I visited this on a day trip in November 2023.

Easy to access from Tokyo using the JR Pass (just one change), it was well worth the visit.

Nikko has that mystical, Tolkien element to it, coated in moss, and magical on a misty day.

A day was just about enough to see the main shrines, but I wish I'd stayed longer to do some of the walks and see the waterfalls around.

Toshugu Shrine was the most iconic place, especially the walk up to the main shrine, and also the five-storied pagoda at the front.

The most unexpected was the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, with its rows of stone Jiva, in their little red hats.

Definitely up there with one of the best UNESCO sites I've visited.