1Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple

A famous cherry tree over 500 years old that brings spring to Mount Nikko

It is also one of the three main temples of the Tendai sect. The main hall, Sanbutsudo, is the largest wooden structure in Nikko and was built in the Heian period. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property. In the front garden of the main hall is the Kongo Sakura, a mutant variety of the Yamazakura cherry tree that produces large white flowers. The elegant scenery of the lustrous cherry blossoms and the stately Sanbutsudo hall delights the eyes of tourists every spring.
Another point worth appreciating is the unique shape of the tree, which has four new branches that grew after the Kongo Sakura tree was transplanted during the Meiji period. If you are only visiting the cherry blossoms, you do not need a ticket (only during viewing hours).

[Blooming season] Usually early April
[Best time to see] Mid to late April
[Type of cherry blossom] Yamazakura (mutation)

Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple

• http://rinnoji.or.jp/
• 2300 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 10 minutes 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 "Shinkyo" and walk for about 5 minutes
• April to October: 8:00-17:00, November to March: 8:00-16:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
• Treasure Hall and Shoyoen Garden are closed approximately 10 times a year due to exhibit changes and Rinnoji Temple events.
• Sanbutsudo ticket: Adults 400 yen, elementary and junior high school students 200 yen
  Taiyuin ticket: Adults 550 yen, elementary and junior high school students 250 yen
  Treasure Hall and Shoyoen ticket: Adults 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
  *Set tickets available for purchase
• 0288-54-0531
• Paid
• No admission fee is required to view Kongo Sakura
  
  

2Nikko Kaido

Cherry blossoms blooming along the historic Nikko Kaido road

Nikko Kaido (currently National Route 119) is one of the five highways built during the Edo period. In 1951, villagers along the road planted wild cherry tree seedlings purchased with donations. Approximately 1,500 magnificent large trees line the road for about 16 km, heading north from Kamitomatari in Utsunomiya City to the Yamaguchi area in Nikko City. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, many visitors from outside the prefecture enjoy driving through the "cherry blossom tunnel." There are sidewalks along the road, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms on foot. Not only when they are in full bloom, but also when the cherry blossoms start to fall, the snowstorm is beautiful and full of emotion that tugs at the heartstrings.
Beyond the cherry blossom trees is a row of cedar trees that leads to the World Heritage Site, "The Shrines and Temples of Nikko." You can enjoy strolling along this ancient road while reminiscing about the Edo period.

[Blooming season] Usually early April
[Best time to see] Early to mid-April
[Type of cherry blossom] Yamazakura

Nikko Kaido

• https://www.utsunomiya-cvb.org/spot/detail_30139.html
• Tochigi Prefecture Utsunomiya City Uedomae 3 ~ Nikko City Yamaguchi MAP
• Approximately 25 minutes by car from JR Utsunomiya Station
• Take the bus from JR Utsunomiya Station and get off at "Uetomatsuri Sho Entrance"
• 028-632-2445　（宇都宮観光コンベンション協会）

3Kinugawa Park

A beautiful display of weeping cherry blossoms in various shades of pink

It is about a 3-minute walk from Kinugawa Koen Station. Approach the park by crossing the railway tracks on a footbridge. The park square has an outdoor stage and is a place of relaxation that is also used as a venue for festivals and events. The weeping cherry trees that line the perimeter of the square are a spectacular sight when they bloom all at once when they are in full bloom. The weeping cherry trees are deep in color when they first bloom, and as they become full bloom, they turn pale, so you can enjoy the different shades of pink that each flower has. There are somei-yoshino trees along the grounds of the neighboring Kinugawa Elementary School, so you can compare two types of cherry blossoms. In addition, dogtooth violets bloom on the grounds in spring, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the rich nature.
The park also has a day-trip bathing Property. You can enjoy 100% natural hot spring in a garden-style Outdoor hot spring. The alkaline simple hot spring is known for being gentle on the skin.

[Blooming season] Usually mid-April *May vary depending on the year
[Best time to see] Usually mid-April *May vary depending on the year
[Type of cherry blossom] Weeping cherry

Kinugawa Park

• http://www.nikko-kankou.org/spot/674/
• Fujiwara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• About 3 minutes walk from Kinugawa Park Station on the Tobu Railway
• 0288-22-1525（日光市観光協会）
• None

4hot spring Gokoku Shrine and hot spring Shrine

The illuminated cherry blossoms against the night sky are worth seeing

This shrine is located about 1km southwest from Tobu Railway's Kinugawa Koen Station, next to hot spring Ropeway. On the same premises are Gokoku Shrine and hot spring Shrine. Once you pass through the first torii gate, you will find an approach surrounded by Yoshino cherry blossoms. From the stone steps beyond, you can see the cherry blossoms adorning the second torii gate and the grounds of Gokoku Shrine, making it a great photo spot.
hot spring Onsen Night Cherry Blossom Illumination - Kinugawa Mangakyo - (formerly the Night hot spring Blossom Banquet) is a major event held within the grounds of the two shrines. The venue is enveloped in a fantastic atmosphere with illuminated cherry blossoms, and music and dance performances are held in the Kagura Hall.

