History / Culture / Tour Spots in Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji Area

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Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Shinkyo Bridge

4.0

917 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Kamihatsuishimachi

The Shinkyo Bridge is a beautiful bridge that hangs at the entrance into the mountains of Nikko, and is a structure which belongs to Futarasan Shrine. At the end of the Nara period, on the occasion of Shodo Shonin founding a temple, he sought divine assistance from gods and Buddhas as he was blocked from crossing the Daiya River. Thereupon, Jinja-ou (the God of the River) had appeared and released two snakes. Legend has it that mountain sedge sprouted from the backs of those two snakes and they turned into a bridge which is the Shinkyo Bridge. The bridge was built in its current vermillion-lacquered form in 1636. Thereafter, it was washed away by a flood, but it was rebuilt in 1904. It is an Important Cultural Property of Japan and it was also registered as a World Heritage site in 1999. The Shinkyo bridge is regarded as one of the three most eccentric bridges in Japan.

Nice spot to take pictures. You can pay to walk the bridge, but I didnt feel the need to. Better to take the pictures of the bridge.
Futarasan Jinja Shrine

4.0

584 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2307

This shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko’s three most sacred mountains and highest peaks of the Nikko mountain range. Besides the main shrine is Chugushi at the shore of Lake Chuzenji, a rear shrine that stands at the summit of Mt. Nantai, and associated shrines Hongu Jinja and Takio Jinja Shrine. The establishment of Futarasan Jinja Shrine is said to have begun in 762 when Shodo Shonin built a small shrine as a Hongu Jinja shrine. Now the shrine is popular for its associations with good luck and the god of marriage. 11 buildings of the shaden (main shrine area) including the honden (main shrine) with its “yatsumune” style of construction and haiden (hall of worship) with its gabled, hipped roof have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. The lantern called “Bake-doro” in the shrine gardens is one highlight worth seeing.

世界遺産『日光の社寺』を構成する神社の一つ。山岳信仰の聖地の一つでもあり、日光三山を構成する『男体山』『女峰山』『太郎山』を御神体としている。一方で輪王寺には、これらの山を仏として見立てた仏像が三仏堂に安置されていることからも分かるように、日光の社寺と日光三山の関係性は切っても切れないことが分かる。二荒山神社の由来は諸説あり定かではない。一説には『男体山』と『女峰山』の二つの神が由来となっており...
Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2301

A shrine located in Sannai, Nikko City. It was founded in 1617 as a shrine dedicated to the Tosho Daigongen (Tokugawa Ieyasu). There are many buildings including eight National Treasures and 34 Important Cultural Properties in the shrine grounds as well as the beautifully adorned and richly colored carvings of the Three Wise Monkeys—Mizaru, Iwazaru and Kikazaru (see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil)—and the Nemuri-neko (sleepy cat) attributed to Hidari Jingoro. Nikko Toshogu is also registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko.
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

4.5

330 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Honchou 8-27

This is a Tochigi prefectural urban park which was landscaped in 1899 as a place of convalescence for Emperor Taisho. One part of the former Akasaka homestead of the Edo daimyo, Kishu Tokugawa was moved to its current location at the wealthy person’s villa which formerly existed here. Even after that, additional buildings were added but the overall harmony was retained. The building has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and it is possible to tour the interior of the building. You can enjoy the various scenery from season to season starting with the 400-year-old weeping cherry tree in the garden.

The Villa is very well maintained and surprisingly large. Not as old as some in Japan but full of traditional architecture and styling. The gardens are beautifully maintained and well worth a wander...
Ashio Copper Mine

4.0

130 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Ashiomachitsudou 9-2

The Ashio Copper Mine in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture was once the mining capital of Japan. It supplied the nation’s copper industry for about 400 years until closure. A portion of the mine is open to visitors, and a trolley train lets you tour the inside and learn about the mining industry through the ages, the history of the mines, and the mining process.

The Ashio Copper Mine is a theme park where visitors can comprehensively learn about the Ashio Copper Mine, which was once one of the largest copper mines in Japan. There are many such facilities...
Takino Jinja Shrine

4.5

118 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2310-1

Associated with Futarasan Jinja Shrine, this shrine is located approximately one kilometer from the main shrine. Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, the princess of Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, is enshrined here. The shrine is encompassed by a fence and is built in a quiet space amidst the trees where Tagorihime is said to have descended to earth. Sights to see include the Kodane-ishi, where visitors offer prayers for conception and easy childbirth, the Enmusubi-no-Sasa, and the Undameshi-no-torii, a stone torii gate where it is customary to try your luck tossing stones through the small hole near the top. Shiraito Falls located nearby is also a must-see.

