The SUPER Nikko travel guide: How to get there, Top attractions, Best time to visit & MORE

Only about 2 hours by train from Tokyo, Nikko is the perfect destination for those who want to learn about the nature and traditional culture of Japan. Not only famous for its UNESCO-recognized temple complex, Nikko also possesses beautiful natural scenery with majestic waterfalls and poetic lakes. So, is nikko worth visiting and what to do in nikko? Let’s check out the SUPER nikko travel guide: How to get there, Top attractions, Best time to visit & MORE in this post!

Let’s explore this city in detail with Living Nomads in the article below to plan your upcoming trip!

Nikko travel guide: Where is Nikko?

Nestled among the deep green mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko is considered the “sacred heart” of Japan – a place where the majestic beauty of nature and centuries-old cultural depth blend. Once the center of Buddhism and Shinto, Nikko owns many famous works such as: Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Taiyuin Mausoleum or Futarasan Shrine.

Nikko tourism is not only famous for its cultural heritage but also attracts visitors by its beautiful natural scenery with mountains, lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails. Coming to Nikko, you can admire the white-foam Kegon Falls, watch the calm Chuzenji Lake reflecting the mountains or wander on the Irohazaka road with its brilliant red maple leaves.

Besides, Nikko also attracts visitors by its bustling traditional festivals and rich cuisine with elegant soba noodles or strong sake. Even if you only visit Nikko on a short trip from Tokyo, you will still feel the full beauty of the harmony between history, culture and nature here.

The best time to travel to Nikko

Nikko is one of the rare destinations in Japan that is suitable for traveling in all four seasons of the year, helping you clearly feel the beauty of the land of the rising sun.

Spring (April – early June): Nikko is covered with the freshness of flowers, especially cherry blossoms blooming around the temples and along the Kinugawa stream. If you visit in mid-April, don’t miss the Yayoi festival (April 13 – 17), when colorful flower floats parade through the town, signaling that spring has truly arrived. In addition to cherry blossoms, the Kisuge-daira plateau is also brilliant with azaleas and bright yellow Nikko Kisuge flowers in June.

Summer (July – September): The weather in Nikko is much cooler and more pleasant than in big cities. This is the ideal time for you to kayak on Lake Chuzenji, visit Ryuzu Falls, or immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Ryuo Festival taking place at the end of July.

Autumn (October – early November): This is the best time to travel to Nikko, when red and orange leaves cover the mountains and forests. You can admire the red leaves while walking along Lake Chuzenji, Irohazaka Pass, or Setoaikyo Gorge. If you travel to Nikko in the fall, you also have the opportunity to participate in the vibrant Autumn Festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine (October 16 – 17).

Winter (December – February): At this time, Nikko has a tranquil beauty when covered in a layer of pure white snow. This is the right time to visit the ski resorts in the Okunikko mountains or experience hot spring baths at Yumoto Onsen or Yunishigawa Onsen.

So, you can visit Nikko at any time of the year. If you love the colors of flowers and the festival atmosphere, come to Nikko in spring. If you want to admire the famous beauty of the Japanese red leaf forest, autumn is the perfect time to explore Nikko.

Guide on how to getting to Nikko

To make your journey more convenient and economical, you can refer to the following instructions from Living Nomads:

To start your journey to Nikko from Tokyo, you should buy a plane ticket to Japan and land at Narita or Haneda airport in Tokyo. You can use Klook’s airport shuttle service to move to the city center and rest before continuing your journey to Nikko.

Narita Airport – Tokyo Limousine Bus

From central Tokyo, you can take Tobu or JR trains to Nikko:

From Asakusa Station: Take the Tobu Nikko Line to Tobu-Nikko Station in about 2 hours. If you buy a Tobu Pass, you can travel round trip from Tokyo to Nikko and freely move between attractions in the Nikko and Okunikko areas.

