The city of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is one of the brightest lights in the Japanese sightseeing firmament, which is apt, given that its name literally translates to "sunshine." With some amazing attractions from World Heritage sites dating back to the eighth century to picturesque hiking trails and relaxing hot spring resorts, it's easy to see why some Japanese people like to say, "Never say kekko (you haven't seen anything!) until you've seen Nikko." Visitors who'd like to confirm that for themselves but only have about 30 hours to do so, should consider the following itinerary:
9:00 a.m.: Rinnoji temple
Historic and beautiful but still relaxing enough to not feel overwhelming from the get-go, Rinnoji temple is the perfect place to start exploring Nikko after catching an early train (around 6:30 a.m.) from Asakusa in Tokyo via the Tobu Nikko Line.