Tobu Railway Introduces Nikko's Nature & Culture

Nikko, just 2 hours north of Tokyo by TOBU Railway’s TOBU Nikko Line, offers beautiful scenery in every season and rich traditional Japanese culture. The Nikko Mountains surround the Lake Chuzenji at an altitude of 4,164 ft and have been revered as a place of sacred mountain worship for over 1,200 years. About 400 years ago, Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543 -1616), the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled over all Japan from Edo (presently Tokyo), chose Nikko as his last resting place. Even though Ieyasu had never visited Nikko, since it was a gathering place for gods, he also wanted to be there. In order to build Toshogu Shrine where Ieyasu is enshrined, many skilled craftsmen came to Nikko and settled in this area. They brought a rich food culture from every corner of Japan, and those authentic foods and flavors have been passed down unchanged through the generations.

NATUREーOKU-NIKKO

Untouched natrue that has been nurtured in eternal time

From Nikko Station to the west, the Oku-Nikko area extends beyond Irohazaka, and beautiful natural scenery is scattered between altitudes of 2,625 to 4,134 ft. Oku-Nikko area was created by an eruption of Mt. Nantai roughly 20,000 years ago when lava dammed the valley giving birth to Lake Chuzenji. Lakes, large and small waterfalls, rivers, and marshlands, Oku-Nikko features a wide variety of waterscapes.

One of the most popular tourist’s sites is Kegon Falls, one of Japan’s three most magnificent waterfalls with 318 ft fall from Lake Chuzenji.

The 988 acre marshlands “Senjogahara,” meaning battlefield, was named after the legend of the battles of gods of yore over Lake Chuzenji. These marshlands, transformed into a wetland from what was once a lake, are one of Nikko’s treasures serving as a natural habit for wild life. Oku-Nikko also offers various activities such as sawanobori (stream climbing), rafting, fly fishing, skiing and other winter sports.

CULTUREーNIKKO

Temples, shrines, food, hotsprings and more

During the Nara period (710 – 794), the strong faith instilled in people inspired them cleared the mountains in Nikko where they built temples, shrines and Buddhist statues. Many of the craftsmen settled here to build other temples and shrines and continue caring and maintain them. Two shrines and one temple (Futarasan Shrine, Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple) and the monumental ruins surrounding them were registered as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1999 as the “Shrines and Temples in Nikko.” Everyone who visits Toshogu for the first time is fascinated by the beauty of the intricate decoration that was the result of highly refined skills of the craftsmen. Surprisingly, it is said that more than 4.54 million people were involved in the construction which took only 1.5 years to complete. The skills of these artisans has been passed down to this day and is known as Nikko-Bori carving.

The pure water of Nikko has nurtured a very rich food culture, including sake, soba, and yuba dishes. Since the discovery of hot springs 1,200 years ago, many people have visited this area in search of healing for mind and body.

Nikko is very attractive not only to Japanese but also to Westerners. Diplomats from the UK, France and Italy built villas here to avoid the summer heat in Tokyo. Some of these buildings and sites are now open to public.

STAYーTOBU RAILWAY'S RECOMMENDATIONS

THE RITZ-CARLTON, NIKKO

Hidden in Nikko mountains and set along the scenic Lake Chuzenji, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko offers a pristine haven where nature and culture are revered. Graceful and minimal, the hotel showcases a subtle feel of luxury through dining and spa experience and resort accommodations that overlook Lake Chuzenji or Mt. Nantai.

FUFU NIKKO

Within walking distance of the famed Nikko Toshogu Shrine, FUFU Nikko sits next to Tamozawa Imperial Villa grounds, surrounded in all seasons by the river's gentle murmuring below. All 24 rooms, featuring a unique design and have a private hot spring bath inside. The restaurant offers Kaiseki cuisine which you can enjoy the eclectic fusion of Japanese and Western styles, and Teppanyaki.

NIKKO KANAYA HOTEL

Nikko Kanaya Hotel is the oldest resort hotel in Japan, opened in 1873 and beloved by countless people of renowned. The hotel has been registered as Registered Tangible Culteure Properties. Japanese culture and western culture are well blended into the hotel, which provides you an incomparable experience. It is located in a walking distance of the World's Heritage Site, Toshogu, Futarasan shrine and Rinnoji temple.