Nikko Tours

Nikko is famous for the Toshogu Shrine, which holds the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled for over 200 years (1603-1868). The city of Nikko is found in Tochigi Prefecture and is one of the most frequented cities for the famous shrine designs and history.

Nikko (日光) is a city that developed around the temples that were established in the 8th century. The shrines and temples of Nikko were inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1999 for its breathtaking sceneries, magnificent craftsmanship and cultural impact. Many of the architecture in Nikko were influenced by the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism and Ryobu Shinto that resulted in the creation of magnificent representations of those beliefs. The 103 structures and nature surrounding area of Nikko is a World Heritage, however the most famous are the Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple. The Toshogu Shrine is home to the famous carving of the “See no Evil, Hear no Evil and Speak no Evil” monkeys. The Futarasan Shrine was the first Shinto shrine built and is comprised of smaller reliquaries that embody the fusion of man with nature much like the city Nikko itself. This also includes the famous red lacquered bridge called Shinkyo or The Sacred Bridge. Since Nikko’s religious roots also connect to Buddhism, the Rinnoji Temple, which was built in 766, provided solitude for monks because of its location deep in the mountains. Nikko experienced a decline during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s reign until Tokugawa Ieyasu chose Nikko to place a mausoleum for his final rest. Even though Ieyasu passed away in 1617 the completion of the Toshogu shrine was seen in 1636 by the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. The city Nikko was left in charge as the chief religious caretaker of the Tokugawa and gained continued prosperity. It was around this time that a number of roads were built to make the travel easier for citizens to pay their respects to the deceased Shogun. Aside from the religious aspects of Nikko it is also a popular destination in the autumn season. When the leaves reflect fall colors many tourist gather in the area to see the spectacle. Kegon Waterfall, the second tallest waterfall in Japan, is especially popular to see in fall.

Please see below for tours that include Nikko: