【ゆっくり解説】栃木県日光市｜世界遺産と絶景／家康が眠る理由とは
Tochigi Prefecture / Nikko City
Hello everyone! This is Yukkuri Reimu and Yukkuri Marisa. Today, we’ll be introducing cities, wards, towns, and villages across Japan . On this channel, we carefully introduce each of the 1,741 cities, wards, towns, and villages across the country. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do! Hey Marisa, where are we traveling to today? Today, we’re heading to Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture! Nikko! The one with the World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine! That’s right. But Nikko has more to offer, right ? I wonder what it’s like? With World Heritage shrines and temples, breathtaking natural scenery like Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, and even hot springs, it’s truly a tourist paradise ! It looks fun! I can’t wait to go! But first, let’s ask Reimu a quiz ! A quiz? What’s it? Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. But why do you think Nikko was chosen as his tomb? Well… because it’s close to Edo? That’s one reason, but there’s actually a deeper meaning. There are three options. A : Because it was the perfect location from a feng shui perspective to protect Edo. B: Because Ieyasu loved Nikko during his lifetime. C: Because influential people at the time were from Nikko. So, which one do you think it is? Hmm… feng shui is kind of mysterious. Maybe it’s A? I’ll reveal the answer in this video! So, let’s set off on our journey to Nikko City! Basic Information What’s Nikko City like? Well, we’ve arrived in Nikko City ! It’s a lovely city surrounded by mountains. Nikko City is located in the northwest of Tochigi Prefecture and has a population of about 70,000 . It’s a more modest-sized city than you’d think, but you’ll be surprised when you hear its area. It’s a whopping 1,449 square kilometers ! Is it that big? Actually, it’s the largest city in Tochigi Prefecture. Formed in 2006 by the merger of five municipalities—the former Nikko City, Imaichi City, Ashio Town, Fujiwara Town, and Kuriyama Village—it’s a pretty sprawling city ! That’s why it’s so large! The population density is about 53.6 people per square kilometer. This means it’s a laid-back city with plenty of nature. Since it’s a tourist destination, the actual number of visitors is likely even higher. It’s an international tourist city, attracting over 10 million tourists a year. 10 million!? That’s amazing! It’s also bordered by quite a few neighboring municipalities. Within Tochigi Prefecture, it’s Utsunomiya City, Shioya Town, Kanuma City, and Nasushiobara City. It also borders Midori City in Gunma Prefecture and Minamiaizu Town in Fukushima Prefecture . It really is a big city, and it ‘s easily accessible. It’s about two hours by Tobu Railway Limited Express from Tokyo, and about two and a half hours by car via the Tohoku Expressway. It’s close enough to make a day trip! This is so exciting! History and Origins A Journey Tracing Nikko’s History Now, let’s embark on a journey back in time. Let’s trace Nikko’s history. Nikko is a place steeped in history, isn’t it? It seems. Nikko’s history began in 766, when Shodo Shonin founded Mount Nantai, or Mount Futara. 766!? Um… that’s over 1,200 years ago! That’s right. Shodo Shonin chose this place as a place for his training, and he pronounced Mount Futara as “Niko .” “Niko” instead of “Nikko”? Actually, the spelling “Nikko” came later. It’s said that Kobo Daishi Kukai used the characters “nikko” for “futara. ” The origins of place names are interesting. Mount Futara is also pronounced “futara-san.” The idea of syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism is behind it. Does that mean gods and Buddhas are one and the same? That’s it. So, Nikko suddenly became famous in 1617 during the Edo period. What happened? The year after Tokugawa Ieyasu died, his son Hidetada built Nikko Toshogu Shrine to enshrine Ieyasu ! You might be hearing the answer to the quiz from earlier , right? Yes, you are. The answer to the quiz was A: Because it was the perfect location for protecting Edo according to feng shui. Oh, I thought so! It was feng shui. After Ieyasu’s death, he was deified as “Tosho Daigongen” and given the role of protecting Edo Castle and the city of Edo from Nikko, located north of Edo. Wow , that’s pretty dramatic! In feng shui, the northeast is considered the “unlucky direction,” so protecting that direction was important. Nikko was located exactly northeast of Edo. It was a well-calculated location. Furthermore, in 1636, the third shogun, Iemitsu, carried out extensive renovations, and the magnificent Nikko Toshogu Shrine we see today was completed. That glittering golden building! That’s right. After that, Nikko became popular among the common people as “Nikko pilgrimages.” People in the Edo period also visited the area. By the way, in Tochigi dialect, “daiji” means “it’s okay.” Daiji ? It sounds cute. In modern times, the town and village system was implemented in 1889, and Nikko Town was