Nikko, Japan skyline: the 31 most iconic buildings and best views in Nikko

This bridge has been preserved very well. A beautiful photo opportunity to be had. You need to pay a small fee if you are wanting to walk on the bridge. In good sun light this makes for a great photo opportunity.

Very pretty but I have to say, I was a bit annoyed there was a fee to cross the actual bridge. I understand the need to maintain a historical site and maybe I am not understanding the cultural background of the bridge. However you have a normal bridge to cross next to it and it allows you a very nice view. Would still recommend.

Visited 24 October 2025: Beautiful bridge, you can choose to pay a fee to walk on it but you can’t actually get off on the other side so it’s really just a photo op, so we chose not to. Autumn is late this year so sadly it was only very early colours in this area.

The views are amazing both day and night. But i prefer during day time. Visited the bridge early on November so its the start of autumn season and the view is already breathtaking. Oh and I really like how accessible it is from the station. The public transportation is servin

This famous bridge in Nikko creates stunning photo opportunities and is quite impressive to see. However, if you actually want to walk across the bridge itself, you need to pay an admission fee for entry. Great for photos from a distance, but be prepared to pay if you want the full experience.

PROS ➕ Great views CONS ➖ None Date visited: 05/05/2024 This bridge is located near the main entrance to Nikkō Tōshogū. Strangely enough, I only saw a couple of tourists actually visiting the bridge, while there were literally flocks of people walking up the street toward the Tōshogū temple complex. There was a small fee to enter; I kept the ticket as a souvenir, as it had some interesting pictures and prints. It was only a short walk from the ticket booth to the bridge. Standing on the bridge, I could see a wide view of the first steps leading to Tōshogū temple complex. The creek was visible on both sides, with high stone cliffs blocking part of the view. I love the sound of running water crashing into the rocks below and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The bridge itself was ancient but very well maintained. I could tell a lot of effort had been put into keeping the bridge not just functional but gleaming. All in all, I'm glad I was able to enjoy this moment during the busiest holiday of the year.

It’s a lovely bridge. Pro tip: wait until the end of the day as it’s super busy in the morning and afternoon. You have to pay a fee to go in but it’s not too much.

We had a great day here, full of entertainment! The only drawback was that shows were only in Japanese, but that is to be expected in old Japan🙂. There is a free shuttle bus operating to/from Nikko station, so make use of it! The staff are really friendly and perform their roll to the best of their abilities. There are several shows throughout the day. Really well done!

Spending 5 hours with my family felt like a dream, and time just flew by! It was an amazing experience for my kids to step back in time and see Edo Japan. Plus, it was heartwarming to see so many Japanese visitors, which made me feel confident that this isn’t just a tourist trap. It took us time to decide to suite up in Samurai and Ninja, the price is consequential (¥200k for 4). But we are so happy we did it. Walking around the park wearing samurai and ninja skins was absolutely amazing. And so many people do it, we felt right back in time. My girls absolutely loved the Ninja district! There’s even a haunted house in the theatre district. The market district has a variety of delicious Japanese food (don’t expect to find hotdogs or burgers there!). We managed to find a coffee shop to grab a drink. The samurai district wasn’t quite our cup of tea, but my wife and I did try the samurai training, and it was a blast! Just a heads-up: it only takes 6 people at a time, and the training is every hour and a half. People usually start lining up about 15 minutes before it starts. So, please be on time!

Family of four, 9yo & 17yo. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here, we spent a full day and still did not do everything we wanted to do. Please make use of the free shuttle from Nikko JR station or paying shuttle from Kinugawa Onsen. The staff spoke just enough English to help us, which was really nice! There are quite a few Westerners but it is not a tourist trap, from what I understood, there is a real pride towards historic and cultural accuracy of the park. We did pay for four costumes; it did take some time to chose and get dressed but it was so worth it! I wouldn't wear the traditional shoes next time, though, there were super inconvenient for my western feet. Your "modern" clothes and bags are being kept safely in the back, you get a little traditional bag where you can put your camera and money. There was a rather big crowd that (week)day, several schools visited, but we never felt crowded and there were many corners from the park that were peaceful. By 3 pm, though, the park was totally empty and we enjoyed all of it with only a handful of visitors. We were lucky to visit around Halloween and got to see the Yokai-Monster parade. Food was ok, nothing exceptional, next time we might bring our own picnic. There is so much to do and see; the ninja training is big fun though a bit short, the maze is very exciting, the ninja show very cool (all Japanese but it doesn't really matter). The Oiran parade was also fantastic. Our teenage daughter took a LOT of instagram pictures, the scenery is really beautiful.

At first, I thought to myself, "5800 yen for a ticket? Nah, too much for my wallet." But, actually I totally enjoyed it. So many shows and activities to do. They will keep you busy throughout the day. And you can really experience the edo life style and food as well.

What a truly special experience. The park was really well set out, with lots of rest rooms and seating, but we were lucky enough to go on a very quiet day. Actors that wander the streets are genuinely hilarious and so friendly, and stores, food, and stalls are great, the shows are all very entertaining, and museums are great too. While most signs are in both Japanese and English, none of the performances and shows will be, just a head's up. Definitely a great experience- set aside a whole day for it!

I went there quite late since the route from Tokyo was quite confusing. I recommend to start from Tokyo since early morning like maybe 7 or 8am so you can enjoy the whole park. Didn’t know that they have scheduled performance, I got quite lot of perfomances but I missed the Geisha walks. Also if you come early, you can rent the costume for the whole day. If you come late, it would be not worth it since we have to return at maximum 4pm. Overall, I love it!

Wonderful experience! This is a beautiful park and the staff are very friendly and helpful. If you want to have the experience of dressing in traditional Japanese clothes, do it here instead of in Tokyo. You have more options and better scenery for memorable pictures. It is also a lot of fun to walk around the park.

We visited this temple in the Unesco heritage area in Nikko. The wooden structure is impressive and there is a golden pillar. Behind the main hall, there is a pleasant garden. Washrooms are available here too.

This place in Nikko is under Unesco World Heritage. The entire place is very serene and peaceful. The architecture is superb, brings you back to the olden glory days. Went there during summer, its hot. Very hot. But with all the greens surrounding, you can find a lot of shades. Overall its a nice place to visit and snap some photos. This could be the beginning of the entire park to walk thru peacefully.

Visited October 24 2025: Autumn is late across Japan this year, Nikko included, so colours are only just beginning. Still a beautiful temple, you need to buy a ticket to go inside.

Rin’nō-ji is a major Buddhist temple founded in 766 CE by the monk Shōdō Shōnin. The temple’s main hall, the Sanbutsudō, is one of the largest wooden Buddhist structures in eastern Japan, and enshrines three great Buddha statues symbolising the mountains behind Nikkō: namely the 7.5-metre tall statues of Amida Nyorai, Senju Kannon (Thousand-Armed Kannon) and Batō Kannon (Horse-Headed Kannon). Inside the main hall photography is not allowed (especially the statues). In front of the Sanbutsudō stands striking black-and-gold pillars - Pagoda finial (Sorin), symbolically representing the axis of the universe (Mount Meru) in Buddhist cosmology. It is made up of several symbolic sections — including the lotus base, nine rings, umbrella, and jewel at the top — each representing aspects of Buddhist teachings and the enlightened mind. Also in front of Sanbutsudō Hall visitors may find large bronze incense burner (osenkō-tate) to light incense sticks before entering the temple to purify their body and mind. The rising smoke symbolizes spiritual cleansing and an offering to the Buddha, connecting the human world with the divine. Many people gently waft the fragrant smoke toward their head or body, believing it brings healing and wisdom. The soft scent of incense and the calm atmosphere create a quiet moment of reflection before stepping into the sacred hall.

The one major reason I was visiting was that i was very cold and outdoors for too long, and this temple is on the way back to the city. However, I'm glad that I learned what my guardian Buddha is for my zodiac year. No picture allowed inside

Rinnoji is a Buddhist temple where visitors can pray to deities corresponding to their birth year from the 12-zodiac system, creating a personal spiritual connection for many visitors. They offer combination tickets covering Rinnoji, Daiyuin, and the treasure hall, though note that Futarasan Shrine and Toshogu require separate admissions. While it doesn’t have the overwhelming grandeur of Toshogu, Rinnoji offers a more intimate, contemplative experience. The single main hall is manageable to explore, and the serene atmosphere provides a nice contrast to busier Nikko attractions. It’s a peaceful spot that captures the quiet spiritual essence of traditional Japanese Buddhism, perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility during their Nikko temple tour.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A stunningly beautiful shrine with magnificent architecture, surrounded by lush trees that create a serene and relaxing atmosphere.

