There is a saying in Japan that goes something along the lines of Never say you are pleased until you’ve seen Nikko. Undoubtedly! Nikko in the Kanto Region boasts some of the most spectacular spiritual structures I’ve ever seen. So, although it is a simple outing from Tokyo, why rush?
Visiting only the popular websites is never an option for us, so we invested two nights in the area and three more days in the rather forgotten Kinugawa Onsen location. The whole experience was incredible and the best method to end our 5 week trip to Japan. But let’s begin with the start. So, make sure to include Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen on your next trip to Japan.
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Nikko When we showed up in Nikko we could not think our eyes. The temples are definitely lovely! Not just that, however rich green nature surrounds them. The town is at the entrance of the Nikko National Park, among the grandest natural areas in Japan.
Among us is an architect, and the other one an environmental attorney. Nikko offered us sublime architecture in the middle of splendid nature! We spent hours walking slowly along the courses, breathing in clean air, listening to the water circulation, and admiring Japanese culture. Trust us, you will always remember Nikko!
How to Get to Nikko From Tokyo Given that Japan’s railway network is exceptionally developed, you can reach the same destination using various companies and paths. To go from Tokyo to Nikko you can take the Japanese Railways Line from Tokyo’s Main Station or the Tobu Nikko Line from the Asakusa Station. We went to Nikko on the previous and came back to Tokyo on the later line. Please take note that the only Tobu Nikko Line goes all the method to Kinugawa Onsen.
In Japan there are a number of hassle-free JR Passes, such as the excellent 2 week pass, best if you travel quickly. We don’t travel quickly so we didn’t buy it. Furthermore, the pass consists of only the Japanese Trains trains that do not reach every location. Therefore, to get to Nikko from Tokyo and back we took two various business from 2 various stations. Both train lines were on time, quick and provided terrific views.
Where to Stay Most tourists go to Nikko for the day, rush through the temples, and leave. What an error! We strongly suggest spending at least one night. Once the travelers leave, Nikko ends up being quiet, mysterious, and prettier. The best places to remain in Nikko are close to the temples.
We remained at the lovely Nikko Park Lodge Mountain Side in the middle of the forest, so we might walk everywhere through stunning green paths. It’s a conventional home with comfy rooms and everything you require. Another excellent choice likewise in the middle of the forest is the Fairfield by Marriot.
Shrines and Temples of Nikko Considering that 1999, the Tôshôgû and the Futarasan-jinja Shinto shrines, and the Rinnô-ji Buddhist temple are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The place consists of over 100 buildings and a beautiful 17th Century forest. The structures are located on various slopes on the Sacred Nikko Mountains producing different visual impacts.
For centuries the whole complex and its natural setting have actually been considered spiritual. The temple and shrines still serve their spiritual purpose, though it is difficult to immerse into this special atmosphere surrounded by masses of travelers. That’s why it’s vital to spend a minimum of one night in Nikko. You will have an experience much bigger than a location.
Other Places to Check out After checking out the archaeological sites we opted for a walk along the Daiya River. The water is hot, so we might see vapor coming out of the river! At night we crossed the famous Shinkyo Bridge. Since the majority of travelers come here only during the day, we had the place to ourselves.
You can walk to the Jakko Waterfall and the Urami Falls. It’s a simple walk through nature. The most daring can keep approaching the Unryu Keikoku Falls. The views from there over Mt. Nyoho will take your breath away. Do not hurry and take pleasure in every minute of your journey!
Kinugawa Onsen When searching for a fantastic onsen around Nikko we came across a town called Kinugawa Onsen. The town has a quite center situated just in front of the train station, with a number of shops and dining establishments. The Kinugawa River runs through it. There are monkeys, warm residents, and epic views all around!
Kinugawa looks straight out of a motion picture. Steep mountains tower above the town. The town itself is small and really peaceful. Liked it! There are dining establishments and convenience stores. We would buy grocery store sushi and consume it on a bench with unforgettable views of the river and mountains.
How to Get to Kinugawa Onsen The best method to obtain from Tokyo to Kinugawa Onsen is by train. Take the Tobu Line from the Asakusa Station. The journey is a tourist attraction in itself so get a window seat. This train stops in Nikko. Therefore, you can take it in Nikko and get to Kinugawa Onsen in less than 30 minutes.
Regional trains go from Nikko to Kinugawa too a minimum of once an hour. In any case, there are trains between both places approximately every 20 minutes. If you are in great shape, you can stroll from Nikko to Kinugawa in approximately 3 hours. If you have travel luggage, take the train.
Where to Stay In Kinugawa you have to stay in an onsen ryokan next to the river. We stayed at the Hotel Sunlight Kinugawa. The spaces are substantial and are fitted with tatami. The hotel has an indoor and outside onsen. The service is impeccable, and the views
unforgettable! If you have the cash to spend lavishly, do so at the KINUGAWA KEISUI. It’s the newest hotel in town. The spaces are huge and featured designer furniture, premium beds, and a veranda with your own private hot tub! The hotel’s onsen and sauna are great.
Things to Do Among all the things to do in Kinugawa, strolling from onsen to onsen is compulsory. Don’t take your phone, simply perambulate and you will see mineral springs all over. There are a number of! Our preferred is the Kinugawa Koen Iwaburo, half an hour walking north of the train station.
There is foot bath close to the train station. We liked crossing the Kinutateiwaotsuri Bridge and strolling to the Tateiwa Viewpoint and the Furukama Falls. The town’s ancient cemetery is quite cool. We highly suggest walking at night too. It extremely safe and you can see countless stars!
Kinugawa Koen Kinugawa Koen is the next town north of Kinugawa Onsen. You can stroll from one to the other in half an hour or take a 7 minute train. In truth, given that both are so close, you will think it’s the very same town.
However, Kinugawa Koen has a remarkable look. As I mentioned in the text about Chubu Region, Japan has a problem with its aging population. So generally there is a shortage of workforce, and Kinugawa Koen feels deserted. We are not complaining, we enjoyed it!
Why Staying in a Ryokan Hotel is a Need to All of us have different tastes and interests. While some individuals would do anything to climb up Mount Fuji, remaining at a genuine onsen town in Japan was among the highlights of our journey. In all honesty, the area is insanely stunning and feels isolated.
Investing a couple of nights at a genuine ryokan hotel is experiencing Japanese culture. Though the hotels are old, they are in excellent shape and use additional big rooms with jaw dropping views. You get to consume tea, relax, and feel japan. Don’t slip up and book at least one night here.
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