Nikko

What to know

Nikko (日光, Nikkō) is a town at the gateway to Nikko National Park, best known for Toshogu, Japan's most opulent shrine and the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Long before Toshogu was constructed in the 1600s, Nikko was a center for Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship. Today, Nikko National Park offers scenic mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.

Nikko and the Okunikko area around Lake Chuzenji are especially famous for their brilliant autumn colors (koyo). Typically, the colors begin at higher elevations like Yumoto Onsen in early October, peak around Lake Chuzenji and the Irohazaka road from mid to late October, and reach Nikko town in the first half of November.

Nikko lies along Japan's Romantic Road.

Activities and attractions

Toshogu ShrineLavish mausoleum of Tokugawa IeyasuIemitsu Mausoleum (Taiyuin)Mausoleum of Iemitsu, Ieyasu’s grandsonRinnoji TempleNikko’s most important templeTamozawa Imperial VillaFormer Nikko residence of the Imperial FamilyKanmangafuchi AbyssAtmospheric walking trail through a gorgeFutarasan ShrineDedicated to Nikko’s sacred mountainsKirifuri WaterfallBeautiful waterfall in the forested mountainsNikko Botanical GardenResearch garden of the University of TokyoShinkyo BridgeSacred bridge at the entrance to Nikko’s shrinesKanaya Hotel History HouseThe predecessor of the Kanaya HotelMount HangetsuyamaMountain with great views over Lake ChuzenjiLake ChuzenjikoLake at the foot of Mount NantaiSenjogahara MarshlandIdyllic marshland with nice hiking trailsRyuzu WaterfallWaterfall famous for its autumn colorsKegon WaterfallNikko’s most famous waterfallYumoto OnsenHot spring resort in the national parkAkechidaira PlateauObservation decks along the Irohazaka roadChuzenji TempleTemple at the shores of Lake ChuzenjikoIrohazaka Winding RoadRoad connecting the town with OkunikkoNasu-ShiobaraResort area with hiking trails and hot springsKinugawa OnsenHot spring resort with theme parks near NikkoUtsunomiyaPrefectural capital of Tochigi Prefecture