One question that is always asked by foreign tourists coming to Japan is how to get to Nikko.
This article describes Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage Site, and Nikko tourism as a whole. The city of Nikko is located in Tochigi Prefecture and is home to the gorgeous “Nikko Toshogu Shrine,” which is synonymous with Nikko; “Senjogahara,” where natural sights such as waterfalls, wetlands, and wild birds are concentrated; “Chuzenji Lake,” a classic spot with many activities; “Iroha Slope,” a famous curve that enhances driving trips; the “Ryuoukyo” hiking course where you can feel the nature of Kinugawa River; and the dynamic splash of waterfalls, which are breathtaking! Kegon Falls” and many more.
【Background】
Nikko is a religious area that has been known since the Kamakura period (1185-1333) for its mountains dedicated to Nikko Gongen. During the Edo period (1603-1867), the area became a shrine site for the Tokugawa family, led by Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tokugawa Iemitsu, early shoguns of the Edo Shogunate. After the Tokugawa period, the area became crowded with worshippers as the torii-mae (gateway) town of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
In the Meiji era (1868-1912), foreigners began to visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Nikko Yumoto Hot Springs, which were known overseas as scenic spots, and lodging and accommodation facilities were developed to accommodate foreigners, thereby creating the appearance of an international tourist city.
【Transportation / Access】
Option A： From Asakusa, Tokyo *Recommended
Tobu Asakusa → Tobu Nikko (Express train: 1h52min)
Tobu Nikko → Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Bus: 10min)
Fare: Approx. 3,100 yen
Click here for Tobu train special tickets
★Tobu Tourist Information Center Asakusa
＠Tobu Asakusa Station 1F
open from 7:30~, but expect it to be crowded, so please go there as early as possible.
You can get ticket details here!
Option B： From Tokyo/Shinjuku
JR Shinjuku → Tobu Nikko (Express train: 1h58min) *Only one train in 7AM
Tobu Nikko → Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Bus: 10min)
Fare: Approx. 4,300 yen
Click here for JR train special tickets, or here for Tobu train.
Option C：Others
Shinkansen bullet trains and express buses are also available. Check here!
【Sightseeing spots】
Here is very useful website! Plus, you can download brochure!!!
Please check this before you go to Nikko 😉
Day trip : For both Plan A and B, I assume departure from Asakusa at 7:30 a.m. and arrival at Asakusa at 9:30 p.m., leaving the site around 7:00 p.m.
*The first train in the morning may be fully booked, so be careful!
Plan A: One Day Nature Tour Plan
・Nikko Toshogu Shrine: Nikko Toshogu Shrine enshrines the most famous samurai leader Tokugawa Ieyasu. Its carved and brilliantly decorated structures are part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage site and the highlight of any visit to Tochigi.
・Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji : There are so many waterfalls in and around Nikko that it is said that there are 48 waterfalls in Nikko, the most famous of which is Kegon-no-taki Falls.Water from Lake Chuzenji falls down the 97-meter-high cliff at a single stroke, creating a spectacular waterfall. the lake located west of Nikko. It was formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai in the north, and has a circumference of about 25 km. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, the lake was a popular summer resort for embassy villas.
・Ryuzu Waterfalls : Nantai, and flows down a staircase of about 10 meters in width, over lava formed by the eruption of Mt.It is said that the name of the waterfall comes from the fact that the area near the basin is bisected by a large rock, which resembles a dragon’s head. (The streams of waterfalls on either side are the dragon’s whiskers.)
・Yumoto Hot Spring：In the center of Nikko National Park, on a plateau surrounded by protected wetlands is Nikko Yumoto Onsen.
Plan B：Day Trip Entertainment Plan
・Nikko Toshogu Shrine
・Nikko Edomura ：Experience the culture of the Edo period (1603-1867) at Edo Wonderland. Edo Wonderland combines history with expansive, theme park-style amusement for an extraordinary day out.
・Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway : Ascend 300 meters in four minutes to the mountaintop observation deck with a panoramic view of Kinugawa Onsen and Mt. Tsukuba. Visitors can also feed dozens of monkeys.
・Kinugawa Onsen：A hot spring located in the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Along with Hakone and Atami, it is known as “Tokyo’s back yard” and attracts more than 2 million overnight guests annually.
日本に来る外国人観光客に必ずと言って良いほど聞かれるのが、日光への行き方。ユネスコ世界遺産である日光東照宮と、日光観光全体について説明します。栃木県にある日光市。
豪華絢爛な日光の代名詞「日光東照宮」,滝や湿原、野鳥など自然の光景が凝縮「戦場ヶ原」,アクティビティ豊富な定番スポット「中禅寺湖」,ドライブ旅を盛り上げる名物カーブ「いろは坂」,鬼怒川の自然を感じるハイキングコース「龍王峡」,ダイナミックな水しぶきは圧巻！「華厳の滝」など、盛りだくさんです。
【背景】
古くは鎌倉時代以降、日光権現を祀る山々が知られるようになった宗教地域である。江戸時代に徳川家康および徳川家光などの江戸幕府の初期の将軍によって徳川家の廟地となった。徳川時代以降に日光東照宮の鳥居前町として参拝客で賑わっていました。
明治時代に入ると、海外でも景勝地として知られていた日光東照宮や中禅寺湖、日光湯元温泉などを外国人が訪れるようになり、外国人に対応した宿泊・滞在施設が整備され、国際観光都市としての体裁が整えられていった場所です。
【交通・アクセス】
A. 都内・浅草から ※オススメ
東部浅草 → 東武日光 （特急電車：1h52min)
東武日光 → 日光東照宮 （バス：10min)
料金：おおよそ3,100円
お得な切符はこちら
★東武ツーリストインフォメーションセンター浅草 ＠東部浅草駅1F
7:30~開いていますが、混雑することが予想されますので、時間に余裕を持ってお尋ねください。
こちらでチケットの詳細が聞けます！
B.都内・新宿から
JR新宿 → 東武日光 （特急電車：1h58min) ※朝7時代の1本のみ
東武日光 → 日光東照宮 （バス：10min)
料金：おおよそ4,300円
お得な切符はこちら
C.その他
新幹線や高速バスを利用する方法もあります。
【観光のポイント】
日帰り：どちらも大体、7:30浅草発、現地を19:00頃には出発し、浅草着21:30 を想定。
＊朝一番の電車は予約で満席の場合もあるので、要注意！
プランA : 日帰り自然観光プラン
・日光東照宮
・華厳の滝＆中禅寺湖
・竜頭の滝
・湯本温泉
プランB：日帰りエンタメプラン
・日光東照宮
・日光江戸村
・鬼怒川温泉ロープウェイ
・鬼怒川温泉
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