Recommended Length: 1 Day
Nikko has a well-developed food culture influenced by the region's rich history. Enjoy the full range of local cuisine, from soba, yuba and wagyu beef to sweets like shaved ice and yokan.
Foodie Tour of Nikko
Day 1
Nikko Station / Tobu-Nikko Station
By bus
15 minutes from Nikko Station or Tobu-Nikko Station by World Heritage Tour buses. Then a 5-minute walk from the Omotesando bus stop.
Shrine
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
The most noteworthy of Nikko’s religious buildings is Toshogu, where Tokugawa Ieyasu was enshrined after his death in 1616. Twenty years later, Ieyasu’s grandson (Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun) constructed an elaborate complex around Ieyasu's mausoleum. Its 55 buildings include eight National Treasures, notably Yomeimon, a lavish gate covered with complex wood carvings, bright paintings and gold leaf. While exploring the site, look out for a few of the quirkier carvings—a sleeping cat, angry-looking clawed elephants (the artist had never seen one), and the famous three monkeys in “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” poses. Just outside the complex is the modern Nikko Toshogu Museum, where you can learn more about the first shogun.
Restoration of the shrine complex is expected to finish in 2020; some areas will remain open throughout.
History & Culture
On Foot
Walk to each spot
Lunch
By bus
A 15-minute walk from the Sogokaikan-mae bus stop
Nature
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Located near the Daiya River, Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a small gorge created by an eruption from Mt. Nantai around 7,000 years ago. From the riverside path, you can see several small statues of jizo, a bodhisattva said to protect children, women and travelers. There are around 70 jizo, but legend holds that the number changes each time you try to count them. Near the upper stream you’ll spot some Sanskrit characters carved into the cliff, said to have been written by Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
Nature
On Foot
20-minute walk
History
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
Constructed as a retreat for Emperor Taisho, Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa incorporates the architectural styles of the late Edo (1603-1867), Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) periods. Visitors can explore the diverse buildings and beautiful gardens while getting a feel for Japanese imperial culture. The villa is a registered National Treasure.
History & Culture
By bus
10 minutes from the Nikko-Tamozawa-Goyotei-Kinenkoen bus stop on buses bound for Nikko Station. Get off at Shinkyo Bus Stop.
Sweet-Eating Tour
Kakigori Shaved Ice
Nikko is famous for its kakigori, or sweet shaved ice. Fresh, clear water is frozen and stored in Nikko’s icehouse, one of just five in Japan. It’s said that the water is so pure that, no matter how quickly you eat it, you won’t get an ice-cream headache from Nikko kakigori. Each shop has its own specialty, so you can try interesting flavors like ujikintoki—matcha flavor with sugar syrup—or azuki red bean jam, as well as old favorites like strawberry or melon.
Sweets
On Foot
Short walk