Nikko World Heritage Private Customized Tour with English Driver

Kegon Falls was formed approximately 20,000 years ago when lava from Mount Nantai blocked the Daiya River, creating Lake Chuzenji, with the falls being the lake's only exit. Historically, the falls have been recognized as one of Japan's "Eight Views" and are infamous for a high number of suicides, particularly the well-documented 1903 suicide of poet Misao Fujimura. The area also has deep spiritual roots, with the monk Shodo Shonin reportedly discovering the falls in the 8th century and naming them after the Kegon Sutra.

Lake Chuzenji was formed about 20,000 years ago by a lava flow from the eruption of Mount Nantai, which blocked the Daiya River. It became a popular summer resort for foreigners, including embassies, in the 19th and 20th centuries due to its cool climate. Historically, the lake's shores have been a destination for leisure, with activities like boating, fishing, and enjoying the scenery, and more recently, conservation efforts have been undertaken to protect its environment.

Nikko National Park was established in 1934 as one of Japan's first national parks, following the 1931 National Parks Law. Its history is rooted in ancient spiritual significance, particularly its long association with mountain worship, and later gained prominence as an imperial park in 1911. The park has grown over time, with Oze National Park formerly being part of it before it was separated in 2007.

The Shinkyo Bridge in Nikko, known as the "sacred bridge," has a history rooted in legend and has been rebuilt and restored over time. A bridge has existed at the site for centuries, but the current vermilion-lacquered structure was built in 1636 and is part of the Futarasan Shrine. Legend says a monk was guided across the Daiya-gawa River by a divine deity who created the bridge from a sacred snake or two serpents. The bridge was rebuilt in 1904 after being washed away by floods and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999.

The Akechidaira Ropeway, the main feature of Akechidaira Plateau, was established in 1933, making it a long-standing tourist attraction for enjoying panoramic views of Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and Mount Nantai. Located along the Irohazaka Winding Road in Nikko, the plateau also offers a rest house and is a popular stop for visitors, especially during the autumn foliage season.

The history of Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa began when the core of its structure, the three-story residence of the Kishu Tokugawa clan, was given to the Imperial Household in 1872. In 1899, this structure was moved to Nikko and enlarged with newly constructed buildings to become the summer retreat for the Crown Prince Taisho. It was used by three generations of the Imperial family until the end of World War II, after which it was restored and opened to the public in 2000.

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Toshogu Shrine (Nikko) History
Nikko Toshogu Shrine was originally built in 1617 as a mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. His grandson, the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, massively expanded and renovated the shrine into the lavish complex with intricate carvings and gold leaf that is seen today, a project known as the “Kan'ei no Dai Zokei” (the Great Rebuilding of Kan'ei). Today, it serves as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of worship for the deified Ieyasu