It’s worth the price. This temple is magnificent. The sculptures, the ornaments, and decorations are amazing. The trees are old (+400 years), one feels the energy of the place. We purchased a discount ticket as we came after 4pm (1 hour before closing), but this prevented us to visit every part of it (the way to the top was already closed). I would recommend to take your time to visit this temple. You will also learn a lot about Japan history.

A magnificent shrine dedicated to a famed warlord. Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Hertigate site and the higglight of any visit Tochigi.Shrine and temples were surrounded by beautiful forest. If you are first time visit Japan, it is a must go site, howeverz if you already visited Japan a few times ,you will the shrines and temples are more or less the same.

Such a beautiful area! There are so many shrines and temples nearby to explore. Not to mention the wonderful nature in which they reside. I visited in autumn and the changing leaves provided the perfect backdrop to stroll through. It seemed like every corner I turned, there was another gem to be discovered. Highly recommend spending some time in this region!

Ornate, intricate temple complex. Order tickets at the train station in Nikko as lines are very long even in the off season. Temples are colorful and sizable! We spent about an hour and felt we had time to take it all in. Lot and lots of stairs to get to the upper mist temple area but plenty to see at the lower level.

There is a lot of things to see more than I expected. I spent more than an hour( I skip to see some of stuff tho). It was hard to use stairs like 200 steps they are. But I was not bad. Especially weekend it’s easy to get busy. So I recommend to get ticket on online. So you can go in faster and cheaper( they had coupon when I went)

It was a leisurely and enjoyable walk up the shrine on a sunny 23 October 2025 day we visited. It was 1600 yen per pax for entry fee and luckily we bought tickets from the reception of the hotel we stayed in as there were long queues at the ticket booth. The shrine area was extremely crowded with local student tours, tour groups and visitors like us despite it being a weekday afternoon. There were quite a number of steps leading to the shrine which were quite steep without railings which may be challenging for the elderly. You could marvel at the fabulous architecture, the detailed carvings and complicated sculptures. We had to take take off our shoes to enter the Main Shrine, luckily we brough an extra pair of socks with us for walking around the Shrine. We were lucky to have bought a health charm inside the Main Shrine which was not found at the shops outside. You could also find a souvenir shop on the way to the shrine with lots Nikko goodies. Parking are toilets were available but ladies toilets were quite dirty and there were long queues too.

Probably the most impressive shrine I've visited while in Japan. Amazing architectural details in multiple buildings in a wonderful natural surrounding. Quite important too since it is Tokugawa's resting place. Some very famous landmarks are here too, like that cat (not impressed) and the 3 monkeys that hear, see and speak no evil. Totally recommend it.

Enjoyable visit to this shrine that felt more like a mini testing theme park on testing your fortune. Tons of interactive activities. The only things I did were ringing the bells as well as washing my money to create a charm.

This place looks like it came out straight from the postcard in summer. Full of greens under the deep blue sky. It is very serene and peaceful here. We enjoyed it very much. Took my first simple praying in Japan after we visited quite a number of shrine here. This particular one just moved me to have a simple asking for blessing.

Futarasan Shrine has a distinctly mystical atmosphere centered around luck and fortune, with various elements that let you test your luck and numerous symbolic features throughout the grounds. There are multiple prayer areas and the shrine extends quite deep into the complex, creating an intriguing sense of mystery and spiritual energy that sets it apart from other shrines. Requires a separate admission ticket, but it’s reasonably priced and worth exploring for the unique atmosphere. The focus on fortune-testing and luck-related rituals makes it an interesting cultural experience, especially if you’re curious about different aspects of Shinto beliefs beyond the typical tourist shrine experience.

Peaceful and sacred atmosphere. The shrine is surrounded by beautiful tall trees and a calming vibe. Worth visiting while exploring Nikko.

In the 8th century, the monk Shodo went to Mt. Futarasan (Mt. Nantai) for worship and built the Futarasan Shrine after reaching the top. At that time, the shrine covered an area of ​​3,400 hectares, second only to the Ise Grand Shrine. With such a long history, it had been the center of faith in Mt. Nikko before the construction of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Today, although it is not as famous as the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the Futarasan Shrine still elegantly presents its tranquility and elegance. It is the oldest building in Nikko and is also designated as an important cultural property.

The shrine yard is spacious, the shrine itself is beautifully decorated and ornamented. It is in close proximity to other interesting shrines and mausoleums.

Visited 24 October 2025: Very pretty shrine and less busy than Toshogu nearby. Everything here is centred around family and love if that’s what you’re looking for!

These magnificent buildings are so exceptional that, allegedly, even the originals imitate them. The first half features well-known landmarks everyone recognizes, while the latter half showcases Japan's renowned architecture. With the right photography skills, you can capture images that truly feel like you're traveling there in person. It's extremely hot in summer, so you should be sure to take thorough precautions against heatstroke. There are cafes and rest areas along the way.

This little park is HUGE value for money- you get to learn about man-made structures from all around the world and across history, for such a small price! Definitely much bigger than I thought, there's lots to see and do! The attention to detail is lovely. Also, if you have a Nikko Pass, show it at the ticket gate to receive a huge discount!

Ticket slightly pricey. The attractions are cool and good for taking pictures. There were not a lot of people when I went. The models feel realistic, especially when taken at a right angle with a camera. The models are not updated, and maybe more counties attraction can be added.

We visited Tobu World Square in July 2025. The ticket price is 2800円, but if you have the Nikko Pass, you can get a discount of 1000円. It is expensive, but I think the price is worthwhile. It took us about 3 hours to visit the park, but we had to rush a little at the end through the Asia and traditional Japan sections. I learned that the ticket is all day, so you can visit in the morning and then come back after dark to see the illuminations. The park showcases famous places from around the world, including Japan, all at 1/25 scale, which makes it easy to compare them. There are over 140,000 miniature people, with some hidden famous characters or movie scenes. For me, the most stunning part of the exhibits are the roughly 20,000 bonsai trees which change with the seasons. If you visit in the summer, please note there is little tree cover, so bring an umbrella and other sun protection. There are taps to fill up a water bottle. There are coin lockers before and after the ticket gates. At the entrance of the exhibits there is a sphere which plays music with animatronic characters every 10, 30, and 50 minutes after the hour, it’s very cute. Some exhibits require a 100円 coin to play an optional animation. There are snack counters, small restaurants, and souvenir shops on site. I loved being able to buy foreign alcohol such as German beer or French cidre. It is very dog friendly with strollers that can be rented, places to wash your dog, or little podiums for photos. We don’t have a dog, but all the dogs made the experience even more fun!

Tobu World Square is an absolutely amazing place to visit in Japan! The detailed miniatures of famous landmarks from around the world are truly impressive and beautifully crafted. It's like traveling the globe in just a few hours. The park is clean, well-organized, and educational too. Perfect for families, tourists, or anyone who appreciates art, culture, and architecture. Highly recommend adding this to your Japan travel bucket list!

Tobu World Square is a theme park dedicated to miniature replicas of famous landmarks around the world, and in Japan. It was very cool seeing the New York skyline before 9/11, as well as many famous spots around Japan like the Kiyo Mizudera and Itsukushima Shrine. Entry for adults is 2800 yen. This is a great spot if you enjoy architecture, miniature models, traveling, history, photography, or famous landmarks. This theme park is easily accessible from Asakusa and Nikko. From Asakusa, you can take the Revaty or Spacia X limited express which stops at Tobu World Square Station. You can also get to Tobu World Square from Nikko by taking the Nikko Line to Shimo-Imaichi Station, then transferring to the Nikko Kinugawa Line. Very convenient For children, I think they will enjoy the various shops and restaurants, as well as the little displays. As an adult, I had a great time admiring the architecture. It was amusing seeing the Twin Towers, Tokyo Skytree, and Eiffel Tower right behind the London Bridge. You can get some really confusing and funny pictures. There are about 100 exhibits so plan to spend at least an hour and a half to three hours. This place closes at 5 PM on weekdays and 6PM on certain days. It is pretty off the beaten path, and you will likely not face large crowds if you come in the afternoon. When I went, I had almost the whole park to myself.

It takes at least 2 hours to visit all miniatures art Worthy place to visit and ticket per adult is ¥2800

A really nice and calm place in the middle of a very busy nikkō. Barefoot walking through this amazing place is so relaxing with a beautiful view on the gardens. The staff is absolutely adorable and more than keen to give information about the villa to visitors ! I recommend :)

Visited Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa last Sunday — it was an amazing experience, especially with the beautiful autumn vibes all around! 🍁 The garden is absolutely stunning and very peaceful to walk through. The Villa itself is impressive with 106 rooms, showing the elegance and history of Japanese architecture. The ticket costs 600 yen and covers both the Villa and the garden, which I think is quite reasonable. It would be even better if they provided a guide to explain the full history — that would be the cherry on top! There are staff stationed at various points, but they mainly assist and ensure visitors follow the rules rather than share details about the site. Still, it’s a must-visit place in Nikko if you love history, architecture, and nature. Highly recommended!

