Welcome to Nikko

Nikko is located in Tochigi Prefecture and is an easy day’s side trip or overnight stay from Tokyo, yet it’s worlds away in terms of scenic beauty and historic architectural gems. Nestled in a forest of cedars is the village of Nikko, world famous for its sumptuous Toshogu Shrine, final resting place of a powerful shogun and one of Japan’s most-visited shrines. Together with nearby Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also worth seeing are the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.

Toshogu Shrine is reached by a shady footpath, lined with 13,000 massive Japanese cedars planted four centuries ago.

Rinnoji Temple is Nikko’s most important temple founded in the 8th century, the temple’s main building, the Sanbutsudo, houses large, gold lacquered, wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon and Bato-Kannon.