鬼怒川ラフティング & キャニオニング、マウンテンバイク、冬シーズンも！ ー 世界遺産日光＆鬼怒川温泉を中心としたアウトドア体験の宝庫
Looking for a calm and cozy restaurant around Shinkyo Bridge area? They you should visit Bar de Nikko.
The menu offers quite limited options, but the Omurice (omelet with a filling of seasoned rice) is delicious, and other dishes are also very tasty and well presented.
Nice music, relaxed atmosphere, don’t miss it!
Address: 1041-1 Kamihatsuishimachi, Nikko
Website: http://www.nikkokujirasyokudou.com/bar_nikko/
Chinese food in Nikko? Yes! Suien is well-known in Nikko area, and open for both lunch and dinner.
Dishes are delicious and big enough for sharing, so it makes a good option for families or groups. Also, do not forget to try their homemade annin tofu (almond jelly) for dessert, you will not regret it!
Address: 6-42 Yasukawacho, Nikko
Perfect after visiting Nikko Toshogu, at Gyoshintei you will be able to experience authentic “Shojin Ryori”. This is a vegetarian cuisine originally developed by Buddhist monks who were prohibited from eating food containing animal products, and included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2014.
All meals at this fantastic restaurant and cooked using seasonal fruits and vegetables and completely natural non-animal ingredients. Even the Japanese soup stock traditionally made out of fish, does not contain any fish or animal ingredients.
There are different sets available, all freshly delicious. You should definitely visit Gyoshintei to experience traditional cuisine in an amazing location.
Address: 2339-1 Sannai, Nikko (closed on Thursdays)
Access: Take the Tobu World heritage loop bus from JR Nikko St. or Tobu Nikko St. and get off at the “Hotel Seikoen” bus stop.
Website: https://www.meiji-yakata.com/en/gyoshin/
The Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa was built in 1899 for Prince Yoshihito (later Emperor Taisho) as a retreat, and was also used by three emperors and three princes until 1947.
The building is the biggest wooden imperial villa erected in the Meiji and Taisho eras. It consists of three parts that date, respectively, from the Edo, Meiji and Taisho eras, each representing the very best feature of the Japanese architecture of its time.
Visit it to discover the history of the 106 rooms, Kobayashi Residence, beautiful garden and much more of this impressive Villa.
Address: 8-27 Honcho, Nikko (Closed on Tuesdays)
Access: From the Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Yumoto Onsen,Chuzenji Onsen, Okuhosoo, or Kiyotaki, get off at Tamozawa and walk about 1 minute.
Website: https://www.park-tochigi.com/tamozawa/news/info/english
Shinkyo Bridge is a wooden lacquered bridge that spans the Daiya River. At 28 meters long, 7.4 meters wide and 10.6 meters above the river, the bridge marks the entrance between Nikko Town and the town’s Shrines and temples. This bridge belongs to Futarasan Shrine and is designated as an important cultural property. In addition, Shinkyo was registered as the World Heritage in December 1999.
The Shinkyo Bridge is listed as one of Japan’s finest bridges. The other two are Kintaikyo in Iwakuni Prefecture and Saruhashi in Yamanashi Prefecture.
While the exact origin of the bridge remains a mystery, legend has it that the famous Buddhist priest Shado Shonin crossed the Daiya River riding on the back of two giant serpents. From 1636 when it was built, the bridge was off limits to the public. Only the Shogun Generals and imperial messengers were permitted to cross. Shinkyo Bridge remained off limits to the public until 1973. The opening coincided with the celebrations of Mt Nantai’s 1200th anniversary of being enshrined.
It is now possible to cross the bridge for an entry fee of 300 Yen, however better views of Shinkyo Bridge can be had from road bridge about 10 meters further downstream. Unless you rent a kimono and would like to have a perfect picture taken from the road! (check out our Kimono Experience post).
Address: 2307 Sannai, Nikko
Access: On foot, about 1.5 km from Nikko station, and it takes about 25 minutes.
By bus, take the bus to Chuzenji or Yumoto-onsen, get off at Shinkyo stop.
You have probably seen Kanaya Hotel from Shinkyo Bridge. But have you heard of the Kanaya Hotel History House?
For generations, males of the Kanaya family served Toshogu Shrine as members of the Gagaku (an ancient imperial court music) orchestra. Zenichiro was working at the shrine as a sho player when he offered Dr. James C. Hepburn a room to stay in 1870. It was during this trip that Dr. Hepburn advised Zenichiro to open a hotel for foreign tourists. Following his advice, Zenichiro transformed his house into Kanaya Cottage Inn, the predecessor of Kanaya Hotel.
The house was a samurai warrior’s residence during the Edo period, and it attracted foreign guests who referred to Kanaya Cottage Inn as Samurai House.
After Zenichiro relocated his business to the place where Kanaya Hotel currently is, the Samurai House has been preserved in the same location for more than 120 years.
In 2014, it was registered as a nationally-designated cultural property and opened to the public in March 2015 under the name of Kanaya Hotel History House.
It is only a few minutes away from Shinkyo Bridge and the World Heritage Area, so stop by and take a look at the amazing architecture!
Address: 1-25 Honcho, Nikko
Access: From JR or Tobu Nikko Station, take a bus bound for Chuzenji or Yumoto and get off at “Kanaya Hotel Rekishikan” Bus Stop.
Located at the entrance to the main area of the world heritage, amongst the trees, you will find this cozy and enchanting little cafe.
Perfectly located for lunch or a coffee break while visiting the shrines and temples of Nikko, Hongu Cafe will surprise you. The menu is short but delicious, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
Address: 2384 Sannai, Nikko
Phone: +81 288-54-1669
Website: https://www.hongucafe.com/
Hot days are coming, have you tried Nikko’s kakigori?
This shaved ice made using water from Nikko’s natural spring water will melt in your mouth, and together with the various flavors of syrup offered it makes a perfectly light dessert.
It can only be found in a few shops, for example at the famous Nikko Coffee.
Address:
3-13 Honcho, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, 321-1434, Japan
Business Hours:
10:00am-6:00pm / Closed on Mondays, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (In case of national holiday, the day off is moved to the next day)
Phone: +81 288-53-2335
Website: http://nikko-coffee.com/
The Kosugi Hiroaki Memorial Museum of Art is located really close to Shinkyo Bridge, and from May 18 to July 7 you can enjoy The Japanese National Parks Painting Collection.
This is one of Japan’s leading landscape art collections, produced by artists representing modern Japanese Western paintings. It includes members of the National Medal of Culture, of the Cultural Arts Foundation, and of the Japan Art Academy. The individuality of each painter are well represented, and it is possible to trace the flow of modern Japanese Western painting history.
In this exhibition you will feel the richness and diversity of nature in Japan through the landscape paintings drawn by the masters.
Additionally, you can also visit their tearoom ‘Café en Rêve’ and have a break for tea, coffee or delicious desserts.
Address: 2388-3 Sannai, Nikko
Website: http://www.khmoan.jp/english.html
Today, the Reitaisai was held at Toshogu Shrine. At 11:15am the Portable Shrine Procession (Mikoshi togyo sai) started. It is referred to as the procession of 1,000 Samurai and it included over 1,200 attendants divided into 53 categories, including warriors in armor who escorted the portable shrines to the Sojourn Hall.
Also, special food offerings were made, and other activities such as Sacred Artistic Rites performed by Eight Shrine Maidens and incantations read by the Chief Priest were performed.
The ceremony ended when the procession returned to Toshogu Shrine.
Did you miss it? You can see it again on October 17th, but in the meantime here are some picture we took today.