Absolutely stunning No crowds and very well kept. It was pouring rain when I visited and was completely transported. Feeling the fantasy I wanted to move in. Do not sleep on this place. One of the last imperial palaces made entirely of wood. I am sure it would be so beautiful in the snow !

Peaceful place after a crowded visits to Toshogu Shrine, 10-15mins walk from there. Not many people came here, mostly older generation. But we really enjoyed our time here, the building is quite large with so many rooms inside, it'll take around 20-30mins to see all the rooms (+taking photos too) The ticket is 500¥, there is a free locker room at the entrance (100¥ refundable deposit).

It's not often that you can visit a home which has connections to the Tokugawa Shogunate, business man and the Imperial Japanese Family, Tamozawa Imperial Villa is all of this. Villa seems to be a little misleading as it really is a mansion and very beautiful, built in a similar way that Japanese shrines and temples are constructed "no nails"! Very well established interior courtyards and grounds! The Imperial Botanical Gardens just up the road, were once part of the Villa grounds! For a 600yen entrance fee, "wear clean socks" as no shoes are allowed, in fact you have to remove your shoes on the foot path outside the front entrance, you place your shoes in an open storage room just inside the front door, photos are allowed but some sections are cut off from viewing and there is a gift shop within the villa. Anybody going to Nikko should visit. The bus from the Nikko station stops near the front entrance. The wonderful people at Nikko Station Information Centre will be helpful regarding any inquires.

Gorgeous Villa! The detailing is exceptional! Workmanship is first class. I want their contractor!

Magnificent villa with zen garden. Unfortunately few rooms are restricted, but you can still enter most of them and even experience a view from the upper floor.

This temple is just amazing. Not easy to access, so there’s almost no one around. Surrounded by mountains with a lake in front, the landscape is breathtaking. Walking here was so peaceful and meditative. One of the best places I’ve been to in all of Japan! It’s quite high in altitude up here in Nikko, so make sure to bring a sweater. it can get chilly, even outside of winter

Visited 23 October 2025: So peaceful and quiet! Lovely temple, but be prepared for quite a few stairs to get to the top. Worth it for the views of the lake though.

Can have a nice week of the lake from the high ground of the temple. The temple also offers free parking right in front of the entrance.

Chūzen-ji Temple, founded around 784 by the monk Shōdō, is a serene and spiritually historic spot nestled on the shores of Lake Chuzenji. It beautifully combines Tendai Buddhist reverence with mountain worship traditions, deeply rooted in the natural landscape of Nikko. When I visited, I bought amulets personalized with my name monks pray with these for a designated period and crystal beads that are ritually “charged” for you. There’s also a spiritual tradition here linked to Shugendō, which merges Buddhism, mountain worship, and esoteric practices , though Chūzen-ji remains primarily a Buddhist temple rather than a Shugendō site. It felt deeply moving and authentic.

Most beautiful temple with amazing vibrant autumn colours all around draped in fog and the lake Chuzenji around paying homage to Kanon - The Goddess of Mercy.

Chuzen-ji Temple is beautiful, very nice and peaceful, and ideal for a quiet stroll.

Wonderful temple—just us and the quiet at 8:30 am. It’s like we had the place to ourselves for a spiritual reboot… No lines, no crowds, just pure zen and a lot of space for deep thoughts (and maybe some early morning selfies)!

not enough parking only 4 to 5 cars its side of the road so be careful when drop by

saw an mr2 flying from one hairpin to another. 10/10 would recommend

(Translated by Google) Visited on May 26, 2025. You can see the waterfalls, Honto Falls on one side, and Honmamon and Sekiteki Falls on the left. (Original) 2025年5月26日に訪問。 滝が見える、片方はホントの滝、左側はホンマもんと堰堤滝。

(Translated by Google) This observation point is quietly located about halfway up First Irohazaka. It's a great place to stop by on your tour. (Original) 第一いろは坂の半ば過ぎぐらいにひっそりとある展望所です。ツーリングのお立ち寄りにオススメですね

(Translated by Google) In addition to the view, I was extremely impressed to be able to see the monument commemorating the Nikko Toll Road (now the First Irohazaka), which was completed in September 1954. Due to increased traffic, the Second Irohazaka was opened in 1965 and made free to use in 1984. (Original) 眺望もさることながら、ここで昭和29年9月竣工の日光有料道路（現在の第1いろは坂)記念碑をみられたことに大変大変感激した。 交通量の増加により第2いろは坂が昭和40年に開通し、1984年に無料開放された。

(Translated by Google) I stopped in for a break on my way back from a drive. I've never been there during the day, so I don't know what the view is like. It's a creepy and realistic place. I couldn't see what it was like underneath. The shoe size seemed about the same as mine, so I think it belonged to a man. (Original) ドライブ帰りにひと休みしようと寄りました。 昼間寄ったことがないから景色はわかりません。 気味悪いしリアルな場所だと思います。 下がどうなっているかわかりませんでした。 靴のサイズは自分とあまり変わらなそうだったので男性の物だと思います。

(Translated by Google) 10/29 The weather was nice today and the autumn leaves were beautiful! (Original) 10/29　今日は天気が良くて紅葉が綺麗でしたよ❕❕

The treasure hall displays portraits of shoguns from the first through subsequent generations, along with period artifacts that provide historical context. However, as a foreigner, I found the Japanese garden (Shoyo-en) behind the treasure hall far more captivating and beautiful than the indoor exhibits themselves. If you already bought the 3-attraction combo ticket from Rinnoji, it’s worth a quick stop, but I wouldn’t recommend purchasing a separate ticket just for this. The garden is lovely and peaceful, but the treasure hall itself doesn’t offer enough compelling content to justify a standalone visit unless you’re particularly interested in Tokugawa history and artifacts.

The treasure house is located opposite the main hall of the Rinnoji Temple. You need to pay an entrance fee. We decided to buy combined tickets, which include the main hall, the treasure house&garden, and the Taiyuin Mausoleum. It is a bit cheaper than buying them separately. Photography is not allowed inside the house. There are several antique artworks related to Buddhism and the Tokugawa era displayed inside. The portraits of all the shoguns in the Tokugawa family are exhibited there. It is nice to sit quietly and see those portraits, imagining their feelings and responsibilities as shoguns in their time. Don't miss the garden located behind the house. The garden is small but beautiful, with a pleasant landscape, good design, and it's not too crowded. It must be a wonderful place during autumn when color of leaves change..

One of the best Japanese gardens in the area. Well worth a visit.

Don't waste your money on a ticket if you are not coming in a group. You are barred from seeing the gods in the front of the temple, the most grand and presumably most important display in the temple. Do you pay less for an individual ticket? Nope. Then why discriminate like this.

I didn't get to enter, no time. Very well maintained. The colors really stand out. If you're going to visit the Nikko shrine compound area, better go early. The place is always packed with both locals and tourists. There's a tree outside Rennoji that they say has never bloomed in 400 (or was it 200) years. Tickets for the Toshogu shrine and museum complex does not cover the museum at the foot of the Rennoji house. If we had time, it would've been nice to stay for an hour or so, but the train and shinkansen ride back to Tokyo takes a while. The World Heritage Bus route goes around the entire Grand Shrine complex, down to the Nikko train station.

There is a petit japanese garden just in front and its beatiful. The surroundings are also really enjoyable but in comparison the insides of this temple are not as interesting visually or as an expirience. When you go to the other temples first they offer you the ticket of this particular temple as a set and is not expensive, but except that you have some knollege about budism it probably won't be as interesting.

The temple is located at the base of Mt. Nantai and the natural surroundings add to the serene atmosphere of the place. The main hall of the temple houses a large wooden statue of the Yakushi Nyorai, which is the temple's main object of worship. The temple also features several other buildings such as the Sanbutsudo Hall and the Futarasan Shrine, which are both beautiful and worth visiting. The architecture of the buildings is amazing and the intricate carvings and paintings on the walls and ceilings are truly breathtaking.

We visited this pagoda and were impressed by the wood craftsmanship that went into it's construction. There are many other shrines and buildings in this Unesco heritage site in Nikko.

Don’t pay the 300 yen. Beautiful pagoda historic incredible craftsmanship etc. the whole site is so worth a trip. Anyway, for 300 yen you get to see inside of the pagoda kind of. They open one of the lower doors ( from the backside ) and you can see about two or three feet of the interior. That’s it.

