Nikko, Tochigi
:
This article is about Nikko the city; see Nikko (priest) for the founder of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. |
Great Gate, Nikko, circa 1860-1900. |
is a
city located in the mountains of
Tochigi Prefecture,
Japan. Located about 140 km to the North of Tokyo, it is a popular destination for Japanese tourists, housing the mausoleum of
shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (
Nikko Toshogu) and that of his grandson
Iemitsu, as well as the
Futarasan Jinja, a shrine which dates to the year
767. There are also many famous hot springs (
onsen) in the area. The mountains west of the city are part of
Nikko National Park and contain some of the country's most spectacular waterfalls and scenic trails.
As of the
May 1,
2006, the city has an estimated
population of 93,568. The total area is 1,449.87 km².
Nikko Toshogu,
Futarasan Jinja, and
Rinnoji form a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Falls lie in Nikko.
On
March 20,
2006, the old city of Nikko merged with the city of
Imaichi and the municipalities of
Ashio,
Fujihara, and
Kuriyama to create the new city of Nikko. Their new city hall is now located at the former
Imaichi City Hall.
The city has the third largest area in Japan, only behind
Takayama (most largest) and
Hamamatsu (2nd largest).
Nikko is main home city for the
Nikko Kobe IceBucks.
Image:Gate-nikko-japan.jpg|The lavishly decorated Yomeimon Gate of Toshogu ShrineImage:Carving-nikko-japan.jpg|Carving of the god of thunder in the Nitenmon Gate of Taiyuin-byo Shrine''Image:Monkeys-nikko-japan.jpg|The famous 17th century carving of the Three wise monkeys at the Nikko Toshogu shrine.Image:TwoJizos0053.jpg|Statues of Jizo in NikkoImage:Kegon.jpg|Kegon Falls in NikkoImage:Chuzenjiko.jpg|Lake Chūzenji in NikkoImage:NikkoRinnoji5390.jpg|Rinnoji, a temple in NikkoImage:Nikko Futarasan Jinja M3292.jpg|Futarasan Jinja, a Shinto shrine in NikkoImage:NikkoRyuzuNoTaki.jpg|Waterfall in NikkoImage:IMG 1205.JPG|Ornamental Bell tower at Toshogu Nikko
