Nikko area tour

🇯🇵 Nikko | Traveling Through Time and Cedar Forests—Rediscovering Tranquility and Respect in Tochigi Prefecture. Departing Chiba Station early this morning, I took the Shiosho Limited Express to Tokyo, the heart of Japanese railways. Then, I boarded the JR Tohoku Shinkansen (Yamabiko) and sped north to Utsunomiya Station, the gateway to Tochigi Prefecture. Slipping from the skyscrapers of the capital into the Kanto Plain, the scenery outside resembled pages of Japanese ukiyo-e paintings: rice paddies, villages, distant mountains, and a shimmering sky. Upon arrival in Utsunomiya, I transferred to the JR Nikko Line. This branch line felt like a slice of time. The carriage was serene, and outside, bamboo groves and rural fields lined the road. As I disembarked, I was greeted by the European-style architecture of Nikko Station, a relic of the Meiji era, telling of the interplay of Western and Japanese influences a century ago. A 10-minute bus ride from Nikko Station will take you to your destination for the day: ⛩ Toshogu Shrine – A Thousand Years of Tranquility in its Golden Splendor Nikko's most famous shrine is undoubtedly Toshogu Shrine, the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu and one of Japan's only World Heritage-listed shrines. Its ornate gold leaf work and the Yomeimon Gate, a masterpiece of exquisite woodcarving, offer a final visit to the Oku-no-Miya Shrine. After visiting Oku-no-Miya, descend the Omotesando to Shinkyo Bridge, a red wooden bridge spanning the Otani River, considered one of Japan's three most remarkable bridges and a symbol of entering the divine realm. Finally, 🍡 Explore the sweets and old streets: Stroll along Honmachi-dori and savor a delicious fried manju. A short walk from Nikko Station brings you to Honmachi-dori and the old streets surrounding Shinkyo Bridge in downtown Nikko. Many small shops and Japanese-style townhouses retain their Showa-style charm, selling a variety of souvenirs and sweets. After waiting in line for a while at the popular long-established shop "Sakaiya Honten," the moment I received my hot fried manju, the crispy outer layer enveloped the soft red bean filling. It was crispy on the outside and sweet on the inside, not at all greasy. In addition to its shrines and nature, Nikko also boasts a surprisingly rich local sake culture! Not far from the old town, "Watanabe Sahei Shoten" is a sake brewery with over a century of history. Their local sakes, "Nikko Homare" and "Sake Brewery No Hana," are both brewed using underground water from the Nantai Mountain range. I bought a small bottle to enjoy on the train back home with the pork bento I bought at Nikko Station. Finally, we returned to Utsunomiya, a major station on the Tohoku Shinkansen. It's the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, the largest city in northern Kanto, and a crucial transportation hub. Utsunomiya is also known as the "Gyoza City," with residents' per capita consumption of gyoza among the highest in Japan. The station's shopping district is a battleground for gyoza, with numerous shops opening up here. Sadly, I've never been a fan of Japanese gyoza, but having arrived, I had to try some. After experiencing it, I decided to send everyone here to spread the word. #Nikko #Nikko Toshogu Shrine #Utsunomiya