1
The station building of "JR Nikko Station", one of the 100 best stations in Kanto

The JR Nikko Station, which opened in 1890, is a two-story Western-style wooden station building built in the Neo-Renaissance style in 1912. Renovation work was completed in 2017. Inside the station building, which is decorated in white and pink while maintaining its elegance and dignity, there is still a guest room where the Taisho Emperor used to rest and the White Room, which was used as a waiting room for passengers of the former first-class cars.

The White Room, which was used as a waiting room for former first-class passengers in the Japan National Railways era, can be found on the second floor by taking the retro-style staircase in front of the ticket gate. The elegant atmosphere of those days is preserved in the glittering chandeliers hanging from the white ceiling and the beautiful large windows. It is now used as a multipurpose space for photo exhibitions and other events.

JR Nikko Station

• Aioi-cho, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• JR Nikko Station
• Admission to the White Room is during train operating hours.

2
"Kamaya Cafe du Reverber", a classical cafe converted from a bank

The red brick building near the bus rotary in front of Tobu Nikko Station, about a 5-minute walk from JR Nikko Station, is the Kamaya Cafe du Revavert. The restaurant, which was originally a bank, offers lunch and sweets made with ingredients produced in Nikko, such as hamburgers, coconut chicken curry, and pizza, all of which are available in limited quantities daily.

The most recommended dish is the "NIKKO Donburi," a bowl of rice topped with a generous portion of roast beef. The beef is made from a rare type of beef called shikinbo, which is a type of black Wagyu beef grown in the Mae Nikko area, which is blessed with high-quality water and soil. The chewy texture of the meat, with just the right amount of fat, goes well with the slightly sweet sauce. The dish is also served with Nikko's specialty, boiled yuba (deep-fried rolled yuba) and a hot spring egg, making it a hearty meal; a small size (with the same amount of meat, less rice, and one boiled yuba) is also available.

More than 10 kinds of homemade sweets are always available in the showcase, so it is recommended to stop by when you have a craving for something sweet in addition to a meal. The gateau chocolat in the photo is based on Belgian chocolate and is rich but not too sweet. In the foreground is the Nikko Snow Strawberry, an original menu item made by pureeing Nikko strawberries, freezing them, and shaving them into shaved ice. Powdered sugar sprinkled like snow adds a hint of sweetness. You can also pour condensed milk on it if you like.

The café opened about 15 years ago after purchasing and renovating a former bank building. The massive door at the back of the building was once a vault, where you can also enjoy meals and coffee. The name of the restaurant, "Revabelle," means "streetlight" in French. The street lamps decorating the interior make you feel as if you are in a Parisian street corner café.

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
• 11:00-18:00 (close when sold out)
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0288-54-0685
• Free of charge

3
The beautiful arch of "Shinbashi Bridge", 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.

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 8:00-17:00, November-March 9:00-16:00
  Reception desk closes 30 minutes before closing.
• 300 yen
• 0288-54-0535 (Futaarasan Shrine, Nikko)

4
"Nikko Futaarasan Shrine," an ancient shrine with Mt. Nantai, a sacred mountain in Kanto

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.

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
• Entrance fee 300 yen (Entrance fee to the main shrine garden)
• 0288-54-0535
• Charged

5
Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a gorgeous work of art that fascinates 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.

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.

6
Nikko Coffee Goyotei-dori, a famous store that you should stop by between strolls.

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.

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
• Free of charge