1
Nikko Rinnoji Temple

More than 500 years old, these famous cherry trees bring spring to Nikko

The temple is also one of the three main temples of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The main hall, Sanbutsudo, is the largest wooden structure on Nikko and was built in the Heian period (794-1185). The Kongo cherry tree is located in the front garden of the main hall. The variety is a mutant of the yamazakura cherry tree and produces large white flowers. The elegant sight of the glossy cherry blossoms and the majestic "Sanbutsudo" is a delight to the eyes of tourists every spring.
Another point of appreciation is the exceptional shape of the tree, which has four new trunks that grew after the Kongo cherry tree was transplanted in the Meiji era. If you only want to see the cherry blossoms, you do not need a ticket (only during viewing hours).

Blooming season: Usually in early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually mid to late April.
Cherry blossom type】Yamazakura(Yamazakura) (mutant species)

Rinnoji Temple on Mt. Nikko

• 2300 Yamauchi, 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 "Jimbashi" and walk about 5 minutes.
• April-October 8:00-17:00, November-March 8:00-16:00 (last admission 30 minutes before)
• The Treasure Hall and Shoyoen are closed about 10 times a year for exhibition changes and Rinnoji temple events.
• Sanbutsudo ticket: Adults 400 yen, Junior high school and elementary school students 200 yen
  Taiyuin ticket: Adults 550 yen, Junior high school and elementary school students 250 yen
  Homonoden and Shoyoen tickets: Adults: 300 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students: 100 yen
  Set tickets are available.
• 0288-54-0531
• Charged
• No entrance fee is required to visit Kongo Cherry Blossom
  
  

2
Nikko Highway

Cherry blossom trees along Nikko Kaido, a street full of historical atmosphere

The Nikko Kaido (present-day Route 119), one of the five highways established in the Edo period (1603-1867), was lined with yamazakura cherry trees planted in 1951 by villagers along the road, who purchased seedlings with donations. About 1,500 large cherry trees stand along the 16-km stretch from Kamitomatsuri, Utsunomiya City, to Yamaguchi, Nikko City, in the north. When the trees are in full bloom, many visitors from outside the prefecture enjoy driving through the "cherry blossom tunnel. There are sidewalks along the street, so it is possible to view the cherry blossoms on foot. The cherry blossoms are beautiful not only when they are in full bloom, but also when they are beginning to fall, and the snowstorm is so beautiful and emotional that it tugs at the heartstrings.
Beyond the rows of cherry trees, there are rows of cedar trees leading to the World Heritage Site "Shrines and Temples of Nikko," and you can fully enjoy walking along the old road while thinking back to the Edo period.

Flowering season: Usually in early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early to mid-April.
Kind of cherry trees】Yamazakura (Prunus incisa)

Nikko Highway

• 3 Kamitomatsuri, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture - Yamaguchi, Nikko City MAP
• 25 minutes drive from JR Utsunomiya Station
• Take a bus from JR Utsunomiya Station and get off at "Kami-tomatsuri Koiriguchi" bus stop.
• 028-632-2445 （Utsunomiya Tourist Convention Association)

3
Kinugawa Park

Cherry blossoms with beautiful shades of pink compete with each other

It is about a 3-minute walk from Kinugawa Koen Station. Approach the park by crossing the railroad tracks via a pedestrian bridge. The park square has an outdoor stage and is a place of rest and relaxation used as a venue for festivals and events. The weeping cherry trees that line the plaza are a sight to behold when they are in full bloom. The weeping cherry trees that have just opened are darker in color, and as they reach full bloom, they change to lighter colors, so you can enjoy different shades of pink depending on their blooming. Along the grounds of the Kinugawa Elementary School next door is a Someiyoshino tree, allowing visitors to compare the two types of cherry blossoms. In spring, katakuris (dogtooth violet) flowers also bloom on the grounds, allowing visitors to enjoy the richness of nature at a leisurely pace.
The park also has Daytrip Destinations. Visitors can enjoy 100% hot spring water in a garden-style outdoor hot spring. The alkaline hot spring is known for its gentle feel on the skin.

Flowering season] Usually in mid-April *Varies according to the year.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms】Mid-April every year *Varies according to the year.
Cherry blossom type: weeping cherry (Prunus persica var. pendula)

Kinugawa Park

• Fujiwara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• Approximately a 3-minute walk from Tobu Railway Kinugawa Koen Station
• 0288-22-1525（Nikko Tourist Association)
• None

4
Kinugawa Onsen Gokoku-jinja Shrine and Hot Spring Shrine

The illumination of the cherry blossoms against the night sky is well worth seeing

The shrine is located about 1 km southwest of Tobu Railway Kinugawa Koen Station, next to the Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway. There are "Gokoku Shrine" and "Hot Spring Shrine" on the same site, and when you pass through the first torii (gateway), you will see an approach surrounded by Someiyoshino cherry trees. The stone steps leading up to the first torii gate provide an excellent photo opportunity, with the cherry blossoms adorning the second torii gate and the grounds of the Gokoku Shrine in full bloom.
The "Kinugawa Onsen Night Cherry Blossom Light-up - Kinugawa Manykago" (formerly the Night Cherry Blossom Grand Banquet), held in the precincts of the two shrines, is a major event in the Kinugawa hot spring village. The venue is filled with a fantastic atmosphere with illuminated cherry blossoms, and music and dancing are performed in the Kaguraden.

Blooming time】Early April
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Early April
Cherry blossom type: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)
*Subject to change according to climate and other factors.

▼Kinugawa Onsen Hot Spring Night Cherry Blossom Light-up ~Kinugawa Manykago
Date: March 28 (Fri) - April 6 (Sun), 2025, 18:00 - 20:30
Location: Precincts of Gokoku Shrine and Hot Spring Shrine, Kinugawa Onsen
Admission: Free
URL: https: //yozakura.kinugawa-onsen.info/

Kinugawa Onsen Gokoku Shrine and Hot Spring Shrine

• 834-45 Kinugawa Hot Spring Taki, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 15 min. walk from Tobu Railway Kinugawa Koen Stn.
• 0288-22-1525（Nikko Tourist Association)
• None

5
Yayoi Festival

A festival that heralds the arrival of spring with a spectacular display of Hanayatai

The Nikko Futaarasan Shrine annual festival has a tradition of over 1,200 years. It is called "Yayoi Matsuri" because it used to be held in March. The festival begins with the Shinyo Kazari-sai (portable shrine decoration festival) on April 13 and ends with the main festival on April 17. The entire town comes alive at once, peaking on the 16th with the Yoimatsuri and the main festival. Floats decorated with gorgeous artificial flowers of yashio azaleas from 11 towns in the east and west of the city are paraded through the city center and the grounds of Futaarasan Shrine while playing the Nikko festival music.
The wild sight of the hana-keitai (floats) running up the slope of Futaarayama Shrine during the main festival and the exchange of business cards held on the grounds of the shrine are also recommended attractions. This festival, which respects old customs, is also known as the "gota matsuri" (festival of gota) because everything must proceed according to the formalities and one mistake can lead to "gota" (trouble) in the township. It is also designated as a prefectural intangible folk cultural asset.

▼ Yayoi Festival
Period：April 13 (Sun) to April 17 (Thu), 2025 *Held on the same day every year
Location：Nikko Futaarasan Shrine, Takio Shrine, Jimbashi, Hongu Shrine, Nikko city center
Admission: Free
TEL：0288-22-1525（Nikko Tourist Association)
Parking: Pay parking lot
Remarks: http://www.nikko-kankou.org/event/26/
URL: http: //www.futarasan.jp/yayoi/

6
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival

A grand festival with a number of Shinto rituals that are well worth seeing

The largest festival of Nikko Toshogu Shrine is held from May 17 to 18 every year. 17 May, "Yabusame (traditional archery on horseback) ritual" is held on Otedori Street of Omotesando Avenue. On the 18th, the Mikoshi Togyo-sai (portable shrine procession) is a solemn ritual that recreates the procession of the burial of Ieyasu Tokugawa's soul from Kunozan in Sunpu (present Shizuoka Prefecture) to Nikko Toshogu. The "Hyakumonotori Senjin Samurai Procession," in which more than 1,200 warriors in armor, spear carriers, gun carriers, and others parade around the portable shrine, is the main highlight of the festival. The parade starts from Futaarasan Shrine in Nikko, passes through Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Omotesando, Otabisho, and back to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and is guaranteed to fascinate you with its old-fashioned and elegant historical picture scroll.

Nikko Toshogu Spring Festival
Period: May 17 (Sat) - 18 (Sun), 2025 *Held on the same day every year
Venue: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Futaarasan Shrine, Toshogu Goryosho
Fee：No charge to visit the Spring Festival
TEL: 0288-54-0560
Parking: No parking
URL: https: //www.tochigiji.or.jp/event/e15062

7
Nikko Cherry Blossom Tour

From famous spots to hidden gems. Tour the famous cherry trees and taste the delicacies only available during the cherry blossom season!

This is a limited-time event to enjoy a tour of nearly 30 famous cherry blossom trees between Nikko Station and "Nikko-zan Rinnoji Temple. Visitors can begin their cherry blossom viewing experience with a pamphlet about the event placed at the station and other locations. In Nikko, there are many cherry trees over 200 years old and of various varieties. The pamphlet introduces not only the Kongo cherry tree at Rinnoji Temple on Mt. Nikko and the Itozakura cherry tree at Tobu Nikko Station, but also the weeping cherry tree at the Takada family's home, which is usually difficult to notice. The time you spend enjoying these atmospheric cherry blossoms while observing good manners will be a memorable experience.
In addition, more than 70 long-established and famous stores along the main street of Nikko Kaido (National Route 119) offer limited-time-only cherry blossom-related products and menus. You will find a full array of spring delicacies that will make you want to stop by on your way to view the cherry blossoms.

▼ Nikko Cherry Blossom Tour
Period: March 22 (Sat.) - April 27 (Sun.), 2025 *Hours vary according to each attraction and store.
Venue: JR Nikko Station, Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station - Nikko Toshogu Shrine area
Parking: None
TEL: 0288-22-1525 (Nikko Tourist Association)
URL: https: //www.nikko-kankou.org/event/598
*Brochures can be downloaded from the website and also obtained at the Tourist Information Centers at JR Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station, as well as at participating event Properties.