established. In 1954, the city system was implemented, and it became the former Nikko City. Then, the great Heisei merger took place . That’s right. In 2006, the former Nikko City, Imaichi City, Ashio Town, Fujiwara Town, and Kuriyama Village merged to form the current Nikko City. A new history began. From an ancient place of faith, to a sacred place in the Edo period, and now a modern international tourist city. Nikko is a city that has always evolved with the times. Learning about its history will make you love it even more. Tourist Spots: World Heritage Sites and Stunning Scenery . Now, let’s actually visit Nikko’s attractive tourist spots. It’s exciting! Where should we start? First of all, there’s the World Heritage Site, the Shrines and Temples of Nikko . World Heritage Sites! You can’t miss this one! Registered as a World Heritage Site in 1999, it refers to two shrines and one temple—Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Futarasan Shrine, and Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple—and their associated buildings. The three are a World Heritage Site together. First, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is famous for the elaborate carvings on its Yomeimon Gate. It’s covered with 508 carvings, and you could look at it all day without getting bored, so it’s also known as the “Higurashi Gomon” (Higurashi Gomon). All day long!? That’s amazing! And then there’s the famous “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” (the three monkeys) carving, right ? I know, I know! But aren’t they just morals? Actually, those three monkeys represent the developmental stages of a child. There’s an eight-sided carving in the Shinkyuya (Shinkyuya) stable, with monkeys representing each stage of life. Wow! It’s profound! And then there’s the sleeping cat carving. It’s said to be the work of Hidari Jingorō, and is a symbol of peace. Does a sleeping cat mean peace? That’s right. The interesting thing about Nikko Toshogu Shrine is that it’s packed with meaning in every detail. I’d like to take my time to look around. Next up is Nikko Futarasan Shrine, which is famous as the god of matchmaking . Matchmaking! It seems to be popular with girls. There is a “matchmaking bamboo” on the grounds, and many people visit to pray for good relationships. Also, the entire Nikko mountain is considered sacred, so Mt. Nantai is also part of this shrine. The entire mountain is a shrine, so it’s on a grand scale. Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple is a Tendai sect temple, and the main hall, Sanbutsudo, houses three Buddha statues: Thousand-Armed Kannon, Amida Nyorai, and Bato Kannon. The temple itself is magnificent. Now that I’ve enjoyed the shrines and temples, I’m looking forward to going to see some spectacular natural scenery ! First up is Kegon Falls. It’s breathtaking to see it drop from a height of 97 meters. 97 meters!? Just imagining it sounds impressive. It’s one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls, and if you take the elevator down to the observation deck, you can get up close and personal with the waterfall. The spray and all that sounds amazing. And then there’s Lake Chuzenji. This is a dammed lake formed by the eruption of Mount Nantai about 20,000 years ago. It’s a lake formed by an eruption! At 1,269 meters above sea level, it’s the highest natural lake in Japan. Taking a sightseeing boat and viewing Mount Nantai from the lake is also amazing! Wow , I want to go! On the way to Lake Chuzenji, there’s Irohazaka ! Irohazaka! It’s a place with lots of curves, right? The first Irohazaka on the way down and the second Irohazaka on the way up have a total of 48 curves. It’s named after the 48 letters of the Japanese alphabet. I see ! So that’s the origin. It’s especially spectacular during the autumn foliage season. It’s so popular that it gets congested. I’d love to see Irohazaka in autumn leaves. Oku-Nikko also has a high moor called Senjogahara. There are boardwalks, perfect for hiking. You can really enjoy nature. And don’t forget the hot springs. Kinugawa Onsen is one of the leading hot springs in the Kanto region. Kinugawa Onsen! I’ve heard of the name. The hot spring town stretches along the valley, offering a variety of accommodation options. The alkaline, simple hot spring water is gentle on the skin, so you can relax in the hot springs after sightseeing. There are also theme parks like Nikko Edomura and Tobu World Square, where you can experience the Edo period! Nikko is a truly luxurious tourist destination, offering a world heritage site, nature, and hot springs—you can’t see it all in one day! Gourmet Food and Specialties: After sightseeing in Nikko, it’s time for a trip to sample Nikko’s gourmet cuisine! I’m looking forward to it! I’m getting hungry! Speaking of Nikko, the first thing that comes to mind is yuba . Is it different from Kyoto’s yuba? Actually, the spelling is different. Kyoto’s is “yuba,” while Nikko’s is written as “yuba .” Oh! I wonder what the difference is; the manufacturing