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Nikko Local Customs
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Nikko Local Customs

Learn the local customs of Nikko. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Nikko locals.
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Nikko Local CustomsTips 1 - 10 of 11  
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Omikuji
  • Tip Rating:
    • naruto
  • By naruto on February 22, 2005
  • Nikko Page by naruto
    • Young ladies engagin in Omikuji - Nikko
    Young ladies engagin in
    Omikuji
    by naruto
    Omikuji are fortune telling paper slips found at many shrines and temples. Randomly drawn, they contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By tying the piece of paper around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true or bad fortune can be averted.

    You tend to see mostly young girls and ladies doing this.

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    Electricity
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on May 5, 2004
  • Nikko Page by keeweechic
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    A reminder that the electrical unit is 100V; 50 Hz (Tokyo and eastern Japan), 60 Hz (western Japan). Be sure to take whateve adapters you need incase they are not available at your hotel.

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    Shoes - removing
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on August 30, 2002
  • Nikko Page by keeweechic
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    Be sure to wear shoes that can be easily taken off. You need to remove your shoes visiting the insides of temples.

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    Tours from Tokyo
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on August 24, 2002
  • Nikko Page by keeweechic
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    It is possible, although somewhat tight, to see all the main attractions in Nikko in one day through a guided tour from Tokyo. Tours usually operate from April - November.

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    Crime
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on August 30, 2002
  • Nikko Page by keeweechic
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    Japan is the virtual nonexistence of violent crime. If you leave your briefcase or camera in a taxi, often it will be returned before you realise it's missing.

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    Festivals
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on August 24, 2002
  • Nikko Page by keeweechic
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    May 17 & 18 and October 17 are particularly popular as rather elaborate festivals are held on these dates with omi koshi (carrying the Toshogu deity through the streets with a portable shrine) and hundreds of people parading in traditional costumes, which are stored at Toshogu Shrine. There is also a Nikko Ice and Snow Festival during the first two weeks of February near the Chuguji Shrine at Lake Chuzenji. Many ice sculptures are erected and there are fireworks and other daily events.

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    Taxes
  • Tip Rating:
    • keeweechic
  • Updated By keeweechic on August 18, 2006
  • Nikko Page by keeweechic
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by keeweechic
    There is a Consumption tax of 5% on all goods purchased. This includes meals at restaurants and hotel charges. Overseas visitors are exempt from this tax on large purchases outside of hotels and restaurants. There are rebate counters in the larger stores. An additional 3% sales tax applies on hotel accounts over yen15,000 and restaurant bills over yen7,501 per person.

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    Japanese language.
  • Tip Rating:
    • Sharrie
  • Updated By Sharrie on August 25, 2002
  • Nikko Page by Sharrie
    • Nikko Local Customs
    by Sharrie
    Japanese language is one of the most complicated! Three types of characters. Anyway, here's some useful phrases to keep in mind in case you need help.



    IN AN EMERGENCY:Help! Tas'kete!
    Stop! Tomete!
    Fire! Kaji!
    Call the police Keisatsu o yonde kudasai!

    Useful Phrases:

    Yes Hai
    No Ie
    Thank you Arigato gozaimasu
    Please Dozo
    Sorry Sumimasen
    Excuse Me Sumimasen
    I don't understand Wakarimasen
    Do you speak English? Eigo o hanashimasuka?
    How are you? Ogenki desu ka ?
    Good morning Ohayo gozaimasu
    Good afternoon Konnichiwa
    Good evening Konbanwa
    Good night Oyasumi nasai
    Good bye Sayonara

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    Take your shoes off
    tioga
  • By tioga on January 2, 2006
  • Nikko Page by tioga
    • Do remember to remove your shoes before entering the temples. The locals are very polite if you forget, but it sure does get you a big smile if you remember.
    Who cares if you have a hole in your sock, take it off as well :)

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    Selling vegetables - but where is the vendor?
    mim95
  • By mim95 on June 5, 2007
  • Nikko Page by mim95
    • selling vegetables without a vendor - Nikko
    selling vegetables without a
    vendor
    by mim95
    I passed by this vegetable stall on the main road without a vendor. Basically you pick whatever you like, and deposit the money into the can to the right of the yellow container. The Japanese radish (daikon) in the middle are free!

    Not sure if it is a permenant stall, but I saw this on the main road between the hostel that I stayed at (see accomodation page) and the sacred bridge.

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    1 | 2
    More Nikko Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 19 - Photos: 23
    Things To Do
    Tips: 159 - Photos: 237    		Nightlife
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    Transportation
    Tips: 19 - Photos: 21    		Restaurants
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 9
    Shopping
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 0    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 24 - Photos: 43
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 3    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 2
    Local Customs
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 10    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Sports Travel
    » Add a tip now    		General Tips
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 17
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