Cycling, Fishing, and Local Crafts! Exciting Activities in Nikko National Park
Nikko is renowned for its preservation of natural vistas and historical buildings alike. While famous landmarks like Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls draw visitors year-round, there's so much more to experience in the more than 1,000 square kilometer Nikko National Park. Located about two hours from Tokyo, this national park is the ideal place to enjoy fishing, cycling, and hiking through beautiful wetland reserves.
The best place to experience this amazing nature is Oku-Nikko, a basin at the center of the national park. Tucked away in the mountains, this hidden gem destination offers easy access to several of Nikko's lakes and hiking trails, countless activities, and luxurious accommodations.
In this article, we'll introduce some of the must-visit places and activities that can be enjoyed in Nikko National Park..
Getting to Oku-Nikko
Nikko can be reached in about two hours from Tobu Asakusa Station by limited express. Once you've picked up your tickets from the Tobu Tourist Information Center, get comfortable in your reserved seat and enjoy the relaxing journey through the countryside to Tobu Nikko Station.
The Oku-Nikko area can be reached by bus from Nikko Station. Hop on a bus heading to Yumoto Onsen and get off at the Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal. The ride takes about 45 minutes and costs 1,150 yen.
Try a Local Specialty at Lake Chuzenji
One of the most beautiful spots in Nikko is Lake Chuzenji, named for the temple that sits at its shore. It's also a great spot to pick up lunch before heading deeper into Nikko.
We recommend stopping by Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Center. The restaurant on the center's third floor offers a wonderful lake view, and their delicious lunches include a Nikko specialty: yuba.
Yuba, or tofu skin, is specially prepared tofu that's even more silky smooth and creamy than usual. It's great in soup, and is also served as sashimi. While it doesn't contain fish, this chilled, thin sliced dish is the perfect way to enjoy yuba's delicate, flawless texture.
Visiting Chuzenji Temple
After lunch, it's time to tour the oldest temple in Nikko! Chuzenji Temple, established in 784 by Shodo Shonin, the first head priest of Nikko, is famous for its spectacular collection of Buddhist art. This includes a six meter statue of the Eleven-faced and Thousand-Handed Bodhisattva Kannon, and several striking murals and painted ceilings.
From the second story veranda, you can enjoy seeing the temple's historical architecture together with the natural beauty of the lake.
At Chuzenji Temples, visitors can take part in a shakyo (sutra copying) or shabutsu (drawing an image of the Buddha) experience. Copying a short sutra (holy Buddhist text) and offering it to the temple is a Japanese tradition practiced by Buddhist worshippers. The shabutsu is a simplified version of shakyo, available for those who wish to bring a symbolic offering to the temple without having to write a whole text.
Teatime at a Former Ambassador's Home
This beautiful scenery isn't just popular with locals; in fact, the English and Italian ambassadors to Japan once had summer villas just a short walk from Chuzenji Temple along the lake shore.
These residences with a unique fusion of Eastern and Western styling have been converted into the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park and the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park. The tearoom within the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park offers warm, delicious scones, complete with clotted cream and jam. The cafe at the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park is the ideal location to relax with delicious drinks.
Nikko Natural Science Museum: Learn About Nikko's Unique Ecology
Right by Lake Chuzenji is the Nikko Natural Science Museum. Here, English speaking staff and an English audio guide will introduce you to the complex and delicate ecology of Nikko's wetland preserve.
A highlight of the Natural Science Museum is its theater, where the 20 meter wide 4K screen will have you feeling as though you've stepped straight into the nature of Nikko!
Savor Fine Cuisine at Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
Our recommendation for staying in Oku-Nikko is Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel. This beautiful hotel has the feel of a mountain retreat, and offers spacious rooms and suites in several styles.
The hotel's restaurant serves truly luxurious French style coursed dinners, perfectly prepared using local ingredients. Our dinner consisted of six courses including pesto-crusted fish and steak with a lime and asparagus reduction.
Cycling Tour to Senjugahama Beach by Lake Chuzenji
A cycling tour in the Lake Chuzenji area is the best way to experience the magnificent nature of Nikko National Park. We suggest starting off early in the morning, if possible even before sunrise! This way, you might be able to view the sunrise and capture the surreal dawn atmosphere of the lake in pictures.
In order to take part in a cycling tour, contact NAOC (Nature Adventure Outdoor Club), a company that offers outdoor activities in Nikko National Park. You can choose the length of your tour and the area you want to explore. NAOC has guides that can assist you during the tour offering explanations on the natural surroundings.
