Nikko-Yumoto, a hot spring hotel located near the picturesque Nikko National Park, will hold a limited-time event starting October 6. On select nights in October and November, guests are invited to sit around a bonfire and enjoy the full moon, new moon, and meteor showers while learning about astrology!

Harvested throughout the autumn months, Natsuotome strawberries grown in nearby Senjogahara are used to make a hot fruit wine to enjoy while gazing at the night sky. A warm drink will be perfect for cold nights in Oku-Nikko, located over 1,500 meters above sea level. In October, the night temperature can be as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit! For those not wanting something alcoholic, feel free to enjoy some tasty hot cocoa. 

What’s the first thing you think of when you see a bonfire? Roasting marshmallows, of course! During the event, a bag of magical powder will be tossed into the fire, turning the flames into different colors. Don’t worry–the powder itself contains no harmful substances and is safe for both humans and the environment. 

Kato Pleasure Group is set to open its 4th branch of FUFU NIKKO hotels in Nikko, Tochigi on October 2, 2020 following their Atami, Lake Kawaguchi, and Nara branches.

A resort steeped in Japanese history and culture

The site in which the hotel is located has a sacred air to it. It dates back to the Meiji Period and has continued into modern times. Upon entering the hotel, your ears are treated to the sound of classical music. Overhead you will spot high ceilings made from wood which give it a warm and welcoming atmosphere.The shadows of the outside walls, the warmth of the inviting lights, and the metallic decorations which catch the light present a calm and quiet mood.

Classy and sophisticated cuisine

Both the food and plates it is served on capture the essence and beauty of the Japanese way. Meals are prepared using seasonal ingredients from Tochigi as well as high quality foods like foie gras, truffles, and caviar. Each dish expresses elegance and refinement and combines both Japanese and Western flavours.

Hot spring water sourced from Tamozawa

All rooms at the hotel are fitted with hot springs or large baths which natural light from the outdoors shining through. In the open-air baths, guests get to experience the surrounding sights of nature coupled with the sound of the flowing stream and chirping birds.

Edo Wonderland is a cultural theme park in Nikko, Tochigi that recreates what life was like back in the Edo period. The park is currently putting efforts in to provide a new kind of food experience to guests. Since last year, with the help of Rei Fuyuki―a food researcher knowledgeable in Edo cuisine―the park has been serving authentic Edo style dishes inspired by the four seasons.

This spring, Edo Wonderland is set to host a new event that will offer people a chance to experience an Edo hanami. They will tuck into food from the Edo period while viewing the cherry blossoms.

Guests will be able to enjoy hanami in a variety of different ways, be it under the blue sky, on the side of a moat with a bento in hand, in the restaurant with a luxurious hanami-inspired meal and sake, and more.

The EDO-SATOYAMA Project is an initiative that aims to restore the original scenery of Edo. As part of the project, British-born Japanese writer and environmentalist C. W. Nicol planted cherry trees with children from local nurseries last year. He is set to participate in this year’s Edo hanami too where he will fertilise and water plants with the children to help pass on the importance of taking care of the beautiful undeveloped woodlands.

Change into traditional Japanese dress and become a person of Edo to enjoy a unique Edo flower-viewing experience.

Rinno-ji Temple in Nikko is a recognised World Heritage Site that is home to the Shoyo-en, a Japanese-style garden famous for its autumn-time leaves. An all-new annual light-up event began running at the garden on October 25.

Shoyo-en was built in the early years of the Edo period as a garden for the head priest of Rinno-ji, a temple with a history spanning over 1250 years. Construction was completed during the Kan’ei period, but it has undergone numerous renovations and as a result has become famous as a garden where you can see changes across the whole Edo Period. It houses many species of tree including various types of Japanese maple.

An event commemorating the completion of the Tayuin, the mausoleum of Ieyasu, will also take place during the running of the illuminations.

Use this opportunity to visit a famous spot in Japan during autumn.