Visited 24 October 2025: Even on a weekday, this area was packed with people compared to everywhere else in the heritage area. The pagoda is beautiful, but it’s not really any different to many others in less busy places. Worth stopping by still if you’re in the area.

The pagoda is an architectural masterpiece, with its tall and elegant structure reaching towards the sky. The pagoda is made of wood and has been well-preserved over the years, despite its age. The intricate carvings and paintings on the exterior walls were intricate and detailed, showcasing the craftsmanship of the builders.

One of the nice Pagoda in Japan. Most of the Pagoda in Japan has 5 storeys symbolizing the fice elements of earth, fire, water, wind and spirit. There are normally built using wood only. This one in kiko under unesco world heritage looks marvelous and strong.

the queue to bit admision ticket is quote long due to holiday.

Design to withstand Earth quake with a Center core. Looks great.

(Translated by Google) A beautiful temple complex. Many people take the opportunity to express their wishes. (Original) Eine wunderschöne Tempelanlage. Viele nutzen die Gelegenheit ihre Wünsche mitzuteilen.

Is not too far of Toshogu Temple, is a really nice place to visit, in the main hall there are some really huge and amazing statues, the art and details on it is beautiful, you can also get zodiac amulet there and the gardens are amazing, at the time I wnet there the Sakuras were blooming, no photos are allowed in main hall

(Translated by Google) During Setsubun, you can buy lucky beans (Fukusho) at the Honbo office. 👹 1 sho / 2000 yen (limited to 130 pieces), 5 sho / 1500 yen (50 pieces) limited, Fukumame only / 1 bag 500 yen (300 kg) Comes with a small hammer and a talisman for Risshun and Setsubun to be pasted on the entrance. *Prices and quantities are for 2022, so please check each time from now on. ☎️ (Original) 節分の時期は福まめ(福升)を本坊の事務所で買うことができます。👹 一升・2000円(130個限定)、5合升・1500円(50個)限定、福豆のみ・1袋500円(300キロ分) 小さな打出の小槌と玄関に貼る立春と節分のお札付きです。 ※2022年の料金と個数なので以降その都度確認してください。☎️

(Translated by Google) The main temple of Rinnoji Temple was established in 1893 as the Nikko Yamauchi Imperial Villa, and during the war, Prince Hitachi Masahito (then Prince Yoshinomiya) was evacuated there. After the war, the building was abandoned and became the Nikko Palace Hotel, then the Nikko Museum, and now the main temple of Rinnoji Temple. (Original) 輪王寺本坊は、1893年に日光山内御用邸として創設され、大戦中は常陸宮正仁親王殿下（当時は義宮殿下）が戦時疎開されていました。終戦とともに用途廃止され、日光パレスホテル→日光博物館→現在は輪王寺本坊として当時の建物が残っています。

(Translated by Google) Nikkozan Rinnoji is a temple of the Tendai sect. Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple was originally called ``Manganji Temple'', the name given to it by Emperor Saga during the Heian period, but in 1655, it was renamed ``Rinnoji Temple'' by the Imperial Order of the Retired Emperor Gomizunoo. The number has been awarded. The head monk of Mt. Nikko was called ``Komyo-in'' by the great priest Tenkai, who revived Mt. Nikko as the head temple of the whole Mt. Nikko.It was a large shoin with a total floor area of ​​26,000 tsubo, but it was a Buddhist temple in the early Meiji period. It was burnt down in 1871 during the turmoil of the Separation Order. The only structure of the main temple that survived the fire is the main gate, which stands facing Nikko Omotesando and is commonly known as the Kuromon because it is painted with black lacquer, and is in the form of a medicine gate. The front gate is a gate that signifies the formality of the Monzeki temple, which honors the imperial family as the heads of Mt. Nikko (Rinnoji Palace).It was built by the Great Priest of Heaven, and is designated as an important cultural property of the country, with the chrysanthemum emblem attached to it. The front gate is decorated with carvings such as lions and peonies. (Original) 日光山輪王寺は天台宗のお寺になります。 日光山輪王寺は当初平安時代の嵯峨天皇から下賜された寺号の「満願寺」と呼ばれていましたが、明暦元年(1655年)に後水尾上皇の院宣により「輪王寺」の寺号が下賜されました。 日光山総本坊で「光明院」と称し日光山を中興した天海大僧正が日光山全体の総本坊として再興しました、延べ床面積二万六千坪の大書院でしたが明治初期の神仏分離令の混乱期明治四年(1871年)に焼失しています。 本坊の中で唯一焼け残った建築物が表門で日光表参道に面して建つ本坊表門で黒漆塗りのために黒門と通称されていて、薬医門の形式になります。 表門は皇族を日光山の門主(輪王寺宮)と仰ぐ門跡寺院の格式を示す門で天界大僧正が創建した、国の重要文化財に指定されており「菊の紋章」が添えられています。 表門には唐獅子・牡丹などの彫刻が施されています。

(Translated by Google) No doubt about power ups energetic charging (Original) パワーアップ間違え無し 元気 充電

(Translated by Google) The gate is cool and the grounds are quite spacious. (Original) 門がかっこよくかなり敷地が広い。

This mausoleum was actually somewhat empty, compared to the immense crowds visiting the area. This allowed for a more contemplative visit. The buildings are beautiful, and the grounds are wonderful. It was particularly enchanting in the second half of October (I visited on October 22), as the weather was beautiful and the trees looked great. A great gem for those vising Nikko and wanting to leave the most crowded attractions in the area.

The Taiyū-in Mausoleum is the final resting place of Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651), the third shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Built in 1653, the complex is part of the UNESCO-listed “Shrines and Temples of Nikkō”. The mausoleum was deliberately designed to not overshadow the nearby Nikkō Tōshō‑gū (dedicated to Iemitsu’s grandfather, Tokugawa Ieyasu). Although lavish, its colour scheme and scale are more restrained. It features several elaborately decorated gates (e.g., Niō-mon, Niten-mon, Yasha-mon, Kara-mon) and rich carvings of dragons, peonies and guardian deities, reflecting the architectural and artistic high-point of the Edo period. The setting—amid cedar-lined slopes and stepping up through ascending platforms—adds to a serene and spiritual atmosphere.

Serene and beautiful, I highly recommend visiting this area of the Nikko World Heritage Site. You need to purchase a separate ticket for this portion of the visit, but the cost of the ticket is worth it. When we visited in late December, there was no line to get a ticket. I also recommend at least scanning the informational displays to understand a little about the various components of the mausoleum and the traditions of the time. This area was not as crowded, so it was a nice break from the crowds. Strange that it wasn't as crowded, however, since it is equally as beautiful as the main temple. There are a lot of stairs, all made of stone, and it had recently snowed, so I recommend a good pair of shoes with non-slip soles.

Visited 24 October 2025: Like a smaller, less crowded and cheaper entry version of Toshogu, highly recommend. Be prepared for lots of stairs to get to the top!

This temple is my second favorite inside the complex. You can purchase a ticket for admission to the temple only, or a combination ticket that also includes admission to the Nikkozan Rin’nōji Temple, which was not particularly interesting. The Taiyu-in Temple was a beautiful structure with intricate details. It was worth spending a good amount of time examining every part. After climbing many steps amongst a bunch of large lanterns, you'll reach the top and find a lavishly designed temple. Inside, you can remove your shoes, sit, relax, and listen to a dedicated guide explain the history of the building.

This was my favorite part of the Rinnoji Temple complex. It is the mausoleum for Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun. While not quite as ornate as Toshogu Shrine, which is for his grandfather Tokugawa Ieyasu, it is still beautiful. You can enter the temple hall in the back and hear about the statues, history, etc. from a monk (Japanese only). Of all spots up here, this was the least crowded part of the complex, even during Golden Week. It was nice to be away from the crowds and have time to slow down, read the signs about the history, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Highly recommend!

One of the most intricate and well maintained temple compounds I have seen in any of my visits to Japan. The architecture and design choices definitely fit the high importance of this temple. Built to be the temple and final resting place of Tokugawa Iemitsu, 3rd generation Tokugawa shogun, it is a very important set of gates and buildings. While the mausoleum very likely does not protect Iemitsu's remains (those are likely in his families original temple compound far from Nikko) the compound is insanely ornate and beautiful.

By far the nicest temple I’ve seen. Gorgeous! Very beautiful and inspiring. Very well kept and colourful. I love the fact that there are many buildings and temples all joint together. It gives the place a sense of being a city of some sort. Loved it! Highly recommended!!

Yomei Gate (A beautiful Gold & White gate 30 min walk from Nikko Station) just finished its restoration and in now open to the public. The brand new gold shining in the sky was magnificent!