Environment-friendly mountain e-bikes are used for the tours, which make it incredibly easy to explore the hilly areas around the national park. Depending on the length of the tour, the fee for a guided tour is between 9,000 yen and 15,500 yen.
We visited in early autumn and took part in a short cycling tour heading to Senjugahama, a famous beach by Lake Chuzenji. The 10-kilometer trip took about one hour and was very easy thanks to the gentle paths and electrically assisted e-bikes.
As a tip, if you visit Oku-Nikko outside the summer months, be sure to dress warmly! In the fall and winter, early morning temperatures can be below freezing. You'll want a knit cap, scarf, and gloves in colder months.
Once we arrived at Senjugahama, we were treated to a spectacular sight: the sun rising over the misty waters of the lake. The ride back was even more comfortable in the bright morning sun. A cycling tour is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the seasons of Nikko National Park.
Fishing for Lunch at Lake Chuzenji
The shore of Lake Chuzenji is lined with docks and cozy restaurants. You can actually climb into a skiff with a guide and go catch your own lunch! If you're new to fishing, don't worry. Catching small wakasagi fish at Lake Chuzenji is easy and fun.
After an hour on the water, we caught nearly 50 fish a piece! These are absolutely delicious prepared as tempura.
If you'd like to experience fishing at Lake Chuzenji, drop by the local restaurant Mihashiya. Not only will they provide you with a boath, a guide, and fishing tools, but they will also prepare your catch into a fresh lunch on the spot!
We suggest contacting the facility in advance to let them know the day when you want to go fishing for wakasagi. The fishing experience costs 8,000 yen; an additional 1,100 yen ticket that allows you to fish in Lake Chuzenji is also required.
Visit Lake Chuzenji Boathouse, a Famous Landmark of Oku-Nikko
Lake Chunzenji Boathouse is a lakeside lounge with a large deck and panoramic view of the lake. In the past, this boathouse was used by foreign diplomats as a summer leisure facility. Inside, there are displays of historical photos and even a yacht that belonged to the foreign diplomats that used to spend their summers by Lake Chuzenji.
When we visited, we were lucky enough to be able to watch mini-concert offered by the jazz band Free Swing. It was a wonderful opportunity to witness Nikko's cultural scene.
Lake Chunzenji Boathouse frequently hosts exhibitions and events, so do drop by when you're in the area.
Hiking in the Wetland Reserve of Nikko National Park
In order to fully experience the rare nature that exists in Nikko National Park, we suggest exploring it by foot. A hike through Odashirogahara, one of the wetland reserves in the park, is the perfect way to experience the unique local environment.
The grassland and marshes of Odashirogahara are home to an incredible variety of grasses, flowering trees and bushes, birds, and animals. The area has been carefully fenced off to protect them from the surrounding environment. Raised wooden walkways allow visitors can walk through this delicate and beautiful ecosystem without fear of disturbing the wildlife.
Try a Traditional Lunch in Nikko City
If you're looking for a good place to have lunch in Nikko City, we recommend Shiori, a local restaurant that opened in 2015. Their main specialty is yuba dishes. The chef has worked for years to create the perfect version of this regional favorite!
Even more silky-smooth and delicious than other yuba dishes we enjoyed in Nikko, it's sure to leave you satisfied.
mekke Nikko Kyodo Center: Create Your Own Woodcarving Art
mekke Nikko Kyodo Center, located in Nikko City, hosts local art and culture workshops. One of Nikko's most famous products are its beautiful wood carvings; we'll try making a wood carving of our own to take home!
Workshop participants can choose to carve designs on a hand mirror, photo frame, or small sign. The traditional tools are surprisingly intuitive to use, making it easy to trace a pattern onto your item and create a charming wood carving yourself.
mekke Nikko Kyodo Center is located close to Tobu Nikko Station (about 13 minutes away on foot). A visit here is the ideal way to finish your trip to Nikko National Park and make your own personalized souvenir!
A Must-Visit! Enjoy Your Adventure in Nikko National Park
About two hours from the city, Nikko makes a fantastic destination for those staying in or visiting Tokyo. The city tends to be known for its rich history and World Heritage sites, but Nikko National Park with its rare natural reserves is just as worthy of a visit!
To truly make the most of a trip to Nikko and experience the breadth of scenery and activities the region has to offer, do take a trip to Lake Chuzenji and Oku-Nikko. No matter the season your visit, you're sure to be thrilled by the nature in Nikko National Park.
