Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture is one of the leading tourist destinations in Japan, located about two hours north of Tokyo by train. The area attracts visitors from around the world who are interested in Japanese history, nature, and hot spring culture. In addition to historical spots such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are leisure facilities where you can experience the Edo period, spots tied to Japanese mythology, waterfalls, mountain lakes, and local food made with Nikko's clean mountain water.
Spring is a particularly good time to visit. Cherry blossoms in central Nikko typically bloom in mid to late April — later than Tokyo due to the higher elevation — and the Nikko Toshogu Grand Spring Festival (May 17-18) features horseback archery and a samurai procession. Here are some of the recommended sightseeing spots in Nikko City.
How to Get to Nikko from Tokyo
The most common route is by Tobu Railway from Asakusa Station in Tokyo. The limited express "Spacia X" takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach Tobu Nikko Station. JR trains are also an option — take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then transfer to the JR Nikko Line (about 45 minutes from Utsunomiya to JR Nikko Station).
From Tobu Nikko Station, local buses run to the World Heritage shrine and temple area (about 10 minutes), and further up to Lake Chuzenji and Oku-Nikko (about 45 minutes). If you plan to ride the bus multiple times, the "NIKKO PASS" by Tobu is a convenient option that covers both train and bus fares at a discounted rate.
A day trip from Tokyo is doable if you focus on the shrine area, but staying overnight — especially in Kinugawa Onsen or Oku-Nikko — gives you more time for the lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs.
9 Classic Sightseeing Spots in Nikko City
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a historic shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, in 1617. Most of the current shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1636, 20 years after the shrine was established. The 55 buildings, including the Yomeimon Gate, a national treasure, were registered as a World Heritage Site in 1999.
The pillars of the buildings are decorated with numerous carvings, which are not mere designs, but are said to represent forms of belief, learning, and thought. There are many famous attractions within the temple grounds, such as the Five-storied Pagoda (Goju-no-To) and the three wise monkeys of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil".
Admission to the main shrine grounds costs 1,600 yen for adults and 550 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students). The shrine is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in spring and summer (April to October) and until 4:00 PM from November to March.
Shinkyo Bridge
Shinkyo Bridge is an iconic red-lacquered bridge spanning the Daiya River at the entrance to the Nikko sacred area. It is one of the three finest bridges in Japan and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, the priest Shodo Shonin crossed the river here with the help of two serpents during his journey to open Mt. Nantai in 766.
You can cross the bridge for a small fee (300 yen for adults), or simply admire it from the roadside. The bridge is especially photogenic in autumn when the surrounding trees turn red and gold, and in spring when cherry blossoms frame the scene.
Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple
In addition to the Main Hall (Sanbutsu Hall), Taiyu-in Temple, Chuzenji Temple, Jogyodo, Daigomado, Treasure Hall, and other halls, there are 15 branch temples. The entire complex is collectively referred to as "Rinno-ji Temple".
Rinno-ji Temple has two main precincts: Sannai, about 630 meters above sea level, and Oku-Nikko, about 1,300 meters above sea level, up Iroha-zaka Road.
The Main Hall (Sanbutsu Hall) is an Important Cultural Property, and the Taiyu-in Temple is a National Treasure.
Nikko Futarasan Shrine
Nikko Futarasan Shrine is located between Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple. Mt. Nantai, a sacred mountain at 2,486 meters above sea level, is the deity of this ancient shrine, which was the origin of the Nikko Mountain belief. The main deity is Omunachi (Okuninushi) no Mikoto, the god of blessings and matchmaking, and the shrine is now popular for its matchmaking benefits.
Kegon Falls
Kegon Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Nikko area, where the waters of Lake Chuzenji plunge down a 97-meter-high cliff. It is one of Japan's three great waterfalls, alongside Nachi Falls in Wakayama and Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki.
From the viewing platform, which can be reached by a paid elevator (570 yen for adults), visitors can see the waterfall up close. The view from below, with mist rising from the base, is particularly impressive in spring and early summer when snowmelt increases the water volume.
Lake Chuzenji
Lake Chuzenji sits at about 1,269 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest-altitude lakes in Japan. It was formed roughly 20,000 years ago when an eruption of Mt. Nantai blocked the flow of a river. The lake is reached by driving or taking a bus up Iroha-zaka, a winding road with 48 sharp curves that has become a sightseeing attraction in itself.
