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Nikkō – La città senza tempo

Poco distante da Tokyo, si trova una città che potremmo definire magica. Questa è Nikkō, letteralmente “La cittа della luce del sole”. Situata nella regione montuosa della prefettura di Tochigi, è una delle più famose mete turistiche del Giappone. Ricca di monumenti storici, è entrata nell’elenco dei Patrimoni dell’umanità dell’UNESCO. I suoi monumenti più famosi sono il Nikkō Tōshō-gū dedicato allo shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu e il Futarasan Jinja risalente al 767.

La città è inoltre immersa nella natura, con montagne, sorgenti termali e il Parco Nazionale di Nikkō dove si possono trovare diverse bellissime cascate.

Fra sacro e moderno

Il 20 marzo 2006 la vecchia città di Nikkō si è fusa con la cittа di Imaichi e le municipalità di Ashio, Fujihara e Kuriyama, dando come risultato la nuova città di Nikkō . Sacro e profano, una divisione ancora più marcata dal grande “ponte sacro” Shinkyo, tutto laccato di rosso e originariamente riservato all’imperatore e allo shogun. Oggi questo stesso ponte è percorso da centinaia di visitatori ogni anno per arrivare al Rinno-ji, il grande tempio conosciuto in particolare per la “Sala dai tre Buddha”.

I  monumenti

Dietro a questo tempio, si trova il Tōshō-gu, dove la grande famiglia Tokugawa aveva stabilito il suo santuario scintoista, facendolo diventare il più riccamente decorato del paese. Più di 15000 artigiani del paese parteciparono alla sua costruzione e con le sue dorature, i suoi colori brillanti, le sue linee sinuose, questo luogo di culto è considerato tra i più belli dell’architettura Momoyama (1573–1603). Ancora più famoso è il frontone della scuderia sacra, prettamente minimalista e conosciuto da tutti i giapponesi per le tre piccole scimmie scolpite nel legno: Mizaru (“la cieca”), Kikazaru (“la sorda”) e Iwazaru (“la muta”). Esse simboleggiano infatti i precetti della setta buddista Tendai, ispirati da Confucio: non guardare il male, non pronunciarlo, non ascoltarlo.

Se avete un’intera giornata per esplorare la città, non potete perdere l’occasione di andare a visitare la statua del gatto addormentato che marca l’entrata alla tomba di Tokugawa Ieyasu. Successivamente, costeggiando il fiume Daiyagawa, potete trovare la passeggiata del Kanmanga Fuchi, una sontuosa camminata fra boschi e strane formazioni vulcaniche del monte Nantai. Alla fine di questa passeggiata, vi aspettano decine di statue di Jizō, protettore dei bambini, dove il tempo sembra essersi fermato.

Ad una distanza di 30 km, potrete poi trovare il magico lago di Chūzenji dove è possibile fare un’escursione in battello per arrivare alla spettacolare cascata Kegon no Taki e alle sorgenti di acqua calda di Yumoto Onsen.

Una città fra la storia e la modernità, fra montagne e laghi incantati, una piccola perla di storia a pochi passi dalla metropoli di Tokyo. Qui si può respirare ancora la classica sensazione della tradizione giapponese nel suo pieno. Una meta assolutamente da non perdere per tutti gli amanti di questa cultura e di questa nazione.

Come arrivare

Il treno è il mezzo più comodo e rapido per raggiungere Nikko dal centro di Tokyo.

Linea Tobu – Asakusa

Dalla stazione di Asakusa, facilmente raggiungibile raggiungibile via metro dai principali quartieri di Tokyo, potete prendere la linea Tobu che offre corse per Nikko ogni ora. Il costo per a/r è di circa 2800¥, il viaggio dura circa 2h ed è in assoluto l’opzione più economica. Il JR Pass non è valido su questa tratta.

info: Website della linea Tobu

Limited express – Shinjuku

Il JR limited express collega direttamente la stazione di Shinjuku con Nikko, il costo del biglietto a/r è di 8000¥. Sfortunatamente, il JR pass non copre completamente la tratta, sarà quindi necessario pagare un sovrapprezzo. Per prenotare la corsa basta consultare i sito della JR east.

Info: Sito di JR East

JR Shinkansen – Tokyo

Questo è il modo più comodo e più veloce per raggiungere Nikko, specialmente se siete in possesso del JR Pass. E’ possibile prendere il JR Tohoku Shinkansen dalla stazione Tokyo, ma dovrete cambiare treno ad Utsunomiya e continuare sulla JR Nikko Line. Il costo della tratta a/r è di 10000¥, sconsigliata per chi non ha il JR Pass.

Info: sito di Hyperdia

SalvaSalva[:en]

Nikkō – The timeless town

Not far from Tokyo, there is a town that could be described as magical. This is Nikkō, literally “The town of sunlight”. Located in the mountainous region of Tochigi Prefecture, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Japan. Rich in historical monuments, it has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its most famous monuments are the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine dedicated to the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the Futarasan shrine dating back to 767.

The city is also surrounded by nature with mountains, hot springs and the Nikkō National Park where several beautiful waterfalls can be found.

Between sacred and modern

On March 20, 2006, the old town of Nikkō merged with the city of Imaichi and the municipalities of Ashio, Fujihara and Kuriyama, resulting in the new city of Nikkō . Sacred and profane, a division that is even more evident thanks to the great “sacred bridge” Shinkyo, completely lacquered in red and that was originally reserved to the emperor and the shogun. Today, this same bridge is crossed by hundreds of visitors each year arriving at the Rinno-ji, the great temple best known for the “Three Buddha Hall”.

