Travel in Nikko
Just a few hours outside of Tokyo, Nikko is famous for its world heritage shrines and temples.
But beyond its cultural history, we found Nikko has whole world of adventure. We hiked up volcanic mountains, chased waterfalls, drove winding mountain roads, and even stepped back in time at Edo-period recreations.
How to Get to Nikko
If you are based in Tokyo you can check out the top-rated Nikko Toshogu One Day Bus Tour from Tokyo, which includes transportation and an English-speaking guide for your day trip to Nikko.
Another way to get to Nikko from Tokyo is to ride the train there. Limited Express trains depart from Shinjuku and Asakusa in Tokyo to Nikko. Your journey there will take about 2 hours.
Once get there, Nikko's bus system goes around town as often as 15 minutes for the major sightseeing areas. If you want to venture further out, the buses run less frequently but are still manageable with some planning.
In our opinion, the best way to explore Nikko is by car. That's what we did. Most of the sights around Nikko are not close to each other so the easiest and most stress-free to go and check out everything in Nikko is to drive a car. Most destinations in Nikko have plenty of parking and navigating the roads around Nikko is not difficult. Plus, it's always nice to have the option to pull over on the side of the road to enjoy Nikko's mountainous scenery!
Best Time to Visit Nikko
Nikko is worth visiting year-round, but the most popular time to visit Nikko is during autumn for the fall foliage. During autumn the mountain colors come alive with reds, oranges, and golden yellows.
Winter is the least popular time to visit Nikko. Being a mountainous town, Nikko gets a bit of snow every year, which can make getting around during winter more challenging.
Spring is another popular time to visit Nikko, as cherry blossoms usually bloom around mid-April. We visited Nikko in late April after all the snow had melted.
Nikko's mountainous climate is much cooler than Japan's coastal cities, so summer is a popular time to visit for outdoor activities like canoeing.
Where to Stay in Nikko
There are four areas that we recommend staying in Nikko:
- Central Nikko
- Nikko Station
- Kinugawa Onsen
- Okunikko / Lake Chuzenji
Central Nikko
If you want to make the most of your time in Nikko, staying in Central Nikko near the world heritage shrines and temples is the most convenient option.
Central Nikko gives you easy access to the main sightseeing spots, bus routes, and plenty of dining options. This makes planning your daily adventures more straightforward. However, keep in mind that most accommodations here lean toward the luxury side, so budget-friendly options are limited.
Nikko Station
If you're looking for convenience without breaking the bank, staying near Nikko Station is a great alternative. This area offers more budget-friendly accommodations, such as guesthouses and small hotels, while keeping you close to transport links. From here, you can hop on buses to the shrines, waterfalls, and other attractions, or walk to some of Nikko’s restaurants and shops.
Kinugawa Onsen
For a more relaxing experience, consider staying in Kinugawa, a nearby onsen town designed with tourists in mind. Kinugawa is known for its large hot spring hotels situated along the river. It’s well-connected to Nikko by bus, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds—soaking in the onsen and exploring Nikko’s attractions.
Okunikko and Lake Chuzenji
If you’re a nature lover, the Lake Chuzenji and the Okunikko area is the perfect base. The area is surrounded by hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints. You could easily spend a couple of days here just exploring the outdoors.
Our Free Nikko Google Maps Locations
Do you need a handy map with all our Nikko locations? We’ve got a Google Map with all the Nikko locations in this post (plus a LOT more). Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox, plus our top tips to help you plan your Nikko adventure.
