The Secret Heart of Nikko National Park: Japan's Highest Marshlands
Nikko National Park is a vast expanse of mountains, forests, hot springs, waterfalls and ancient temples. Located to the north of Tokyo, it is a popular day destination. People love to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient shrine, Nikkō Tōshō-gū. The quiet forest behind the shrine is where the famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu rests. People come from all over the world to see the massive Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji that feeds it. There are enough secluded hot spring inns scattered among the forests and mountains that you never need to visit the same one twice. This is just one side of Nikko. Photo by Reginald Pentinio Behind this glittering facade that is close to town, is a much larger and less accessible wilderness. Getting to the backside can take hours in a car, winding around narrow mountain roads, and ducking in and out of small villages. Much of it is downright inaccessible in winter. For most. It is here t...