Four days in Tochigi: stay by the lake or explore two cities?
For a night by the lake, spend two nights near Nikko’s stations before moving to Lake Chuzenji. Visit the British villa on the final day, then take the mountain-road bus down. For the underground quarry and gyoza, spend one night in Utsunomiya and two in Nikko, with a waterfall and lake day trip. The villa itinerary cannot be followed unchanged during its December–March winter closure.
Choose a 4 days, 3 nights itinerary
A lakeside night after the temples
For evening and morning by the lake, stay two nights near Nikko's stations followed by one at Chuzenji-onsen. Start and end at Asakusa, seeing the temples first, then moving uphill for waterfall and British villa visits on separate days. The villa closes December–March, so this itinerary does not apply unchanged in winter.
A lakeside night after the temples →4 days, 3 nights BSeparate days for Oya, gyoza, lake and temples
Stay one night in Utsunomiya and two near Nikko's stations for the underground quarry and gyoza, then Nikko's temples and lake. Start at Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. The waterfall and lake are a Nikko day trip; the last day visits only Sanbutsudo and Toshogu.
Separate days for Oya, gyoza, lake and temples →A lakeside night after the temples
For evening and morning by the lake, stay two nights near Nikko's stations followed by one at Chuzenji-onsen. Start and end at Asakusa, seeing the temples first, then moving uphill for waterfall and British villa visits on separate days. The villa closes December–March, so this itinerary does not apply unchanged in winter.
Day 1
Visit Toshogu and spend your first night near Nikko's stations.
- Asakusa Station → Tobu-Nikko Station and tourist centre
Take a reserved-seat Liberty Kegon from Asakusa to Tobu-Nikko and get off there. Buy the ¥600 same-day World Heritage pass at the station tourist centre.
Current Tobu Nikko-bound limited-express timetableBus pass sales
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Toshogu entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
Take a YK service to Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen from Tobu-Nikko to Nishisando Iriguchi · 西参道入口 (9). The checked bay was 2A; recheck operator information and on-site signs for your date. Follow Nishisando and Omotesando signs for the official ten-minute walk to Toshogu's entrance, adding reception time.
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine → Toshogu visit and lunch
Visit with the ¥1,600 shrine-only ticket, then eat lunch and rest. Return along Omotesando and Nishisando to stop 9's station-bound side.
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
From stop 9's station-bound side, take a C or YK bus to JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-Nikko. Do not continue to the JR terminus.
Check Toshogu's seasonal reception deadline. Today does not go up to the lake.
Day 2
Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin, then return to Nikko's station area.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Sanbutsudo entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
Buy a new ¥600 same-day World Heritage pass. Take a C Chuzenji-onsen-bound bus from Tobu-Nikko to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). The checked bay was 2C; recheck operator information and on-site signs for your date. Follow Nishisando and Omotesando towards Sanbutsudo, allowing entrance walking and reception queues.
Rinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal receptionRinnoji visiting routeBus pass salesBus timetables, bays and fares
- Sanbutsudo entrance → Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin visits
Buy the ¥900 Sanbutsudo/Taiyuin combination ticket in the morning. Visit Sanbutsudo, then follow the official temple map on foot to Taiyuin. April–October combined-ticket reception ends at 14:30; check your season's deadline. On restricted Sanbutsudo dates, adjust to available hours. Date-specific restrictions appear in the attraction guide and temple event notices.
Rinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal receptionRinnoji visiting route
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
After lunch, take a C or YK JR Nikko Station-bound bus from stop 9's station-bound side and get off at Tobu-Nikko, before the JR terminus.
The two-site combination stops selling earlier than ordinary reception.
Day 3
Move to Chuzenji-onsen for waterfall and lakeside visits, staying near the lake from tonight.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji-onsen terminal
Buy a ¥2,300 Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass starting today at the tourist centre. Allow purchase queues when choosing a morning bus. Take a YK service to Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen from Tobu-Nikko to Chuzenji-onsen · 中禅寺温泉 (26). The checked bay was 2A. Allow autumn foliage traffic.
- Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Kegon Falls viewing platform
Follow eastbound Kegon Falls signs from Chuzenji-onsen terminal to the elevator entrance, about five minutes on foot. Descend to the paid viewing platform. Adult return elevator admission is ¥600, boarding in arrival order.
- Kegon Falls → Lake walk and return to Chuzenji-onsen
After lunch, walk the public shore path from the large torii past Sunrise Pier and Sunset Pier and return. No boat ride is included.
Start the Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass today and use it until tomorrow's descent. Allow mountain-road traffic in autumn foliage season.
Day 4
See British villa exhibits and lake views, then return to Asakusa.
- Large lakeside torii → British Embassy Villa Memorial Park entrance
From the large torii, follow the southeastern lake road and Utagahama shore towards the British villa. The official walking estimate is about 35 minutes from Chuzenji-onsen terminal.
