Things to see and do on a trip to Nikko

Not far from Tokyo lies an idyllic village surrounded by green forests and impressive mountains. It has become a favorite destination for many travelers in the Japanese archipelago. The Toshogu Shrine and its national park are just some of the wonders in the village of Nikko. It is home to a surprising cultural and historical heritage. And the beautiful natural surroundings are something that the other nearby villages would be happy to have.

And despite the fact that Nikko is not very big, this village is quite inviting. Wandering around the alleys and admiring the essence of its shrines surrounded by nature will transport you to the most traditional Japan just by spending a few hours in the place. In this article about Nikko we tell you everything you can’t miss on your visit.

What are the best places to visit in Nikko?

1. The Toshogu Shrine

It is practically impossible to miss this place in Nikko, with its unmistakable stone torii welcoming visitors to its grounds. That’s why Toshogu Shrine is at the top of our list of things to do in Nikko.

Considered one of the most important monuments in the village, this shrine houses the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was the first shogun of the Tokugawa family. The mausoleum is famous not only for its historical significance, but for the style of its construction. It has a unique blend of elements from Japan’s major religions, as well as detailed architectural work in the shrine’s main pavilion.

And while the torii at the entrance is noteworthy, the pagoda at Toshogu Shrine is a true work of art. It consists of five floors and perfectly combines reddish tones, green and gold details. It all makes it an interesting monument on its own. The entrance is open on some occasions, so don’t hesitate to go inside if you have the opportunity. In addition to this structure, there are other parts of the enclave that are very striking. For example, the Yomeimon Gate and the Karamon Gate, as well as the Haiden prayer hall and the Honden main hall.

2. The Futarasan Shrine

There are a number of temples and shrines throughout the village and the natural environment surrounding Nikko. They await visitors who see Nikko as a perfect opportunity to find a place of peace and tranquility.

The Futarasan Shrine is one of the many monuments of religious origin in Nikko, in addition to the Toshogu Shrine. Right in the vicinity of the latter is the entrance to Futarasan. It is less cluttered with decorative and architectural elements compared to Toshogu, but we believe that its charm lies right there.

It was founded in 782, in honor of the three sacred mountains of the village of Nikko. They are Mount Taro, Mount Nantai and Mount Nyoho. Access is free and you can enter the main hall and the prayer hall, often visited by local people to make wishes. The entire natural environment and gardens that are part of the grounds are worth a visit on their own.

3. The Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum 

Following the endless list of impressive monuments in the peaceful Nikko, we can not miss the Taiyuinbyo. This is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun. In his honor, the same architectural and stylistic style that characterizes the monuments of this family, as in the Toshogu Shrine, was followed.

Surrounded by the thick forests of the national park of Nikko, this mausoleum is a part of the Rinnoji temple. It consists of 15 other subtemples and several halls and pagodas. The Niomon gate, the entrance to the mausoleum, stands out thanks to its golden and reddish elements, as well as the two deities represented therein, Misshaku-Kongo and Naraen-Kongo.

If you continue into this World Heritage-listed complex, you will come across the Nitenmon Gate. It leads to the Tenbo-jo lookout, a place that has an enviable view of the complex and the green forests. Before you leave, don’t forget to visit the Haiden and Honden Halls. They are truly impressive in their design and the sculptures inside.

4. The Shinkyo Bridge

Although we have decided to leave this magnificent and renowned bridge for the end of our list, but traditionally, this is one of the initial points to visit in Nikko. If you visit Futarasan Shrine, you can leave a visit to Shinkyo Bridge as the finishing touch to your tour of the complex.

It is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Japan. And when you see it there is no doubt to why. We do not know if it is because of the design of its arch, or the red details of the railings, but it certainly has a magic really hard to describe.

Apart from its design, the flowing of the translucent river under the bridge, as well as the view of the forests, winding valleys and mountains around Nikko, are a visual experience that is not easily forgotten. Nowadays, the bridge leads nowhere, but it is worth a fleeting visit.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Nikko

The Imperial Villa Tamozawa 

It is located in the same town of Nikko, a little further away from the center of the village. It is one of the many buildings owned by the Tokugawa family throughout the Nikko area. The villa has a design that combines different architectural styles and a decorative uniqueness that make it very striking.

The Tamozawa Imperial Villa was built in 1899 and became the official residence of the Tokugawa family, as well as the Imperial family at certain points in history. Specifically, these families stayed at the complex during the Edo period. It can be easily traced through the design from that era, as well as the influence of the Meiji period is also quite noticeable.

What to see in 1 day in Nikko

Although the village of Nikko is small in comparison to other towns, there are a lot of things to see in Nikko. However, in 1 day you will be able to experience a great deal of this place. To make the most of it, we have prepared a series of tips on things to do and see in Nikko in 1 day.

We definitely recommend starting your visit at the mythical Toshogu Shrine, a must on any trip to Nikko, for its majesty and the secrets it holds. Then, since they are practically in the same complex, we recommend you to go to Futarasan Shrine and visit Shinkyo Bridge. To finish this route, take the opportunity to visit the impressive Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum. It perfectly combines the architectural elements of the Toshogu Shrine with the indescribable natural environment where it is located.

Where and what to eat in Nikko?

The gastronomy of Japan is recognized worldwide and is, without a doubt, one of the main attractions of traveling to this city. That is why we have prepared a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it on your visit to Nikko:

• Komekichi Kozushi: Excellent sushi, with refined service and attention to detail, are the elements that characterize Komekichi Kozushi.
• Nikko pub Kujira Shokudo: An intimate atmosphere and excellent food characterize this famous pub in Nikko. You can eat for around €15 at the exchange rate: excellent value for money.
• Ramen Bonten Nikko: Gyozas, okonomiyaki and ramen make up the gastronomic triad of Ramen Bonten. You’ll be able to eat for less than the equivalent of about $10.

Where to stay in Nikko

Sometimes planning everything that goes into a trip is tiring and chaotic, so to make your stay much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a list of some accommodations for your days in Nikko:

• Nikko Hoshino Yado: A haven of peace, with beautiful natural scenery that can be seen from its relaxation area and indoor pool. Prices for a weekend are around 700€.
• B&B Izumi Nikko: This traditional-style inn is in an excellent location, close to Toshogu Shrine and a natural environment that exudes peace. Its price is around 250€ for two people.
• Nikko Park Lodge Tobu Station: An austere hotel, just 2 km from Toshogu Shrine and right in the center of Nikko village, is an excellent choice for accommodation during your stay. It is priced between 60 and 70€.

What should I consider before traveling to Nikko

• The official currency of Japan is the yen.
• The best time to travel to Nikko is spring, when the weather is warm and it is not yet as expensive as during the summer.
• It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
• Japanese is spoken in Nikko and generally, although English is spoken in public transportation stations and more touristy places, we recommend that you learn some basic Japanese expressions.
• The tap water is drinkable.
• For Spanish citizens it is not necessary to have a visa if you travel for less than 90 days. But you must have your passport and be able to prove you have a the hotel reservations and that the trip is a tourist one.
• Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Wear the names of the hotel in writing.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Nikko

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Nikko in Japan

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Nikko