1
“Kamaya Café du Levavere,” a classic café housed in a renovated bank

A red-brick-style building stands directly in front of Tobu Nikko Station. Housed in a renovated former bank, the restaurant serves lunch featuring Nikko-grown ingredients, such as hamburg steaks, thick-cut pork cutlets, and curry made with “Mae-Nikko Wagyu” and “Nikko Pork.”The recommended dish is the “NIKKO Don,” generously topped with house-made roast beef. It features “Shikinbo,” a local brand of beef packed with the bounty of nature and the producers’ dedication—specifically a rare cut known for its perfect balance of texture and rich umami flavor.The slightly sweet and tangy sauce is a gluten-free soy sauce base infused with balsamic vinegar, served with a homemade hot spring egg made from locally laid eggs and simmered Nikko-style rolled yuba—a local specialty. This unique combination creates a delicious harmony on the palate.

Local Guide

The roast beef rice bowl, made with double the usual amount of roast beef, is also popular.

Our desserts also feature carefully selected ingredients, primarily sourced locally. We’re especially pleased that you can enjoy desserts made with Nikko-grown strawberries (Tochi-Aika and Natsu-Otome)—purchased directly from local farms—almost year-round. The “Royal Gateau au Chocolat” is made with generous amounts of Belgian chocolate; it’s aromatic and rich yet subtly sweet.“Nikko Snow Strawberry” is an original dish made by pureeing Nikko-grown strawberries, freezing them, shaving them into shaved ice, and topping it with plenty of fresh strawberries. It’s also delicious with a drizzle of condensed milk, if you like. We recommend stopping by when you’re craving something sweet between meals.

Founded in 1965, this long-established café and Restaurant first opened in front of Tobu Nikko Station. About 25 years ago, the owners purchased and renovated a former bank building and relocated there. At the back of the shop, the door to a massive vault—a symbol of the establishment—commands attention.The shop’s name, “Levavere,” comes from the French word “REVERBERE” (originally pronounced “Revérber”—meaning “streetlight”). The contrast between the streetlight and the massive vault door creates an intriguing atmosphere.

Kamaya Cafe du Revavert

• 12-6 Matsubara-cho, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• 1 minute walk from Tobu Nikko Station on the Tobu Railway Line, 5 minute walk from JR Nikko Station
• 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (Last Order 4:00 PM) *May close early if many items sell out
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0288-54-0685
• Free
• Breakfast featuring homemade bread available (Please inquire as hours are irregular)

2
“Shinbashi,” the beautiful arched bridge at the entrance to the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”

Walking northwest along the "Japan Romantic Kaido," a street in front of JR and Tobu Nikko Stations, for about 25 minutes while looking at souvenir shops and cafes on either side, you will arrive at "Kamihashi Bridge" over the Oya River. The gracefully curved wooden bridge, built at the Futaarasan Shrine in Nikko, is the gateway to the World Heritage Site "Shrines and Temples of Nikko". Originally used only for Shinto rituals, visits to the shrine by shoguns and imperial envoys, the bridge was opened to the public in 1973 to celebrate the 1200th anniversary of Futaarasan Shrine. The bridge is 28 m long, 7.4 m wide, and about 10.6 m above the river surface. Visitors can write their wishes on a "prayer paper airplane" (100 yen, water-soluble paper), which is available at the shrine office near the bridge, and fly it from the bridge to the Otani River.

Local Guide

The river water is crystal clear and very beautiful. The vermilion bridge is a sight to behold against the surrounding mountain trees.

Kamihashi (Shinto bridge)

• Kamibachiishi-cho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi MAP
• Approximately 20 minutes on foot from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station.
• From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen. 5 minutes, alight at "Kamihashi" and walk shortly.
• April–October: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; November–March: 9:30 AM–3:30 PM
  *Check-in closes 30 minutes before the gate closes
• Adults: 300 yen, High School Students: 200 yen, Elementary and Middle School Students: 100 yen
• 0288-54-0535 (Futaarasan Shrine, Nikko)

3
“Nikko Futarasan Shrine,” an ancient shrine that venerates Mount Nantai—the sacred peak of the Kanto region—as its divine object

Nantai (ancient name of Mt. Futaarasan) as its sacred mountain, Nikko Futaarasan Shrine has long been worshipped as the center of mountain worship in Nikko. The shrine has a history of being worshipped by the shogunate and powerful families as the guardian deity of the Kanto region. There are three shrines in Nikko: the "Head Shrine" (pictured here) in the city, the "Okumiya Shrine" at the summit of the mountain (2,486 m), and the "Chugu Shrine" between the two shrines by Lake Chuzenji, which is also the entrance to the Nantai-san mountain. It is registered as a World Heritage Site as "Shrines and Temples of Nikko. In addition to the "Tomoyu Shrine" (god of learning and wisdom), which is also a national important cultural property, there are also "good fate komainu" (guardian dogs for good fate) and "enyui no bamboos" (bamboo branches for good fate) in the precincts of the main shrine, which many people visit to pray for the blessings of a good fate.

