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Cultural Treasures

Nikko Cedar Avenue

Cultural Treasures

Our Itineraries:

Nikko in Tochigi prefecture has been hallowed ground for mountain worship since the 8th century, and its World Heritage temples and shrines are magnificent examples of 17th-century architecture. Lake Chuzenji, Japan’s highest natural lake, has been a summer resort since the late 19th century. Get your bearings on it all with these highlights.

Chuzenji Temple Calligraphy

Day

1

MORNING
  • WALK AMID GIANTS.

    Stroll Cedar Avenue, a stretch of the mighty trees planted four centuries ago in tribute to shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Rising 30 meters (100 feet) in height, they are a fitting introduction to the stately shrines and temples nearby.

AFTERNOON
  • BIRD’S-EYE VIEW.

    Get your bearings from Akechidaira, a lookout with phenomenal views of Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and Mount Nantai. It stands on the winding Irohazaka road, named for its 48 hairpin turns. You may meet a macaque or two on the way.

EVENING
  • SAVOR SOME SUSHI.

    Enjoy a multicourse kaiseki dinner at The Japanese Restaurant, including classic Edomae sushi served on local Mashiko ware.

Morning Zazen Meditation

Day

2

MORNING
  • MEDITATIONS.

    Pull back the curtains, grab the yoga mat provided in your room, and head to a zazen session led by a monk from nearby Chuzenji Temple. After breakfast, stroll to the temple for a purifying fire ceremony and sutra-copying practice.

MIDDAY
  • FIT FOR A KING.

    Tuck into a lunch featuring tempura, barley-rice, and red-miso soup. The healthy repast is inspired by the favorite dishes of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542–1616), who lived to a ripe age twice the average of his time.

AFTERNOON
  • OUTDOOR ADVENTURE OR INDOOR CRAFT?

    Head out to the Kirifuri highlands for the ascetic practice of standing beneath a waterfall to purify the body-mind. Or stay in and try your hand at the Nikko style of woodcarving in a class led by local artisans. 

EVENING
  • LUXURIATE IN THE SPA.

    Unwind before dinner with a blissful soak in our Onsen, then indulge in the Restorative Rock Ritual, a body exfoliation and hot-stone massage that uses volcanic basalt stones and natural salt from Futarasan Shrine.

  • A FEAST FOR ALL SENSES.

    Revel in the tastes, scents, and colors of the season transformed into a multicourse feast at The Japanese Restaurant. From sashimi to simmered and grilled delights and dessert, each dish is art on a plate.