Nikko

Nikko Toshogu Shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate. Toshogu was enlarged into its current state (the lap of luxury!!) by the 3rd Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, grandson of Ieyasu. Toshogu is famous for its brightly colored elaborate carvings and the famous Yomeimon gate which has over 500 engravings which taken all together, form the symbol of the shrine. Do not miss 3 of Toshogu's most famous carvings, namely, the 3 monkeys posing the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil”, the Sleeping Cat and Imagined elephants.

* The Yomeimon Gate is currently undergoing renovation work, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2019

Address

2301 Sannai, Nikko-shi, Tochigi 321-1431

Access

30 min. walk or 10 min. bus ride from JR or Tobu Nikko station

Opening hours

8.00~17.00 (November to March close at 16.00)

Admission

1,300 yen

Chuzenji Lake is a scenic lake located at an altitude of 1,269 m, one of the highest lakes in Japan. A hiking trail runs along the entire 25 km circumference of the lake where Azaleas grow feely in early summer. Kegon Waterfall, the most famous of several waterfalls in Nikko National Park is a short walk from Chuzenji Onsen bus stop.