Nikko — Sacred Mountains

Overview

Key Features

1. Toshogu — an Edo masterpiece — A UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The luxurious carvings created by master craftsmen are truly impressive. Of particular note are the Three Wise Monkeys, Yomeimon and the Five-Story Pagoda.
2. Rinno-ji — Japan’s Heritage — The Sanbutsudo Hall of the temple, surrounded by centuries-old cedars, houses a unique collection of three ancient wooden Buddhist statues and is one of the spiritual centers of Japanese Buddhism, founded by the monk Shodo-shonin in the 8th century.
3. Shinkyo — The Sacred Bridge — One of the most beautiful bridges in Japan, spanning the picturesque Daiya River. In the Edo period, only the nobility and the shogun’s envoys were permitted to cross this bright scarlet symbol of traditional beauty. On certain dates, the bridge is open to all visitors.
4. A stroll along the Cedar Alley — The tranquility of the mountain forest, the scent of ancient trees, a sacred space. The cedar avenue, over 400 years old, makes a walk through Nikko a particularly meditative experience.
5. Imperial Villa — The exquisite architecture of Tamozawa Villa in Japanese style, with tatami rooms and shoji partitions combined with Western elements from the Meiji era, transports guests to the aristocratic atmosphere of early 20th-century Japan.
6. Lunch at a local restaurant — Enjoy kaiseki cuisine or traditional dishes made from Nikko’s seasonal ingredients in the refined setting of a carefully selected restaurant.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Nikko — Sacred Mountains and the Legacy of the Shogun

• 09:00 Departure from the hotel in Tokyo
  After meeting your guide, your private driver will pick you up from the hotel in a comfortable car. Enjoy your journey to Nikko, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• 11:00 Toshogu Shrine
  The highlight of the journey will be a visit to the famous Tōshōgū Shrine, dedicated to the founder of the Edo shogunate, Ieyasu Tokugawa. Unlike the minimalist Zen temples of Kyoto, guests are struck by the lavish carvings and golden décor created by the finest craftsmen of the Edo period. You will see the “Three Wise Monkeys,” symbolizing wisdom and restraint, the “Sunset Gate,” and the five-tiered pagoda.
• 12:30 Rinno-ji Temple
  One of the spiritual centers of Japanese Buddhism, where majestic wooden statues of revered Buddhas are preserved.
• 13:30 Lunch at a local restaurant
  Enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine at local restaurants—kaiseki or dishes made from seasonal ingredients of the Nikko region, served in an elegant setting.
• 15:00 Take a stroll along the Shinkyo Bridge and the cedar avenue
  The silence of the mountain forest, the scent of ancient trees, the atmosphere of a sacred space—walking along the 400-year-old cedar avenue, a stroll in Nikko becomes especially meditative, leading you to the Daiya River. Here stands the vermilion Shinkyo Bridge, one of the most beautiful bridges in Japan. During the Edo period, only nobility and envoys of the shogun were permitted to cross this bridge.
• 16:00 Imperial Villa Tamozawa
  A highlight of this journey will be a visit to the Tamozawa Imperial Villa—one of Japan’s most remarkable historic residences. Here, exquisite Japanese architecture is harmoniously blended with Western elements from the Meiji era. Tatami rooms, sliding shoji screens, views of the garden, and the seasonal colors of nature—crimson maples in autumn, delicate pink sakura buds in spring—recreate the aristocratic atmosphere of early 20th-century Japan. During your stay in Nikko, you will have a rare opportunity to see how the Imperial family spent their time (on days when the villa is closed—Tuesdays—there will be a visit to the famous garden of the Rinnoji Temple).
• 19:00 Tokyo
  Return to the Tokyo hotel.

Practical Information

Start time / Duration

9:00/10 hours

Included in the price

・Private car transfer
・Escort and services of a professional guide
・Entrance tickets