In warmer months you can take a sightseeing boat cruise across the lake, and the lakeside is especially popular in October when the surrounding mountains blaze with autumn color. The area also has restaurants and cafes with lake views, making it a good place to stop for lunch during a day trip to Oku-Nikko.
Yunishigawa Onsen
Yunishigawa Onsen is a hot spring with a long history, where people who escaped defeat in the Battle of Dannoura are said to have healed their wounds. Along the valley of Yunishigawa, from which the name of the hot spring area comes from, there are rows of inns and private homes. In addition to enjoying the hot springs, visitors can enjoy the local cuisine of the four seasons, including river fish and food from mountain, wild birds, deers, bears, and salamander delicacies.
From late January to late February, the "Kamakura Snow House Festival" is held on Fridays to Sundays only. Visitors can enjoy sledding and playing in the snow, and hot meals and beverages are sold at the store. The candle-lit night is especially magical.
EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura
EDO WONDERLAND Nikko Edomura is a theme park themed on the Edo period. Passing through the checkpoint, visitors will see streets that are full of the atmosphere of an old post town and a merchant district. People in chonmage (traditional Japanese hair style) walk around the park, creating the feel of stepping back in time.
You can try Ninja training and Japanese archery, or dress up as an Edo-period character by choosing from more than 20 different costume options. Admission is 5,800 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children (ages 6-12, free for age 5 and under). The park is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (March 20 to November 30) and from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (December 1 to March 19). It is closed on Wednesdays during certain periods — check their website before visiting.
Tobu World Square
Tobu World Square is a world architecture museum that recreates famous buildings and world heritage sites on a 1/25th scale. From the Tokyo Skytree in Japan and the Parthenon in Greece to the Statue of Liberty in the United States, visitors can enjoy the feeling of having traveled around the world in a single day.
The park is also home to 140,000 tiny inhabitants who are 7 cm tall. There are many playful details, like a Marilyn Monroe-like mannequin in a building display window, a "Roman Holiday" scene near the Colosseum, and a Sherlock Holmes-like detective outside a British building. Look closely — finding them is part of the fun.
The park has many photo spots, with signs pointing you toward the best angles. Admission is 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 yen for children.
2 Hot Spring Towns in the Nikko Area
Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa Onsen was discovered in the Edo period (1603-1868), and at that time, only Buddhist monks and feudal lords on pilgrimages to Nikko were allowed to use the onsen. Since it was opened to the public in the Meiji period (1868-1912), it has attracted many tourists and developed into one of the largest hot spring resorts in the Kanto region, with many inns and hotels along the Kinugawa River valley. The water is simple alkaline hot spring that is effective in relieving neuralgia and fatigue and improving health, and is soft and gentle on the skin.
From the hot spring resort area across the Kinugawa River valley, there are many hot spring inns with rooms overlooking the canyon and an abundance of hot spring water. Nearby leisure spots like Nikko Edomura and Tobu World Square make Kinugawa a popular base for families.
If you're staying in the Kinugawa area, the bar hopping night tour is a fun way to explore local izakaya and sake spots after dark:
Okunikko Yumoto Onsen
Okunikko Yumoto Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort surrounded by forests and lakes. The spring water temperature ranges from 49.3 to 78.9 degrees Celsius, and its quality is soft, neutral to slightly acidic. It is said to be the fourth most concentrated sulfur hot spring in Japan, and well known for its milky white water that is gentle on the skin. While the water's source has an emerald green color, it transforms to milky white upon contact with the air above ground.
The hot spring temple, the branch temple of Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple, is also a popular spot for its hot spring water, which anyone can bathe in.
Yumoto Onsen can be enjoyed in all four seasons, but winter is especially recommended for its snow-viewing open-air baths, where visitors can soak while gazing at the snowy landscape. In summer, nearby Senjogahara and Yudaki Falls are within easy reach.
5 Leisure Spots to Play in Nikko City
Trick Art Pia Nikko
Trick Art Pia Nikko is a trick art theme park. It is an art museum where visitors can see, touch, and take pictures, and there are various tricks inside the museum. Visitors can enjoy mysterious artworks that use the optical illusion of the human eye to depict two-dimensional objects in three-dimensional forms.
Not only can you look at them, but you can also take funny photos with the artworks, so both children and adults can enjoy it together.
Kotoku Farm
Located in Nikko National Park, Kotoku Farm is known for its wide-open highland pastures with a view of Mt. Nantai. Visitors can taste fresh milk and ice cream during the grazing season (typically late April through late November). There is also "Kotoku Swamp" nearby, a clear stream area where you can spot plants and creatures that only thrive in clean water.
