikko wood- carving” – dates from the Edo period and is believed to have originated from restoration work conducted on Toshogu Shrine. Skilled artisans use a special flat-tipped gouge called a “hikkaki” or “hikkaki-tou.”

You can also have a go at the Nikko Woodcarving Village Craft Center, where you can choose between five different designs, including a tray, hand mirror and confectionery box. The experience takes roughly one hour and 20 minutes and can be undertaken on the day, although reservations are required for groups of five and above

The delicacy and versatility of this local specialty should not be underestimated. Yuba is essentially tofu skin—a film made by boiling up soy milk in an open pan that is then collected and dried to form yellowish sheets. It is said to
have a long history in the area due to the vegetarian diets of the Buddhist monks and priests who lived and worshipped at the many temples. Yuba restaurants are everywhere—look for ゆば or 湯波 on the sign—but one excellent place to try it is Nagomi Chaya, a short distance from Shinkyo Bridge.

Lunch comes as one set with yuba incorporated into an array of different dishes in creative ways. What’s more, the cozy interior has both Western-style tables and tatami floor seating so you can choose whichever suits your mood.

There is nothing quite like getting out on the water. The Tobu Chuzenjiko Cruise departs several times a day, offering various courses including a 55-minute round trip which stops near major attractions. It operates from April 20th to the end of November. For an aerial perspective, take the Akechidaira Ropeway up to the observation deck for breathtaking views. This fantastic experience is free with the Nikko Discount Ticket.

Nikko has long been popular for its onsen (hot springs), particularly those in the town of Yumoto Onsen on Lake Yuno. Sulfur springs well up at temperatures between 49.3 to 78.9 degrees Celsius (120.74 to 174.02 Fahrenheit), emerald green at the source, turning milky white on contact with air. Another great place to enjoy onsen is Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel on the shore of Lake Chuzenji. It boasts both indoor and outdoor baths, which are available to non-guests between 1pm and 3pm. To refuel after relaxing, the main dining room offers Western-style Japanese cuisine with a view out over the water, and there’s even an on-site bakery for freshly baked bread.

Access from Tokyo