2020 NO.29
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Strolling
Japan
Where people, history, and nature are tied into one
Nikko
Irohazaka Slope, a sightseeing road that connects central Nikko and Okunikko, is very popular for its stunning scenery during the autumn foliage. They are a pair of roads—one ascending, the other descending—and they have a total of 48 tight curves. There are many waterfalls throughout Nikko that offer breathtaking sights of spraying water against a beautiful natural backdrop. The Kegon Falls is especially famous; the water of Lake Chuzenji cascading down a steep 97-meter cliff is a magnificent spectacle. In the surroundings, the wetlands of Senjogahara Plateau stretch over an area of 400 hectares. From the observation points built at various spots, visitors can experience the sights of a grand and richly diverse ecosystem.
The Kegon Falls dynamically splashes water with a roar.
Irohazaka Slope is a popular spot during the autumn foliage season.
Senjogahara Plateau is also registered under the Ramsar Convention*
*A convention on internationally important wetlands, especially as a waterfowl habitat.
Nature of the four seasons can be enjoyed at Lake Chuzenji.
If you wish to enjoy a typical Nikko delicacy, we recommend yuba. This is made by simmering soy milk and extracting the film that forms on the surface. This delicacy spread throughout Nikko, with its many shrines and temples, as a valuable protein source for monks who, as part of their ascetic training, abstain from eating meat and fish. Nikko’s yuba is thick and satisfying to eat. This can be eaten raw with a sauce, simmered, or deep-fried. Nikko is also revered for its shaved ice. Slowly frozen with the cold of winter, high-quality natural ice is used to create airy shaved ice that can be enjoyed year-round.
Delicate shaved ice made with thinly-shaved natural ice and local-specialty strawberries that have been sweetly simmered and frozen are the perfect combination.
Yuba (soy milk skin) dishes from Takaiya, a restaurant with over 200 years of history.
The thrill of rafting can be enjoyed in the rapid streams of the Kinugawa River, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the valley. Not only that, this region is also blessed with many onsen (hot springs) villages that boast plentiful water. The area brims with rich nature that will warm and soothe your soul.
Exhilarating rafting down the torrent of Kinugawa River.
Okukinu Onsen
Craftsmen from all over Japan have been brought to Nikko to construct the many temples and shrines, and
their advanced workmanship has taken root in the region in the form of traditional crafts with a unique
depth.
Nikko-bori woodcarving is distinctive for its flowing curves created with special chisels and the
vermillion lacquer coating, which is unique to Nikko and highlights the beauty of the grain.
Nikko-geta are made by attaching geta (traditional Japanese footwear) wooden soles to the
bottom of the straw sandals that are worn when entering shrines and temples. The surfaces of the straw
sandals are woven with bamboo bark. These were conceived to prevent slipping on Nikko’s many hills and
regular, abundant snow.
Nikko is an iconic tourist destination of Japan. Its convenient location, which makes a day trip from
Japan’s capital city of Tokyo possible, is one of the reasons for its popularity.
Nikko-bori woodcarving
Nikko-geta
Nikko area map
①Nikko Toshogu Shrine②Nikko Kanaya Hotel③Cedar Avenue of Nikko④Kegon Falls⑤Okukinu Onsen⑥Senjogahara Plateau⑦Irohazaka Slope
●Access
Tokyo (50 min. by Shinkansen) ➡ Utsunomiya (Approx. 40 minutes by JR Nikko Line) ➡ JR Nikko Station
Asakusa (Approx. 2 hours by Tobu Limited Express) ➡ Tobu Nikko Station
●Contact information
Nikko City Tourism Association
https://www.visitnikko.jp/en/