Nikko City: A Tourist Destination Boasting Historical and Cultural Heritage
Nikko City is renowned for its historical and cultural heritage, including the Shrines and Temples of Nikko, the wetlands of Oku-Nikko, and the Nikko Cedar Avenue. It is also famous for its hot springs and is a well-known tourist destination.
When visiting Nikko City, the must-see attraction is undoubtedly “Nikko Toshogu Shrine.” This shrine, part of the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” is the most famous and enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu as the deified deity Toshodaigongen. The shrine is known for its numerous wooden carvings of various animals, with the Sleeping Cat and the Three Wise Monkeys being particularly famous.
Additionally, the Nikko Cedar Avenue, recognized by Guinness as the world’s longest tree-lined avenue, and the cultural heritage of Oku-Nikko’s wetlands, which are registered under the Ramsar Convention and form the largest wetland area on Honshu, should not be missed. Be sure to visit these sites when you come to Nikko City.
Quoted from Kyoto Pedia
Let’s Go to the Yayoi Festival!
Location: Around Futarasan Shrine, central Nikko City, Takinoo Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Hongu Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Date: April 13-17 every year
Access: Take the World Heritage Circular Bus from “Nikko Station” on the Tobu and JR Nikko Lines, and get off at “Futarasan Shrine-mae” stop
http://www.futarasan.jp/yayoi/ (Official Futarasan Shrine Website, Yayoi Festival)
When it comes to festivals that Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture is proud of, the Yayoi Festival and the Oku-Nikko Snow Festival are likely the two most notable.
The Yayoi Festival is a spring festival held at the beginning of April every year in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. This festival, rooted in the rituals of Futarasan Shrine, attracts numerous visitors annually.
Coinciding with the cherry blossom season, you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms while experiencing the unique and precious atmosphere of this festival that can only be felt during this time of year.
“Yatai” that Evokes the Feeling of Spring is the Highlight!
The main attraction of this festival is undoubtedly the beautifully decorated floats.
While many places across Japan refer to floats as “yatai,” here in Nikko, they are written as ‘家体’ (katami) and pronounced “katami.”
These “katami” are not decorated with the powerful ornaments seen in other festivals but are adorned with pink cherry blossoms. Eleven floats are displayed and parade around the area, presenting a very elegant sight. The sight of these uniquely decorated floats parading is rare even across Japan.
On the evening of the 16th, the “Yoi Matsuri” (Night Festival) begins, and the cherry blossom-adorned “katami” gather at Shinkyo Bridge. The floats are illuminated and then continue to parade around the area.
This sight is even more beautiful than the daytime procession, as the cherry blossoms and the floats glow under the lights, creating a stunning visual.
Moreover, the Yayoi Festival boasts a 1,200-year history and is a highly esteemed and traditional event. However, some floats allow tourists to pull them, so why not take the opportunity to participate?
Quoted from “I Love Nikko,” a Nikko Introduction Site
Don’t Let Hay Fever Stop You – Visit the Festival!
The “Hanakatami” (flower floats) are beautifully illuminated against the spring cherry blossoms. Don’t let hay fever keep you indoors – you’d be missing out! It’s one of the recommended spring festivals.
Featured image quoted from Nikko Tourism Live Information Bureau
(Edited by 千八乃)
