Travel: Nikko – Shrines, Mountains, and a Library

It’s been a wee bit since I did a travel-themed post, so let’s pack our bags and head back to one of my favourite places on Earth – Japan!

Nikko is a small town nestled in the mountains about two hours north of Tokyo, at the entrance to Nikko National Park.  It’s famed for its historic temple complex, which was founded in 1617, and which withstood centuries of dispute and neglect before finally being restored to its original glory. The complex includes Rinnoji Temple, the lavish Toshogu shrine, and the Futarasan shrine, dedicated to Nikko’s sacred mountains.

The alpine scenery is stunning, and makes for a refreshing and much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the behemoth metropolis that is Tokyo. With a trusty JR Pass in hand, Nikko is a quick train ride from Tokyo, making it a popular day trip destination for tourists.

Winter is a lovely time to visit Nikko. First of all, of course, is the fact that you can actually explore your surroundings without wading through hordes of tourists. Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contributes to its popularity as a tourist destination. In other words, it can get busy. The weather in December was cold but clear, and I would happily take chilly weather over the muggy, cloying Japanese summer heat any day, and while there were still tour busses in the area, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as it can get during high season.

Pro-tip: The incredible, ridiculously scenic Shinkyo bridge is ranked as one of Japan’s top three most scenic bridges, and you can pay an admission fee to walk across it. Or you can simply walk around it for free, and still take beautiful scenery shots. Considering you have to pay to visit pretty much every other shrine and temple, why not save a few Y when you can!

Besides its stunning temples and historic monuments, Nikko also happens to have a teeny, tiny little library, which of course I had to visit. I love visiting libraries in the different places I visit. I love seeing the books they stock and the programs they offer. Each library is unique, set up and laid out in its own particular way, reflecting the needs and preferences of its community. Japan is a country with a long and proud literary tradition, an incredibly high literacy rate, and a national obsession with books, so you’re bound to find libraries in almost every community you visit.

For all their regional differences, there is often a great deal of similarity between libraries all around the world, which can be strangely comforting when you’re far from home and feeling a just the tiniest bit homesick. The library in Nikko, for example, offers library storytimes, just like my library back home. It’s lovely to think that there are children and families in this little town sitting in front of a librarian and listening to stories, just like we do at my storytimes.

Nikko really is a beautiful place to visit, reminiscent of alpine towns in Europe and North America, but with a Japanese charm all of it’s own. If, like me, you tire of the neon lights and massive crowds of big city life, Nikko is absolutely the place for you. Easily accessible from Tokyo, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary!