Experience Japanese Craft & Connect with Locals. mekke Nikko Kyodo Center

About a 2-hour ride by limited express train from Tokyo lies Nikko, known as one of Japan’s premier international tourist destinations.
This area is rich in Japanese history and culture, highlighted by the World Heritage site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko.”

Today, we’d like to introduce “mekke Nikko Kyodo Center,” a highly recommended base for exploring the area. It’s a hands-on tourist information center where you can experience traditional culture and the region’s charm firsthand.
Located along Nikko’s main street, it’s easily accessible. Why not stop by and discover the charms of Nikko for yourself?

About the mekke Nikko Kyodo Center

Located about a 15-minute walk from Tobu Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station—the gateways to Nikko—the “mekke Nikko Kyodo Center” is situated along Nikko Kaido, Nikko’s main street.

More than just a tourist information center, it serves as a hub for tourism, hands-on experiences, and cultural exchange, where visitors can engage their five senses to learn about Nikko’s culture and connect with local people and history. It is a popular destination for tourists from both Japan and abroad.

The facility’s name, “mekke,” means “to find” in the Tochigi dialect.
True to its name, inside the facility you can discover the unique charms of Nikko through tourist information, Nikko woodcarving workshops, bike rentals, and souvenir shopping. Everything from the activity guides to staff assistance is available in English, so international visitors can enjoy their visit with peace of mind.

Additionally, since it’s located on the way from the station to the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” it’s recommended not only as a starting point for your trip but also as a spot to stop by during your stroll.

A Craft Experience Where You Can “Feel” the Nikko

One of the highlights of the mekke Nikko Kyodo Center is the opportunity to try your hand at crafts. Here are two popular hands-on activities that let you experience Nikko’s history and culture. You can participate when you stop by the center, or you can make a reservation in advance.

Nikko-bori Carving

The origins of “Nikko-bori,” a traditional craft representative of Tochigi Prefecture, are said to lie at Nikko Toshogu Shrine—one of the sites comprising the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” and a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate.

When the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, rebuilt the shrine, master craftsmen gathered from across the country created lavish and magnificent decorative carvings. The application of these techniques to everyday items is considered the beginning of “Nikko-bori.”

The most distinctive feature of Nikko-bori is the use of a special carving tool called a “hikkaki-to” (scratching knife). Unlike standard carving knives, which are used by pushing, this tool is drawn toward the carver, allowing for the creation of delicate lines and beautiful curves—a technique that is the art’s greatest appeal.

In the Nikko-bori Carving Experience, you’ll use a “Hikkaki-to” to carve your own original design onto a wooden item for everyday use. Choose a base from three options—a hand mirror, a nameplate, or a photo frame—and select your favorite design from motifs associated with Nikko, such as the Sleeping Cat, the Three Monkeys, or a dragon. You can also design and carve your own original motif.

The session takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. This experience is recommended for those who want to fully immerse themselves in Nikko’s traditional crafts.
Please note that capacity is limited and dates are restricted, so we recommend making a reservation online in advance to ensure your spot.

Click here to make a reservation

Deerskin Crafts Workshop

Craft workshops using deer leather and antlers from Nikko are also popular.
Deer leather from Nikko is known as a top-quality material—sometimes called the “cashmere of the leather world”—due to its supple and soft texture.

You can choose from a variety of hands-on workshops based on your needs and available time.
・“Deer Leather Name Engraving Workshop”: Engrave your name or a design onto a keychain (Duration: approx. 30 minutes)
・“Deer Leather Strap-Making Workshop”: Create a strap using deer leather and antlers (Duration: approx. 30 minutes)
・“Deer Leather Jewelry-Making Workshop”: Create earrings or studs using deer leather (Duration: approx. 30–60 minutes)

Since these activities are quick and easy to enjoy, they’re highly recommended for those with limited time or families with young children.

