When you envisage traditional, naturally beautiful Japan, you'll likely picture somewhere like Nikko. Just two hours south of Tokyo by train, Nikko's location in the mountains of the Tochigi Prefecture is a world away from the capital’s bustle. The UNESCO-listed Toshogu Shrine stands in colorful contrast to many of Japan’s minimalist religious buildings; the vermilion-lacquered Shinkyo Bridge is one of Japan’s most sacred; and the high-altitude Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls are natural Japan at its best. Come on a day trip or linger for a few days; you'll find plenty of things to do in and around Nikko.
There’s no bad time to visit Nikko. In summer, the weather is warm but pleasant at this high altitude, and perfect for hiking in Nikko National Park. In spring, you can see the blossoms, and in fall, the changing colors of the leaves—Nikko is a famous leaf-peeping destination. In winter, Toshogu Shrine looks especially attractive under layers of snow, and there are few other visitors around. Just rug up warm when visiting Lake Chuzenji, which is bitterly cold in winter.
Nikko is an easy town to navigate, even if you don’t read or speak Japanese. The JR and Tobu railway stations are at the north-western end of town. Active travelers might like the 45-minute walk to the Toshogu Shrine complex as it’s a scenic stroll. Otherwise, buses to many of the town’s attractions leave from outside the station. Note that the bus to Lake Chuzenji is quite a long ride–16 miles (27 kilometers), taking around 45 minutes–and includes some sharp switchbacks that might be uncomfortable if you suffer from motion sickness.
Linger a bit longer in Nikko to enjoy some of the area’s onsen baths. The small Nikko Onsen is in the western part of the town, near the UNESCO sites, and has clear pure water. There’s also an onsen on the northern side of Lake Chuzenji. For an overnight experience, take a bus to the town of Yumoto Onsen in the Nikko National Park. Located beside Lake Yunoko, the town is full of ryokan (Japanese inns, often with onsen baths) and there’s a Buddhist temple with a hot spring open to the public.
