May 10, 2017 Travel Through Time to the Edo Period When Samurais Existed Trip to World Heritage Sites and Post Towns on the “Samurai Route” Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. The area covered by Tobu Railway lines which stretch across 4 prefectures around Tokyo is where the “Samurai Route” is located. With World Heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine where the first shogun that started the Edo Period is enshrined, Ouchi-juku where landscape of a post town of the Edo Period when samurais existed is preserved and Tsurugajo Castle where a fierce battle of the civil war that ended the Edo Period took place, the route lets you enjoy the experience of traveling back in time to the Edo Period. Here is a recommended trip into history on the “Samurai Route”. Day 1 Trip into history on the “Samurai Route” 8:00 AM Visit Senso-ji Temple The trip into history on the “Samurai Route” starts from Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Shops selling typical Japanese souvenirs and Japanese confectioneries are lined up in the Nakamise street leading from the Kaminarimon gate with the large lantern to the main temple. Established in the Edo Period, it is known to be one of the oldest shopping centers in Japan. As some shops open from 8:00AM, you can go shopping after visiting Nakamise the temple early in the morning. 9:00 AM Head to Nikko on the new limited express train “Revaty” Travel to Tōbu Nikkō Station from TOBU SKYTREE Line Asakusa Station which is near Senso-ji Temple. The new limited express train Revaty, which began its service on April 21 (Fri.), provides a Wi-Fi environment on the entire train and power outlets for each seat, offering a comfortable and convenient train trip. If you take the new limited express train Revaty leaving at 9:00AM, it will pass by the TOKYO TOBU SKYTREE Line Asakusa Station SKYTREE, the highest tower in the world, and arrive at Tōbu Nikkō Station at 10:54AM. You can purchase tickets for Revaty (From Asakusa Station to Tōbu Nikkō Station: ¥2,800 for adults) at Tobu Tourist Information Center Asakusa located in front of the ticket office on the first floor of Asakusa Station. Please be assured as guidance is Tobu Tourist Information Revaty and TOKYO available in English, Chinese and Korean if you do not Center Asakusa SKYTREE understand the procedures. Discount Pass is also available for those who want to spend a plenty of time in Nikko NIKKO ALL AREA PASS 4-day pass for unlimited train rides in the Nikko and Kinugawa area and unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area and Okunikko area Price : ¥4,520 (April to November) Location of purchase : Asakusa Station or online NIKKO CITY AREA PASS 2-day pass for unlimited train rides in the Nikko and Kinugawa area and unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area Price : ¥2,670 Location of purchase : Asakusa Station or online 11：00 AM Use the luggage service and purchase a free pass for the sightseeing bus When you arrive at Tōbu Nikkō Station, we recommend you to use the “empty-handed sightseeing service” available at the service counter on the first floor of the station. Suitcases and other large luggage will be delivered to accommodation facilities in the Nikko area. After you check in your luggage, please purchase a “World Heritage Tour Ticket” (¥500) at the Tōbu Nikkō Station Tourist Center. You can take the “World Heritage Bus” leaving Tōbu Nikkō Station every 10 minutes, as many times as you want for the day, and go World Heritage bus around the World Heritage Shrines and Temples of Nikko. Choose either a World Heritage Tour Ticket or Discount Pass depending on the number of days you are staying. Please visit the following website for information on how to ride the bus. Tobu Bus website : http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/pdf/nikko_en.pdf?201704 11:30 AM Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” which includes Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the World Heritage sites that represent Japan. The shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, and its’ gorgeousness is breathtaking. As the repair work which was ongoing for approximately 4 years ended in March this year, you can see the vividly revived Yomeimon Gate. Pillars of Nikko Toshogu Shrine are decorated with many carvings. The “three monkeys” which express “see, hear or speak no evil” to teach the way of living is particularly famous. Exterior view of the Yomeimon Gate Ceiling painting of the Yomeimon Gate Facility name : Nikko Toshogu Shrine (website: http://www.toshogu.jp/english/) Hours : 8:00AM-5:00PM (final entry at 4:30PM) Admission fee : ¥1,300 Location : Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture Tōbu Nikkō Line “Tōbu Nikkō Station” (Approx. 