Nikko City Area Pass: 8 Things To Do in Nikko

For the holidays, we went to Tokyo. Nikko has always been on my check list. It has one of Japan's best world heritage sites: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple. It is also famous for its autumn foliage, Shinkyo Bridge and Nemuri-neko.

Nikko (日光) is located at Tochigi Prefecture, around 2.5 hours from Tokyo.

Here are a list of places that we went during our day trip to Nikko:

1. Tobu Asakusa Station

If you're staying near Tokyo Skytree or Asakusa area, the Tobu Railway is more convenient.

In the morning, we traveled to Tobu Asakusa Station (浅草) to purchase Nikko City Area Pass (2670 yen). A round trip from Tokyo to Nikko costs 2757 yen. So it is worth purchasing a discount pass even if you're taking a day trip to the Nikko area. A few options are available:

• Nikko City Area Pass (Tobu): This pass is valid for 2 days. It include a round trip from Asakusa to Tobu Nikko and unlimited bus rides. Ideal for seeing the World Heritage Shrines.
• Nikko All Area Pass (Tobu): This pass is valid for 4 days 3 nights. It cost 4150 to 4520 yen, depending on what season you're traveling. 
• JR Tokyo Wide Pass: This pass is valid for 3 consecutive days. The price is 10,000 yen.

The train timetable can be found here. It is useful to check the train schedule for rapid/ limited express in advance to plan your trip.



Important: The train can either travel to Nikko or Kinugawa. Be sure to check you're sitting in the right compartment, or else... so long for your day trip

Just kidding :D


Credit: http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/twoday.html

2. Tobu-Nikko Station

I started munching on the melon bun (メロンパン) after we've boarded the train. Later I got bored and started peeling and eating bags of mikan.

Approximately 3 hours later, we've arrived at Tobu-Nikko Station. The bus station is located right across the station. The autumn foliage never fail to disappoint. It is so beautiful!

3. Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮)

From the bus station, we took World Heritage Bus (No. 2C) to Omotesando (No. 83) and purchased tickets to Nikko Toshogu Shrine for 1300 yen per person.

Information

• Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Apr 1 to Oct 31), 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Nov 1 to Mar 31)
• Admission Fee: 1300 yen
• Website (In English)

(a) Sanjinko (Three Sacred Storehouses)

Sanjinko is a designated important cultural property.




Yomeimon Gate is a designated treasure in Japan. Too bad it is under renovation during our visit!

According to statistics, there are over 5000 carvings on Nikko Toshogu Shrine, including phoenix, lion, cat, monkey, dragon and many mythical creatures.

(b) Sanzaru (Three Wise Monkeys)

The only wood building inside Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the Shinkyusha (Sacred Stable). It was originally a horse stable for Tokugawa Ieyasu's "sacred horse". Japanese believed that monkeys can bless the safety of the horse.



The three monkeys symbolize the Confucian teaching: "See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil". The rest of the monkeys symbolize the lives of ordinary people.

(c) Nemuri-neko

Nemuri-neko (眠り猫) is a wood carving by Hidari Jingoro. It is a designated national treasure. I would have missed it if there weren't a sign - the cat is tiny!



There are many interpretation of this sleepy cat. One saying is that the cat is only pretending to sleep and would wake up if the sparrows are too loud. The latent meaning is that even though in a peaceful era, the Tokugawa family will still be ready to strike if monarchs and nobles become rebellious.

The other interpretation is that Nikko means "the light of Japan". The cat is therefore sleeping comfortably in the sunlight (which is also a symbol of Japan).

I find the first interpretation more convincing under the historical background of Nikko. Also, you can actually see carvings of the sparrows on the flip side of the sleepy cat.

(d) Nakiryu (Crying Dragon)

There is a painting of dragon on the ceiling of Yakushi-hall. When clapper are struck, the noise is said to sound like a dragon crying. It is quite impressive when you're there in person.

The Yakushi-hall is very dark. Here's a photo of what the ceiling looked like:

(e) Okumiya (Inner Shrine)

After taking 270 steps of stairs, you'll reach the Okumiya (Inner Shrine). It is the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu. There is no additional charge to enter the Okymiya.

Unless you're interested in Japanese history, you may as well skip the Okumiya.

4. Futarasan Shrine (二荒山神社)

Next, we went to the Futarasan Shrine. It was founded in 782 by the Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin. 

Information

• Address: 2307 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1431
• Hours: 8:00-17:00 (16:00 from Nov to March). No closing dates
• Fee: Free (200 yen to visit a small area)

5. Shinkyo Bridge (神橋)

Also known as the "sacred bridge". It is the entrance to Nikko's shrines and temples. The bridge is magnificent and is ranked as one of the three finest bridges in Japan.

• Hours: 8:00-17:00 (Apr to Sep), 8:00-16:00 (Oct to Mid-Nov), 9:00-16:00 (mid Nov to Mar)
• Admission: 300 yen (to walk on the bridge)

6. Local Cuisine - Nikko-Yuba

We then proceed to have lunch at a local restaurant near the Shinjyo bridge.

Yuba (bean curd skin) is a local delicacy in Nikko. It is made by picking up the skin of boiled soymilk. Very delicious indeed!

7. Take Away Bento

We purchased a bento from the Tobu Nikko Station before leaving, along with Tochigi Lemon.

Tochigi Lemon is "lemon milk" and is only available in the Tochigi Prefecture of Japan!

8. Tokyo Skytree Town Illumination

What's a better way to end the day? Winter Illumination at Tokyo Skytree!

Information

• Hours: 8:00am - 10:00pm
• Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan