Red, orange, yellow. If you don’t want to wait until next year… this is your last chance!
Take a walk around Central Nikko, the World Heritage area, or why not join any of our Experiences for a perfect Fall Adventure!
toshogu
Desde hoy…. Light Up en Nikko!
Koyo, comida deliciosa y … Light Up. ¡No podría ser mejor!
El otoño es increíble en Nikko, y este fin de semana podremos disfrutar del exclusivo Light Up en los santuarios y templos del Patrimonio Mundial de Nikko.
Además del área iluminada, habrá puestos de comida, conciertos y tambores japoneses.
¿Cuándo? 8 a 10 de noviembre de 2019 (viernes a domingo)
¿Hora? 17:00 – 21:00
¿Dónde? Área de santuarios y templos del patrimonio mundial de Nikko
¿Precio? Entrada gratuita
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Autumn Grand Festival
If you missed it in May, you should see it this time!
In the biggest festival in Nikko area, visitors can see various breathtaking rituals such as yabusame ritual in which riders on horsebacks shoot targets with arrows, as well as “Hyakumonozoroe Sennin Musha Gyoretsu,” a parade of 1000 people in samurai warrior outfits.
When? October 16th and 17th
What time?
Yabusame Archery: October 16th, 13:00 to 14:30
Sennin Gyoretsu – Parade of 1,000 Samurai Warriors: October 17th, 11:00 to 12:00 from Futarasan to Otabisho, and 13:00 to 14:00 from Otabisho to Toshogu
Where? Nikko Toshogu Shrine – Omotesando Street
Vegetarian Cuisine at Gyoshintei
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/
Shinkyo Bridge
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.
Reitaisai at Toshogu Shrine
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.
Grand Festival at Toshogu Shrine
The Reitaisai (Grand Festival) will be held next May 17 and 18 at Toshogu Shrine, so you shouldn’t miss it if you are in the area!
From 10 in the morning on May 17, a ceremony is held at the shrine in the presence of the head of the Tokugawa family, Sanshikai officials, and other dignitaries and guests.
From 1pm, archery on horseback is be performed in a special area, and in the evening three portable shrines are brought to Futarasan Shrine and the Yoinari-sai (Evening Arrival Ceremony) is conducted by priests from both shrines.
On May 18, the Portable Shrine Procession (Mikoshi togyo sai) will start at 11am. It is referred to as the procession of 1,000 Samurai and it includes over 1,200 attendants divided into 53 categories, including warriors in armor who will escort the portable shrines to the Sojourn Hall.
Also, special food offerings will be made, and other activities such as Sacred Artistic Rites performed by Eight Shrine Maidens and incantations read by the Chief Priest will be performed.
The ceremony will end when the procession returns to Toshogu Shrine.
Okonomiyaki Party at Nikko Base!
Nikko’s yuba
Have you ever tried yuba (soy milk skin)? Then how about yuba burger?
Really near Toshogu you will find Maruhide. Even though it may not look super fancy from the outside, you will find this restaurant very appealing. Try their yuba burger in any of the 2 options offered -fried or teriyaki style-, delicious and vegetarian friendly! You can also enjoy their famous tomato yuba ramen, or any of the many dishes served.
Friendly staff, plenty amount of tables and menu in English with pictures make it a good option for a lunch break.
Address: 10-24 Yasukawacho, Nikko
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
When visiting Nikko, you cannot miss Toshogu Shrine, the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868.
The shrine complex consists of more than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest, and the use of paths and stairways that follow the natural topography of the site create a magnificent atmosphere.
You will note that Toshogu contains both Shinto and Buddhist elements. The buildings are lacquered and decorated with vibrant colors and gold leaf, and there are countless wood carvings covering the structures and pillars. Do not miss the symbol of peace “Sleeping Cat”, and the “Three Monkeys” with the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” poses!
Hours
8:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November to March); admission ends 30 minutes before closing
Admission
1300 yen (shrine), 1000 yen (museum), 2100 yen (shrine and museum)
Access
Toshogu is located a 30 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride (310 yen one way, 500 yen day pass, covered by the Nikko Passes) from Tobu and JR Nikko Stations.
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