This is the most beautiful gate in the most beautiful temple in Japan. No need to say more. Definitely recommended.

It was indeed one of the most beautiful shrines that we visited ❤2015

Amazing gate to the shrine with lot of details. Its really different from other gates I seen in japan.

Wow... really awesome ancient place with wood craft....

Beautiful gate. Intricate carvings.

Interesting and educational. There're a mine train to bring you and learn how the people are working in the mine. Free parking.

It's a wonderful example of life in the area up to 1973 when the copper mine closed. A small train will take you into the mine and from there you'll work your way back to the surface passing examples of how work was done. It's quite wet so don't wear anything too light, it's pretty cool down there too but the temperature stays the same. There's a really nice set of museum exhibits once out and the souvenir shop has thousands of things to choose from and reasonably priced. I'll probably come again.

If you want to get a feel for what mineral extraction was like in the past, visit the place, the site is a real reproduction of an extraction mine.

Educational tour of a 400 year old mine from the Edo period to the 1970's. Signs mostly in Japanese and there's no reception to use Google translate. However the main pamphlet with the map was in in English if requested.

Not worth the money. As stated in the Museum web, It is Museum and the tour is not going to the mine.

Many historical story here, and fun tree planting event a year

Not really touristy. I had a peek inside the main factory years ago and had lot of fun exploring it. It’s surrounded by interesting ruins.

So, after parking you need to take a steep climb/hike to this place. The view is worth the effort. The climb angle would at least be 45deg..so come prepped with proper footwear. The distance is abt 400m? .. not sure abt that. Tip: come at 7am..the morning sun casts a beautiful glow. These photos were taken on 4 Nov, autumn.

This hike is CRAZY! Drove up to the top of the road which was where the trail started. The top of the road itself offers beautiful views of the valleys below, but on the opposite side of the lake so no lake views. I saw that the sign at the trailhead said 0.6km so I figured it was going to be a short walk. We ended up taking about an hour to climb it, as it was really steep. The trail offers some nice scenery but we were too focused on getting to the end as we didn’t bring any water. The views at the top were quite worth it but just be mentally prepared for a gruelling hike. Also I hiked it in end July so it was hot.

A short 20-30 mins walk from the carpark up to the observation deck. The view is worth it! Do try it if you are in the area.

A little trekking needed to reach observation deck, but it is not difficult. The lake + mountain Views are awesome.

Beautiful views, but not without any effort. The hike is quite a hill up and some skill level is required. Up in the woods you can really enjoy the views and the stunning nature. Loads of insects though, which is a good thing obviously:)

Very pretty hike. Started at the ropeway, walked here and back along the lake. Beautiful views of the valley and waterfalls below. The path is not difficult, but sometimes it was hard to choose the correct route. We used Komoot to navigate while hiking and that helped us a lot.

To go to this viewing platform, you need to do a 600 meters of hiking from the car park. The trail is not very easy. I saw some hikers used full gears going there. The hike however is well paid off by the awesome panoramic view of the Lake Chuzenji. I guarantee you will wow when you get there. A relief is the decent to the car park is much easier.

This is a really beautiul example of a traditional house. It is small so does not take morr than an hour, but it is worth the time.

This may be the most underrated gem in Nikko! I stumbled across this as I was walking to the Tamozawa Imperial Villa and was instantly drawn in by the mesmerizing garden from the street. The staff is extremely kind and explained about the history of the house in English. There is an eight-minute video with English subtitles that walks you through the house’s history and the beginnings of the Kanaya hotel. You can also view vintage china, menus, and mentions of the hotel and restaurant in various English language publications. You are then free to explore the house at leisure, finishing up with a stroll through the fantastic gardens. Honestly, this was one of the highlights of my trip and not even something that had originally been on my list! Definitely a must-visit the next time you are in Nikko. The Kanaya Hotel cottage Inn bakery is right next-door and offers wonderful light lunches and baked goods as well.

Beautiful! It was closed when I went so I wasn’t able to see the inside but the outside was very beautiful and worth checking out. It’s particularly lovely amongst the fall foliage if you happen to be there that time of year. Lovely area to walk around and explore!

A perfectly preserved Edo period house in Nikko which served as the original Kanaya Hotel. The most uniquely fascinating aspect is the completely intact kitchen and bathing area, which is incredibly rare to find intact in a building from this era. It was closed to the public until less than 10 years ago as an elderly caretaker was actually living in it!

What a really awesome old house with many years of history. I’ve only ever seen one house like this before in Kanazawa. Glad I went.

beautiful scenery in autumn

Very interesting hotel museum and friendly staff. Staff is comfortable with English which makes it ok for non-japanese speaking people.

Since most visitors up to this point are likely to have come here to see Nikko Toshogu Shrine, we recommend that you visit the Treasure House here first to learn about it.The Toshogu Theater was supposed to provide an explanation of the Yomeimon Gate and learn about the points of interest and historical background of the tour, but the theater was out of order.There is no mention of this on the website, which is disappointing.Also, photography is prohibited inside the museum. We purchased a set ticket that included both a Nikko Toshogu shrine ticket and a Treasure Museum ticket (2,400 yen for adults and high school students / 870 yen for elementary and junior high school students; 2,600 yen for adults and high school students / 950 yen for elementary and junior high school students if purchased separately), and after visiting Toshogu, we went to the Treasure Museum, which also houses Ueshima Coffee. The Ueshima Coffee shop was very popular and there were no seats available, so we stopped by for a break after visiting the Treasure House first. I felt it was better to take out and drink in the fresh green surroundings if the weather was good, because I was lucky enough to have a seat when it was crowded.

A modern building and it is the first one visitor can see from the parking lot or bus station. As other museums, visitors can see some ancient knifes, carriages, armors, documents, etc. The admission is required and can be purchased together with Toshogu Shrine.

On April 9, 2024, my wife and I came. Last fall when I visited Nikko solo, I chose not to visit this place, saving until this time. I was smart as the basic entrance fee is Yen1600. Having visited the place, I remarked to my wife that we didn’t need to come back again. She didn’t disagree.

Unfortunately no photos are allowed in the museum, but the shrines around it and museum artefacts itself are amazing to see. Make sure you cast your gaze upon Yomeimon, a national treasure, and the most beautiful fate in all of Japan. Do enjoy the animation clip of the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, extremely educational and easy to follow with English subtitles as well.

One of the most ornate and well preserved religious site in Japan with amazing architecture, intricate carving and exquisite historical artifacts.

A racially discriminatory elderly male staff member treated foreign tourists with extreme hostility, as if we were criminals. Although photography is prohibited in the treasure hall, he scolded us just for having a camera hanging around the neck. While saying “This is the rule in Japan,” he rudely inspected my camera and found no evidence of illegal photography, yet still aggressively threatened to call the police. This caused us significant emotional distress and ruined our day of sightseeing in Nikko. I sincerely hope that other visitors will not be treated like criminals by this elderly male staff member.

I recommend the ticket to visit the tombs and museum at the same time. It’s really worth looking at everything. Beautiful collection and fascinating history!

Amazing experience coming here for the 1st time in May. Strawberries were large and very sweet. Tickets cost ¥1800 for 30 mins, and you can get unlimited strawberries. Recommended to try if you are in Nikko between Nov-May!

Had the best time at this strawberry farm with my family! The strawberries were huge, super juicy and sweet. The best strawberries I’ve ever tasted. 💗

CASH OR PAYPAY ONLY! They do NOT take card. Beware of this. Staff ranged from friendly to polite. Overall fun experience, worth a stop if you have a car! Ate so many strawberries.

Eat all you can in 30 minutes! We got the whole house for ourselves and the strawberries were very sweet! You can reach the place by taxi if you are going to use public transportation.

Must-visit strawberry park when you are in Nikko. Recommended to book in advance for the time slot and make payment at the counter after your arrival here. Nikko Strawberry Park offers a delightful 30-minute and 60-minute all-you-can-eat strawberry picking experience, featuring varieties like Tochiotome and Skyberry. The strawberries are juicy and flavorful, benefiting from Nikko’s cool climate and pristine mountain water. The facility is accessible, with elevated benches for easy picking, and is certified by Global G.A.P. for its high safety and quality standards.

Amazing. I want to live here. Strawberries are amazingly fresh - sweet and crisp. I love this place. So delicious. Well maintained and friendly staff.

Super fun experience, slightly expensive but we definitely ate our money’s worth of strawberries. Highly recommend buying the chocolate sauce.

Fantastic hotel! Super clean and nice rooms and amenities. Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. It’s a bit out of town but a shuttle is offered 3 times in the morning and 3 in the evening which was great. Alternatively it’s a 1,000 yen taxi ride from the train station. Highly recommend!

