Nikko Hotels

Nikkô is a city located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Located approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and approximately 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists, housing the mausoleum of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (Nikkô Tôshô-gû) and that of his grandson Iemitsu (Iemitsu-byô Taiyû-in), as well as the Futarasan Shrine, which dates to the year 767. There are also many famous hot springs (onsen) in the area. Elevations range from 200 to 2,000 m. The mountains west of the main city are part of Nikkô National Park and contain some of the country's most spectacular waterfalls and scenic trails. As of January 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 92,181. During the Meiji period Nikkô developed as a mountain resort, and became particularly popular among foreign visitors to Japan. The Japanese National Railways began service to Nikkô in 1890 with the Nikkô Line, followed by Tobu Railway in 1929 with its Nikkô Line. Nikkô was incorporated as a town in 1889, part of Kamitsuga District. It was upgraded to city status in 1954 after merging with the neighboring village of Okorogawa. On March 20, 2006, the city of Nikkô merged with the city of Imaichi and the municipalities of Ashio, Fujihara, and Kuriyama to create what is officially the new city of Nikkô. The new city hall is located at the former Imaichi City Hall: the former Nikkô City Hall is now known as Nikkô City Hall-Nikkô Satellite Office.