Nearby is Kotoku Onsen, a small hot spring with just one inn, where you can relax after a day of hiking.
Nikko Strawberry Park
Tochigi Prefecture has been the largest producer of strawberries in Japan for more than half a century, and Nikko Strawberry Park offers an all-you-can-eat strawberry picking experience for 30 minutes. You can try major Tochigi varieties such as "Tochiotome," "Benihoppe," and "Sky berry," as well as the newer "Tochiaika".
The season runs from early December to late May, but can vary depending on the climate and growth conditions each year. Prices change by period, so check the official website before visiting.
Strawberry jam, strawberry gelato, and strawberry soda are also available at the on-site shop.
Kirifuri Highland
Kirifuri Highland is a highland area spreading out on the slopes of Mt. Akanagi at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters. The area has restaurants, lodging, and leisure facilities suitable for couples and families. In late June and early July, clusters of yellow Nikko Kisuge (day lilies) bloom across the meadows — it is one of the area's signature sights.
At "Nikko Kirifuri Kogen Chirorin Village," visitors can enjoy shaved ice made from natural Nikko ice with handmade syrups of local Tochiotome strawberries and blueberries. Archery and minigolf are also available on the grounds.
Fish and Forest Observation Garden
Fish and Forest Observation Garden is a public facility of the Fisheries Research and Education Organization located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji. Part of the grounds is open to visitors, and you can learn about salmon and trout that live in rivers, lakes, and marshes across Japan.
In the park, visitors can observe Itou (Japanese huchen), a rare freshwater fish, as well as lake trout that are only found in Lake Chuzenji, and various species of salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
The "Fish Information Center" in the park is popular with children for its interactive exhibits about fisheries research.
5 Natural Spots in Nikko City
Ryuzu Falls
Ryuzu Falls is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Nikko, falling 210 meters over lava formed by the eruption of Mt. Nantai. The name "Ryuzu Falls" (Dragon's Head Falls) comes from the large rock dividing the waterfall basin into two parts, which resembles the head of a dragon.
From May to June, reddish-purple azaleas bloom alongside the falls, creating a vivid contrast with the fresh greenery. From late September, the area is popular for autumn foliage, with maple and linden trees coloring the valley.
Ryuokyo Canyon
Ryuokyo Canyon is said to have been formed by the eruption of volcanic rocks from an undersea volcano about 22 million years ago, which were gradually eroded by the Kinugawa River to create the landscape seen today. The powerful rock formations stretch approximately 3 km between the Kawaji Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen resorts.
Hiking trails are available, with the longest being a three-hour walk. A leisurely hike while enjoying the seasonal scenery is one of the best ways to experience Nikko's natural side.
Senjogahara Marshland
Senjogahara Marshland covers about 400 hectares and was once a lake that gradually transformed into a marshland. The name is said to come from a myth about a battlefield where the god of Mt. Akagi and the god of Mt. Nantai fought. There are hiking trails that can be completed in about two hours, and nature trails that loop around the marshland.
The area is home to many wild birds and about 350 kinds of native plants. Observation points at various locations offer wide-open views of the marshland with Mt. Nantai in the background. The scenery shifts noticeably by season — fresh green in spring, flowers in summer, golden grasses in autumn, and snow in winter.
Yudaki Falls
Yudaki Falls is a 70-meter-high, 110-meter-long waterfall at the southern end of Lake Yunoko. The falls are located on the hiking trail heading north from Senjogahara Marshland, making them a good stop if you are already in the area.
Yudaki Rest House is near the falls, where you can try fish grilled over an open hearth and dumplings. There is also a restaurant serving udon, soba, and set menus — a good place to rest during a hike or a bird-watching outing.
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a small gorge of the Daiya River, created by lava from Mt. Nantai. It is about a 20-minute walk from central Nikko and makes for a quiet side trip away from the busier shrine area.
Along the south bank stands a row of Jizo statues, also known as "Phantom Jizos" because the count seems to change between the walk there and the walk back. The shaded path along the river is pleasant in any season.
2 Tourist Spots to Learn about History in Nikko City
Heike No Sato
Heike No Sato, located in Yunishigawa Onsen, is a restored facility preserving the way of life of the people in the Yunishigawa area, which has long been passed down as the legendary hiding place of the Heike clan fugitives.
