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This is a course that contains history and nature. In addition to two World Heritage shrines and one World Heritage temple in Nikko, you can also fully take in nature such as waterfalls.
Why not rent an old-fashioned kimono and stroll around the World Heritage sites of Nikko? Dressing in the kimono takes approx. 10 min. and costs 3,800 yen (tax incl.) for one day. Savor an ambience that is extraordinary.
The most renowned shrine of “the Shrines and Temples of Nikko”-a UNESCO world heritage site where Ieyasu Tokugawa, the great Shogun who started the Edo Period, is enshrined. Most of the shrine complex you see today was rebuilt in 17th century. The shrine contains 55 buildings including 8 national treasures and 34 listed buildings. The highlights are many colorful buildings which are richly decorated with gorgeous carvings. Do not miss the symbol of peace “Sleeping Cat”, and the “Three Monkeys” with the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” poses!
History of Futarasan Shrine
About 1,200 years ago, a famous monk Shodo Shonin found Shihonryu-ji Temple (belong to Rinno-ji Temple) and Futarasan Shrine (today’s “Hongu Shrine” belong to Futarasan Shrine). It symbolized the begin of the mountain beliefs of Mount Nantai. Since then, Futarasan Shrine was called “Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Shimotsuke Province” and became the center of faith in Nikko.
What makes Futarasan Shrine different?
The main deity of Futarasan Shrine is Okuniushi, who is known for good luck and success in love. Many people come here to pray for the success of their interpersonal relationships.
The wooden vermillion bridge “Shinkyo” located at the entrance of Mount Nikko is belonging to the shrine, welcomes visitors to the world heritage site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”.
You can also visit the Oku-no-miya located at the summit of Mount Nantai and the Middle Shrine located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji, both are famous power spots in Nikko.
The shrine holds famous festival “Yayoi Festival” every April, you can see many beautiful mikoshi and enjoy traditional music during the event.
※World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” includes Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Rinno-ji Temple and Nikko Futarasan Shrine.
The history of the Nikkosan Rinno-Ji Temple started over 1250 years ago, when Shodo Shonin (Saint Shodo), who firstly served as the head priest of Nikko, founded the Shihonryuji Temple.
Sanbutsudo Hall is one of the largest wooden architectures in Nikkosan, and houses Buddhist statues respectively symbolizing honchibutsu (original Buddhist divinity), of the holy three mountains in Nikko, such as Senju-Kannon (Kannon with a thousand arms: honchibutsu of Mt. Nantai), Amidanyorai (Amitabha Tathagata: honchibutsu of Mt. Nyoho), and Bato-Kannon (Kannon with a horse head: honchibutsu of Mt. Taro), are 8m tall.
You have to eat the Nikko specialty of yuba (tofu skin) if you come to Nikko. Yuba is made by boiling soy milk and then lifting up the film that forms on the surface. Both your eyes and tongue will enjoy yubamaki in which Tochigi Wagyu beef is wrapped in rice produced in Tochigi Prefecture and then wound with yuba!
The Nikko Woodcarving Village Craft Centre offers demonstrations of making Nikko Geta sandals and Nikko-style woodcarving.
Visitors can try their hand at the traditional Nikko-style woodcarving by tracing designs on everyday items such as trays， hand mirrors and small plates.
Kegon Falls is the most famous of Nikko’s 48 waterfalls. Water from Lake Chuzenji falls 97 metres straight down to the rocks below creating a dynamic and artistic work of nature. A special lift takes visitors to the basin where the force and roar of the water can be witnessed close up!
Kegon Falls offers stunning views every season. Deep green in early summer, red and yellow leaves in autumn.
in winter, the water freezes as it drops creating beautiful ice shapes almost like beautiful pieces of art.
After 120 years, the former British Embassy Villa opened its doors to the public as the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park on 1 July 2016. Ernest Satow, a British diplomat who contributed to Japan’s Meiji Restoration, built a private villa at the south bank of Lake Chuzenji in 1896. He loved Oku-Nikko, especially Lake Chuzenji as the area reminded him of the natural landscape of his home country. The villa was used as the British Embassy summer residence until 2008 before being donated to Tochigi prefecture in 2010 to be opened to the general public.
In the early years of the villa, Satow’s friend Isabella Bird stayed here for a month and wrote of the impressive landscape of the villa.
The British Embassy Villa Memorial Park presents exhibitions on British culture and the history of Oku-Nikko as an international summer resort. Visitors can immerse themselves in this historic setting while enjoying teatime in the villa (additional charges apply) and take in the picturesque view of Lake Chuzenji from the spacious veranda on the upper floor.
