Whether escaping the torrid summer or seeking the fantastic colors of autumn foliage, Nikko is an extraordinary destination. In fact, Nikko is one of Japan's most remarkable destinations, known for its rich red, orange, and yellow autumn leaves. A little online research quickly revealed that The Ritz Carlton Nikko is easily one of the top hotel options in the entire region. We were overdue for a break and were lucky to secure one of the last available rooms!

We were more than ready for a break, and since it was our first visit, we wanted to ensure that we explored properly for our readers! This adventure is our first in the Tochigi Prefecture, and we loved it so much that we're already targeting next summer for a return visit. Escaping Tokyo's humid July and August months and spending time on a lake in the mountains is already inspiring. Nikko is less than three hours from Central Tokyo by public transportation, so it's even possible to visit again for a day trip as it only costs about 6000 yen for transit!

The Ritz-Carlton Nikko Experience

2482 Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661 Japan

The Ritz Carlton Nikko is located roughly forty minutes away by bus. It's close, though, and incredibly convenient. It’s ideally situated outside of the central area. Nikko has several temples and shrines that are over four hundred years old. The Chuzenji Temple, just down the road from The Ritz-Carlton, dates back to 784 AD! So, needless to say, the region is full of history and things to see and do. Having The Ritz as our home base for the exploration was perfect!

The Ritz-Carlton easily has one of the best customer service experiences I've ever encountered. On our visit, we learned that they operate by a credo, which made us see and appreciate it much more. Their credo states, "The Ritz-Carlton is a place where the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest mission. We pledge to provide the finest personal service and facilities for our guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, yet refined ambiance. The Ritz-Carlton experience enlivens the senses, instills well-being, and fulfills even the unexpressed wishes and needs of our guests."

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The restaurant diversity at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko is unparalleled, offering the best dining experiences in the area. They offer The Bar plus The Japanese Restaurant with exclusive sections for Sushi, Kaiseki, and Teppanyaki.

Our first stop, The Bar. When you think of classic cocktails, the old "standbys" usually come to mind – Manhattan, Cosmo, Martini. The Ritz-Carlton signature collection puts a spin on their cocktails, making you want to change your standbys into something fresher. Taking on the local environment, scenery, and agriculture, cocktails such as the "Nature's Skin," "Kegon Falls," and "Rain and Moss Gin Fizz" will engage your taste buds and delight your senses. We love how you can find the best of Tochigi Prefecture in each drink. We could taste the best strawberries in Japan and explore a variety of shochu, from potatoes, barley, rice, and various mixes of herbs and herbal teas. These cocktails were so delicious we couldn't pick our favorite. Each one seemed to call for a different scene – a hot summer day on the porch, a fall evening by the fire, or after-dinner sipping. And suppose alcohol isn't your thing or your liver needs a break. The non-alcoholic collection is just as tasty – try the "Sober Monkey" for a banana and soymilk blend, the "Coffee Shrine," which is patronage to coffee with a twist of grapefruit (intriguing, right?), or our favorite, "Lemon Milk?" which includes clarified milk and tastes incredibly fresh.

After a few drinks, we had a few favorites from the bar menu, the open-faced Salmon Sandwich, the Wagyu Beef Burger, and the Field Greens Salad. The locally raised salmon feast on grape mash from wine production, making the salmon's color and flavor more intense and delicious. The food at The Bar was a teaser for things to come. Our day two selection was Kaiseki, the traditional multi-course Japanese dining style. The eight-course menu was excellent, with notable courses such as the Ancient Rice with Tochigi Eel, Wagyu Beef, and a delicious assortment of Sashimi.

The Sushi Dinner and Teppanyaki Dinner elevated the menu even further. I'm a sucker for watching artists at work and building their creations. The knifework and skill make the dishes look effortless, but it's only because of the seamless moves, transitions, and phenomenal talent. Our Sushi course was lovely, with a menu of fresh sushi paired with a local Saki. We saved the Teppanyaki for last for the more intimate setting. It was indeed an incredible experience.

What To Do…

I've found many Japanese luxury hotels to follow a similar pattern to many we loved when traveling through Europe. They focus not only on great rooms and dining options within their walls but also on "Experiences" to better acquaint you with the region or city. This was also the case at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko. We started our first day with Morning Zazen Meditation. We often meditate at home with the Headspace app, but nothing beats a meditation session with a local monk from a nearby temple in a zen atmosphere breathing in the cool, fresh mountain air. Rested, recentered, and refocused – an excellent start to any day. Another highly recommended experience is the OkuNikko History Ride. We rode e-bikes to the Chuzenji Temple and walked by the lake to and through the Italian Embassy. More are available that we'll be sure to explore on a summer trip!

What to do after that? I recommend the Afternoon Tea! Japanese take pride in their work. This is why even the simple things in Japan are done with care and perfection. Apply that mentality to afternoon tea, and you'll see some of the most beautiful and artistic treats. Our favorite savory small bites included the mushroom quiche (Japanese mushrooms are simply the best), the wagyu beef sandwich, and the sweet potato and chorizo wonton—all local products from local farms. But the literal icing on the cake was the maple pudding with fresh chestnut cream and Tochigi strawberry tartlets. Everything tastes as delicious as it looks. We aren't tea experts, which is why it was an excellent opportunity to sample new types of tea.

Off the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton, you must walk by beautiful Lake Chuzenji and check out nearby Kegan falls, just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. This beautiful waterfall is 100 meters tall and has a breathtaking view. There's an upper and lower viewing area for two very different views.

Another must-do when visiting is to take the bus to Nikko city. There are many historic sites, including Shinkyo Bridge, Rion-no-ji Treasure House, Nikko Tōshō-gū, Futarasan Jinja, Nikko Botanical Gardens, and more. You can easily spend hours exploring this area, so I recommend setting aside a day to explore casually.

*This website, content, text, and images are all the work of Cocktails and Carry-Ons® unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced or copied in any form. All rights reserved.