Great location, a half an hour walk into Tobu-Nikko where you can get the train or local bus to other destinations to hike or visit new towns. Superb quality rooms and service. No in house restaurant but there are many choices in Tobu-Nikko or the ザ・グリーンテラス日光（THE GREEN TERRACE NIKKO) 5 mins walk away. The Bento boxes for breakfast I would recommend ordering as they were fantastic quality and there are not many places near by to get breakfast.

If I ever return to Nikko, I'd probably stay here again. It's similar to Fairfields in the States, but just seems more clean and well run. Does not feel like a budget hotel at all. The rooms were comfortable and spacious (especially after coming from a hotel room in Tokyo), and the staff was super friendly and accommodating. While the property is positioned up the hill a mile or so from town, it's not too daunting of a walk for anyone in reasonable shape. It's also close to the bus stop of one of the bus lines. The setting is rustic, and the view is wonderful. Very peaceful location. They sell great pickles in the little market.

We somehow got a great deal on this hotel and stayed for one night when we couldn’t find anything cheaper in Nikko. The bed was ridiculously comfortable and the room was dark, cool, and quiet - it made for a very deep sleep. The room was spotless. The hotel is in great shape and well maintained. The staff was attentive and I have no complaints. The only issue is it’s up a hill about thirty minutes from the train station by walking. We wanted to catch the 6am train out of Nikko after staying here but there were no taxi options available at that time so we had to walk with our belongings. Most people staying here had cars, it would be challenging to explore Nikko from this hotel without one.

Very friendly staff and loving the vibe where every customer go down the leisure area for food and drinks. Interesting! Yet the shuttle bus is very limited times a day and only few seats each time. The tv have Netflix button but unable to use. Otherwise I would give it a 5 stars despite the location

The Fairfield by Marriott is a modern and stylish hotel, but unfortunately, the value for money just isn’t there. While the rooms are nice and well-designed, they are quite small. What’s really disappointing for a hotel in this price range (around $350–$400 per night) is the lack of a proper breakfast or an on-site restaurant. For this category, you would simply expect more.

Room is spacious for Japan and new, although it lacks any storage apart from a couple of hooks. Staff were friendly and spoke good English. Best to see it as a good motel. It's a 25-minute walk to the fairly dead village along a road without a curb to separate you from traffic. Only 7/11 style food available but limited choice and 4x the price. No breakfast in the hotel and no place open for breakfast before 9 am. Even taxis only operate from 8 am.

BEWARE! Really old hotel. Does NOT look like photos. Very dirty hallways. Blue Florescent lighting. Feels cheap. Won’t trust Mystay hotels anymore. Avoid Mystay hotels, consistently low quality. Poor housekeeping. Read the other reviews.

Wonderful value for money. You get all the things you'd expect from an onsen. The rotenburo is large, with several areas where the water is either hotter or cooler. The inside bath is comfy as well. The women's bath has Refa shower heads and hair dryers, which made it a little bit luxurious! All toiletries are included. The Japanese-style room was spacious and comfortable. We had a good time relaxing on the tatami at night, and sleeping in the clean and fluffy futon. The location is close to the bus terminal, if you're arriving by public transport. Also close to the main street, where you can find restaurants, because there's no food served at the hotel. The lobby is fun with lots of activities, including table tennis, billiards, an arcade with a variety of games, a lounge area, and reasonably priced massage chairs. Coffee and hot and cold tea are free. Onsen tamago are 100 yen each, which we had with breakfast. There's a condiment station for the eggs. There are also a variety of board- and card games to borrow, so you won't run out of things to do here. Seriously considered staying another night on top of the one we had booked, but chose to head home this time. I would consider staying again, however. On the downside, you can hear a relatively busy trucking road from both the rooms, and the bath.

It's an okay hotel, I can't complain for the price. 24 hours bentos are a nice plus as there is no restaurant in the hotel. The egg boiling and dango's is also a nice plus additionally to the ping pong table and billiard. There's free coffee and tea. The onsen itself is okay , not the greatest but not bad either. Same thing for the rooms I just wished they could've made our futons before we arrived. It's good to sleep and to chill a bit , not amazing for sure but good enough especially for the price we payed, 7000yen.

Decent hotel and a very nice on site onsen. Have a full fledged arcade, small store and free coffee machine. Only turn off was that they didn’t have a breakfast facility but only fish/chicken bento boxes which was very inconvenient for us vegetarians - though they had a lot of vending machines for the regular ones + Ice cream + cup noodles which got over very quickly but no veg options again. The nearest combini was 1.2kms so it was a bit challenging. Parking is limited and we always wanted the single EV charger slot but some random non-EV car used to always claim it the whole 6 days that we stayed there. The tatami rooms and bathrooms were very old but cleanly maintained - had a bit trouble with the old style water taps but they worked fine once you got used to it. One other major turn off was that the exhaust in the toilet and bathroom didn’t seem to work and that the AC was super dirty and dusty but guess it did the job.

While not a five star hotel, for the price performance it is a good deal. Friendly staff, clean facilities, nice hot spring.

jp style rooms ,frozen bento which was delicious too,onsen very relaxing,lot of play area for kids also movie zone wish they could provide fresh food.

Nice large rooms, helpful staff, comfortable beds (if you like stiff mattresses), pleasant onsen facilities. Only 5 mins from the bus terminal up a steep hill. There were some cobwebs / spiders in my room window and along the corridors, but otherwise a clean place. The only real let down is the lack of a restaurant - the frozen bentos are reasonable (800 yen) but not what I would want to eat for dinner on vacation. (You can bring your own food, if you want)

Absolutely gorgeous place! The diner was nothing like I've experienced before, I'm a picky eater and needed trying and enjoying all the food served, it was amazing. The atmosphere of the place and the rooms are so on point, very traditional in best way possible. The Osen bath are also great. I was there with 2 friends we had an absolute blast.

Really great place. Even though we had to rent a car just to get to the Hotel, we thing it worth it for 1 night. The place is very charming, you can feel you are staying in a place with a lot of history. But the best part was the service, the guy who attended us during reception, show us the room and explained the dinner was just fantastic. Thank you very much for making us feel welcome!

Extremely nice traditional hotel with an incredible history. The Japanese meals are a work of beauty, the staff is superb. Highly recommended for all who seek a very traditional hotel with a high standard. A car is recommended, the bus connection is viable but kind of slow.

Beautiful & magical gentle river onsen. 220 years old inn! As you walk in you smell the irori fire burning. Even though the entire place was ancient, it was refurbished and extremely clean. Nicer than expected for such an old inn! Went in late April, I presume it’ll be even nicer in the snow~ Cons: We did a private bath, it was nice but the river view was mostly blocked with horrible white lighting. We couldn’t open the window in our room, it was broken. And we accidentally booked the room without a shower, only a toilet - sink area. Dinner: Crossing the bridge into the dinner venue was really special, the dinner venue and entire setup was extremely unique! Food was overall good but service staff were not very attentive. Highlight: The public outdoor Onsen. Gentle clear river, you can see little fishes, a little waterfall & the onsen excess water flowing into the river. Beautiful both at night and day. Day time with the sun glistening on the water and spring foliage blooming made the scene feel like a video game / avatar. But if you stick your head out to see the water, the dinner venue / bridge area can see you naked. (Women side) Overall: really good experience, definitely a once in a lifetime, one off experience. Highly recommend if you want a very special, unique ryokan stay.

This is a truly special stay. It feels like history coming alive, decorated and kept with love and pride. The traditional rooms are incredible, everything is both beautiful and clean, yet immersive in its historicity. The location is wonderful, with a gorgeous river and mountains as far as the eye can see. Staff go above and beyond to accommodate requests, even day-of, specifically regarding the traditional cuisine, which is prepared with the utmost care. It's the highlight of the stay, even if we were not able to appropriately appreciate it fully. The onsen is another highlight, kept in perfect condition and designed beautifully. This is truly the perfect place to rest and recharge, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Fully Traditional - a great way to see Japan in it past glory. The inn is about 350 years old and is still providing a great experience We loved it.

Amazing experience, onsen on the river was truly beautiful. It was very peaceful and quiet.

