The Nikko Suginamiki (?????) is one of Japan’s most extraordinary natural monuments: a 35-kilometre avenue of ancient cedar trees lining the three historic roads that lead to Nikko’s World Heritage shrine complex. The trees were planted around 1625 by the feudal lord Matsudaira Masatsuna as a personal offering to the newly built Tosho-gu Shrine — he could not afford gold or silver, so he gave 400 years of shade. Approximately 7,000 of the original 12,000 trees survive today, standing up to 40 metres tall, their trunks straight and massive. Walking or cycling beneath them, the canopy closes overhead and blocks the sky entirely. The atmosphere is closer to a cathedral than a park. Suginamiki Park is the main accessible section of this avenue, making the cedar walk easy to reach and combine with a shrine visit or a hostel cycling day.

The Cedars: A World Heritage Monument

The Nikko cedar avenue (???, Suginamiki — “cedar-lined road”) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage component in 1999 as part of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” inscription. It is listed separately from the shrine buildings because of its independent significance as a monument: a single act of planting in 1625 that created a living corridor still standing 400 years later.

The original planting covered three roads: the Reiheishi-kaido (the main ceremonial approach to the shrines), the Nikko-kaido, and the Aizu-nishi-kaido. Together these roads carried feudal lords, priests, pilgrims, and eventually tourists from the Edo period onward to the Tosho-gu complex. Walking the cedar avenue today is walking the same approach that generations of visitors have used since the 17th century.

The trees themselves are Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica — Sugi). At 400 years old and up to 40 metres tall, they are among the oldest and largest living specimens of their species. The trunks are massive — often too wide for two people to reach around — with deeply furrowed bark and a distinctive fragrance that fills the air particularly after rain. The canopy closure overhead creates a dimness even on bright days. In mist or early morning fog, the avenue becomes one of the most atmospheric walking environments in Japan.

Getting to Suginamiki Park

By bike from Earth Hostel: The most rewarding approach. The cedar avenue is approximately 15 km from the hostel by road — around 30–40 minutes cycling on flat and gently undulating terrain. The route follows the Daiya River valley north and then the main approach roads toward the shrine area. Earth Hostel has bikes available for hire. Ask the team for the best cycling route to avoid traffic on the busier roads.

On foot from the shrine area: The main Suginamiki section closest to the World Heritage shrines begins near the approach roads around Hanaishimachi. Walking from the Tosho-gu shrine complex toward Nikko Station along the main avenue road, the cedar trees line the route. The section accessible on foot from the shrines takes 15–30 minutes one way depending on which stretch you walk.

By bus or train: From Tobu Nikko or JR Nikko station, the cedar avenue along Route 119 begins essentially from the station area and extends for kilometres toward Imaichi. Walking even 20–30 minutes from either station gives a genuine experience of the avenue.

Walking and Cycling the Avenue

The full 35 km of cedar-lined road is too long to walk in a single outing, but Suginamiki Park provides an accessible, curated section of the avenue. The park section includes a dedicated walking and cycling path separated from the main road — allowing you to move through the cedars without traffic. Benches and rest points appear at intervals.

The experience changes completely with the light. Early morning is the best time: the mist that collects in the Daiya River valley drifts into the lower sections of the cedar corridor, and the low-angled light comes through the trunks in long, parallel shafts. In summer, the canopy provides cool shade that makes cycling along the avenue significantly more comfortable than the open roads. In autumn, the forest floor picks up fallen leaves while the cedars themselves remain dark and unchanging — an interesting contrast to the brilliant colour elsewhere in Nikko.

The fragrance of the cedar after rain is one of the defining sensory experiences of Nikko. If you visit on or just after a rainy day, the smell intensifies dramatically.

Combine With: Cedar Cycling Day from Earth Hostel

The hostel’s location makes a cedar cycling day easy to organise. Earth Hostel has bikes available for hire — see our bikes page for details. A classic cedar cycling route from the hostel:

• Morning: Cycle from Earth Hostel along the Daiya River valley toward Nikko town
• Enter the cedar avenue section on the main approach road
• Cycle north through the cedar corridor to Suginamiki Park
• Continue to the World Heritage shrine area if energy allows
• Return on the same route or via the alternate river road
• Total: approximately 30 km round trip, 3–4 hours cycling at a relaxed pace

The route is manageable for casual cyclists. Ask the hostel team for the recommended roads that avoid the heaviest traffic.

Best Season

Frequently Asked Questions

Who planted the Nikko cedar avenue?
The avenue was planted in 1625 by Matsudaira Masatsuna, a feudal lord who wished to honour the newly built Tosho-gu Shrine but could not afford a lavish monetary gift. He planted approximately 12,000 cedar trees along three roads approaching the shrine. Around 7,000 survive today, now 400 years old.

Is the Nikko cedar avenue UNESCO World Heritage listed?
Yes — the Suginamiki cedar avenue is a designated component of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1999. It is listed separately from the shrine buildings because of its independent cultural and natural significance.

How long is the cedar avenue?
The total length across all three historic roads is approximately 35 km, making it one of the longest tree-lined avenues in the world. Suginamiki Park provides an accessible, shorter section for visitors without a full day for the entire route.

Can I cycle the cedar avenue from Earth Hostel?
Yes — the cedar avenue is approximately 15 km from the hostel by bike, around 30–40 minutes cycling. Earth Hostel has bikes available for hire. Ask the team for the best route. See our bikes page for current availability and hire rates.

Is there an entry fee for Suginamiki Park?
No — walking and cycling through the cedar avenue is free. The park section with dedicated paths is also free to use.

Walk or Cycle the Cedars from Earth Hostel

The cedar avenue is one of the best reasons to hire a bike from Earth Hostel. The corridor is extraordinary in any light, in any season, at any speed — but cycling through it at a comfortable pace, with the fragrance of 400-year-old cedar overhead and the road disappearing between the trunks ahead, is one of the defining Nikko experiences. It is also almost completely uncovered by standard tourist guides, which focus on the shrine buildings and miss the living monument that surrounds the approach roads. See all hiking trails in Nikko ›

Last updated: April 2026. The cedar avenue is accessible year-round. Some road sections share the main Route 119 with vehicle traffic — Suginamiki Park’s dedicated path avoids this. Ask at the hostel for the safest cycling route.