Nikko Cryptomeria Avenue

Imaichi is located 75 miles from Tokyo in the center of scenic Tochigi Prefecture. Founded in 1954 the city has a rich history that dates all the way back to the time of the shoguns. In the late 16th century, the city was a thriving marketplace that serviced all the villages in the area. In fact the literal translation of Imaichi, "present marketplace," is a tribute to that heritage. Today, with a population over 60 thousand, is still the center of activity for the region.

Imaichi is the gateway to Nikko, site of the Toshogu Shrine, Japan's most famous historical landmark. Built 1636 the shrine honors the first shogun of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu. This great leader was the first man to unify Japan after centuries of civil war when warlords divided the country. The shrine is renowned world wide for the way the man made splendor of the shrine fits in so harmoniously with the surrounding Nikko National Park. It's no wonder that people say you've never seen Japan until you've seen Nikko.

But the shrine isn't the only thing that sets the park off from Japan's many other natural wonders. Crytomeria Avenue, or the Avenue of Cedar Trees, is the real wonder of the park. The trees along the old Nikko road were planted in conjunction with the building of the Toshogu Shrine as a tribute to the Tokugawa Shogunate. The 200 thousand Japanese Cedars took twenty years to plant ending in 1648. Close to 14,000 of year old trees still stand, towering over the road at an average height of 88 feet. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's longest avenue the trees stretch from Nikko for over twenty miles through downtown Imaichi.

West of Nikko is the town of Umagaeshi. From there runs the Iroha-zaka roadway. There are 48 curves, 20 for uphill traffic and 28 for downhill. Since there are 48 syllables in the Japanese alphabet, hiragana, each curve is numbered with its own syllable. In fact the road got its name from the classic Buddhist poem "Iroha" which served as the Japanese ABCs until after World War Two. The road ends at Lake Chuzenji, one of the largest in Nikko National Park. Surrounding the lake are pristine nature trails with exquisite views of waterfalls and, in the fall, the changing leaves.

The waters from the lake turn into Kegon Waterfall and drop 330 feet down a sheer cliff where the Daiya River forms. Stretched across the river is the beautiful red lacquered Shinkyo, or sacred, bridge. Japanese legend says that when a priest named Shodo Shonin came to the Nikko area in the late 8th century, he and his disciples were blocked by the powerful waters of this river. Shodo Shonin prayed for assistance and the god Jinja Daiyo answered by creating a bridge out of two snakes allowing safe passage for the group. The bridge was built on that site in honor of Jinja Daio. Shodo Shonin went on to establish Nikko as a religious center for the region.

Imaichi also has its share of sites. Western Village is a theme park in the region dedicated to America~s old west. The highlight of the park is a three story convention hall inside a 75 foot replica of Mt. Rushmore. Other parks are the Tobu World Square, with its replicas of the Pyramids, Eiffel Tower and 100 other world monuments, and Nikko's Edo Village, a park that recreates life during Japan's Edo period (1600-1867) complete with samurai and ninjas.

Imaichi does have a lot to offer within the city limits. There is the Imaichi Folklore Museum for those interested in the history of the Cedar Road as well as various shrines, such as the Takino Shrine, established by Shodo Shonin, and dedicated to the gods that protect the city. For fun there are several golf courses and tennis courts and as well as parades and festivals year round, like the annual marathon down the Avenue of Cedars.

Since it is the gateway to Nikko National Park, Imaichi has a certain image to uphold and a duty to the tourists, foreign and Japanese, that visit the area. To accomplish this, the city has a adopted a slogan: "Imaichi, the oasis city" as well as a three fold system of Water & Greenery, Community, and Communication designed help humans and nature coexist. The three phases call for the establishment of a peaceful society with an abundance of nature, a society open to each of its residents, and a municipal government that promotes citizen involvement.

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