7. The Hidden Side of Nikko

The city of Nikko, in Tochigi Prefecture, lying around 120 kilometers north of Tokyo, is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations. Nikko includes many popular sites including the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, renowned for its remarkable sculptures. However, there is more to Nikko than these tourist highlights. Beyond its sacred spaces, Nikko extends deep into the mountains. Far from the crowds, you can find out-of-the-way villages where local people brave the winter.