What would you like to see in Tochigi?
Visit Toshogu and Rinnoji separately for a closer look at shrine and temple architecture. Choose Oya History Museum for the scale of its underground quarry, or Lake Chuzenji for lakeside walks and villa exhibits. The quarry involves stairs, while the lake requires a mountain bus journey, so compare walking and transport requirements.
Attraction prices, hours and directions
Nikko Toshogu
Nikko Toshogu Shrine日光東照宮
Explore Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings at Nikko Toshogu. Walk among buildings and carvings within the grounds. Rinnoji admission does not cover Toshogu.
- AdmissionIndividual admission is JPY 1,600 for adults and high school students, or JPY 550 for primary and junior high school students. The combined museum ticket is a separate option.
- HoursToshogu opens from 09:00 to 17:00 from 1 April to 31 October and from 09:00 to 16:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Do not plan around a late-afternoon entry.
- DirectionsTake a Tobu bus from JR or Tobu-Nikko to Sannai. Alight at Nishisando Iriguchi and follow main approach signs towards Toshogu’s entrance. The operator’s diversion map gives about ten minutes’ walking, with admission queues extra. Allow time for walking and stairs after alighting.
Toshogu admission ticketsTobu Bus routes and stopsToshogu's Yomeimon Gate, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat
Nikkosan Rinnoji
Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple日光山輪王寺
See a large wooden hall at Rinnoji’s Sanbutsudo and Tokugawa Iemitsu’s mausoleum architecture and lanterns at Taiyuin. Sanbutsudo-only and two-site combined tickets are available. Combined-ticket sales end earlier; arrange your arrival for both visits.
- AdmissionAdult admission is JPY 400 for Sanbutsudo, JPY 550 for Taiyuin or JPY 900 for both. The Treasure Hall and Shoyoen Garden cost extra.
- HoursRinnoji opens from 08:00 to 17:00 in April–October and from 08:00 to 16:00 in November–March. Ordinary admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Combined-ticket sales end earlier: 14:30 in April–October or 13:30 in November–March.
- DirectionsTake a Tobu bus from Nikko Station to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow signs for the western and main approaches to Sanbutsudo; Taiyuin has a separate entrance. For both, use the official temple map and the course’s walking order together.
- Event-related visiting restrictionsSanbutsudo is closed to visitors all day on 3 February and 2 April, from 11:00 on 1 April, and in the morning on 14 December. Events restrict access inside Taiyuin’s worship hall at certain times on 18–20 April, 17 May and 14–15 July. Check the event notices for your visit date.
Rinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji's wooden main hall, Iemitsu's mausoleum and lanternsRinnoji visiting routeTobu Bus routes and stopsBus timetables, boarding points and fares
Kegon Falls
華厳滝
See Kegon Falls’ falling water and lower rock cliffs. View from the ground-level deck or descend by paid lift to the lower platform. If fog obscures the falls or facilities stop, follow on-site guidance when deciding.
- AdmissionThe return lift fare is JPY 600 for visitors of junior high-school age and older, and JPY 400 for primary students. Preschool children travel free.
- HoursThe lift operates from 08:00 to 17:00 in March–November and from 09:00 to 16:30 in December–February. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing; weather can suspend operations.
- DirectionsTake a Tobu bus towards Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen from JR Nikko and Tobu-Nikko and alight at Chuzenji Onsen. Follow Kegon Falls signs east for about five minutes to the lift entrance.
Kegon Falls tickets and opening hoursKegon Falls lower viewing platform, waterfall and rock faceTourism organisation's opening hours and pricesGetting to Kegon Falls facilitiesBus timetables, boarding points and fares
Lake Chuzenji
中禅寺湖
Stay one night by Lake Chuzenji to see its scenery in the evening and the following morning as well as during your walks. On a day trip after Kegon Falls, walk the public lakeside by the large torii and Sunrise and Sunset piers. This differs from circling the whole lake or adding a cruise.
- CostsCruises, temples and observation-deck charges are excluded from the walking plan.
- HoursTravel in daylight and return according to your date’s weather and buses.
- DirectionsFollow the official tourist map from Chuzenji Onsen stop towards the lake. The adult one-way bus fare between Nikko’s stations and Chuzenji Onsen is JPY 1,250.
Official lake and waterfall walking mapBus timetables, boarding points and fares
Oya History Museum
大谷資料館
Descend into the large underground quarry left after Oya stone extraction at Oya History Museum. It is cooler than above ground; bring a light layer even in summer. Access involves stairs, so ask the facility before visiting if mobility assistance is needed.
- AdmissionFrom April 2026, admission costs JPY 1,000 for adults and JPY 400 for primary and junior high-school students. Preschool children enter free. Payment is cash only.
- HoursThe museum opens from 09:00 to 17:00 in April–November, with last admission at 16:30, and from 09:30 to 16:30 in December–March, with last admission at 16:00. It is closed on Tuesdays in winter, or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday. Check the closure from 26 December to 3 January and temporary operating changes.
- DirectionsTake a bus for Oya and Tateiwa from stop 6 on JR Utsunomiya Station’s west side to Shiryokan-iriguchi. The bus takes about 30 minutes, followed by a five-minute walk to the museum. Return on a Utsunomiya Station-bound bus from the station-bound stop.