Monuments

Behind this temple there is the Tōshō-gu shrine where the great Tokugawa family established their Shinto shrine making it the most richly decorated temple in the country. More than 15000 artisans of the country participated in its construction and with its gildings, its bright colors, its sinuous lines, this place of worship is considered as one of the most beautiful examples of Momoyama architecture (1573-1603). Even more famous is the pediment of the sacred stables, genuinely minimalist and especially known by all the Japanese for the three little monkeys carved in the wood: Mizaru (“the blind”), Kikazaru (“the deaf”) and Iwazaru (“the mute”). In fact, they symbolize the precepts of the Tendai Buddhist sect, inspired by Confucius: do not look at evil, do not pronounce it, do not listen to it.

If you have a whole day to explore the city, you can not miss the opportunity to visit the statue of the sleeping cat that marks the entrance to the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Subsequently, along the Daiyagawa river, you can find the Kanmanga Fuchi path, a sumptuous walk through the woods and the strange volcanic formations of Mount Nantai. At the end of this walk, dozens of statues of Jizō, protector of the children, await you where time seems to have stopped.

At a distance of 30 km from there, you can then find the magical Chūzenji lake, where you can take a boat trip to the spectacular Kegon no Taki waterfall and the Yumoto Onsen hot springs.

A city between history and modernity, between mountains and enchanted lakes, a small pearl of history not far from the metropolis of Tokyo. Here you can still perceive the classic feeling of Japanese tradition in its fullness. A destination not to be missed for all those who love this nation and its culture.

How to get here

The train is the quickest and most convenient way to reach Nikko from central Tokyo.

Tobu Line – Asakusa

From Asakusa Station, easily reachable by metro from all the main districts of Tokyo, you can take the Tobu line which offers rides to Nikko every hour. The cost per round trip is about 2800 ¥, the ride takes about 2 hours and is by far the cheapest option. The JR Pass is not valid on this route.

info: Tobu Line website

Limited express – Shinjuku

The JR limited express connects Shinjuku station directly with Nikko, the cost of a round trip ticket is 8000 yen. Unfortunately, the JR pass does not completely cover the route so, it will be necessary to pay an additional charge. To book your seat just consult the JR East website.

Info: JR East website 

JR Shinkansen – Tokyo

This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Nikko, especially if you have a JR Pass. It is possible to take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo station, but you will have to change at Utsunomiya and continue on the JR Nikko Line. The cost of the round trip is 10000 ¥, not recommended for those who do not have the JR Pass..

Info: Hyperdia website[:ja]

Nikkō – The timeless town

Not far from Tokyo, there is a town that could be described as magical. This is Nikkō, literally “The town of sunlight”. Located in the mountainous region of Tochigi Prefecture, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Japan. Rich in historical monuments, it has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its most famous monuments are the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine dedicated to the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the Futarasan shrine dating back to 767.

The city is also surrounded by nature with mountains, hot springs and the Nikkō National Park where several beautiful waterfalls can be found.

Between sacred and modern

On March 20, 2006, the old town of Nikkō merged with the city of Imaichi and the municipalities of Ashio, Fujihara and Kuriyama, resulting in the new city of Nikkō . Sacred and profane, a division that is even more evident thanks to the great “sacred bridge” Shinkyo, completely lacquered in red and that was originally reserved to the emperor and the shogun. Today, this same bridge is crossed by hundreds of visitors each year arriving at the Rinno-ji, the great temple best known for the “Three Buddha Hall”.

Monuments

Behind this temple there is the Tōshō-gu shrine where the great Tokugawa family established their Shinto shrine making it the most richly decorated temple in the country. More than 15000 artisans of the country participated in its construction and with its gildings, its bright colors, its sinuous lines, this place of worship is considered as one of the most beautiful examples of Momoyama architecture (1573-1603). Even more famous is the pediment of the sacred stables, genuinely minimalist and especially known by all the Japanese for the three little monkeys carved in the wood: Mizaru (“the blind”), Kikazaru (“the deaf”) and Iwazaru (“the mute”). In fact, they symbolize the precepts of the Tendai Buddhist sect, inspired by Confucius: do not look at evil, do not pronounce it, do not listen to it.

If you have a whole day to explore the city, you can not miss the opportunity to visit the statue of the sleeping cat that marks the entrance to the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Subsequently, along the Daiyagawa river, you can find the Kanmanga Fuchi path, a sumptuous walk through the woods and the strange volcanic formations of Mount Nantai. At the end of this walk, dozens of statues of Jizō, protector of the children, await you where time seems to have stopped.

At a distance of 30 km from there, you can then find the magical Chūzenji lake, where you can take a boat trip to the spectacular Kegon no Taki waterfall and the Yumoto Onsen hot springs.

A city between history and modernity, between mountains and enchanted lakes, a small pearl of history not far from the metropolis of Tokyo. Here you can still perceive the classic feeling of Japanese tradition in its fullness. A destination not to be missed for all those who love this nation and its culture.

How to get here

The train is the quickest and most convenient way to reach Nikko from central Tokyo.

Tobu Line – Asakusa

From Asakusa Station, easily reachable by metro from all the main districts of Tokyo, you can take the Tobu line which offers rides to Nikko every hour. The cost per round trip is about 2800 ¥, the ride takes about 2 hours and is by far the cheapest option. The JR Pass is not valid on this route.

info: Tobu Line website

Limited express – Shinjuku

The JR limited express connects Shinjuku station directly with Nikko, the cost of a round trip ticket is 8000 yen. Unfortunately, the JR pass does not completely cover the route so, it will be necessary to pay an additional charge. To book your seat just consult the JR East website.

Info: JR East website 

JR Shinkansen – Tokyo

This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Nikko, especially if you have a JR Pass. It is possible to take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo station, but you will have to change at Utsunomiya and continue on the JR Nikko Line. The cost of the round trip is 10000 ¥, not recommended for those who do not have the JR Pass..

Info: Hyperdia website[:]