Nikko Sightseeing Spots to Visit in Kimono

30 minute walk (1.9 km)

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the representative shrines and temples of Nikko, a World Heritage Site in Japan. The shrine attracts many tourists from abroad and is crowded with people on holidays.

Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined here, and it is considered the headquarters of all Toshogu shrines in Japan. The 55 buildings, decorated with lacquer and rich colors, are truly gorgeous. Visitors can enjoy over 5,000 sculptures and gorgeous decorations, including the famous “three monkeys (see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil)” and “sleeping cats. The beautiful architecture and kimonos are a perfect match.
Cute amulets exclusive to Nikko Toshogu can also be purchased.

30 minute walk (1.9 km)

Nikko Futaarasan Shrine, located next to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, is a shrine for matchmaking and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

It is known as a power spot that brings good luck in all aspects of life, including marriage, money, work, and friends, and is believed to be blessed with family happiness, easy childbirth, and fertility. There are many lucky spots on the temple grounds, including a “marriage tree,” “marriage bamboo,” “parent and child cedar,” “lover’s cedar,” and “lucky guardian dogs.

Seasonal events are also held, so we recommend checking those out as well.

Nikko is an area with many waterfalls, so much so that it is called “48 Waterfalls. The most famous of these is Kegon Falls, one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan, where water from Lake Chuzenji falls 97 meters at a single stroke.

Formed about 20,000 years ago, the waterfall averages about 3 tons of water falling per second. The observation platform in front of the falls can be reached by an elevator that goes all the way down the bedrock. It is a powerful way to get a close-up view of the waterfall basin.

In spring, you can enjoy beautiful fresh greenery, in summer, lush greenery and coolness, in fall, autumn leaves, and in winter, fantastic scenery of glittering, frozen, narrow small waterfalls.

The World Architecture Museum is a one-25th scale reproduction of world architecture and world heritage sites, with 102 famous buildings on display, including 48 World Heritage Sites.

Another secret of its popularity is that visitors can enjoy events, illuminations, and seasonal flowers depending on the season. It is also recommended to take wonderful commemorative photos with a variety of landscapes in the background.
There are also cafes and restaurants in the park, where you can spend a relaxing time.
You will feel as if you have traveled around the world in a single day.

This is a new type of historical theme park that allows visitors to feel as if they have been transported back in time to the Edo and Sengoku periods.

There are many places in the park where you can take pictures of quaint wooden buildings and houseboats that look great with kimonos. You will surely be able to take pictures that look like a scene from a period drama.
Visitors can also enjoy various activities such as “Ninja Karakuri Yashiki” and “Senbei Yaki”.

Finally, when you come to Edo Wonderland, you should not miss the live shows held in theaters throughout the city. Performances range from comic and water tricks to the “Great Ninja Theater,” which showcases sword fighting, magic, and martial arts. Shows are held daily, with multiple performances taking place throughout the day.

At the end of your sightseeing tour, why not relax and heal in a hot spring?

Kinugawa Onsen is one of the leading hot spring resorts in the Kanto region, developed in the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River, which runs north-south through the central part of Tochigi Prefecture. Footbath cafes and day-trip bathing facilities are available, allowing visitors to enjoy the hot spring without staying overnight. The spring water is a natural alkaline simple spring, soft to the touch, non-habit forming, and non-irritating to the skin. Recommended for those who want to achieve “smooth” skin!

Kinugawa Onsen is located near Nikko and is included in the free travel zone of the Nikko Passes to the area.As a place to stay when visiting Nikko, you can add a little fun and relaxation that complements Nikko’s culture and nature.

Sacred beautiful vermilion bridge at the entrance to a shrine in Nikko, also known as the front gateway to Nikko.

日光の表玄関とも称され「日光の社寺」の玄関とも言われる美しい朱色の橋。二荒山（男体山）をご神体としてまつる二荒山神社の建造物で、日光山内の入り口にかかる木造朱塗りの美しい橋。

奈良時代の末に勝道上人が日光山を開くとき、　神仏に加護を求めた際に、深沙王（じんじゃおう）が現れ２匹の蛇を放ち、その背から山菅（やますげ）が生えて橋になったという伝説を持つ神聖な橋です。

四季折々景色が美しく、新緑の季節は朱塗りの橋と緑のコントラスト、紅葉の時期は錦秋の山々を背景に趣のある橋が存在感を増し、撮影スポットとしても人気の場所です。

神橋の先には、日光東照宮へ通じる参道があります。二荒山神社で神前結婚式を挙げるカップルは、「神橋渡り初め」という神事で、厳かな雰囲気の中、神橋を渡ることができます。 また、日本の重要文化財に指定されていて、日本三大奇橋（山口県錦帯橋、山梨県猿橋）の一つに数えられています

旧御用邸で明治期の中でも最大規模の木造建築。日光観光のシンボルである神橋から大谷川（だいやがわ）を1kmほど上流にさかのぼったところに位置します。

明治期に造営された御用邸の中でも最大規模の木造建築で、現存する唯一の建物です。建物は国の重要文化財に指定され、当時の建築様式や皇室文化を垣間見ることができます。

元は皇太子時代の大正天皇の静養所として造営された旧御用邸の建物と庭園を公園として整備し一般公開しています。

庭園も美しく四季折々の景色が楽しめるスポットです。