process is a little different. Nikko’s yuba is characterized by being folded in half and being thick. It’s satisfying and delicious. It ‘s thick! I’d love to try it! There are many yuba specialty restaurants, and they serve it in a variety of ways, including yuba sashimi, yuba rolls, and deep-fried yuba. There are so many different dishes ! Nikko’s soba noodles are also famous. Imaichi soba, in particular, developed in the Imaichi area, which was once a post town on the Nikko Kaido road. The soba noodles look delicious! Made with cold, pure water, they’re fragrant and smooth. I’d love to eat them after sightseeing. And a summer specialty is shaved ice made from natural ice . Natural ice? Is it different from regular ice? It’s completely different. Natural ice, made by freezing Nikko’s cold spring water during the winter, is fluffy and melts in your mouth. I’d love to try it! There are famous shaved ice shops, like Mitsuboshi Himuro. It’s so popular in the summer that there are lines. It seems worth the wait. Nikko yokan is a recommended souvenir. Is yokan a local specialty? Yes, it is. The yokan made by long-established Japanese confectionery shops is characterized by its moist texture and refined sweetness. It makes a great souvenir . There’s also the traditional craft of Nikko carving. Carving? It’s not food, is it? Nikko carving is a craft of carving wooden objects, and includes trays, tea trays, and small trinket boxes. It makes a perfect souvenir . Strawberries are also a local specialty. Tochigi Prefecture is the number one producer of strawberries in Japan, and “Tochiotome” strawberries are grown in Nikko. I wonder if you can go strawberry picking there! There are farms where you can do it. The best season is from winter to spring. I’d love to come back multiple times during different seasons. By the way, the locals say “delicious, not gojappe.” Gojappe ? What’s that? “Gojappe” means “careless” or “nonsense” in the Tochigi dialect. It basically means “not careless, but really delicious.” The dialect is interesting! Hearing locals’ stories is one of the joys of traveling, I hear. What would you like to try in Nikko? Let me know in the comments! I want to try both yuba and shaved ice made from natural ice! Culture & Tradition: Nikko’s Charm Throughout the Seasons Now, let’s introduce Nikko’s culture and traditions while experiencing the four seasons of Nikko. It seems Nikko has different charms in each season, so let’s start with spring. In April, the Nikko Futarasan Shrine Yayoi Festival is held . What kind of festival is it? It’s a traditional festival that signals the arrival of spring in Nikko, with gorgeous floats called ‘Ietai’ parading through the city. It has a history of over 1,200 years ! 1,200 years!? What an incredible tradition! Then in May, there’s the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival, a festival at Toshogu Shrine! The highlight of this festival is the Hyakumono Sorore Sennin Musha Gyoretsu (1,000-person warrior procession). More than 1,000 people dressed as warriors parade through the streets! 1,000-person Musha Gyoretsu (1,000-person warrior procession!?) It looks like it’ll be worth seeing. They’ll even carry Tokugawa Ieyasu’s portable shrine. It’s like a time-travel back to the Edo period. I’d love to see it in person, not just in photos. The cherry blossoms are also a highlight in spring. The cherry blossom-lined road along Nikko Kaido creates a 16-kilometer tunnel of cherry blossoms. 16 kilometers!? That’s impressive! It ‘s even been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest cherry blossom -lined road in the world! Amazing! In summer, Lake Chuzenji and Oku-Nikko become popular summer resorts. The high altitude makes it cool . The Nikko Dream Fireworks are held in early August. The fireworks launched on the shores of Lake Chuzenji are reflected on the lake, creating a mystical atmosphere. The fireworks reflected on the lake must be beautiful . The beauty of the fresh greenery is also a summer highlight. Hiking in Senjogahara and Odashirogahara is amazing. Walking in nature seems like a pleasant experience. And now it’s autumn, and the autumn leaves in Nikko are famous! From late September to early November, the leaves change color in stages from Irohazaka, Lake Chuzenji, Senjogahara, and the area around Nikko Toshogu Shrine. You can enjoy it for a long period of time because of the difference in altitude. The leaves gradually change color starting from Oku-Nikko. Even within Nikko City, the autumn leaves change color at different times depending on the location. In October, the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Autumn Festival is held, and yabusame is dedicated. Yabusame is horseback archery! Yes, that’s right. It’s a traditional martial art in which you shoot a bow from a running horse. It’s cool! In winter, Oku-Nikko’s snowy scenery is beautiful. From early February to early March, the Nikko Yumoto Onsen Snow Festival is held . Snow Festival? What kind of event is it? Snow lanterns