Local Guide

There is also an area where visitors can enjoy unique fortune-testing activities, such as the "Nikko Heart Toss," "Nikko Heart Board Toss," and "Fortune Telling with Candy.

Futaarasan Shrine, Nikko

• 2307 Sannai, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• 10 min. by car from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station.
• Take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Nishi Sando" and walk about 7 minutes.
• 8:15-16:45
• Admission fee: Adults 300 yen; elementary, junior high, and high school students 100 yen *Includes admission to the Main Shrine Garden
• 0288-54-0535
• Admission Fee

4
“Nikko Tōshōgū,” a magnificent and opulent masterpiece of art that captivates the world

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is registered as a World Heritage site along with Nikko Futaarasan Shrine and Nikko Rinnoji Temple, and is visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad. The current group of shrine pavilions was built by the third shogun, Iemitsu, in 1636. The shrine grounds boast an overwhelmingly beautiful landscape of 55 buildings, including 8 national treasures and 34 important cultural properties, arranged via paths and stairways that take advantage of the natural terrain.

The photo shows the Yomeimon Gate (National Treasure), which was revived in vivid colors after four years of repair work was completed in March 2017 (Heisei 29). The gate, decorated with more than 500 carvings depicting the origins of historical events and children's games, is also called "Higurashi no Mon" (gate of the sunset), as all the craft and decorative techniques of the early Edo period are concentrated here and one could look at it all day long and not get tired of it.
The "Three Monkeys" carved on the Shinto stables just inside the front gate and the "Sleeping Cat" in the east corridor at the entrance to the inner shrine are also famous.

Local Guide

In addition to the three monkeys, there are other monkey sculptures in the Shinto Stable, which represent the life of a human being. Please take your time to look at them while imagining the story.

The Karamon Gate is located behind the Yomeimon Gate and in front of the hall of worship. It is positioned as a gate to protect the main shrine where the spirit of Ieyasu as the sovereign is enshrined. The entire gate is painted in white with gofun, a special feature of this gate. The gate is small, with a frontage of about 3 m and a depth of about 2 m, but it is filled with 611 carvings, including "ascending" and "descending" dragons on the left and right pillars, and is a sight to behold. It is said that the carvings also express the belief that if a virtuous person inherits and governs the country, an era of peace will continue.

5
“Nikko Coffee: Imperial Villa Street Branch,” a renowned café worth stopping by during your stroll

When you are a little tired after visiting temples and shrines and shopping, take a coffee break. Walking along the main gate of the Imperial Villa from the West Approach to the Tamozawa Imperial Villa, you will see Nikko Coffee Goyotei Dori Store on your right. Renovated from an old private house that was once a rice wholesaler in the Taisho era (1912-1926), it is a chic building that invites a sense of travel. The coffee is made from beans purchased directly from farms and roasted with our own technique, and has an easy-to-drink taste with a perfect balance of sourness and bitterness. The extensive menu, including a variety of drip coffee, iced coffee with water, and coffee cocktails, is also appealing.

The 34-seat store features vintage furniture that matches the atmosphere of the old private house, allowing customers to enjoy coffee in a calm and relaxing atmosphere. A great way to spend time here is to look out the window at the sunny courtyard, or to pick up a book related to Nikko.
We also recommend the "Imperial Villa Street Black Curry" and "Omelette Rice" if you are hungry, or a set of your favorite drink and cake.

Local Guide

It is also fun that the blended coffee is named after Tochigi's mountains! A leisurely cup of coffee after eating black curry is also exceptional.

Nikko Coffee Goyotei Dori

• 3-13 Honmachi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen (approx. 7 min.), alight at Nishi-Sando Iriguchi (West Approach Entrance) and walk approx. 2 min.
• 10:00-18:00 (L.O. 17:00)
• Mondays, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (open if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following day)
• 0288-53-2335
• None