Starry Night in Nikko

Just two hours from the neon lights of Tokyo, Nikko is a place where UNESCO World Heritage sites and untouched national park landscapes meet an endless night sky.
Known for its historic architecture and breathtaking nature, Nikko also holds a lesser-known secret hidden within more than 1,000 years of history, a deep and mystical connection with the stars.


The Star That Began It All
Nikko's sacred journey is said to have begun with a spiritual calling.
According to legend, the monk Shodo Shonin, the founder of Nikko, was guided to this place by Myojo Tenshi, a deity associated with the planet Venus.
This deity is believed to be the first enshrined in Nikko and can still be found today at Hoshinomiya Shrine, whose name means “Star Shrine,” located near the iconic Shinkyo Bridge.


The North Star Watching Gently Over Japan
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who brought peace to Japan after a long period of civil war, chose Nikko as the place where he would be enshrined as a deity after his death.
Why Nikko? The stars may offer a clue.

The magnificent Yomeimon Gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine is also known as Hokushin-mon.
The name Hokushin refers to the North Star, which shines directly above the gate at night.
In ancient belief, the unmoving North Star symbolized the center of the universe.
From this northern sky, Ieyasu is believed to watch over the people, wishing for lasting peace, just as the North Star never leaves its place.


A Place Where the Stars and Prayers Meet
The connection between Nikko and the stars goes even further.
Sacred scrolls depicting the Big Dipper are known to have been enshrined here.
In addition, some believe that the landscape of Nikko reflects the constellation Orion, which was thought to represent a gateway between the sky and the land.

Together, these stories and the surrounding landscape suggest that Nikko has long been seen as a place where a deeper spiritual energy gathers.


How to enjoy the event
This special event invites you to experience stargazing in Nikko, a place where history and the night sky meet.
How about looking up at the stars and making a quiet wish in Nikko?

-Collect Star Cards
Visit five designated locations around the city to collect beautifully designed cards featuring stunning starry-night photography.

[Card distribution locations]
Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center / Nikko Natural Science Museum / Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple Sanbutsudo hall (Ticket office) / Nikko Kirifuri Highland Kisuge-daira Park / Ashio Tourist information center (Nikko City Tourism Association)
For details on access, opening hours, and closing days, please visit the official website:
https://www.star-nikko.org/movie/en/story_pv.html

*Participation in this event is free of charge.
*To receive a card, please visit each location and ask a staff member.
*Transportation costs to each location are the responsibility of participants.
*If a distribution site is closed, you can receive the card at the Nikko City Tourism Association Nikko Office.

-Listen to the Legends
Scan the QR code on the back of each card to hear an English narration based on traditional legends and historical beliefs, specially curated for this journey.

*Audio content is available free of charge.
*Data charges may apply depending on your internet plan.

-Suggested Way to Enjoy
Explore Nikko's shrines and temples during the day, then at night, look up at the same stars once gazed upon by Shodo Shonin and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
As you listen to the stories, let Nikko’s ancient legends gently unfold beneath the beautiful night sky.


■Flier of Starry Night in Nikko (PDF)
■2025-2026 information (PDF).