Nikk? (???, Nikk?-shi) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As of May 2015, the city had an estimated population of 84,197, and a population density of 58.1 persons per km2. Its total area is 1,449.83 km2. It is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists. Attractions include the mausoleum of sh?gun Tokugawa Ieyasu (Nikk? T?sh?-g?) and that of his grandson Iemitsu (Iemitsu-by? Taiy?-in), and 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 Japanese saying "Never say 'kekk?' until you've seen Nikk?"--kekk? meaning beautiful, magnificent or "I am satisfied"--is a reflection of the beauty and sites in Nikk?.
Video Nikk?, Tochigi
Geography
Nikk? covers a large area (1,449.83 km²) of rural northwestern Tochigi approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture. It is the third-largest city (by area) in Japan, behind Takayama and Hamamatsu.
Both the Watarase River and the Kinugawa River pass through the city. Lake Ch?zenji and the Kegon Falls lie in Nikk?, as does the Nikko Botanical Garden. The city's many mountains and waterfalls have made it an important source of hydroelectric power. The area has also been used for mining copper, aluminum and concrete.
The weather in Nikk? is fairly similar to that of the northern island of Hokkaid?, even though Nikk? is much closer to Tokyo than Hokkaid?. The elevation of Nikk? plays an important role in this fact. It will usually get cooler as one ascends the mountain. The average temperature of Nikk? is around 7 °C (44 °F) with the warmest months reaching only about 22 °C (72 °F) and the coldest reaching down to about -8 °C (17 °F).
Maps Nikk?, Tochigi
Surrounding municipalities
- Tochigi Prefecture
- Utsunomiya
- Kanuma
- Nasushiobara
- Shioya
- Gunma Prefecture
- Numata
- Midori
- Katashina
- Fukushima Prefecture
- Minamiaizu
- Hinoemata
Climate
Nikk? experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with cold, snowy winters and predominantly mild, very wet summers. Nikk? is much cooler than nearby parts of Honshu because it is situated at an altitude of 1298m above sea level.
History
Sh?d? Sh?nin (????) established the temple of Rinn?-ji in 766, followed by the temple of Ch?zen-ji in 784. The village of Nikk? developed around these temples. The shrine of Nikk? T?sh?-g? was completed in 1617 and became a major draw of visitors to the area during the Edo period. It is known as the burial place of the famous Japanese sh?gun Tokugawa Ieyasu. A number of new roads were built during this time to provide easier access to Nikk? from surrounding regions. Nikk? T?sh?-g?, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinn?-ji now form the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikk?.
During the Meiji period, Nikk? developed as a mountain resort, and became particularly popular among foreign visitors to Japan. The Japanese National Railways began service to Nikk? in 1890 with the Nikk? Line, followed by Tobu Railway in 1929 with its Nikk? Line.
Nikk? 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, Nikk? absorbed the old city of Imaichi, the town of Ashio (from Kamitsuga District), the town of Fujihara, and the village of Kuriyama (both from Shioya District), to create what is officially the new and expanded city of Nikk?. The new city hall is located at the former Imaichi City Hall; the former Nikk? City Hall is now known as Nikk? City Hall-Nikk? Satellite Office.
Economy
Nikk? is heavily dependent on tourism to its historical and scenic sites and hot spring resorts. Hydroelectric power production, food processing, and the metals industry remain important components of the economy.
Education
Nikko has 23 primary schools, 15 middle schools and three high schools.
Transportation
Railway
- JR East - T?hoku Main Line (Utsunomiya Line)
- T?bu Nikk? Line
Highway
- T?hoku Expressway - Yaita IC, Yaita-Kita PA
- Japan National Route 4
- Japan National Route 461
Local attractions
- Cedar Avenue of Nikko
- Nikko Botanical Garden
- Shrines and Temples of Nikk? (Nikk? T?sh?-g?, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinn?-ji)
- T?sh?-g?
- The Three wise monkeys ("See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil")
- Rinn?-ji
- Taiy?-in Mausoleum
- Sh?y?-en Garden
- Futarasan Shrine
- Lake Ch?zenji
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura (historical theme park)
- Nikko is well known for its monkeys that walk around the town in the winter looking for food.
- Jizo Bosatsu statues on the Kanman Walk. A little out of the main city, locals often tell visitors to count the statues while walking, and to recount while walking back. The number is often different, fueling a legend amongst locals.
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a place that was formed from the lava from the eruption of Mt. Nantai
Sports
Nikk? is the home city to the Nikk? Ice Bucks in the Asia League Ice Hockey. Nikk? Kirifuri Ice Arena hosted the Women's Ice Hockey World Championships (Division I) in April 2007.
There is also a speed skating oval.
Sister city relations
- Palm Springs, California, United States, sister city since July 30, 1969
- Rapid City, South Dakota, United States, sister city since February 7, 1993
- Tainan, Taiwan, friendship city since January 16, 2009
- Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, since December 19, 1980
Noted people from Nikk?
- Masaru Ibuka - entrepreneur, co-founder of Sony
- Shoma Sato - professional baseball player
- Akio Fukuda - politician
- Tomikazu Fukuda - politician
References
External links
- Media related to Nikk?, Tochigi at Wikimedia Commons
- Nikko travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Official Website (in Japanese)
- Nikko Tourist Association (in Japanese)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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