Nikko is a famous tourist spot in Japan. It is located to the north of the Kanto region, and is famous for its many historical buildings, including Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls, as well as the superb views created by nature.
We will show you some of the recommended spots hidden behind them, not the famous spots of Nikko.
Nikko Shrines and Temples
Nikko’s temples and shrines are generic names for buildings belonging to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarayama Shrine, and Rinoji, and are also registered as World Heritage Sites. Not only these temples and shrines, but also the buildings on the premises have many famous places.
Toshogu Yomeimon
It is one of the gates protecting Toshogu Shrine and is covered with over 500 sculptures and pattern sculptures. It is said that the collection of the best of Edo culture does not get tired even if you look at it all day, and it is sometimes called Higurashi-no-mon.
Rinnoji-Taiyu-in
It is a mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, famous as the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, and was built in 1633 as Rinno-ji Temple, which is said to be the head temple of the Tendai sect lined with Mt. Hiei. It is said to have been built on a more modest scale than Toshogu Shrine, based on the will of Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Shin-kyou – God bridge
It is a bridge over the Otani River, and it is said that it already existed in the Muromachi period. It is located at Futarayama Shrine and becomes a sanctuary beyond this bridge.
It was revered as a sacred bridge as the name implies, and was used only for rituals and edicts, and ordinary people crossed from Nikko Bridge downstream from here.
It is the only movable bridge in the mountains to be built in Japan, and is counted as one of Japan’s three strange bridges.
Senjogahara
It is a vast marsh of 400 hectares at the foot of Mt. Nantai and is a popular hiking trail. Mt. Nantai, which rises above the vast land, is truly spectacular.
Senjogahara is also blessed with nature, and there are more than 300 species of native plants, and you can enjoy different scenery every season.
It is also known for its abundance of wild birds, and it is said that when you are lucky, deer can also encounter flocks.
The name Senjogahara comes from the legend that this place became a battlefield when the gods of Mt. Nantai and Mt.Akagi.
Next, we will introduce at the beauty of Lake Chuzenji, where the gods fought for ownership.
Lake Chuzenji
Lake Chuzenji, which spreads as if welcoming visitors to Oku-Nikko, is said to have been completed about 20,000 years ago because the valley was dammed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. With a vast lake of around 25 km, you can enjoy its wonderful scenery in any season.
In particular, autumn leaves are beautiful, and tours of autumn leaves are held. It is good to look at the lake, but it is recommended that you take a pleasure boat and enjoy the view from the middle of the lake.
You will be overwhelmed by the magnificence of the scenery that fascinated God.
Oku Kinu Onsen
Oku Kinu Onsen is a general term for a hot spring village in Nikko. There are four hot springs of different qualities, such as Kaniyu, Teshirasawa Onsen, Nikkozawa Onsen, and Hatchonoyu, and it is also called Oku Kinu four hot springs.
This hot spring resort cannot be visited by ordinary car, you need to take a shuttle bus to the hotel or walk for about an hour.
However, the road is abundant in nature and there are no steep roads, so it may be fun to walk while enjoying nature.
Kan-manga-fuchi
This is also a place made of lava that flowed out of the eruption of Mt.Nantai. On a large rock on the riverbank, a stone statue of King Fudo Ming is erected.
It is said that Kan-manga-fuchi was named after the last phrase of the Fudo-Ming King’s truth.
On the southern shore, there was a group of Jizo, called Kajizo, which was said to differ in number each time it was counted.
And on the precipitous cliff is the engraved Sanskrit character “Kanman”, a legend that Kobo Daishi threw a brush and carved it.
This alone is spectacular, but here you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season, and in the winter you can also see the Jizo groups wearing snow.
Conclusion
We introduced unknown spots of Nikko, which is famous as a tourist spot. In general, this is a place where the nature of the four seasons is beautiful. Nikko, where you can enjoy different appearances at any time, is still deep. Of course, there are many classic spots from Nikko. It is up to you how you enjoy it.