The rooms were quiet and really nice. The staff was friendly outside of the meal issue we had. Ultimately I feel it lacked the additional touches to be “luxury”. Having stayed in boutique luxury places before you usually have small touches everywhere. Like a flower on the pillow or fruit in the room, someone guiding you through your room and its amenities, or helping you put on a yukata for the first time, but the little touches were missing. I will also say the shuttle service is helpful but very limited in its hours you can leave the hotel at 9, 10, or 11 am. You also have to schedule a pickup which is also blocked in time. The last pickup is 5:45 pm. If you want to stay out and explore longer you won’t be able to without a taxi. The meals are not suited for westerners. The private bath was 10/10 and the assortment of lotions and body wash was nice. Overall great room, service was friendly,

My wife and I enjoyed a glorious stay here for two nights in our Japan trip. The team were so accommodating with us, especially as my wife is coeliac (gluten free). They adapted the entire menu to cater for her and the food was so delicious! It’s served omakase style, in your own dining room for each meal. If you’re thinking of spending 1+ nights in Nikko (which I highly recommend you do to give you enough time to see everything) then you should definitely consider staying here for a unique, authentically Japanese experience. Thank you to the entire team at Okunoin Hotel for making our stay so special!

After a few days in Tokyo, my friend and I took the Tobu express to Nikko from Asakusa Station (Tokyo) was picked up by the hotel shuttle. The hotel was two miles away - just off the Main Street. It was quiet, clean, and just a lovely setting. We had a beautiful room with a deck right next to the lovely creek. We loved the second floor - easy to meals (private room and yes you can wear your kimono), and easy to the baths. We paid extra for the private baths, but the others are just as lovely with two indoor baths and a beautiful outdoor stone bath as well. I can’t tell you how nice, gracious, lovely, pleasant, sincere and responsible the staff was! They were Japanese hospitality at its very very best. The one thing to know is that you can’t check in until 3 or 4 pm - we arrived at 11 am so we put our luggage in our locker and walked around. We found a great lunch - Giglio (we were ready for Italian). We met the shuttle at 2:45 pm. We stayed for 4 nights so we could hike and really explore the area. We also had an early train back to Tokyo for one night before flying home. There were no taxis in the morning for our 8:50 am train departure. We either had to take a bus (they are very very efficient). Or wait for the 9 am shuttle and book a later departure. I bring this up so you can coordinate or train arrivals and departures with hotel transportation. I will say that most everything does not open until 10 am so getting there early may not work to your benefit. Anyway, we loved our accommodates including the authentic Japanese breakfasts and lunches - one morning we did have a western breakfast. Enjoy … a special place. PS It is also walking distance to the world heritage shrines/complex (go early to avoid the crowds).

Booked the room with outdoor bath, and also a session of private bath in the building. Room was super and sufficient space for more people to lodge. Dinner and breakfast represent local style of cuisine and ingredients. Garden and surrounding area were beautiful and tranquil. Highly valued ryokan compared with others across the country. Special thanks to the gentleman at frontdesk, who drove us back from the hotel, and helped arranging our itinerary.

Amazing hotel. Traditional Japanese style yado with high quality service. Food is exceptionally excellent. My wife and I enjoyed wagyu shabushabu especially. In room hot spring bath was so good. In fact, we had our very first family bath time with 1 year old baby here. Highly recommend.

A most beautiful and hospitable ryokan. Service is sincere and excellent, from the moment we stepped out the car, to when we drove off the next day. Food is amazing as well - traditional Japanese breakfast and dinner. I wished we had stayed one more night.

If you're looking for a way to experience Japanese hospitality in its ultimate form, this hotel is a strong contender. You can expect eager, thoughtful and personalized service from start to finish in a place which is unmistakably Japanese. The team, the onsen and the food were the clear highlights. The service level borders on prescient - when your hosts are so effortlessly in command of their duty, it becomes very easy to relax and enjoy every detail. An onsen of this size, especially with such a beautiful outdoor area, is rare (especially in this mid-range price bracket). It was unusual not to be the only guest in there, no matter the time of day. The private onsens proved too hot to enjoy (42 degrees) and not worth the cost as the shared one is always so tranquil. Dinner is served as an all-bells-and-whistles kaiseki in a private room. The talent, creativity and effort that goes into every dish is simply staggering. You'll eat your way through 15+ different small dishes which concludes with rice and miso soup, so obviously some thing will be more to your taste than others. Breakfast is served as a set which will be waiting for you in your dining room at the agreed time. It is expected that you wear yukata at all times within the hotel, including when dining. The location is perhaps the only downside: as Nikko is overwhelmed by visitors at the moment, absolutely all busses towards Chuzenji are full by the time they reach the stop nearest this hotel (even during my visit in low season). Your only chance of getting on is by taking a walk, bus or taxi down to the terminus and catching the first bus of the day.  Taxis are well used so need to be booked in advance to avoid a long wait, but the hotel reception was very helpful in that regard. Otherwise it's an easy and beautiful stroll to the main sights around Nikko, but consider wearing reflectors and a using a torch after dark: the short stretch between the hotel and main road has no footpath. The upside of this less central location are the hotel's spaciousness and the staggeringly beautiful garden. You come to hotels like this seeking escapism, and a few minutes walking around the koi pond ensures exactly that.

This place is incredible! Not very crowded, but absolutely magical. Getting there is half of the fun and the path is simply gorgeous. There are shrines on the way, and the grounds are simply fabulous. You feel like you have stepped into a fairy tale. I would mention that there are stairs to get there. There is also a waterfall just before you ascend to the actual shrine. The path to the shrine is beautiful but a bit of a hike. If you are able to do it, I would recommend this shrine very highly. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Worth the hike if you have plenty of time and just want to appreciate a peaceful woodland walk with interesting side distractions

This along with Kanmangafuchi Abyss was my favorite spot in Nikko. I strongly recommend you take the original stone trail from the small shrine at the bottom of the hill. The stone steps are original, lined by the original stone wall and surrounded by huge centuries old trees serving as Torii and sacred stones leading to the waterfall and shrine. The shrine has a tiny trans-dimensional bridge from the 17th century, which you must walk across taking as many steps as your age. The waterfall is nearby for a nice sound effect. The air is fresh. Throw a stone through the hole of the first Torii, 17th century samurai-donated, for a wish.

Beautiful and serene. A bit of a walk from the main temple area, and some steep stairs to get up, but well worth it.

It is the secondary shrine of Futaarasan Shrine and one of three gongen shrine. A lot history and the shrine for marriage, pregnancy, and birth. It is well off the beaten path and deserves a visit.

A more desolate shrine off the major attraction this shrine is not to miss though. The rocky path that leads you there (parallel to the main road) is amazing on its own right.

This place is majestic. A completely different feel from the bustling shrines nearby. Would highly recommend going here if you don't love crowds.

Shinkyuusha (Sanzaru, three monkeys) 神厩舎 you're such a beautiful part of this Shinto shrine is the steaming with very beautiful architecture and craftsmanship to this whole complex.

Beautiful place , take all day , to walk all the monasterys

Cute monkeys that see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. On charms as well as carved on buildings. It seems to be a significant item in the area as i saw them all over town.

I bet you have seen these little three monkeys 🙈🙉🙊 many times and never had any idea of where they came from. Well, supposedly, it's from this shrine and mean: See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil Curious, huh?😉

Basically, it's just an old shed. But the story of the monkeys, which can be seen in the decoration, is very cool. Be sure to get an audio guide to see and understand all the symbols.

If the guide wasn't lying, the well-known story of the three monkeys originates from this place.

Small carved detail, but beautifully ornate and filled with meaning.

There are a few times when you stay in a place and feel it's a standout experience. Nikko Beans is one of those places. Everything about this place is outstanding - from the service and politeness of the staff to the incredible food that is served. I particularly enjoyed the dinners with very generous portions and variety of a menu each day, the chef here is excellent!! The breakfast was equally great. The room itself was well appointed and super clean. WiFi was fast and the hot water was excellent. The hotel is located about a 10 minute walk from the main road but it's an easy walk, relatively flat. I recommend getting the meal plan as there isn't much in the vicinity except for the beautiful nature, but that is why you come here to Lake Chuzenji :)

It is an anazing place and run with immaculate discipline, thus I put 5 for review to fully reflect my appreciation of that. But it requires some additional comments of warning. The place is run by one person, who is a super efficient master in everything he does. But he expects the same from the rest of the world :) The restaurant offers amazing food, but It Has to be Booked in advance. If you do not book, you get limited choice of a less sophisticated food for dinner - also even that is not guaranteed - and no breakfast. Highly recommend to book - it is a great food and experience. The restaurant space itself is also great. The rooms are minimalist/contemporary style very ergonomic, very big by Japanese standards and esthetically pleasing. But at least our room (101) had no window in European understanding - there was a frame with glass, but it could not be opened and no natural light went through it. The air was perfectly ok though with the condition system, and you get a view just stepping out of the hotel. Net - we’d book again and recommend the place. Respect to the owner/host for the amazing job he does.

We went on the first days of March and were the only one in the hotel. Still, we were very well welcomed by the owner of the hotel who made us tastefull and very copious meal every night (the semi-pension is worth it because there is no restaurant opened on the evening at this time of year). The room was confortable and well equipped. It's a bit away from the bus terminal and the only convenience store of the village. Still, for the price (comparing with the other establishments nearby), it's totally worth it.

