Great Nature Adventure around Nikko National Park
Koyo, delicious food and… Light Up. It couldn’t get any better!
Fall is amazing in Nikko, and this weekend you can enjoy the unique Light Up all around the World-Heritage shrines and temples.
Besides the illuminated area, there will be food stands, concerts and Japanese drums.
When? November 8 (Fri) to 10 (Sun), 2019
Time? 17:00 – 21:00
Where? Areas containing the world-heritage shrines and temples of Nikko
Price? Admission free
Today is a sunny, beautiful day. Enjoy the last days of Autumn leaves in Oku Nikko area, for example around Chuzenji Lake area and the famous Kegon Falls.
To get there, take the Tobu bus from JR or Tobu Nikko station for Chuzenji Onsen, and get off at “Chuzenji Onsen” bus stop. It is an approximate 50-minute ride, and then walk about 5 minutes to Kegon Falls.
Koyo, the beautiful autumn foliage, is now peaking in Nikko.
If you are around the area, we highly recommend that you visit Oku-Nikko for amazing views. Right now Ryuzu Waterfall is specially beautiful. From JR or Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu bus for Yumoto Onsen and get off at stop 38, one after Ryuzu no taki. From the bridge over Yukawa River (right next to the bus stop) you will be able to enjoy the impressive view. Then keep walking following the river downstream for about 300 meters and you will get to Ryuzu Waterfall. There’s a souvenier shop and a local restaurant with a deck with an amazing view, perfect to enjoy a warm dish after the walk!
Senjogahara is one of the largest high moors in Honshu, located in the Nikko National Part at a height of 1,400m.
It is said that this area became an over 400ha marsh over a long time, from a lake that was formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. Additionally, 175ha out of it is registered under the Ramsar Convention as “Oku-Nikko-shitsugen” (the marsh in Oku-Nikko).
More than 350 species of native plants and various wild birds can be seen in Senjogahara, which can be explored through its hiking course that even beginners can walk.
The recommended period to visit this area is the middle of June to the beginning of August, when Cotton-Sedges and Meadow Sweets are in full bloom. And also at the end of September to the beginning of October when the grass turn to beautiful shades of red.
Access: Take the Tobu bus from JR or Tobu Nikko station for Yumoto Onsen, get off at Sanbonmatsu bus stop (approx. 50 minutes). The Senjogahara observatory is right in front of the bus stop. You can also get off at Ryuzu-no-taki bus stop or go all the way to Yumoto Onsen and start the longer hiking course from there.
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.
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
