More Than Just World Heritage Sites! Enjoy Nikko’s Culture and Nature
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Home to World Heritage shrines and temples, Nikko is also rich in nature, history, and local crafts. The city is excellent for an extended stay to truly experience what the area offers. Read to learn more about regional cuisine, must-visit spots, and activities in this historic city!
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Tokyo, Japan
Discover Nikko’s Hidden Charms
Kegon Falls. Photo by Pixta
Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is famous for the World Heritage Sites of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinnoji Temple. The city is a treasure trove of culture, nature, and has historically been loved as a getaway for the Imperial Family and diplomats in Japan.
This article will introduce places where you can experience Nikko’s culture and rich nature in addition to its world heritage sites.
Imperial Culture and Nature at Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
Picture courtesy of Tochigi Prefecture
Tamozawa Imperial Villa was constructed in 1899 as a holiday residence for Emperor Taisho (reigned from 1912 to 1926), who was the crown prince at the time. It was later dismantled and reconstructed as part of the former Kishu Tokugawa Edo Residence. Elements of Western architecture, which was gaining traction in Japan, were incorporated in the design of the reconstructed building.
As such, the villa is considered a valuable structure that utilized advanced architectural techniques available in Japan at the time. Local crafts that once decorated the Imperial Villa are displayed inside. The delicate artistry found in the fusuma (sliding paper doors) paintings and lacquerware provides a glimpse into the artisans' high degree of skill.
Picture courtesy of Tochigi Prefecture
After touring the rooms that once belonged to Emperor Taisho and the Imperial Family, venture into the villa's beautiful garden. Here, visitors can take their time admiring flowers and trees.
Experience Traditional Crafts at mekke Nikko Kyodo Center
Mekke Nikko Kyodo Center is a visitor center located on the way to Nikko Toshogu Shrine from Nikko Station. You can receive a pamphlet with information on popular spots in Nikko.
Additionally, visitors can purchase local souvenirs here. You can even rent electric scooters (must have a motorcycle or drivers’ license) and electric bicycles at the center.
There are exhibits featuring the historical culture and nature of Nikko. Why not brush up on your knowledge before setting out on your adventure? The exhibits also have English translations. It’ll also be fun to participate in a short quiz after perusing the exhibit.
The center also holds hands-on classes on traditional Nikko handicrafts. We recommend the Nikko Carving Experience (1,700 yen).
This area is famous for Nikko woodcarving, a traditional handicraft. Learn the basics while receiving guidance from an instructor to create your own memento. The class duration is about one hour to an hour and a half. Tools are lent out to participants, so you don't need to bring anything.
Your choices for carving are a mirror, picture frame, or nameplate. Then choose the shape and design you want to carve into the wood. Reservations aren't required if you're a solo traveler.
Mekke Nikko Kyodo Center has a co-working space on the second floor where visitors can telework. This spacious, comfortable space also offers a view of Mt. Nakimushi.
Taste Delicious Yuba Dishes at Yubatei Masudaya
Yuba (dried bean curd) cuisine, a Nikko specialty, is a must-try while you're in the city. Yubatei Masudaya is a yuba restaurant that mainly uses a brand called Nikko Gozen Yuba, a product with 140 years of history. You can enjoy a full-course meal centered around this bean curd dish.
In fact, yuba is often found in Buddhist cuisine. It was introduced in this area by mountain ascetics in Kyoto and Nara after Shodo Shonin (735-817) founded his temple on Mt. Nikko.
Different textures of yuba can be made during the cooking process. It all depends on when the tofu skin is pulled from the boiling water. Fortunately, the full-course yuba meal at Masudaya utilizes many different textures.
The raw yuba served as sashimi is made with the uppermost skin layer and has a smooth, light flavor. The sweet, bottom skin layer is served as "ageyuba" or fried yuba.
The meal comes with other dishes such as "taguri-yuba," a miso-glazed dish consisting of raw yuba rolled into a dumpling. There's also the "shinomaki-yuba" that is simmered until it fully soaks up the flavorful liquid. This meal makes it possible to taste a surprising variety of yuba in one sitting.
The course also includes salt-broiled trout, soup, onigiri (rice balls), and dessert.
Yubatei Masudaya offers table seats, private rooms, and tea rooms decorated in traditional Japanese arts. The restaurant also has a splendid Japanese garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers.