We did the temples, shrines and the Imperial Villa, but this was the best thing we did in Nikko. The trail starts near the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge and proceeds up the mountain past the Toshogu Shrine...
Nikkosan Chuzen-ji Temple

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2578

This temple belonging to the Tendai sect located near Lake Chuzenji in Nikko City is a branch temple of Nikko Rinnoji Temple. It began when Shodo Shonin, the founder of the Nikkozan religious sites witnessed Senju-kannon (the thousand arm Kannon goddess) appearing on the lake and carved an image of the Kannon in a standing tree or “tachiki,” which became the principal object of worship at the temple. It is the eighteenth temple in the Bando pilgrimage circuit (comprised of 33 Kannon temples in the Kanto region). People worship the Tachiki Kannon in the hondo (main temple building) as the shoganjoju Buddha, which is believed to grant people’s requests of various kinds, and the mido hall which enshrines Hashiridaikokuten is often visited by people praying for safe childbirth, the return of runaway family members, and to prevent their partner from having an affair.

There is a very famous and historical big statue of Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with Thousand Arms, which is called Senju Kannon in Japan. This temple registered in UNESCO. When i went here, i was so...
Rinnoji Homotsuden

4.0

27 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2300 within Ring Oji temple

Nikkosan Rinnoji’s Homotsuden is next to the Sanbutsudo. This building houses approximately 30,000 temple treasures that represent Nikkozan’s more than 1,200-year history and the building contains many National Treasures, important cultural properties, and important works of art. In addition to the approximately 50 pieces that are always on display, visitors can also see paintings related to the Tokugawa family thanks to the cooperation of the Tokugawa Memorial Foundation. Visitors can also enter the Shoyoen Japanese garden located directly nearby.

輪王寺の宝物殿の南側に位置する日本庭園です。庭園へ行くには宝物殿に入る必要があり、宝物殿の入館料で、この庭園も利用することが出来ます。典型的な回廊式の庭園で、小径にはところどころに起伏があるため、庭園の様々な表情を楽しむことが出来ます。庭園としての規模はそれほど大きくないため、周遊するだけであれば20分程度で済みます。非常にきめ細かく手入れされており、輪王寺界隈は観光客が多いにも関わらず庭園の外...
Kanaya Hotel History House (Samurai Residence)

4.5

44 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Honchou 1-25

The Kanaya Samurai House and warehouse were registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2014 and opened to the public as the Kanaya Hotel History House in 2015. The buildings have been preserved for over 140 years in the same location. It is a valuable Historical Cultural Property portraying the type of accommodation facility used for non-Japanese, opened by a young man who lived in Nikko in the early Meiji period. It is approximately nine minutes by car from Nikko Interchange on the Nikko Utsunomiya Road.

KANAYA HOTEL HISTORY HOUSE WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP TO NIKKO. Originally the Inn where the famous 1800s British traveller, writer and photographer Isabella Bird stayed at in 1878 with her guide...
Lake Chuzenji Boat House

4.0

35 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2485-8

The boat house is a rest area facility built along the Japan Romantic Road in Chugushi, Nikko City. In the building which has been restored from the old Nikko Kanko Hotel built in 1947 is displayed a boat donated from the Belgian Embassy Villa on the banks of Lake Chuzenji. There are many embassy villas situated here and visitors can get a sense of the history of Lake Chuzenji which was popular as a summer resort until the early Showa period.

昭和20年代をイメージしたレトロ調な建物です。中は種々展示物、テラスは湖畔を望める休憩所となっています。巨大なレイクトラウトの剥製は迫力あり。道路の反対側の駐車場の楓の紅葉が素晴らしかった。
Nikko Toshogu Museum

4.0

18 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2301 Sunlight in Toshogu Shrine

This museum exhibits artifacts such as the treasures of the enshrined deity Tokugawa Ieyasu, collections of precious objects and offerings from the Imperial court, Shogunate, and the Daimyo families, and festival equipment of the Imperial Palace. A detailed virtual reality video of the Yomei Gate and a program about how Tokugawa governed and ruled the nation are shown in the Toshogu Theater, and there is a café as well the displayed treasures. At this facility, visitors can deeply gain an understanding of Nikko Toshogu and Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is approximately ten minutes by car from “Nikko Interchange” on the Nikko Utsunomiya Road.

It has a rather small display, tastefully arranged.If you purchase the “passport”through the tourist office at the train station you enter free.We saved money by doing that, well worth it.The shrine...
Nikko Natural Science Museum

4.0

10 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2480-1

This museum located next to Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji features exhibits on subjects such as the natural origins and history of the Okunikko area. The exhibit area is divided into the natural exhibits hall which deals with the area's geography, zoology, etc. and the human exhibit hall which deals with the area's history. The museum also offers serves as an information center for the region that offers information on the area's nature, hiking courses, and other subjects. It also holds nature experiences and other events.

