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 how to experience Nikko culture through regional cuisine, must-visit spots, and activities in this historic city!
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.
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.
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.
Mekke Nikko Kyodo Center is a visitor center located on the way to Nikko Toshogu Shrine from Nikko Station.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yubatei Masudaya offers table seats, private rooms, and tea rooms decorated in traditional Japanese arts.
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.
Due to its beautiful traditional design features, the facility has been designated 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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?
Hyogo Prefecture, bordered by both sea and mountains and adjacent to the cities of Osaka and Kyoto, offers striking natural scenery. A route that takes you from the historic port city of Kobe to Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea invites travelers to embrace “wellness tourism,” engaging with nature while reconnecting with body and mind.
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