For this article, we’ve compiled a Top 5 list of great places to visit in Japan within just one hour of Tokyo. The commute is short, so they’re perfect locations for day trips if you’re staying in Tokyo. We’ve also included the easiest routes to get to them.

Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture)
Nikko is a popular site for tourism, home to the famous Toshugu Shrine which is a registered World Heritage Site. It has great access with Asakusa, making it a perfect location for shrine visits.

Recommended Spots: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/tag/nikko

Mount Fuji (Shizuoka Prefecture / Yamanashi Prefecture)
Mount Fuji was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2013. Its graceful, sempiternal beauty has made it an unmistakable symbol of Japan throughout the world.

Be careful when traveling there, as the closest station to the mountain isn’t Fujisan Station (‘Mount Fuji Station’), but Kawaguchiko Station. There is also a direct bus there to and from Shinjuku.

Recommended Spots: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/87612

Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture)

Kamakura is famous for its old-fashioned streetscape and shrines. It’s also close to other popular tourist spots such as Enoshima, a small island off the coast, so you can have a lot of fun there with plenty of things to do no matter how many times you visit. If you’re a travel lover, then we also recommend boarding the hugely popular Enoshima Electric Railway.

Recommended Spots: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/tag/kamakura

Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture)

Hakone—Japan’s leading onsen, or ‘hot spring’ spot. Hakone Shrine is known for the red torii archways which sit on the bank of Lake Ashi. The town is also known for being home to countless nearby ryokan with hot springs, so you can enjoy hopping from one to the other. And to get there, you can take the direct Romancecar train from Shinjuku which goes straight to Hakone Station.

Recommended Spots: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/tag/hakone

Chichibu (Saitama Prefecture)
Chichibu is appealing for its rich natural environment. Those who love the outdoors will be enticed by this city. As will anime-lovers, since this is the place where Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is set. They even sell maps of where all the places in the series are located, as well as souvenirs of the characters.

Did you like this list?

You might enjoy stretching your legs and branching out to see what else Japan has to offer during your time in Tokyo.

A light-up event will be held at “Shoyoen,” the Japanese garden inside the temple grounds of Rinnoji Temple which is a World Heritage site located in Nikko. This event will be held between October 25^th (Wed.)~November 15^th (Wed.). In addition, for the 3 days, November 3^rd (Fri. & national holiday) to the 5^th (Sun.), another light-up event titled “Light-Up Nikko 2017” will be held at “Taiyuin.” Various buildings and surroundings will be lit-up so visitors can enjoy the autumn colors by walking all the way from Niomon Gate to the “haiden” (praying hall).

The Japanese garden, Shoyoen is a very popular autumn color spot in Nikko. The garden with an area of 3,200 square meters was constructed next to Rinnoji Temple over 1250 years ago. It is a representative Japanese garden built in the Edo period. It was made so that visitors can enjoy the garden by walking around the pond.

As a special event during this season the event titled, “Shoyoen / Daiyuin × “light” × “sound” Fantasy Scroll” will be held. Various classical Japanese instruments will be played including a koto performance by prominent koto player, Fumiko Kazuhisa.

Furthermore, shinobue and shakuhachi performances will take place inviting you to a mysterious world. In addition to the events, “Shoyoen light-up” and “Light-up Nikko 2017,” at the honden and Taiyuin a “goshuin” with a red seal confirming a night temple visit will be issued.

Why not go to Nikko and enjoy a very special autumn evening.

“Nikko Purin Tei,” a shop located in Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture specialising in Japanese ‘purin’ or ‘pudding,’ are now selling soft cream topped with gold leaf to commemorate 4 years since the gorgeous “Yomeimon” of Nikkō Tōshō-gū, a Shinto shrine in Nikko, underwent renovation and opened to the general public.

Renovation of “Yomeimon,” the main gate of Nikkō Tōshō-gū started 4 years ago as part of the Heisei Renovations. It reopened this year in March.

