Travel freely in Tokyo, Japan. If you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can take a day trip around Tokyo. There are many popular attractions such as Mount Fuji, Kamakura and Hakone around Tokyo.
This article introduces the popular scenic spots in Tokyo peripheral tour: Nikko, Karuizawa
Although Nikko and Karuizawa are not close to Tokyo, they have convenient transportation and rich tourist resources from Tokyo. It is a very popular tourist attraction for both Japanese and overseas tourists. So it’s well worth a visit for tourists who are preparing to travel around Tokyo.
sunlight
Introduction
Located in Gifu Prefecture, north of Tokyo, Nikko is a very popular destination for Japanese and overseas tourists. It has historical and cultural heritage such as Toshu Temple and Nihariyama Shrine, as well as Chuzenji Lake
, Huayan Waterfall and other beautiful scenery. Although Nikko is not a suburb of Tokyo, it can be reached directly from Tokyo by Tobu Line tram, which is very convenient.
traffic
Tram: There is Tobu Nikko with direct access to Nikko in Shinjuku or Asakusa, Tokyo, which is very convenient. The drive is about 2 hours. When moving in Nikko City, almost choose Tobu bus, which can reach major scenic spots.
Go on road trip: There are many sunlight scenic spots, and go on road trip is also a very good choice. You can go to some niche attractions that can’t be reached by bus. Traffic jams in tourist seasons such as the red leaf season are very serious, so we need attention.
Bus: There are through buses in Shinjuku, etc., but the risk of traffic jams is not as convenient as trams.
Nikko Popular Attractions
Nikko Higashi Palace
Enshrined here is Tokugawa Ieyasu, who opened the Edo Shogunate. It is said to have been completed by skilled craftsmen in Edo, Kyoto, Osaka and other places in about one year and five months, and it was the largest Japanese project at that time.
There are three must-see attractions in the huge factory and the Nikko Dongzhao Palace created by the best craftsmen in Japan: the brightly colored and exquisitely carved Yangming Gate, the famous “three monkeys” and the lifelike “sleeping cat”. It will surely make you admire the skills of the craftsmen at that time.
Transportation: Take the Tobu bus from JR Nikko Station to “Nakazenji Onsen” station and get off on foot for 5 minutes.
Address: 2301 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Nihariyama Shrine
Erhuangshan Shrine is close to Dongzhao Palace, which is the same historical and cultural heritage as Dongzhao Palace, and its architectural style is very exquisite. This place is famous for praying for marriage. The red wooden bridge “Shenqiao” at the entrance of Sunlight Mountain is also a popular punch-in point.
Transportation: Take the Tobu bus from JR Nikko Station to “Nishisendao” station and get off on foot for 7 minutes.
Address: 2307 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Chuzenji Lake
Zhu Zen Temple Lake is 1,200 meters above sea level, and its surface is as blue as the sky. Visitors can stroll along the lake or take a lake sightseeing boat. The surrounding area has souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels and hostels and other tourist facilities are very mature. The red leaves here and surrounding areas are also very famous, and I have the opportunity to recommend the red leaf season to watch them.
Venue: (Chuzenji Lake Viewing Center) 2478 Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Huayan Waterfall
Huayan Waterfall is one of the three major waterfalls in Japan. Located near Chuzenji Lake, it is usually visited with Chuzenji Lake. The waterfall fell from a cliff 97 meters high, and the rumbling sound of landing was very shocking. You can take the elevator to the waterfall viewing platform to feel the shock of the waterfall falling down the 100-meter cliff.
Huayan Waterfall Transportation: Take a bus at Nikko Station, get off at Zhongzenji Hot Spring Station and walk for 5 minutes.
Venue: Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa is a famous hot spring town in Japan, with hundreds of large and small hot spring hotels. Besides the hot springs, the natural style of Kinugawa is also very beautiful. After visiting Nikko Dongzhao Palace and the surroundings of Chuzenji Lake, you can go to Kinugawa to soak in hot springs to relieve the fatigue of a day’s travel.
Transportation: Kinugawa is slightly away from the above Nikko attractions and takes 30 minutes by car (taxi) from Nikko.
The tram needs to take the Tobu Nikko Line back to Imaichi Station and then transfer to the Tobu Kinugawa Line to Kinugawa Station. Depending on the express and local train time, it takes one hour to one and a half hours.
Location: Kinugawa Onsen Ohara, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Karuizawa
Introduction
Karuizawa is located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Because of its geographical location and lush forests, it is the most popular summer resort in Japan. In winter, it is a ski resort covered in snow. Although it is located in Nagano Prefecture, Tokyo used to be the back garden of Tokyo people with convenient transportation.
Traffic:
Tram: Take Hokuriku Shinkansen
It can be reached in 1 hour.
Bus: There are direct buses from downtown areas such as Shinjuku and Ikebukuro to Karuizawa, and the drive takes about 3 hours.
Drive: Approximately 3 hours by car.
The scenic spots in Karuizawa are close to each other, and most of them can be reached on foot. It is also recommended to rent a bike to ride and feel the natural scenery around the city.
Attractions in Karuizawa:
Although Karuizawa is a tourist attraction, it doesn’t have an excessively strong commercial atmosphere, and it doesn’t have many iconic attractions like other tourist cities. Walking in the small town of Karuizawa and feeling its own natural and cultural atmosphere is its greatest tourism value. If you enjoy tree-lined nature, visiting small grocery shops, and looking at the quiet streets while drinking coffee. Then Karuizawa is the best choice for your trip.
Karuizawa commercial street
Karuizawa Ginza Commercial Street is filled with coffee shops, grocery stores, gourmet restaurants and other small shops. The stone roads and European architecture of the street are very exquisite and distinctive.
Address: 541 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasakugun, Nagano Prefecture
Plateau Church and Stone Church
Karuizawa Plateau Church and Stone Church are located inside the Hoshino Hotel and are free to visit. Xingye Hotel has a very exquisite courtyard. The plateau church and stone church in the courtyard are very special. Not only is it very popular to hold weddings here, but there are also an endless stream of tourists who come here to visit.
Address: 3364-15 Nagakura, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
White Silk Falls
A waterfall of about 3 meters high, spanning about 70 meters. It’s not as shocking as other waterfalls, but you can feel the natural movement and quietness, which is consistent with the temperament of Karuizawa. Not only Baisi Waterfall, but also the hiking route before arriving at the waterfall is very beautiful.
It can be reached by bus in 20 minutes from Karuizawa Station.
Location: Nagakura Takase, Oza, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Prince Karuizawa Hotel Outlets
Karuizawa Outlets is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and it may be the most beautiful Outlets in Japan! There are about 220 large and small brand shops inside. It is conveniently located next to Karuizawa Station, which can be reached by foot in 5 minutes. After visiting Karuizawa, go to Outlets for shopping and dining!
Location: Oza Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Summary:
Whether it’s Nikko or Karuizawa, you can feel the Japanese scenery completely different from Tokyo. There are historical and cultural relics such as shrines and temples in Nikko, the beautiful scenery of Chuzenji Lake and the hot springs of Kinugawa River, which are suitable for tourists of all ages. Karuizawa is different from other popular attractions. There are no particularly famous attractions, but anyone who has been there will never forget its peaceful feeling.
Nikko and Karuizawa, what would you choose? I believe no matter which one you choose, you will not be disappointed. I wish you a happy journey!