ITINERARY
Experience the Harmonious Beauty of Oku-Nikko's Nature, History, and Culture
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Nikko National Park is one of Japan's oldest national parks. In addition to renowned sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shrines and Temples of Nikko, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls, the park is dotted with famous peaks and wetlands. In early summer, the scenery is refreshed by vibrant new leaves, while autumn brings brilliant displays of fall foliage. Visit historic buildings, archaeological sites, and natural landscapes to experience beauty created through the harmony of nature and culture.
Itinerary Highlights
- Cycle through Nikko's highlights, including the World Heritage-listed Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
- Experience the richness of Nikko's natural environment on a hike across the Senjogahara moor and a nighttime hike.
- Enjoy a cruise on Lake Chuzenji while learning about its history and culture as an international summer resort.
Cycling adventures around World Heritage sites
Get an early start from Tobu Nikko Station and go to NAOC Nikko Base for an e-mountain bike tour through the cultural and natural landscapes of Nikko. The efficient route takes you to highlights such as the World Heritage-listed Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan-jinja Shrine, and Rinnoji Temple, as well as off-road paths along the Daiya River and the rural satoyama area of Kobyaku. The total distance exceeds 30 kilometers, but the e-bikes make the ride accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
After the tour, take a bus from the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park to Chuzenji Onsen. Check into your accommodation for the night to recover from the day's cycling.
Hike through valuable wetlands and nocturnal landscapes
After checking out of your accommodation, spend the day exploring Senjogahara, a high moor in Nikko National Park. According to local legend, these wetlands were once the site of a battle between the gods for possession of Lake Chuzenji. Take a Tobu bus from Chuzenji Onsen to Yutaki Iriguchi bus stop, and meet your guide at the nearby Yutaki Parking area for a 3-hour guided walk of the Senjogahara Marshland, which is registered under the Ramsar Convention. There are wooden boardwalks for much of the route that protect the wetland flora and provide a level walking surface, making the walk ideal for most levels of fitness.
Travel by bus to Yumoto Onsen, and check in to your accommodation in the area. Relax and refresh for a few hours, then take a bus to Akanuma, followed by a shuttle bus from Akanuma Nature Information Center for an Oku-Nikko Night Hiking experience. Peer into the water to see frogs and fish, and spot nocturnal creatures by moonlight or flashlight. In winter, don a pair of snowshoes to explore the serene, snow-covered forest in the crisp night air.
Lake Chuzenji cruise and Embassy Villa Memorial Park
Take a bus in the morning to Chuzenji Onsen to cruise Lake Chuzenji. Alight at Embassy Villa Memorial Park Pier to visit the Italian and British Embassy Villas Memorial Park. These summer houses were built in Oku-Nikko in the late 19th to early 20th centuries as holiday homes for foreign diplomats, and fuse Japanese and European architectural styles. Discover the history and culture of Oku-Nikko as an international summer resort, and appreciate how these historic buildings were designed in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.
Walk back to Chuzenji Onsen along the lakeside past Chuzenji Temple, stopping for lunch along the way. From there, take a bus to Tobu Nikko Station for your onward journey.