Autumn colours in Nikko

Tayla o’brien explores the sacred area of Nikko, a fun place to delve into Japan’s history and nature.

Layers of silk fabrics covered in vibrant patterns are intricately wrapped around my body as I am transformed into a Samurai’s daughter. I soon discover it’s a prestigious title as the townspeople bow down to me when I step out in my kimono.

Here at Edo Wonderland, dress-ups are taken to a whole new level, making kids’ ninja, samurai and geisha dreams a reality as the Edo period (1603–1868) is brought back to life

Located on the outskirts of Nikko, a small city in the Tochigi prefecture, the cultural theme park is a unique way for kids to experience Japanese culture. Little ninjas can try their hand at Shuriken (throwing stars), while girls can enjoy a mini makeover and learn how to make lipstick from the extract of safflower, or play the shamisen (a guitar-like instrument). A must-see is the ninja show at the Grand Ninja Theatre or the Mizugei-za water magic show.

Soak it up

. Edo Wonderland offers just a taste of the abundance of cultural experiences that World Heritage-listed Nikko has to offer.

I’ve made the two-hour journey from Tokyo to the historic region on the Tobu Railway. It proves a great way to explore the Nikko and Kinugawa regions, renowned for their onsens (hot spring baths), which we experience at Kinugawa Grand Hotel. The kids will love floating in the pool-like baths while parents relax. We jump between the two open-air baths before making our way to dinner in our yukatas (robes) and enjoy a traditional Japanese meal in a private dining room. The kids watch chefs prepare each course and have a blast cooking on their very own hot plate. At this ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, you can also try sleeping on tatami mats with a futon mattress – slumber-party style.

We head up the nearby Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway to feed the Japanese macaques and enjoy astounding views of Kinugawa Onsen, then make the journey back to Nikko aboard Tobu Railway’s newly revived steam train, Taiju, for an afternoon adventure that thrills little engineers.

Explore the sacred world

You can’t visit Nikko without seeing the famous shrines and temples that make up Nikko National Park. We first stop by Shinkyo Bridge, which marks the gateway to the sacred area of Nikko. The glossy red arch looks as if it has been plucked from an oil painting, a backdrop of autumn’s multicoloured trees standing above the Daiya River adding to the aesthetic.

As we delve deeper into the park, strolling a path lined by a handful of Nikko’s 13,000 tall cedar trees, I learn we are visiting during Nikko Memorial Year, marking 1250 years since the original shrine was built. We explore Futarasan Jinja and Tosho-gu Shrine, each representing significant aspects of the Shinto and Buddhist religions.

Falling for Nikko

As we leave, we take the ‘Alphabet Curves’ road, named for the 48 curves representing the 48 letters (historically speaking) of the Japanese alphabet. The road winds in picturesque sweeps from Nikko down to Lake Chuzenji-ko. A cruise proves the best way to get an close-up view of Mount Nantai, the dormant volcano that created the lake and surrounding rivers thousands of years ago.

Afterwards, we head to Kegon Falls, one of the 30 waterfalls hidden throughout Nikko. Standing at the top of the two-level viewing platform, the roaring of the water as it rushes down the 99-metre drop is deafening. .

After a day of exploration, visitors can stay at Nikko Kanaya Hotel or Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel to experience a blend of Japanese and Western cultures at two of the oldest hotels in the area, each perfectly nestled among the autumn leaves.

Nikko Report Card

Info jnto.org.au nikko-travel.jp Getting there JAL, Qantas and Jetstar offer daily direct flights from most Australian cities to Tokyo. Take the Tobu Railway train from Tokyo to Nikko. tobu.co.jp Stay kanayahotel.co.jp kgh.co.jp Do edowonderland.net tokyo-skytree.jp 01 Dressing up at Edo Wonderland 02 Waterfall © Tobu Railway 03–06 Historic fun © Edo Wonderland