奥日光の魅力を発信するビジターセンター的な要素のある施設です。どちらかというと子ども向けの展示が多いようですが、華厳の滝の駐車場からすぐで、奥日光には数少ない室内の施設なので、雨の日にオススメです。いくつかの動物の剥製や、自然を模した展示、写真による動植物の紹介、13分ほどのシアター、奥日光の地形の紹介、男体山と赤城山の戦いの神話の紹介などの見所があります。
Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Nikko-shi Sannai 2300
Futarasan Jinja Shrine Chugushi

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2484

This shrine on Mt. Nantai near the shore of Lake Chuzenji in Tochigi Prefecture’s Nikko City lies in between the honsha (main shrine) and okumiya (rear shrine) of Futarasan Jinja Shrine. It was established in 784 after Shodo Shonin climbed to the summit of Mt. Nantai. Next to the honden (inner sanctuary) is a path (trailhead) that leads to the okumiya on the mountain’s summit, and the trail is only open from May 5 to October 25. In addition to architectural structures on the premises such as the honden and chumon (central gate), which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, the Homotsu-kan (treasure hall) also exhibits various treasures that belong to Futarasan Jinja Shrine.
Kosugi Hoan Museum of Art, Nikko

3.5

7 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2388-3

This art museum can be found along Prefectural Route 247 in Sannai, Nikko City. Hoan Kusugi, an honorary resident of Nikko City, was a prolific painter produced western and Japanese paintings, manga, illustrations, and more. In addition to his works, the collection also contains works by Gizo Yoshizawa, Hiroyuki Saito, Naoto Nakamura, Shunya Akiyama, and others. In addition to planned exhibitions, there are performances and rakugo comedy shows as well.

There was less than 50 paintings here and you couldnt take photos! Not many of the paintings were by kasugi hoan.
Futarasan-jinja Shrine: Futara Reisen

4.0

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Nikko-shi

This sacred spring is located to the rear of the precincts at Futarasan-jinja Shrine. Futara Reisen consists of the Yakushi Reisen spring which flows from a cave on Mt. Korei rising behind the main shrine, as well as Sake-no-Izumi, a spring flowing from the precincts at Takinoo-jinja Shrine toward the Nishishin-en garden. From ancient times it's been thought to relieve eye diseases, as well as rejuvenate youth and impart wisdom. The adjacent Azumaya tearoom offers beverages prepared with the sacred water like matcha green tea, coffee, and amazake (a sweet fermented rice drink). The water is also regarded as being superb for making sake, and prefectural breweries swear by it. Empty bottles are available for purchase to bring some of the water with you.

神苑の奥まったところにあります。自由にお水を飲んでよいそうで、おいしいお水でした。ひしゃくはありませんが、隣のお店で水を持ち帰るボトルを売っていました。
Rinnoji Taiyuin Mausoleum

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai

The mausoleum of the third shogun of Tokugawa, Iemitsu, located at Nikko-zan Rinno-ji Temple. It was built by the 4th Shogun, Ietsuna, in accordance with Iemitsu's will. Although the color tone is more subdued than that of Toshogu Shrine, there are many important cultural properties such as the massive Nitenmon Gate and the Kokamon Gate that looks like the ryugu Dragon Palace, and the Main Hall is designated as a national treasure. The temple grounds are lined with 315 lanterns, offering a different atmosphere from that of Toshogu Shrine.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Drum Tower and Bell Tower)

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2301 Nikko Toshogu

Bell and taiko drum towers in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Originally used to tell the time for Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the two watchtower-looking buildings stands stand next to one another just before the Yomeimon gate. While the bell and drum towers may look similar, they are actually minutely different.
Heike Ochudo Folk Museum

2.5

3 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Yunishigawa 620

This museum is on Prefectural Route 249 in Yunishigawa, Nikko City. It's in the hot spring enclave of Yunishigawa Onsen, where it's said that the Taira clan fled after defeat in the Genpei War. The museum's exhibits relate to the clan and include armor, kimono, literature, and items from daily life.

平家の落人伝説がある湯西川の上流にある資料館です。近くの町営駐車場に車を停めて見学しましたが、拝観料５００円の割には展示品は貧弱で半分はガラクタかと思うような物でした。明らかに５００円は高過ぎます。
Rinnoji Temple: Ogomado Hall

3.0

2 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Nikko-shi Sannai 2300

Nikko's preeminent prayer hall for conducting goma fire rituals. It's behind the Nikko-san Sohondo Sanbutsudo, which was built during the Heian period and is the largest wooden structure in eastern Japan. The principal objects of worship are images of the Five Heavenly Kings made in the middle Heian period. The Great Dragon painted on the ceiling was completed over a two-and-a-half-year period by the late Hokusai Yoshihara, who was nationally recognized for his restoration techniques as national designated color preservation selection technology holder. The inner sanctum is a sight to see with its 30 statues of famous priests and Buddhist deities like the Twelve Devas and Seven Lucky Gods, as well as the Five Heavenly Kings. The temple holds scripture copying sessions of the 276 Chinese characters of the Heart Sutra in the second-floor sermon room.

輪王寺の三仏堂の後方にある朱色のお堂。大護摩堂の並びに建っていました。かつて毘沙門天、大黒天、弁財天の開運三天が祀られていたそうです。やや地味な雰囲気でしたが国重要文化財に指定されている凄い建物なんですね。

Tochigi Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Tochigi Areas

Most visits to Tochigi revolve around Nikko, a small city home to the spectacular, lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine and Nikko National Park with its mountains, lakes, waterfalls, onsen, and wild monkeys. Neighboring Oku-Nikko is an extension of the fantastic scenery famous for its autumn leaves, while Tochigi’s capital, Utsunomiya, is the only place in the world where you can find oya stone beautifully exhibited in temples and the Oya History Museum.