[Blooming period] Expected to be early April
[Best time to see] Early April
[Type of cherry blossom] Somei Yoshino
* May vary depending on weather, etc.

▼ hot spring cherry blossoms lit up at night ~Kinugawa Mangakyo~
Date and time: March 28, 2025 (Fri)- April 6, 2025 (Sun) 18:00-20:30
Location: hot spring Shrine and hot spring Shrine grounds
Price: Free
URL: https://yozakura.kinugawa-onsen.info/

hot spring Gokoku Shrine and hot spring Shrine

• http://www.nikko-kankou.org/spot/676/
• 834-45 hot spring Onsen Taki, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
• About 15 minutes walk from Kinugawa Park Station on the Tobu Railway
• 0288-22-1525（日光市観光協会）
• None

5Yayoi Festival

A festival where gorgeous flower parades are paraded around, heralding the arrival of spring.

The annual festival of Nikko Futarasan Shrine has a tradition of over 1,200 years. It was formerly held in March, hence the name Yayoi Festival. It starts every year on April 13th with the Shin-Yokazari Festival (portable shrine decoration festival) and ends with the main festival on the 17th. The whole town suddenly becomes lively, and the festival reaches its peak on the 16th with the evening festival and main festival. Floats decorated with gorgeous artificial Yashio Azalea flowers from 11 towns from the east and west parade through the city and the grounds of Futarasan Shrine, accompanied by Nikko music.
Other recommended sights include the fierce sight of the Hanagatai running up the slope of Futarasan Shrine during the main festival, and the exchange of business cards that takes place within the shrine grounds. This festival, which respects old customs, must proceed according to the proper format in every aspect, and one mistake can lead to "gota" (trouble) on a town-wide scale, which is why it is also known as the "Gota Festival." It has also been designated as a prefectural intangible folk cultural asset.

▼Yayoi Festival
Period: (Sun) April 13th, 2025 to (Thu) April 17th, 2025 *Held on the same date every year
Location: Nikko Futarasan Shrine, Takio Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Hongu Shrine, Nikko city
Price: Free
TEL: 0288-22-1525 (Nikko City Tourism Association)
Parking: Paid
remarks: http://www.nikko-kankou.org/event/26/
URL: http://www.futarasan.jp/yayoi/

6Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival

A spectacular festival with numerous Shinto rituals held on a grand scale

This is the largest festival of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, held every year from May 17th to 18th. On the 17th, the Yabusame Ritual is held on Ote-dori, Omotesando. The archers' skills on galloping horseback are spectacular, drawing loud applause from the crowd. The Mikoshi Togyo Festival on the 18th is a solemn ritual that recreates the procession that took place when the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu was reburied at Nikko Toshogu Shrine from Mount Kuno in Sunpu (now Shizuoka Prefecture). The highlight of the festival is the Hyakumono Sorore Sennin Musha Gyoretsu, where more than 1,200 people, including warriors in armor, spear bearers, and gun bearers, parade around the mikoshi. Starting from Nikko Futarasan Shrine, you will be taken to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the main approach to the shrine, the Otabisho shrine, and then back to Nikko Toshogu Shrine; you are sure to be enchanted by this ancient picture scroll.

▼Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival
Period: (Sat) May 17th, 2025 to (Sun), May 18th, 2025 *Held on the same date every year
Venue: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Futarasan Shrine, Toshogu Shrine Otabisho
Admission: Free to view the Spring Festival
TEL: 0288-54-0560
Parking: None
URL: https://www.tochigiji.or.jp/event/e15062

7Nikko Cherry Blossom Tour

From famous spots to hidden gems. Visit famous cherry blossom trees and savor the delicious food only available during the cherry blossom season.

This is a limited-time event where you can enjoy visiting the nearly 30 famous cherry trees between Nikko Station and Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple. Start your cherry blossom viewing with an event pamphlet available in the station. Nikko is home to many cherry trees over 200 years old, and there are many different varieties. The event introduces all of the famous trees, including the Kongo Sakura at Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple and the Ito Sakura at Tobu Nikko Station, as well as the Takada family's weeping cherry tree, which are usually hard to notice. Enjoying each of the charming cherry trees while following proper etiquette will be a memorable experience.
Additionally, over 70 long-established and well-known stores along the main street of Nikko Kaido (National Route 119) are offering limited-time products and menus themed around cherry blossoms. They are full of spring flavors that will make you want to stop by on your way to see the cherry blossoms.

▼ Nikko Cherry Blossom Tour
Period: March 22nd (Sat) to April 27th (Sun) 2025 *Times vary by attraction and store
Venue: JR Nikko Station, Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station to Nikko Toshogu Shrine area
Parking: None
TEL: 0288-22-1525 (Nikko City Tourism Association)
URL: https://www.nikko-kankou.org/event/598
*The brochure can be downloaded from the website, or can be obtained at the tourist information desks at JR Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station, as well as at participating Property.