- Mobility assistanceOrdinary entry cannot accommodate wheelchairs, prams or walking frames. Paid golf-cart assistance requires advance booking for an available weekday; same-day requests are not accepted. Holidays and group visits may limit availability; ask the facility.
Prices, access and visitor restrictionsReturn weekday timetable
British Embassy Villa Memorial Park
英国大使館別荘記念公園
Explore exhibits about diplomat Ernest Satow and Oku-Nikko’s history as an international summer resort, then enjoy lake views from Level 2. Allow more time than for a short stroll near the terminal, and check the winter closure. Tea and cafe orders cost extra.
- AdmissionAdult admission costs JPY 300 for one villa or JPY 450 for a combined ticket to both villas. Tea experiences and café orders are extra.
- HoursThe villa opens from 09:00 to 16:00 in April and on 11–30 November, and from 09:00 to 17:00 from May to 10 November. It is closed on Mondays in April; check substitute closures for public holidays. There are no regular closures in May–November; the villa closes for winter in December–March. Check temporary operating changes separately.
- DirectionsOfficial walking time is about 35 minutes from Chuzenji Onsen terminal. Follow the official map along the lake’s southeastern road and Utagahama lakeside. From accommodation, check your route according to its location.
British Embassy Villa opening hours, tickets and walking directionsNikko tourism organisation's 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closures
Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park
イタリア大使館別荘記念公園
See the lake-facing main building’s cedar-bark finishes and lake views. The annexe introduces the international summer resort’s history through photos and video. Compare the combined ticket if visiting the British villa. The villa closes in winter.
- AdmissionAdult admission costs JPY 300 for one villa or JPY 450 for a combined ticket to both villas. Tea experiences and café orders are extra.
- HoursThe villa opens from 09:00 to 16:00 in April and on 11–30 November, and from 09:00 to 17:00 from May to 10 November. It is closed on Mondays in April; check substitute closures for public holidays. There are no regular closures in May–November; the villa closes for winter in December–March. Check temporary operating changes separately.
- DirectionsWalk approximately 35 minutes from Chuzenji Onsen terminal towards the southeastern lakeshore and Utagahama. Boats and seasonal buses are excluded from this course.
Italian Embassy Villa opening hours and ticketsNikko tourism organisation's 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closures
Tochigi Prefectural Nikko Natural Science Museum
Nikko Natural Science Museum, Tochigi Prefecture栃木県立日光自然博物館
The museum's nature exhibits explain the lake landscape through water flows, wetlands and living things. Its history exhibits trace Oku-Nikko's development as an international summer resort. The four-night B itinerary visits these indoor exhibits the day after the two villas.
- AdmissionAdmission is JPY 510 for adults and JPY 260 for children aged four to junior high school students. Separate group rates apply to groups of 20 or more.
- HoursThe museum opens from 9 am to 5 pm from 1 April to 10 November and from 10 am to 4 pm from 11 November to 31 March, with last admission 30 minutes before closing. It opens daily from May to November; it is closed on Mondays from December to April and from 29 December to 3 January. Check substitute closures for public holidays and temporary operating changes.
- DirectionsThe museum is beside Chuzenji Onsen bus terminal, a one-minute walk from the stop. This does not include the full walk from your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oya History Museum cost JPY 800 for adults?
Individual adult admission increased to JPY 1,000 in April 2026. Payment is cash only. The Oya sightseeing day pass includes museum admission, so do not add the admission fee again.
Prices, access and visitor restrictionsOya pass coverage and sales hours
Can I take a pram into Oya History Museum?
Prams, wheelchairs and walking frames cannot be used for standard museum entry. Paid golf cart assistance requires an advance booking on an available weekday; same-day requests are not accepted. Availability may be limited during holiday periods or by group bookings, so contact the museum.
Prices, access and visitor restrictionsOya pass coverage and sales hours
Are the British and Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Parks open in winter?
Both villa parks close for winter from December to March. They close at 4 pm in April and from 11 to 30 November, and at 5 pm from May to 10 November. Check April Monday closures and temporary changes. Their hours are separate from lake walks and the Natural Science Museum. Seasonal hours checked on 9 October 2026.
Nikko tourism organisation's 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closuresBritish Embassy Villa opening hours, tickets and walking directionsItalian Embassy Villa opening hours and tickets
Official sources and check dates
- Bus timetables, boarding points and fares ·
- Rinnoji visiting route ·
- Oya pass coverage and sales hours ·
- Return weekday timetable ·
- Getting to Kegon Falls facilities ·
- Kegon Falls tickets and opening hours ·
- Official lake and waterfall walking map ·
- British Embassy Villa opening hours, tickets and walking directions ·
- Rinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal admission deadlines ·
- Italian Embassy Villa opening hours and tickets ·
- Natural Science Museum prices, opening hours and access ·
- Toshogu admission tickets ·
- Tobu Bus routes and stops ·
- Tourism organisation's opening hours and prices ·
- Prices, access and visitor restrictions ·
- Nikko tourism organisation's 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closures ·
- Toshogu's Yomeimon Gate, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat ·
- Rinnoji's wooden main hall, Iemitsu's mausoleum and lanterns ·
- Kegon Falls lower viewing platform, waterfall and rock face ·