The Oyama-zakura cherry blossoms around the shore of Lake Chuzenji bloom before the arrival of the spring greenery. The lake is at a high altitude so these are the latest-blooming cherry blossoms on mainland Japan. No matter how many times one sees Lake Chuzenji colored pink by the cherry blossoms with majestic Mount Nantai as a backdrop the scene is very moving.
Why don’t you get an English map and enjoy the natural wonders of this area to the full!!

Date: May 8th, 2010 (Sat)
Application Time : 9:30–12:30
Reception Area: Nikko Natural Science Museum (approx. 45 minutes by route bus from JR Nikko/Tobu Nikko Station)
Walking Time: Approx. 2 hours (excluding tours of establishments)
Walking Distance: Approx. 7km
Tour Fee: Free of Charge (However, some establishments charge an admission fee. In this case, please purchase an admission ticket on arrival at the establishment. ）
Lunch: Feel free to bring your own lunch.
Guide: This is not a guided tour. You can walk around there freely with a prepared map.

*All hikers will receive a present of a hiking map and a metal badge!

For more detail, check
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/hiking_nikko/(English)
http://www.jreast.co.jp/kr/hiking_nikko/ (Korean)
http://www.jreast.co.jp/tc/hiking_nikko/ (Traditional Chinese)
http://www.jreast.co.jp/sc/hiking_nikko/ (Simplified Chinese)

The Nikko walking event took place in Nikko on April 4th.
You can see many interviews of foreign participants. Please check the news for your reference.
http://www.att-japan.net/wordpress+index.p+104.htm

4月14日（水）撮影、造幣局通り抜けの様子です。
多くの人が八重桜を楽しんでいました。まだつぼみもたくさん。今日、明日あたりが見ごろでしょうか。

The scene of cherry blossoms in Japan Mint, Osaka. (Photo taken on April 14th)
Many people were enjoying the yaezakura cherry blossoms.
Although the trees still had many buds, they will be at their best today or tomorrow.

造幣局桜の通り抜け　詳細：http://www.mint.go.jp/sakura/torinuke/info.html
Information on this event: http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/topics/new/page26.html

去る4月4日(日）に行われた「駅からハイキング」日光散策イベント（企画：JR東日本）の様子をご紹介します。
Here is a short report of “Eki-kara Hiking” Nikko walking event (produced by JR East) held on Sunday, April 4th.

「世界遺産登録10周年　世界に誇る日光散策」
“The Tenth World Cultural Heritage Registration Anniversary Hiking in the World Famous Nikko”

まずは各自日光駅へ向かいます。東京からは新幹線で宇都宮へ。
Participants head for Nikko by themselves. From Tokyo, take Shinkansen to Utsunomiya first.

宇都宮駅からは日光線に乗り換えです。車両や標識が「日光線仕様」で、早くも期待が高まります。
Change to Nikko Line train at Utsunomiya Station. The cars and signboards are designed in “Nikko Line original style,” that excites me a lot!
　

日光駅へ到着。駅では地元の子供たちによる日光の歴史・文化講座が催されていました。
Arrived at Nikko Station. At the station, Nikko’s history and culture lessons were presented by local kids.

イベントの受付は、駅舎外のテントで行いました。参加者にはコースマップと共に、スペシャルギフトのプレゼントも！
Receptionist desk was set in a tent erected outside the station. Participants received some special gifts as well as a walking course map.

日本人の参加者に加え、外国からの旅行者も多く見られました。ちょっとインタビューしてみましょう。
We could see many travelers from foreign countries, as well as Japanese participants. Let’s interview some of them!

Bakhtiar (from Singapore), with a Japanese friend of his
休暇で来日。ネットサーフィン中にこのイベントについて知り、申し込んだとのこと。日光は綺麗と聞いているので楽しみ。
Coming to Japan during his vacation. He applied to this event in advance when doing web surfing and coming across the announcing page. He heard Nikko is a beautiful place, and is looking forward to get around.

Oscar and Ana (from Spain)
日本には1週間滞在予定。イベントについては、宇都宮で告知を見て知ったとのこと。
Going to stay in Japan for a week. They got to know about the event by seeing the leaflet at Utsunomiya Station.

Anke Ligtvoet (from Holland)
関西から入り、1人で日本を旅している。コース等は、オランダの旅行代理店がアレンジしてくれ、その中にこのイベントも含まれていたとのこと。日本には24日間滞在予定。日光は景色が素晴しく、静かと聞いている。
After entrying into Japan through Kansai Airport, she is traveling alone. Traven agency in Holland arranged the course for her, which included this event. She heard Nikko is a quiet place, and the scenery is excellent.

Bhups and Chetna Patel (from England)
日光は友人に勧められた。世界遺産に登録されている寺社を見たい、とのこと。
A friend of them recommended to visit Nikko. They want to see the temples and shrines, which are registered as World Heritage Sites.

Raphael and Coralie (from Switzerland)
10日間の日本滞在。東京都内に滞在し、浅草や築地など都心は回ったが、東京から出たのは日光が初めて。
Staying in Japan for 10 days. This is their first visit outside Tokyo, although they have already go around Tokyo area such as Asakusa and Tsukiji.

＝＝＝＝

ウォーキングコースは約11km、歩いて約3時間ほどの行程でした。

街なかを歩きます。途中、目印になる標識が設置されていました。
Walking around the town. There were route signs to follow in places.

神橋 Shinkyo Bridge

本宮神社。駅で子供たちが説明してくれていました。
Hongu Shrine. Kids in Nikko Station gave some presentations on it.

東照宮は参詣客で大賑わい。有名な3サルにも会えました！
Toshogu Shrine is crowded with visitors and worshippers. I could finally see the famous three monkeys!

こちらは輪王寺。僧侶の方が中を案内してくれました。
Rinno-ji Temple. A monk gave visitors a guide inside the building.

商店街の途中には、観光案内所もありました。
There was a tourist information center on a shopping street.

美味しい空気と鮮やかな景色を楽しみながらの散策は、あっという間でした。また参加してみたいですね！
Breathing good air and enjoying great scenery, the Nikko walking went by so fast. I really want to join a event again!

For more traveling information on Nikko, check the Nikko page of att.Travel.

Why not take part in a walking tour around the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” designated as World Heritage site in 1999? Here, you can see many national treasures and important cultural properties contained within the “two Shinto shrines and one Buddhist temple.” Set out on a stroll around the World Heritage sites with your English map!

Date: April 4th, 2010 (Sun)
Application Time : 9:30~11:30
Apply to: JR Nikko Station
Walking Time: Approx. 3 hours (excluding tours of establishments)
Walking Distance: Approx. 11km
Tour Fee: Free of Charge (However, some establishments charge an admission fee. In this case, please purchase an admission ticket on arrival at the establishment. ）
Lunch: Feel free to bring your own lunch.
Guide: This is not a guided tour. You can walk around there freely with a prepared map.

For more detail, check http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/ekihai_nikko/index.html