Nikko Toshogu (©Nikko Toshogu)
Yomeimon gate of Toshogu (©Nikko Toshogu)
World's longest tree-lined avenue (©Tochigi Tourism Center)
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The city of Nikko lies nestled in a forest, about two hours north of Tokyo using an express train. The most famous attraction there is Nikko Toshogu, an ornate shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. The shrine and other parts of the city have been added to the World Heritage List, and Nikko is one of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Japan. Among the numerous structures in Toshogu, Yomeimon - the highly decorative gilded main gate of the shrine - is particularly renowned for bringing together the best of the arts and crafts of the early Edo period.
In addition to shrines and temples, Nikko is also home to a tree-lined avenue listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's longest at 35.41 kilometers. Walking between two endless rows of towering centuries-old cedar trees is a breathtaking experience. During the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho eras (1912-1926), Nikko was a favorite summer destination of foreign diplomats stationed in Japan. One old inn built in 1873 was the preferred lodging of many of these diplomats, and the prestigious establishment still retains the same atmosphere it did long ago. The signature service of this hotel is its traditional French cuisine, which was hugely popular among the diplomats./p> After a day of sightseeing in Nikko, nearby Lake Chuzenji is a great place to relax, and the spectacle of leaves changing color in the autumn is stunningly beautiful. Many people visit Nikko this time of year just to see the colorful foliage. |
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