Nikko Things to Do

Mount Nantai ( Nantai-san) is a mountain in the Nikkō National Park in central Honshū, the main island of Japan, 2.486 m high.
The mountain is popular with hikers, and the trail to the summit starts through a gate at the Futarasan Chugushi Shrine. The gate is open between 5th May and 25th October.

Mount Nantai, an extinct vulcano, is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan.

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Futarasan Shrine was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko and who also founded nearby Rinnoji Temple.
Futarasan Shrine is dedicated to the kami ("Shinto gods") of Nikko's three most sacred mountains Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyoho and Mt. Taro. Two more Futarasan Shrines stand at the shore of Lake Chuzenji and on the summit of Mount Nantai.

The Toshogu Shrine is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Ieyasu and two other of Japan's most influential historical personalities, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo.
The lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of more than a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings set in a beautiful forest. Initially a relatively simple mausoleum, Toshogu was enlarged into the spectacular complex seen today by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu during the first half of the 17th century.
Walking from the entrance, one passes a forest of giant pine trees, over 100 years old and the big Torii on the way to the shrine.

When you arrive at JR Nikko Station, go to the main entrance / exit door of the station. Look up and you'll find a painting of an Iki, a spiritual imaginative creature. I tried clapping under the Iki, but it doesn't make the same sound as the Crying Dragon.

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Yumoto Onsen is another Japanese hot spring resort located 1 hour's drive from Nikko and northwest of Lake Chuzenji. Yumoto Onsen is located on the shores of Lake Yunoko. When I was there on 8 April 2008, it was snowing and I had to take shelter in a hotel onsen. Otherwise, it was a picture perfect Alpine resort with ski slopes and hot springs.

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Lake Chuzenji lies at the foot of Mt Nantai. It is 1269m above sea level and 25 km in circumference. The water is a beautiful indigo blue. Formed by a lava flow from Mt Nantai which blocked the Daiya River, the lake has a shoreline which follows the river's winding contours. The lake and its environs forms a year-round holiday resort with numerous onsen hotels congregated on the northeastern corner of the lake. On 8 April 2008 when I visited Lake Chuzenji, it was raining, windy and cold.

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The Shinko Bridge (sacred bridge) is a vermillion coloured lacquered bridge spanning the Daiya River and entrance to the holy shrines of Nikko. The bridge belongs to the Futarasan Shrine and is designated as an Important Cultural Property. In addition, it was registered as the World Heritage in December 1999. Shinkyo Bridge is the oldest bridge in Japan in terms of drawbridge style built over the gorge.

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The Toshogu Shrine is one of the most important shrines in Japan, dedicated to the Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542 - 1616), founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It was constructed by his grandson Iemitsu in 1636. The synthesis of Buddhist and Shinto architecture includes a five-story pagoda, belfry, drum tower, torri gate, sacred cistern and oratory. The most fascinating of all Toshogu structures is the Yomeimon Gate. It is ornate in its blue and golden carvings.