Want to learn more about the gourmet food that Nikko and Tochigi Prefecture has to offer? Click the blue button below to be redirected to an article about food in the area. There are also sightseeing farms where you can go strawberry picking! Be sure to refer to this article the next time you are sightseeing in Nikko.
Food and Drink in Tochigi Prefecture
Stay at an Elegant Hotel in Nikko
Photo by Pixta
If you're looking for a leisurely stay in Nikko, then book your accommodation at a hotel or ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in the city. We recommend Nikko Kanaya Hotel, which boasts 140 years of history.
Located in front of the entrance to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, this was the first hotel that opened for first-time visitors to Japan. Prominent figures such as Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, and former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower have stayed here.
The hotel features a gorgeous interior design that can be seen at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. These attractive features have designated the facility as a nationally registered tangible cultural property.
If you’re looking for a Western-style hotel, we recommend the Nikko Station Hotel Classic right next to Nikko Station. Want to stay in a Japanese room and experience Japanese living instead? Then check out Guest House Koundo.
Check out the link below for details on accommodations in Tochigi Prefecture, such as Nikko, Utsunomiya, and Nasu.
Best Hotels in Tochigi Prefecture
Okunikko: A Must-Visit Site for Nature, Outdoor, and Onsen Lovers!
Photo by Pixta
Want to stay another day in Nikko? Let's go out further to Okunikko, a hot spring area filled with picturesque sights. Located inside Nikko National Park, Okunikko is the ideal travel destination for those looking to refresh themselves while surrounded by nature.
The 97-meter-tall Kegon Falls is a must-see scenic beauty when visiting this area. It'd also be great to stop by Chuzenji Temple near Lake Chuzenji and Nikko Futarasan Shrine to learn the history behind Nikko's rich nature.
Take a Lake Chuzenji cruise to admire the surrounding sights from the lake. On the cruise, you’ll get an in-depth history lesson on how Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Falls were formed by a volcanic eruption from the summit of Mt. Nantai to the north.
Odashirogahara. Photo by Pixta
If you love trekking or mountain climbing, head out to explore Nikko National Park. Odashirogahara and Senjogahara—magnificent marshlands teeming with unusual plants and animals—are full of things to see.
If you want to enjoy the outdoors while in Nikko National Park, check out the activities offered by the NAOC Nature Adventure Outdoor Club (Japanese). You can apply for trekking, bicycling, and SUP (standup paddleboarding) experiences at Lake Chuzenji.
Read the article below for details on outdoor activities in Tochigi Prefecture.
Outdoor Activities in Tochigi Prefecture
Picture courtesy of Agoda
Our recommended accommodation in Okunikko is Oku Nikko Hotel Shikisai. Enjoy a stay in an elegant, spacious Japanese room with wonderful hot springs at your disposal.
This comfortable resort hotel is located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji in the bosom of Nikko's vast nature. The hotel's biggest appeal is the kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese multi-course meal) that utilizes local ingredients.
When it comes to hot spring areas around Nikko, Kinugawa Onsen is located nearby and is famous for its seasonal beauty. Read the article below if you're interested in the area!
Tons of Family-Friendly Spots to Enjoy!
There are several facilities around Nikko where you can learn about Japanese culture alongside children.
Families with kids who adore samurai and ninja should go to EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura! Dress up as a ninja or female warrior, then tour traditional Japanese homes, get an up-close look at traditional crafts created during the Edo Period, and watch ninja shows. Spend a fun day surrounded by Japanese culture while throwing shuriken (throwing stars) at a dojo or challenging yourself in a kyudo (Japanese archery) experience.
Tobu World Square, located on the way to Kinugawa Onsen, is a park where you can see miniature models of famous buildings from around the world. If you hope to see the Egyptian pyramids, London's Big Ben, and India's Taj Mahal at least once in your lifetime, then come here to see these landmarks in under an hour! The park is filled with exciting buildings and structures faithfully reproduced to the finest detail.
Want more details on spots families can enjoy around Nikko? Click on the link below!
Family-Friendly Attractions in Tochigi Prefecture
Enjoy Nikko’s Rich Culture and Nature
It's a waste to experience only a day in Nikko when there's an abundance of beautiful nature and rich Japanese culture. Once you've visited world heritage sites on your first day, why not consider staying overnight in Nikko and venturing out to destinations like Okunikko and Kinugawa Onsen the next day?
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Main image by Pixta
Written by Ramona Taranu
Sponsored by Tochigi Prefecture
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Tokyo, Japan
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