The ‘kinpaku’ or ‘gold leaf’ purin is designed around the spectacular Yomeimon. The traditional full-bodied purin is made using milk and eggs from Nikko and is on top of which sits a refreshing yet rich soft cream topped with gold leaf. The gold leaf turns it into a luxury soft cream purin. Priced at an affordable ￥500, only 10 will be sold each day.

As well as the purin, they are also selling sweets and smoothies using strawberries picked in Tochigi Prefecture and more. They are stocked with plenty of delectable perfect as a souvenir from Nikko. The shop itself was renovated from an old Japanese residence and now also has a café space. If you’re sightseeing around Nikko then it’s a great place to stop by and relax to let the fatigue of travel melt away.

If you’re heading to Nikko, then make sure to arrive at the shop early to get one of the 10-a-day gold leaf purin soft creams.

World heritage site Nikko Rinnoji Taiyuin Temple has opened its “Kakuredo” for a five-day period from Friday 11^th August (national holiday) to Tuesday 15^th August. The “Kakuredo” is dedicated to the image of Gautama Buddha and his two attendants. During this period, a cool, evening market called the “Yuusuzumi Marché in Nikkozan Rinnoji” will also be open on the grounds of Sanbutsudo Temple.

Up until now, the Kakuredo has never opened its doors to the public. However, as its appearance is completely different to any other temple, the decision was finally made to allow the public to view this hidden treasure for a limited period.

The mausoleum (a grand building holding tombs) of the third Shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty (Tokugawa Iemitsu), is located on the same grounds as the Taiyuin. Here, a total of 22 national treasures and cultural assets have been built. To pay respects to the back of the main shrine of the special “Kakuredo” during this limited period event is a very unique experience.

“The grave of Tokugawa Iemitsu’s grandfather Tokugawa Ieyasu, (the Nikko Tosho-gu) must not be surpassed” were the instructions given. Therefore, it is decorated with basic tones of gold and black for a calm appearance.

The front shrine, intermediate room and main shrine, which were appointed as national treasures, face the Nikko Tosho-gu. Through this, the respect of Tokugawa Iemitsu towards Tokugawa Ieyasu can be felt. During the limited period Kakuredo event, 1000 limited edition shrine stamps containing the Shogun’s special seal in gold letters will be available – something a collector of shrine stamps cannot resist!

Don’t forget – the Yuusuzumi Marché takes place on the premises of Sanbutsudo during this same period! Enjoy Yakisoba, Nikko’s beef, the Japanese natural shaved ice dessert “Kakigori”, Tochigi beer and many other local gourmet foods and drinks to your heart’s content.

Please come visit Taiyuin for this fantastic opportunity!

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On Friday 21^st July 2017, pudding specialist shop Nikkoupurintei opened near Nikkou Toushou-gu’s sacred “Shinkyo” bridge. This shop uses ingredients sourced from Nikko.

Lush with nature and rich with historical cultural heritage, Nikkou is blessed with numerous tourist attractions. Now, the pudding specialist Nikkoupurintei has opened near Nikkou Toushou-gu, Shinkyo.

The interior was once an old Japanese-style house. It has now been renovated, overflowing with a Taisho Roman theme. This cute, retro shop uses ingredients sourced from Nikko to make homemade puddings, original pudding soft cream, strawberry smoothies and much more. The shop also sells sweet treats made from strawberries sourced from Tochigi prefecture.

Nikkoupurintei uses milk from Nikkou Kirifuri Kogen Ozasa Bokujo and eggs sourced from Nikko to make melt-in-the-mouth pudding. The milk used comes from Brown Swiss cows, which is still rare in Japan. The rich and strong taste of this milk has a hint of sweetness, which is what makes the pudding taste so special.

With Nikkou Pudding as a base, the shop also sells a Japanese-style traditional dessert called “Mitarashi Pudding”, served up with a special sauce that was made using fresh spring water from Nikkou. Other desserts include the “Otome Pudding”, which is a strawberry jelly pudding made from tochiotome strawberries and strawberries sourced from Tochigi prefecture.

The shop also includes a café space, so check out this place as a tourist spot too!

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