From Shinjuku Station: Take the JR Tobu train to Nikko in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can still get to Nikko by JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station, then transfer to the JR Nikko Line. The one-way travel time is about 100 minutes. Although not the shortest route, this is a cost-effective option for travelers who already have a JR Pass.

JR Pass for Whole Japan

The JR Pass allows unlimited travel on most of the train lines in the Japan Railways system, helping you save significantly on costs when traveling in Japan. In addition, the JR Pass also offers convenience and flexibility, helping travelers board the train quickly without having to buy individual tickets. Book JR Pass tickets on Klook here.

Getting Around Nikko

Nikko Day Tour from Tokyo

Public transport is the most convenient way to get to popular destinations in Nikko. The main bus route runs through the central area, Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen, with route information and departure times clearly displayed on Google Maps.

However, the bus frequency is not too high, averaging about one bus per hour, so you should check the schedule to arrange your time properly and avoid missing the last bus of the day.

NIKKO PASS

In addition, visitors can use the Nikko Pass – an integrated card that allows unlimited travel on buses and ferries in Nikko during the validity period. This is a choice worth considering if you plan to visit many tourist attractions in the area.

What to do and where to go: Top most interesting tourist attractions in Nikko

Nikko is a land that converges the most magnificent cultural heritage and natural scenery in Japan. Here are the top 5 places you should not miss on your independent tour of Nikko:

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a great memorial to Tokugawa Ieyasu – the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the dynasty that ruled Japan for more than 250 years until 1868. Initially, the building was just a simple mausoleum, but was later expanded and restored in the 17th century and became the majestic temple complex it is today.

Toshogu stands out with its sophisticated architecture and lavish decoration, including dozens of buildings located among ancient trees, meticulously carved and gilded with brilliant gold. This is rare in traditional Japanese architecture, which favors simplicity.

Kegon Falls

Nikko Cultural Day Tour from Tokyo

With a height of nearly 100m, Kegon Falls is considered the most famous natural symbol of Nikko and is in the top 3 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, along with Nachi Falls in Wakayama and Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki. This majestic stream is the only outlet of Lake Chuzenji, pouring down from a steep cliff, creating a majestic and poetic scene.

In autumn, the area around the waterfall is covered with brilliant red leaves, while in winter, the waterfall has a unique beauty when it is almost completely frozen, creating a rare and majestic natural picture. Visitors can admire the waterfall from the free observation deck near the walking path, or go to the paid observation deck at the foot of the waterfall to admire the waterfall from a closer distance.

Okunikko Yumoto Onsen

Tucked away on the north shore of Lake Yunoko, Okunikko Yumoto Onsen is one of Nikko’s oldest and most peaceful hot springs. Legend has it that it was discovered by the monk Shodo (who pioneered the Nikko region) over 1,200 years ago. The milky white water, rich in sulfur and silica, not only helps relax the body and improve the skin, but also restores energy after long journeys.

Visitor centers can learn about the nature and trekking routes around the area before starting their exploration. Afterwards, stop by the free Anyo-no-yu foot bath (closed in winter) to feel the soothing heat of the natural mineral spring. With over 20 onsen inns surrounded by tranquil mountains and forests, Okunikko Yumoto is the perfect stop for those who want to combine relaxation and explore the pristine beauty of Nikko National Park.

Lake Chuzenji

Located in the west of Nikko, Lake Chuzenji is the highest natural lake in Japan, surrounded by majestic mountains and lush green forests. Thanks to its ideal location at an ideal altitude, this place becomes a favorite place to avoid the heat in the summer and is the coordinate for viewing the brilliant red leaves every autumn.

Along the east shore of the lake is Chuzenjiko Onsen, where there are restaurants, shops and cozy small hot springs. If you love exercise, you can conquer the 25km long lake trail leading to the top of Mount Nantai and admire the beautiful panoramic view of Lake Chuzenji from above.

Nikko travel guide: Edo Wonderland

If you have ever been curious about Japanese life hundreds of years ago, Edo Wonderland (Nikko Edomura) is the place to take you back in time to fully experience the atmosphere of the Edo period. This theme park vividly recreates the Japanese scene from 1603-1867, with old streets, traditional eateries and ancient theaters.

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Ticket

When coming to Edo Wonderland, visitors can transform into samurai, princesses or ninjas to experience Edo life in the most authentic way. In addition, you can also explore the ninja house, Edo technology museum, maze or traditional street food area. If you want to experience ancient space in Japan, buy Edo Wonderland tickets on Klook today!

Tobu World Square

Located in Kinugawa Onsen, Tobu World Square is a unique theme park that displays more than 100 1/25 scale miniature models of famous buildings around the world such as: Egyptian Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, White House, Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The park is divided into 6 areas according to each continent, taking visitors on a tour through Japan, Asia, Europe, America and ancient Egypt in just a few hours.

In addition to sightseeing, visitors can also stop at the restaurant to enjoy local dishes or visit the souvenir shop to buy gifts for friends and relatives. You can buy tickets to enter the Tobu World Square theme park on Klook to enjoy the best price!

Suggested itinerary for a 2-day-1-night in Nikko

Nikko is a destination that combines historical, cultural and unique natural values. If you plan to travel to Nikko for 2 days and 1 night, you can refer to this itinerary to make the most of your time in this land:

Day 1

• Visit Toshogu Shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu is worshiped with exquisite carvings.
• Visit Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, two sacred places associated with Nikko’s history.
• Stop at Shinkyo Bridge – the symbol of the city.
• Walk around, enjoy Yuba ramen and buy souvenirs near Tobu-Nikko Station.

Day 2

• Go to Lake Chuzenji to admire the stunning beauty of nature.
• Visit Kegon Falls, one of the three most majestic waterfalls in Japan.
• Enjoy a relaxing hot spring at Okunikko Yumoto Onsen before returning to Tokyo.

To make the most of your trip, you should book a Nikko hotel room in advance on Agoda or Klook. If you want to conveniently travel to temples and pagodas in the UNESCO World Heritage complex, the center of Nikko town will be the ideal choice. On the contrary, if you love nature and want to enjoy a peaceful space, you should choose to stay near Lake Chuzenji area.

Where to stay?

Here are some hotels that Living Nomads recommends for your upcoming trip:

• Asaya: a 5-star hotel with room rates from $174/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).
• Honke Bankyu: a 5-star hotel with room rates from $277/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).
• Kinugawa Onsen Hotel: a 4-star hotel with room rates from $126/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).
• Nikko Senhime Monogatari: a 4-star hotel with room rates from $240/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).
• Minshuku Rindou-no-ie: a guesthouse with room rates from $34/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).
• Stay Nikko Guesthouse: a guest house with room rates from $61/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).
• Nikko Kanaya Hotel: a 4-star hotel with room rates from $135/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com).

You can find, check rates, availability & booking for Nikko hotels on Agoda.com.

From ancient temples in the deep forest, majestic Kegon Falls to the fresh air by Lake Chuzenji, Nikko is definitely a must-see tourist destination in Japan.

In addition to the above-mentioned attractions, Nikko still has many attractive experiences waiting for you to explore. To make it easier to plan and fully enjoy the beauty of this place, you can refer to the tours available on Klook:

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to

• Keisei Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket
• Narita Airport – Tokyo Limousine Bus
• Tokyo Subway Ticket
• Tokyo Joypolis Ticket
• Sanrio Puroland Tokyo Ticket
• Roppongi Hills Observation Deck ”Tokyo City View“ Ticket
• Tokyo Tower Observatory Ticket
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Ticket
• teamLab Planets TOKYO Ticket
• teamLab Borderless Tickets: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM
• TOKYO SKYTREE® Ticket
• Tokyo Disney Resort – Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea Park Tickets
• SHIBUYA SKY Ticket

Are you finding more top things to do in Nikko: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Nikko travel blog — The fullest Nikko travel guide blog for a wonderful trip to Nikko, Japan.