called Yukitouri light up the hot spring town in a fantastical way. It’s romantic! You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding, and Nikko’s winter scenery is also charming. It’s also nice to soak in a hot spring and gaze at the snowy scenery . By the way, in Nikko, we say “yakkoi” (a Japanese word for softness). “Yakkoi” ? It sounds so cute . It’s used like, “This snow is so yakkoi.” The Tochigi dialect is warm and lovely . Hearing the dialect, you can really sense the local character . Nikko has a different charm no matter what season you visit. Which season would you like to visit? Let me know in the comments. I want to see the autumn leaves! But the cherry blossoms in spring are hard to resist, too… I want to visit in all seasons. That’s the charm of Nikko. Modern Initiatives in Nikko City Now , let me introduce some modern initiatives in Nikko City. What is Nikko like today? Actually, Nikko City is working on an interesting project that’s attracting national attention. What’s that interesting project?! In 2023, the Oku-Nikko area was selected by the Ministry of the Environment as a “Decarbonization Pioneer Region.” Decarbonization? So it’s an environmentally friendly initiative? Yes, it is. The project name is “Oku-Nikko: A Sustainable Resort Above the Clouds.” A sustainable resort above the clouds! What a lovely name! What ‘s particularly interesting is the initiative that utilizes hot spring heat . Hot spring heat? What does that mean? At the inns and hotels of Oku-Nikko, they’re replacing kerosene and gas for heating and hot water with hot spring heat . Wow! They can use hot spring heat for heating. And that’s not all. They’re also introducing a snow melting system that uses hot spring heat . Snow melting system? So it melts snow? That’s right. It will make snow removal easier in the winter and make tourist transportation smoother. Isn’t that amazing? Hot spring heat can be used for a variety of things. What’s more, this is a public-private partnership project involving Tokyo Electric Power Company and Tobu Railway. It ‘s a big project! Developing tourism while protecting the environment. They’re truly aiming to be a sustainable tourist destination. It feels like an initiative unique to Nikko. It’s something that can only be done in a hot spring resort . They’re also focusing on educational trips, and are accepting more school trips with environmental conservation as their theme. Students can learn about the environment in Nikko. They cherish history and nature, while also taking on new initiatives for the future. That’s Nikko City today, and it makes you want to support them. Hey! Oh, you’re using Tochigi dialect, Reimu . Hehe, I tried to imitate you. Ending After a trip to NikkoSo , Marisa, how was your trip to Nikko this time? It was great! With a world heritage site, stunning views, hot springs, and gourmet food, it really is a city full of charm. Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji were especially fascinating. It would be great to visit during the autumn foliage season. I also want to try yuba (tofu skin) dishes and shaved ice made from natural ice… I can’t stop talking about food, Reimu, because it looks so delicious! Nikko is certainly a city you can enjoy no matter how many times you visit . Each season has its own charm . It’s no wonder it was chosen as the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu. From a feng shui and landscape perspective, it’s a truly special place. It’s a wonderful city where history and nature blend together . A question for all viewers: Where in Nikko would you like to visit? Let me know in the comments. Also, if you have any memories of Nikko, please share them in the comments. This channel introduces each of Japan’s 1,741 cities, towns, and villages. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do! Hit the like button! It’ll encourage me to make the next video. See you on my next trip! See you!
See you!
栃木県日光市は、世界遺産「日光の社寺」と雄大な自然が織りなす国際観光都市。徳川家康が眠る地として選ばれた理由、華厳の滝や中禅寺湖の絶景、そして温泉熱を活用した先進的な取り組みまで、日光の魅力を徹底解説します！
今回の見どころ：
– 世界遺産「日光の社寺」の謎に迫る！三猿・眠り猫・陽明門の精巧な彫刻に込められた意味
– なぜ家康の墓所は日光に？風水思想と江戸を守護する東照宮の役割
– 日本三大名瀑・華厳の滝と、男体山の噴火が生んだ中禅寺湖の絶景
– 日光湯波、天然氷のかき氷など、地元グルメの魅力
– 温泉熱を活用！全国注目の「脱炭素先行地域」プロジェクト
視聴者へのお願い：
日光市のどこに行ってみたいですか？世界遺産、絶景、温泉、グルメ…あなたのおすすめスポットや思い出があれば、ぜひコメント欄で教えてください！
【タイムスタンプ】
00:00 オープニング
01:23 基本情報
03:47 歴史・成り立ち
05:27 観光スポット
09:05 グルメ・特産品
11:32 文化・伝統
14:42 現代の取り組み
17:53 エンディング
【参考リンク】
▼公式サイト
– 日光市公式ホームページ: https://www.city.nikko.lg.jp/
– 日光旅ナビ（日光市観光協会公式）: http://www.nikko-kankou.org/
▼関連情報
– 日光市 – Wikipedia: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E5%85%89%E5%B8%82
– 脱炭素先行地域について（環境省）: https://policies.env.go.jp/policy/roadmap/
【素材クレジット】
▼画像
– 写真AC: https://www.photo-ac.com/
▼BGM・効果音
– DOVA-SYNDROME: https://dova-s.jp/
– 効果音ラボ: https://soundeffect-lab.info/
▼キャラクター
– ゆっくりキャラクター素材（nicotalk&キャラ素材配布所）
【関連動画・再生リスト】
– 日本全国市区町村リスト: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkqqFQOj_sUh1Ec848IwZZlxUZndt2dSU
【チャンネル情報】
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