Nikko, Sacred mountain city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
Nikko is a mountain city in Tochigi Prefecture that spreads over forested slopes and valleys where rivers and streams run. Streets wind between traditional shops, guesthouses and homes before branching into hiking paths and forest trails that lead to waterfalls and lakes.
A Buddhist monk founded a temple here in the eighth century, after which more religious buildings followed. In the 17th century a large mausoleum for a shogun was built, turning the place into an important pilgrimage site.
Shrines and temples at the town's edge draw pilgrims and visitors who walk through cedar avenues and over stone bridges. Many buildings carry ornate carvings and lacquered surfaces, created by centuries of craftsmanship and still carefully maintained today.
Trains connect Tokyo with the local station in about two hours, with several connections running each day. Autumn brings most visitors because of the foliage, while winter offers snow and quieter trails.
A lake in the mountains was shaped by volcanic activity thousands of years ago and now sits higher than almost any other natural lake in the country. Visitors find cool weather and thick woods there, even in summer.
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