Nikko travel blog — The fullest Nikko travel guide for first-timers

April 2, 2023

There are currently about 2,200 species of plants, not only has mountain plants, but also plants throughout Japan, such as gymnosperms, angiosperms, azaleas, temperate plants, shrubs, ferns … are planted in gardens alternating with paths around the entire area which help visitors can just walk to enjoy the fresh air and also have the opportunity to learn all the varieties of plants. You can see the magic when the leaves turn yellow, red in the garden of a thousand species.

Especially when visiting the botanical garden visitors will have a better view of Kanmangafuchi area, can see the Jizo statues from far away.

Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:30pm (entry until 4:00pm)
Entrance fee: 400 yen

Tobu World Square

If you are wishing to travel around the world in a super-short time, you can visit Tobu World Square Park – another popular theme park in Nikko City. There are more than 100 models of famous buildings in the world at the rate of 1:25. The works at the park are systematically sorted across continents and countries, so it helps visitors can easily visit the works of Asia, to Europe, America, Egypt, Japan and the other works of modern Japan.

With architectural models of European countries, Europe is the largest and most diverse area in Tobu World Square. From the Eiffel Tower of France, the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy, the Peterhof Palace of Russia, especially to the Parthenon temple, the Roman colosseum was erected almost identical to the original.

In the area of Japan, visitors will see about 35 works here, such as Himeji Castle, the Royal Palace in Kyoto, Itsukushima Temple, Katsura Palace, especially the change of Japanese scenery in 4 seasons of the year … Not only recreating the works but also the smallest details from the way, the flower garden, the seasonal scenery, including the people are also reconstructed perfectly.

Address: 209-1 Kinugawaonsen Ohara, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-2593, Japan
Phone: +81 288-77-1055
Website: http://www.tobuws.co.jp/en/

Nikko Strawberry Park

Nikko is the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, is the number one place to grow strawberries in Japan and is known as the strawberry kingdom of Japan with the most popular strawberry, Tochiotome.

Autumn is also one of the fruit harvesting seasons in Japan and visiting a strawberry garden will be a unique way to enjoy the autumn in Japan. Many people said that it would be a pity if you travel to Nikko City without going to a strawberry garden, experiencing the feeling of picking and enjoying the strawberries here.

Address: 3581 Serinuma, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-2405, Japan
Phone: +81 288-22-0615
Admission Fee: 30 minute all-you-can-eat 1500-1700 yen
Opening hours: 10AM – 4PM. Closed: Tuesday

Lake Chuzenji

Lake Nikko is also known as Chuzenji – the largest lake in Togichi Prefecture (Japan) – famous for lyrical scenery, poetic and spectacular waterfalls around the lake. Formed from a volcano crater, Chuzenji is so beautiful poetic lake, it has more than 20,000 years old. If you want to sailing on the lake you can take a boat ride. Around the lake, there are many beautiful art stores.

Dubbed the “refrigerator” of the Kanto region, temperatures can drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius, Lake Nikko attracts crowds of tourists to ski in the winter and “avoid the sun” in the summer with hot springs, famous ski resorts and ideal campsites.

In autumn, Nikko Lake attracts visitors with cool air, yellow and red leaves. From mid-September, if seen from above, you will see the area around Lake Nikko as a colorful palette that changes day by day. On the slopes and side of the small roads around the lake, autumn back slowly, gently where the leaves gradually turn yellow and red color.

Irohazaka

Not the highway, but the zigzagging Irohazaka mountain pass is famous for its 48 bends and attractive charms. Each turn is assigned a letter in 48 characters of the Japanese alphabet.

The narrow road with many bends has been modernized over the years and it is always being protected and upgraded, and keeping the correct number of bends. Irohazaka consists of two roads built in 1954 and 1965 as one of the first toll roads in Japan, but then it is free to use.

Today, the old road is open to one-way traffic, only go down and includes a stopover where you can watch two beautiful waterfalls nearby. While the newer road is only open for one-way traffic, it goes up to the Akechidaira Plateau, near the top of the road.

Akechidaira Plateau

Situated on the top of the Irohazaka bend, just before reaching Chuzenji Lake, the Akechidaira Plateau is a small car park with panoramic views the bend and a valley below. A cable car will take visitors up for three minutes from the parking lot to a zone that from that you can have a panoramic view of Kegon Waterfall in conjunction with Lake Chuzenji.

Ryuzu Waterfall (Ryūzu Falls)

The Ryuzu waterfall (Dragon Head Falls) is named it like that because it looks similar to the dragon head. This waterfall is one of Nikko’s most famous autumn spots, usually its autumn beauty reaching its peak in early October.

Address: Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1661, Japan
Height: 60 m
Hours: Open 24 hours
Free admission

Chuzenji Onsen

Chuzenji-ko Onsen is a tourist hot spring resort located on the eastern bank of Lake Chuzenji and at the foot of Nantai Mountain. This small town includes souvenir shops, hotels and traditional inns (ryokan guesthouses), and there are several attractions such as the Chuzenji Temple, Futarasan Temple, a natural museum and especially waterfalls of Kegon. It is also the starting point for boat trips on the lake.

Nikko Chuzenji-ko Onsen Hotel Hana-An — Picture: nikko blog.

Address: Chugushi, Nikko-city, Tochigi
Phone: 0288-55-0067
Website: http://www.chuzenji.jp/index.html

Kegon Falls

Kegon Falls (or Kegon no taki), with nearly 100 meters high, is Nikko’s most famous waterfall and one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Japan You can admire the waterfall for free from an observation deck above (Visitors can easily walk to the observatory) or another observation deck at the foot of the falls, to reach this place you must use a lift with a fee. The scenery of Kegon Falls, which is connected to Lake Chuzenji, is observed from the Akechidaira Observatory. To get there, visitors must take a cable car from the Akechidaira Plateau.

Kegon Falls is the highlight place of the fall scene. The trees around the spectacular waterfall are always brings brilliant colors from the middle until the end of October. In winter, Kegon is equally impressive when things seem to be frozen completely.

Address: Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1661, Japan
Height: 97 m
Number of drops: 1
Width: 7 m
Phone: +81 288-55-0030
Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Ticket price: 550 yen

Chuzenji Temple

Chuzenji Temple is built around the unique Kannon statue. Over the centuries, the statue was carved from a tree trunk, which now stands firm with roots spread on the ground. The temple has a nice view of the lake that it is named.

Address: Japan, 〒321-1661 Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko, 中宮祠２５７８
Phone: +81 288-55-0013
Entrance fee: 500 yen
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM

Mount Hangetsuyama

Hangetsuyama Mountain (Elevation: 1,739 m) is located in the southeast corner of Lake Chuzenji. The view point near the top of the mountain gives you a wonderful view of the lake and Nantai Mountain. Each fall, autumn colors are added to the landscape seen from here, making it a popular sight.

Hangetsuyama Observation Deck address: Chugushi, Nikko 321-1661, Tochigi Prefecture

Kinugawa Onsen

When your legs are tired after a day of sightseeing, nothing is more wonderful to relax in guesthouses, resorts has the hot springs in Kinugawa in Nikko City. Kinugawa Hot Spring is one of the places where many visitors choose, this is also where many Japanese come to the weekend. In the past, there was only clergy or warlord who could take a bath in this hot spring. Hot water here is good for dispelling fatigue, for back pain, shoulder pain and other types.

Kinugawa Onsen Hotel, Nikko winter — Credit: nikko travel blog.

Kinugawa Hot Springs is located in the upper Kinugawa River. Along the banks of the river are many hotels, inns with hot springs. However, when visiting Kinugawa, visitors can not only get a hot bath but also have a chance to sail on the Kinugawa River, or watch the entire hot springs area by a mountain cable car system. Soak up the hot water to dispel fatigue, prepare for a deep sleep and start your continuous day for a visit to Nikko City.

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura

The park of Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura near Kinugawa Onsen Resort, a place where culture and life from the Edo period are created and re-enacted by artists. Here, you will be immersed in the life of the Edo people. Do not be surprised by the suddenly meet with Ninja on the street. The Kinugawa Onsen Resort and Nikko Edomura Park are popular tourist attractions, attracting millions of visitors every year.

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura the samurai era in town and country1 — Picture: nikko blog.

Edo Park re-imagines the Edo period in a most successful way, from food, clothing to the performing arts, and entertainment of the Edo period. Entering the park, visitors will feel like a real Edo citizen, seeing Samurais on the street, Geishas, Japanese girls in kimono, Ninjas, jokes looks on the street…

Address: 470-2 Karakura, Nikko 321-2524, Tochigi Prefecture
Phone: +81 288-77-1777
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Entrance fee: 4700 yen (4100 yen after 14:00 in summer or 13:00 in winter)
Website: http://edowonderland.net/en/

Nikko blog: What to eat in Nikko?

When referring to Nikko’s cuisine, no one knows of Mochi cakes – during New Year’s Eve to pray for health, luck, strength and longevity, Nikko people usually make Mochi cakes to worship to ancestors and invite guests. Some other dishes that are selected by many people is the sweet red bean soup drop Mochi cake and sip a bit of warm Sake rice wine of the land of cherry blossoms.

sweet red bean nikko 2 — Sweet red bean drop mochi cakes

If you have the opportunity to visit Nikko, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy Yuba – a delicious vegetarian dish, cold noodles, Udon dipped or Soba in a bowl of soup. Each dish contains the greatest meaning or is associated with the history of the city. Find out what they mean by the people here!

Read more:

Nikko blog: Where to buy in Nikko?

One of the pleasures of traveling to Japan is shopping. In Nikko, visitors can go to Aeon Narita – the shopping mall for expatriates because it is very close to Narita Airport. There are over 150 stores selling everything from fashion, food to home appliances. If you stroll from Nikko Station, you can catch an interesting shop: the old Rondo – An antique shop.

AEON mall cosmetic shop3 — AEON mall clothes shop

The owner of Rondo packed the doll for me

Read more:

Are you looking a day trip to Nikko from Tokyo? Read more: Nikko day trip from Tokyo — How to spend one day in Nikko perfectly?

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to

You will see firsthand the “artisan” making Sushi and present it on the table.

Are you finding more top things to do in Japan: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.