Nikko

City · Tochigi Prefecture, 🇯🇵 Japan

Population 77,027

Area 1,450 km²

Time zone Asia/Tokyo

Official website www.city.nikko.lg.jp

Nikko – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nikko's Sacred Treasures and Natural Wonders

Nikko features a concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural landmarks within the Nikko National Park. This selection highlights the opulent Tōshō-gū shrine, the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the Taiyuin mausoleum. Major religious sites like Rinnō-ji Temple and Futarasan-jinja are complemented by the iconic Shinkyo Bridge. The region's volcanic geography is represented by the 97-meter Kegon Falls, Lake Chūzenji at the foot of Mount Nantai, and the expansive wooden architecture of the Tamozawa Imperial Villa.

9 places

DXR / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nikko's UNESCO Heritage Sites

The Shrines and Temples of Nikko comprise 103 buildings across three main complexes: the Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine, the Futarasan-jinja Shinto shrine, and the Rinnō-ji Buddhist temple. Dating primarily from the 17th century, these structures represent the pinnacle of Edo-period architecture and artistic decoration. The site serves as the final resting place of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and illustrates the historical fusion of Shinto and Buddhist traditions within a sacred forest landscape of ancient cedar trees.

22 places

Joao Figueira / CC-BY-SA

Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples

Nikko’s spiritual landscape is defined by the Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This collection features the opulent Tōshō-gū, the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, alongside the ancient Rinnō-ji Temple and Futarasan-jinja. These sites showcase the intricate wood carvings and gold leaf of Edo-period architecture, set against a backdrop of ancient cedar forests. The list includes major pilgrimage destinations and secluded mountain shrines that have served as centers of Shinto and Buddhist worship for over 1,200 years.

25 places

Ryoichi Komatsu / CC BY 2.0

Scenic Nature Views

This collection highlights the geological landmarks of Nikko National Park, centered around the volcanic activity of Mount Nantai. It features the 97-meter-high Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, a body of water formed by ancient lava flows. The list covers the diverse hydrology of the Oku-Nikko region, from the 400-hectare Senjogahara marshland to high-altitude wetlands situated at 2,000 meters. These sites offer specific insights into Japan's alpine ecosystems, featuring multi-tiered waterfalls, volcanic lakes, and specialized marshland flora.

17 places