The hotel is only operated by its owner, there are no other staff. So it does appear he literally does everything. That being said, the food he prepared was very delicious and rooms were very clean and tidy. Self check in is done by a pin code sent earlier and parking is within the paid Times Parking lot however it is free for guests. Just got to let the owner know and he will give you Times Parking coupons.

Great stay, the restaurant serves great food in kaiseki style. The cook is very kind, he speaks English and explains the meal and the suggested order for each food. Rooms are very large for japanese standards.

We only stayed one night at this hotel but we had a wonderful time. The room was confortable and the food served there was really tasteful. I’d recommend having dinner there at least once during your stay.

Nice, minimalist room. Comfortable bedding and pajamas. Room includes a TV with streaming services you can sign into, as well as a mini fridge and kettle. Great location next to the lake and walking distance to the temple, town, and waterfall. Short drive to other sights and attractions. Parking vouches and breakfast are included. The owners were very kind and made us fresh onigiri to-go when we left. Highly recommend!

My personal Japanese Moment

(Translated by Google) I never expected it to be here! It was the place where Shodo Shonin died. I knew that he died in a rock cave north of Toshogu Shrine, but I didn't know the exact location, but I was surprised that it was in a place like this. I went to Takio Shrine, and I happened to stop by the place where he died, and there's also a grave there! Shodo Shonin always appears when you visit shrines and temples in Tochigi Prefecture. I feel like I've almost traced my footsteps now. The location was also mysterious. Recommended. (Original) まさかこことは！勝道上人が亡くなった場所でした。東照宮の北の岩窟で亡くなられたのは知ってましたが正確な場所が分からなかったのですがこんなところとは驚きです。瀧尾神社には行ってましたがたまたま途中でよった場所が亡くなった場所とは、、しかもお墓もある！栃木県の神社・仏閣を見てると必ずあらわれる勝道上人。これでほぼほぼ足跡は辿れた気がします。場所も神秘的な場所でした。おすすめです。

(Translated by Google) This hall was built to enshrine Shodo Shonin, the high priest who founded Mt. Nikko, and it still exists within the grounds of Rinnoji Temple. It is a sacred place that embodies the fundamentals of Nikko faith, and forms the spiritual core of Nikko Sanzan faith. The following wooden seated statues are enshrined inside the hall. ・Seated statue of Jizo Bodhisattva (image height approximately 1.3 meters) ・Shodo Shonin Seated Statue ・Seated statues of Shodo Shonin's ten great disciples These are all symbols of the founding of Mt. Nikko, and at the same time are an important group of statues that show the lineage of Shugen Shugen. Kaizando is the origin of the sacred mountain of Nikko, and at the same time it is a place where you can come face to face with Shodo Shonin's personality and lineage of training. This cathedral is located at the intersection of Japanese Buddhist history, mountain worship, and architectural history, and is also a place that brings a deep sense of spirituality to its visitors. (Original) 日光山を開いた高僧 勝道上人（しょうどうしょうにん） を祀るために建立された堂宇で、輪王寺境内に現存しています。 日光信仰の根本を体現する霊地であり、日光三山信仰の精神的な中核をなしています。 堂内には、次の木造坐像が安置されています。 ・地蔵菩薩坐像（像高約1.3メートル） ・勝道上人坐像 ・勝道上人の十大弟子坐像 これらは、すべて日光山開闢（かいびゃく）の象徴的存在であると同時に、修験の系譜を示す重要な像群です。 開山堂は、日光という霊山の原点であると同時に、勝道上人という人格と修行の系譜に向き合うための場です。 日本仏教史、山岳信仰、建築史の交点にある聖堂であり、訪れる者に深い精神性をもたらす場所でもあります。

(Translated by Google) Beautiful temple located and practically hidden among the trees. More than a temple it is defined as a hall dedicated to Shonin, the founder of Nikko, in fact his tomb is also nearby. A place with few tourists, but worth a visit, also beautiful the noise of the river/rapids nearby. (Original) Bellissimo tempio situato e praticamente nascosto tra gli alberi. Più che tempio è definita come sala dedicata a Shonin cioè il fondatore di Nikko, infatti vicino si trova anche la sua tombe. Luogo con pochi turisti, ma che merita di essere visitato, bello inoltre il rumore del fiume/rapidi nelle vicinanze.

(Translated by Google) Kaizando [Important Cultural Property/World Heritage Site] Inside the hall, there is a 1.3 meter tall statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, as well as wooden seated statues of Shodo Shonin, the founder of Mt. Nikko, and his ten great disciples. Shonin passed away in 817 at the age of 83 and was buried here. A memorial service is held on April 1st every year to commemorate the founder of the mountain. The hall is a multi-layered treasure-shaped building with a width and depth of 6 x 5 shaku (12.3 meters), and inside the hall there is a plaque with the words ``Kaisen-in'' written by the 59th Emperor of Nikkoyama, ``Konjun''. I am. (Original) 開山堂【重要文化財・世界遺産】 堂内には、像高約1.3㍍の地蔵菩薩および日光山開祖「勝道上人」とその十大弟子の木造坐像が安置されています。上人は、弘仁8年（817）に83歳で遷化、この地に埋葬されました。毎年4月1日に開山上人をしのぶ開山会法要が執行されています。 お堂は、間口、奥行きとも6間5尺（12.3メートル）の重層宝形造りで、堂内には日光山第59世「公遵」法親王の筆による「開先院」の額が掲げられています。

(Translated by Google) This is a hall dedicated to Shodo Shonin, who founded Nikko, and behind it are the graves of Shodo Shonin and his disciples. I think it's a hidden spot with few tourists. (Original) 日光を開山した勝道上人を祀るお堂で、後には、勝道上人や弟子の墓があります 観光客もまばらで、隠れたスポットだと思います

(Translated by Google) If you come to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, this is a place you should visit. It is a very sacred place where the grave of Shodo Shonin, the founder of Mt. Nikko, is located. (Original) 日光東照宮に来たのなら、訪れておきたい場所。 日光山開祖の勝道上人のお墓がある、とても神聖な所です。

(Translated by Google) If you are interested in lacquer, this is definitely worth it. (Original) 漆に興味のある方は是非 為になりますよ。

(Translated by Google) Unfortunately, it was closed during the period. (Original) いったら閉館期間でした、残念

(Translated by Google) It will be closed in November 2019. Let's visit early Items are on sale at half price! (Original) 19年11月で閉館との事。早めに訪館しましょう 物品半額で販売中です！

(Translated by Google) I've never seen it, so I can't say anything about it, but it's lacquer, so I honestly don't think I'd want to go there! (Original) 見たことは、ないのでなんとも云えませんが、うるしですからね~あまり行きたいとは正直思いません！

(Translated by Google) You can experience the essence of lacquer culture. (Original) 漆文化の真髄に触れることができます。

(Translated by Google) The Otani River in Nikko is a first-class river that flows through Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, and is a tributary of the Kinugawa River in the Tone River system. The water source is Lake Chuzenji, and the area is dotted with beautiful waterfalls such as Kegon Falls and Kirifuri Falls. (Original) 日光の大谷川は、栃木県日光市を流れる一級河川で、利根川水系の鬼怒川の支流です。中禅寺湖を水源とし、華厳滝や霧降の滝などの美しい滝が点在しています。

(Translated by Google) Kirifuri Ohashi Bridge is the landmark. This is a popular spot for anglers as the Tochigi Prefecture Kinugawa Fisheries Association is stocking Yamame trout. There is a parking lot nearby and there are restrooms in the park as well. According to locals, there is a chance to catch brown trout and palm trout. (Original) 霧降大橋が目印です。栃木県鬼怒川漁協 によるヤマメの放流が行われているところで釣り人に人気のポイントです。近くに駐車場があり、公園にはトイレもあります。地元の方によるとブラウントラウト 、ヤシオマスも釣れるチャンスがあると聞きました。

(Translated by Google) Too much river construction 😢 I feel sorry for the fish 😢 Please ask for a fishing license✋ (Original) 河川工事しすぎ〜😢 魚が可哀想でし😢 釣りはライセンスをお求め下さい✋

(Translated by Google) ``Uramitaki no Gin'', which Matsuo Basho wrote on his way to Oku-no-Hosomichi, was engraved on a stone monument in May 1956 (Showa 31) to commemorate the company's founding. (Original) 松尾芭蕉が奥の細道の道中に詠んだ「裏見瀧の吟」を、1956（昭和31）年５月創立記念として、小杉放菴筆で石碑に刻んだもの