1 hour and 55 minutes from the TOBU SKYTREE Line Asakusa Station) ～ Bus “Omotesando” (Approx. 10 minutes) Asakusa Tōbu Nikkō Station Omotesando Station TOBU SKYTREE Line Bus (new limited express Revaty) Approx. 10 mins Approx. 1 hrs. 55 mins *Nikko Toshogu Shrine is in area “②” on the map on page 8. 1:00 PM Enjoy the cuisine of Nikko Enjoy the cuisine of Nikko after going around the World Heritage site. Nikko offers plenty of dishes that represent Japan, such as soba noodles made from delicious water flowing from the foothills of the mountains of Nikko and yuba (bean-curd skin) which is a traditional food of Nikko made by boiling 魚要 HP より抜粋 soy milk made from soy beans. At “Nikko Yuba-maki ZEN” located near Nikko Toshogu Shrine, you can enjoy the original “Nikko yuba-maki set” which uses yuba (¥2,160). Nikko yuba-maki set Nikko Yuba-maki ZEN website : https://livejapan.com/en/spot/lj0002725/ 2:00 PM Enjoy the nature of Nikko from the Tobu Bus after your meal After eating lunch, go around nature-rich spots of Nikko. Beyond the World Heritage “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” lies scenery full of nature with clean air and clear water. In addition to the World Heritage Bus, Tobu Bus offers bus service in the Okunikko area where nature of Nikko can be enjoyed. If you purchase a free pass sold at the Tōbu Nikkō Station Tourist Center, you can go on and off the bus traveling to the Okunikko area as many times as you want. If you go on the bus headed for the Okunikko area using the free pass and through the Irohazaka Route and its sharp curves, you will encounter Ryuzu Falls where Togoku-mitsuba-tsutsuji (Rhododendron wadanum) is in full bloom from late May to early June, Lake Chuzenji, Mt. Nantai and a hiking course that travels through a large marsh, allowing you to fully enjoy the nature of Japan all day long. Ryuzu Falls Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai Hiking course of Odashirogahara Free pass for the Okunikko area website : http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/ Nikko Kinugawa Travel Guide website : http://nikko-travel.jp/english/attract/nikko.html 6:15 PM Check in to the historical Nikko Kanaya Hotel After enjoying a day of sightseeing, stay at the nostalgic Nikko Kanaya Hotel, the oldest resort hotel in Japan. Once you step into the hotel, you will feel a mystic atmosphere as if you had traveled back in time. After enjoying the 140 years of time travel in the Kanaya Hotel, enjoy whiskey and cocktails while listening to jazz at a quiet bar in the hotel. Nikko Kanaya Hotel Nikko Kanaya Hotel website: http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/lodging/nikko_kinugawa/20.html [MAP of the Nikko area] Day 2 Trip into history on the “Samurai Route” 9:23AM Leave Tōbu Nikkō Station On Day 2, take the 9:23AM train for approximately 2 hours from Tōbu Nikkō Station to Yunokami-Onsen Station. You will find a foot bath next to the thatched station building. Be sure to stop by as you can go in for free any time except for Wednesday mornings. After using the foot bath, head for Ouchi-juku. If you take the 12:05PM bus “Saruyugo” leaving from Yunokami-Onsen Station for Ouchi-juku, you will arrive in approximately 20 minutes. Foot bath ■Bus schedule between April 21 (Fri.) and November 30 (Thu.), 2017 Bus stop No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 Leave from Yunokami-Onsen 9:00AM 10:00AM 10:40AM 11:20AM 12:05PM 1:05PM 2:05PM 3:05PM Station Arrive at Ouchi-juku 9:20AM 10:20AM 11:00AM 11:40AM 12:25PM 1:25PM 2:25PM 3:25PM Bus Entrance schedule Bus stop No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 Leave from 10:20AM 11:00AM 12:25PM 1:25PM 2:25PM 4:00PM Ouchi-juku Entrance Arrive at Yunokami-Onsen 10:40AM 11:20AM 12:45PM 1:45PM 2:45PM 4:50PM Station *The final bus leaving from Ouchi-juku Entrance will arrive at Yunokami-Onsen Station upon going around Shimogo Town where Ouchi-juku is located. 12:25 PM Head to Ouchi-juku where you would feel like you have traveled back in time to the Edo Period Ouchi-juku is one of the post towns where townscape of the Edo Period is preserved. In the Edo Period, it served the function as a passage connecting Aizu and Nikko and a post town for daimyo lords (powerful samurai that directly served the shogun in the Edo Period) and travelers heading to Edo. With more than 30 thatched houses lined up along the street today, Japanese landscape from the past spreads out in front of you.