Join in the celebrations at the traditional Kamakura Festival where you can enjoy night barbecues, visit icy waterfalls, ski or try your hand at airboarding are just some of the plans the now-covered city of Nikko has to offer.
Nikko is an internationally recognised destination by travellers. It’s also one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, which boasts an impressive historical and cultural heritage and enormous natural wealth. It has also been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
And when winter arrives, the historical city of Nikko is covered in snow from top to bottom. The city invites travellers to discover its beauty, visit the most well-known spots, stroll through its traditional streets and enjoy the festivals and activities recommended by Nikko Tourism for the winter season.
Tradition and natural beauty in winter
Yunishikawa Onsen celebrates the traditional Kamakura Festival, which is recognised as a historical and cultural heritage at the Heike-no-Sato open-air museum from January 31 to March 1, 2020.
This evening event gives visitors the chance to witness the entire area covered with igloo-like snow houses, called kamakuras. The bigger ones are used for night barbecues, while the smaller ones are illuminated by candles to create a beautiful sea of lights.
Activities for mountain lovers
The area around Nikko city also puts on other winter activities. Trekking and nature lovers can’t miss out on a visit to Unryu Keikoku Falls; a narrow ravine carved out between Mt. Nyoho and Mt. Akanagisan.
These 120-metre waterfalls freeze completely in winter, reflecting the sun’s natural light to create a beautiful play of light and colour.
The trek to the falls can also be combined with a visit to Nikko Strawberry Park, which starts at the beginning of the strawberry season in mid-December in Nikko.
Inside the farm, you can pick and taste Bennihope, Yayoihime, Tochiotome and the exquisite Sky berry strawberries.
Sports activities for the adventurous
December in Nikko also means the beginning of the best season to enjoy winter sports. Skiing and downhill airboarding are popular in the city, and there’s no shortage of places to enjoy the snow.
The slopes in Yumoto Onsen and Edelweiss Ski Resort are two of the favourite ski resorts for skiers. Both of them offer good connections to Nikko and nearby Tokyo, making them easily accessible. The snow-covered Oku Nikko is also a treat for airboard fans, with the perfect slopes for airboarding and snowshoeing.