Click here to make a reservation

“Exploring” by Rental Bicycle

mekke offers rentals of electric-assist bicycles that allow you to get around comfortably even in the hilly Nikko area. You can explore the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”—including Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple—or extend your ride a bit further to the Kinugawa Onsen area.

During the tourist season, these bikes are a popular way to get around freely while avoiding traffic jams. Unlike cars, they’re highly maneuverable, allowing you to discover your own favorite spots while reducing CO2 emissions.

We recommend them for anyone who wants to explore at their own pace while taking in Nikko’s lush natural scenery. For your peace of mind, all bikes come with insurance that meets safety standards, and we also provide free helmet rentals. Since the number of bikes is limited, we recommend making a reservation online in advance.

Click here to make a reservation

A Marche That “Connects” the Community

The mekke Nikko Kyodo Center hosts a Marche (four times a year) and events featuring local vendors.
Fresh vegetables, fruits, and processed foods from Nikko and other parts of Tochigi Prefecture are gathered here. With vendors selling miscellaneous goods, workshops, and food trucks offering gourmet cuisine, these events are sure to delight tourists as well.
This is a valuable opportunity to interact directly with local residents, so be sure to check the official social media accounts for event announcements and join in the fun. *Information is updated in Japanese.

Official Facebook: mekke nikko
Official Instagram: @mekke_nikko

Recommended Souvenirs

Another highlight of the mekke Nikko Kyodo Center is the ability to purchase Nikko souvenirs at the counter on the first floor. Here are three popular items selected by our local staff from their curated collection of fine products.

Nikko Yuba Chips

“Nikko Yuba Chips” is an original product developed in collaboration with a long-established yuba shop. Nikko is famous as a yuba-producing region, where you can enjoy a variety of gourmet treats, including fresh yuba, yuba croquettes, and manju.
These yuba chips were developed so that visitors could take yuba home with them as a souvenir.

The flavors—inspired by famous sights in Nikko—include Mount Nantai Aonori, Kegon Curry, and Kinugawa Mala. With just one bite, the flavor of yuba blends exquisitely with each unique taste.
These compact, long-lasting snacks make the perfect souvenir from Nikko.

Nikko Deer Leather Crafts Items

We sell handmade deer leather crafts from Nikko, including monkey keychains, pen holders, and earrings. The soft, smooth texture unique to deer leather is what makes these items so appealing. Why not take one home as a special souvenir that captures the essence of Nikko’s natural beauty?

Nikko Tenugui

Original-design tenugui from “Tenugui Furoshiki Karakusa,” a tenugui shop in Nikko.
The collection features patterns inspired by Nikko’s famous landmarks and architecture (in navy and pink), as well as an orange ice hockey design inspired by the city’s professional team.
These items are perfect for everyday use as handkerchiefs or sweat towels, and you can also enjoy them in traditional Japanese ways, such as displaying them as tapestries.

Discover the Charms of Nikko at the mekke Nikko Kyodo Center

Nikko is a city where the beautiful streetscapes of a World Heritage Site coexist with a rich history and culture.
At the “mekke Nikko Kyodo Center,” you can experience the city’s charm firsthand through hands-on activities such as Nikko woodcarving and deer leather crafts.
You can take home the items you create as souvenirs—special mementos that let you relive your travel memories in your daily life. These experiences will eventually inspire you to think, “I want to visit again” or “I want to share this with someone.”

The mekke Nikko Kyodo Center is a place that connects local residents with tourists while sharing the charm of Nikko with the world.
Even if you just drop by on a whim, you’re sure to make new discoveries.
Please come visit and discover your very own “favorite Nikko.”

Facility Details

Address: 591 Miyuki-cho, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1404

Access: About a 12-minute walk from Tobu Nikko Station; about a 16-minute walk from JR Nikko Station
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Open year-round)
TEL & FAX: 0288-25-5715
Operating Company (Designated Manager): Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
Official Website: https://www.mekke-nikko.com/

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