1 Day Tour Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park

Our first destination will be a small gorge surrounded by lush greenery and trees off the beaten path in Nikko. We will walk alongside the crystal clear river as your tour guide tells you all about the gorge’s famous inhabitants, the Bake Jizo statues! (Ghost Jizo). It is said there are 70 Jizo statues lining the path of the gorge, but legend says that the number changes each time you count them! So make sure to test this for yourself! Keep your eyes peeled as you will also spot some Sanskrit characters carved into the cliff upstream! There is even a small waterfall here to enjoy.

Our next stop is an historic and traditional Japanese villa where you can enjoy the traditional architecture and garden. Enjoy stepping back in time as you walk around the Edo and Meiji period building which has been home to many historically important people. From the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Imperial Family, your guide will tell you all about its former residents. Look out for the beautifully painted and decorated cedar wooden doors around the villa!

Located at the start of the World Heritage site and National Park in Nikko, this bridge is ranked one of the top three scenic bridges in all of Japan! Constructed in 1636, this bridge has lived to see many people cross its path. Enjoy the scenic views and of course take some wonderful photos!

The Heritage Site is home to some of the most elaborate and gorgeous structures in all of Japan adorned in gold leaf, vibrant colours and wood carvings, so make sure to take plenty of pictures! For our first destination we will visit Taiyuin Temple, the temple where the third Tokugawa Shogunate ’Tokugawa Iemitsu’ is enshrined and buried. The temple complex is adorned with elaborate decoration and amazing Buddhist statues. Inside the main hall, you can see the Samurai armour that Tokugawa Iemitsu once wore.

Our next destination will be the star of the show in our opinion, Toshogu Shrine! Some of the most notable sites here will be the lavish Nikko Toshogu shrine where Japan’s most famous and powerful Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined. You will also see the wood carvings of the famous ’Nemuri-Neko’ (sleeping cat) and the ’Three Wise Monkeys’, and you will visit the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu. We will also be visiting the museum which houses artefacts from the time of Tokugawa Ieyasu, including his armour, swords and personal items.