Summary
Nikko provided a perfect day out from Tokyo, but this was more of a sightseeing trip than a serious hike. Even though the weather was dull, there were plenty of magnificent attractions connected by a relatively short walk. It would make a good base for a wider range of walks in the surrounding hills of Nikko National Park; 15 hiking trails are listed in the tourist leaflet, ranging from 70 mins to 6 hours.
- I will remember most the strikingly powerful gateways and figures guarding each temple.
- The best bits for me were seeing the wonderfully detailed carvings.
- I can’t think of any “worst bits”.
- It was funny to be on a bumpy local train after the smooth fast shinkansen.
- I didn’t expect to find a “sacred horse” in a stable overlooked by 3 carved monkeys.
- I was also surprised to arrive at a railway station designed by a character from a Simon and Garfunkel song, Frank Lloyd Wright.
- There are no “words of warning” or scary bits.
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Contributed by: Andrew Llanwarne
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Famous carving of monkeys at the Tosho-gu Shrine
"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil"
Key Facts
| Location |
Nikko, north of Tokyo |
| When it was walked |
July 2003 |
| Walk type |
City and town walks |
| Difficulty |
Suitable for anyone who enjoys an easy walk |
| Distance approx |
8 km / 5 miles |
| Height climbed approx |
100 m / 330 ft |
| Time taken approx |
6 hours |
| Map used if any |
Map in tourist leaflet in English |
| Source of info on walk |
Tourist leaflet, Lonely Planet guide, and Catriona had been before |
| Getting there |
Shinkansen from Tokyo then change at Utsonomiya to local train (90 mins total) |
| Places to stay |
A wide choice of hotels and guest houses |
| Places to eat/ buy food |
Shops and restaurants on main street |
| Other local attractions or facilities |
Lake Chuzenji is a scenic location with a sightseeing boat tour |
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