Sacred Destinations
A richly illustrated guide to the world's sacred places,
sacred art, religious architecture and historic religious sites.

Nikko

Nikko Panorama
Shinkyo, the sacred bridge in Nikko. Photo Creative Commons License royalt.

Nikkō (日光市; "sunlight") is a small town of only 17,000 people nestled in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture in Japan. Located about 125 km north of Tokyo, Nikko makes an easy day trip by train from the capital city. Nikko is most famous for the mausoleums of the Tokugawa shoguns, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nikko has been a sacred place since the 8th century, when a Buddhist hermitage was established here. In time, it became prominent for its training centers for Buddhist priests. Today, several shrines and temples are clustered in Nikko, amid a magnificent forest of over 13,000 cedar trees and some of the country's most spectacular waterfalls and mountain scenery.

Travel Resources for Nikko

See our Nikko Map for a closer view.
Nikko Map
Our interactive city map of Nikko plus hand-picked links to the best maps elsewhere
Nikko Hotels
Search availability, read reviews, browse photos, view a map and book at the guaranteed lowest price
Nikko Hostels
Reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
Nikko Guided Tours
Book sightseeing tours and excursions
Nikko Travel Forum
Tips, answers and advice on Nikko tourism

Featured Religious Attractions in Nikko

Rinnoji
Rinnoji
A Buddhist temple with gold Buddha statues and a beautiful Japanese garden.
Shinkyo Bridge
Shinkyo Bridge
A historic and sacred bridge renowned for its beauty.
Toshogu Shrine
Toshogu Shrine
A uniquely ornate Shinto shrine dedicated to the Tokugawa shoguns.


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