In addition to exhibits of traditional performing arts and tools for learning about local life, visitors can try oshiruko (sweet red-bean soup), sobagaki (a simple dish made with soba flour and hot water), and other local specialties. The souvenir shop sells fresh agricultural products and wild vegetables from Yunishigawa.
Furukawa Kakemizu Club
The Furukawa Mining Company, founded in 1875, used this guesthouse for entertaining and accommodating the nobility and high-ranking government officials who visited the Ashio Copper Mine during its prosperous period.
The building, reconstructed in the early Taisho period (1912-1926), has a Western-style exterior while the interior combines both Japanese and Western styles. Inside, a historic piano dating back to 1924 and the first billiard table made in Japan are on display.
2 Spiritual Places
Takinoo Shrine
Takinoo Shrine, located approximately 1 km west of Nikko Futarasan Shrine, is a branch shrine known as the god of childbirth and safe delivery. Behind the main shrine stands "Sanbonsugi", a huge cedar tree that creates a quiet, sacred atmosphere.
The Torii ritual at Takinoo Shrine is said to bring good luck if a stone is thrown three times through the small hole in the gate and even one stone passes through. Other popular spots include the "Enmusubi no Sasa", where you make a wish on bamboo grass for a good match, and the "Kodane-ishi Stone", believed to be blessed with safe childbirth.
Chuzenji Temple
Chuzenji Temple is a branch temple of the World Heritage Site Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple, and was built in 784. It is said to help with the fulfillment of various wishes.
From Godaido, the lookout deck at the temple, the view over Lake Chuzenji is excellent.
On the path leading to the temple, there is a "Migawari no Kobu" (a bump on a tree trunk). It is believed that if you touch a bad or painful part of your body and then touch the bump, the bump will absorb the ailment in your place.
6 Recommended Food Spots in Nikko City
Asahiya Shokudo
Located in front of Tobu Nikko Station and a 3-minute walk from JR Nikko Station, Asahiya Shokudo serves handmade soba and udon noodles. Yuba dishes, a Nikko specialty, are also on the menu, making the restaurant a popular first stop for visitors arriving by train.
KASHIWA CAFE & COFFEE ROASTERY
KASHIWA CAFE & COFFEE ROASTERY, located in Imaichi, Nikko City, has gained attention on social media for its "decoration lattes," latte art made upon request. 3D animals, portraits, and more are drawn on top of your drink.
Nikko-san French Toast made with royal bread from Nikko Kanaya Hotel Bakery and shaved ice made from natural Nikko ice are also popular menu items.
Nikko Sakaeya
At Nikko Sakaeya, located in front of Nikko Station, you can try Nikko's specialty yuba (tofu skin) in deep-fried manju form. The Deep-Fried Yuba Manju is a homemade creation — Nikko yuba kneaded with selected soy milk, coated with batter, and deep-fried. The balance of the manju's sweetness and the crisp batter is worth trying.
Shaved ice made from natural Nikko ice is also available, making this a good stop while walking around the station area.
YUKON
YUKON is a log house-style coffee shop located about a 3-minute walk from Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel. It is conveniently located for those driving to Oku-Nikko, and is a frequent stop for tourists in the area.
The menu includes curry made from a recipe dating back to the Taisho era (1912-1926) and sandwiches made from fluffy bread, along with coffee and tea.
Nikko Coffee, Goyoteidori
Nikko Coffee is a cafe with several branches in Tochigi Prefecture, and the Goyoteidori location offers home-roasted specialty coffee and meals made with fresh local ingredients. The cozy interior has a Taisho Roman-style design that makes for a relaxing break.
The original blend coffee is their signature item, but shaved ice made from natural Nikko ice, curry, and omelette rice are also popular.
Meiji no Yakata
Meiji no Yakata is a Western-style restaurant in the quiet Nikko Fudoson Park area. The building was originally constructed as a cottage for American trading merchant F.W. Horn, who introduced the electric gramophone to Japan. It retains the atmosphere of the Meiji era.
The most popular dish is the Omelette Rice — chicken rice topped with a fluffy egg and a house-made demi-glace sauce. In addition to meat and fish courses, the restaurant also serves dishes featuring Nikko's specialty yuba.
Capture Your Nikko Trip with a Private Photoshoot
Nikko's shrines, waterfalls, and seasonal scenery make for great photos. If you want professional shots of your trip — whether at Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, or along Kanmangafuchi — consider booking a private photoshoot with a local photographer:
For more on the Kinugawa Onsen area, including its hot spring history and nearby attractions, see our detailed guide:
