Nikko National Park falls into three prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi and Fukushima. Perfect for a day trip from Tokyo, Nikko National Park packs in plenty of nature and culture. Founded in 1934, Nikko National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Japan. Over the course of the 20th century, the park has only grown in size and contains several cultural and natural gems.
Nikko National Park
Photo by: PIXTA/ まちゃー Start your adventure here.
The park covers nearly 115,000 hectares and is mostly mountainous. Mount Shirane, Mount Nantai and Mount Nasu stand out as three of the most famous peaks. In between these mountains, you can traverse a diverse landscape that includes valleys, marches, lakes and forests. Nasu Heisei-no-Mori Forest lies at the base of Mount Nasu and was on the grounds of a former imperial villa. Today, you can trek through the forest of birch trees. Near Mount Nantai, visitors flock to marvel at the 97-meter-high Kegon Waterfalls and the Lake Chuzenji area.
Shrines and Temples of Nikko
If shrines and temples peak your interest, the park is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites collectively known as the Shrines and Temples of Nikko. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the most famous of the bunch and enshrines the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate which marked the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1868).
Fall Highlights
Photo by: PIXTA/ まちゃー Enjoy the best of fall with a day out in Nikko National Park.
Covering an incredible area of terrain, it’s unsurprising that Nikko National Park has plenty of locations to enjoy the changing leaves. Head to the Rinnoji Temple, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Shrines and Temples of Nikko, and take a stroll through the traditional Japanese garden. Check out the fiery reds in the first half of November and come after sunset for an extra treat. The autumn foliage is lit up t to give the scene an otherworldly glow.
For an escape into nature, make your way to Shiobara Gorge, which has magnificent views of Japanese maples. For the best vantage point, go to Momijidani Otsuribashi, a 320-meter long suspension bridge. From there, enjoy the leaves and their reflections off the lake’s surface below.
Odashirogahara Plateau also has Japanese oak trees that turn yellow and kusa momiji (autumn grasses) that transform fields into yellows and reds come autumn.