Official lake and waterfall walking mapBritish villa hours, tickets and walking access
- British villa entrance → Lakeside villa visit
Use the ¥300 British villa-only ticket for exhibits on Ernest Satow and the international summer resort's history, with lake views from the second floor. Return by the same shore route to Chuzenji-onsen afterwards. The Italian villa and tea experience are excluded.
Official lake and waterfall walking mapBritish villa hours, tickets and walking access
- Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station
Take a YK JR Nikko Station-bound bus from Chuzenji-onsen terminal and get off at Tobu-Nikko. The checked station-bound bay was 26B, distinct from Yumoto-bound 26A. Check visit-date operator notices, signs and station-bound schedules. This is day two of the pass started yesterday.
Bus pass salesBus timetables, bays and faresBay 26B change notice
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station
Take your booked Asakusa-bound reserved-seat Liberty Kegon from Tobu-Nikko. Choose a train with time after station arrival, as lake buses may be delayed.
Bus timetables, bays and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko-bound limited-express timetable
The villa closes December–March, and closes at 16:00 in April and November 11–30. Choose the return limited express allowing return shore walks and bus traffic.
Included costs: Tobu limited express return ¥6,100 + World Heritage passes for the first two days ¥600 × 2 + Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass ¥2,300 + Toshogu ¥1,600 + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo/Taiyuin combination ¥900 + Kegon elevator ¥600 + British villa-only ticket ¥300 = ¥13,000.
Extra costs: Accommodation, meals, bathing tax, travel to Asakusa Station, boats, tea experiences, extra visits such as the Italian villa, activities and luggage storage are separate.
Calculated from prices checked October 8, 2026, with regular-season Tobu paper base fare and reserved-seat limited-express ticket totalling ¥3,050 each way. Check actual-date season, booking conditions, fares, admission and discounts.
The villa shore walk is longer than the short walk near the waterfall. In rain or on-site restrictions, reduce villa visits and prioritize a bus with ample time to connect to your booked return train.
Limited-express chargesSeasonal faresBus timetables, bays and faresBus pass salesToshogu ticketsRinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal receptionKegon tickets and operationsBritish villa hours, tickets and walking access
Separate days for Oya, gyoza, lake and temples
Stay one night in Utsunomiya and two near Nikko's stations for the underground quarry and gyoza, then Nikko's temples and lake. Start at Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. The waterfall and lake are a Nikko day trip; the last day visits only Sanbutsudo and Toshogu.
Day 1
Arrive in Utsunomiya and visit Oya Museum.
- Tokyo Station → Shiryokan Iriguchi via a JR Utsunomiya bus transfer
Take a Utsunomiya-bound local train from Tokyo on the Utsunomiya Line, using an ordinary car without the Green Car. Buy a ¥2,200 Oya pass at the station tourist office. From west bay 6, take route 45 to Tateiwa via Oya (大谷経由立岩) and get off at Shiryokan Iriguchi (資料館入口). Distinguish it from route 47 to Shin-Kanuma. Add traffic time to the official 30-minute ride.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and use restrictionsOutward bay 6 weekday timetableCurrent JR station timetables: select month and service dateKanto Bus current routes and timetable selection
- Shiryokan Iriguchi stop → Underground quarry and lunch
Walk about five minutes from the stop to the museum. Visit underground quarry exhibits, then eat lunch above ground.
Fees, access and use restrictionsOya pass coverage and sales hours
- Shiryokan Iriguchi stop → JR Utsunomiya Station west side
Take route 01 to Utsunomiya Station from the station-bound side of Shiryokan Iriguchi.
Weekday return timetableKanto Bus current routes and timetable selection
Use the Oya pass today only. Check seasonal museum opening.
Day 2
After gyoza, take the JR Nikko Line to Nikko for the night.
- JR Utsunomiya Station west side → Gyoza Street walk
Walk about 15 minutes from JR Utsunomiya's west side to Gyoza Street for signs and lanes. Check individual shop opening.
Gyoza Street accessCity tourism body's food walking itinerary
- Gyoza Street → Gyoza at Kirasse Main Store
Order and compare gyoza at Kirasse Main Store's rotating area in the basement of MEGA Don Quijote La Park. Checked daily hours are 11:00–21:00, last order 20:30, distinct from the five permanent shops' weekday closures. Finish with time to return for your Nikko train.
- Kirasse Main Store → JR Utsunomiya Station west exit
After eating, go up to street level and walk back to JR Utsunomiya Station's west exit.
City tourism body's food walking itineraryKirasse Main Store operations
- JR Utsunomiya Station → JR Nikko Station
Take a Nikko-bound JR Nikko Line train from Utsunomiya and get off at JR Nikko. Choose a service reaching Nikko, rather than terminating at Kanuma.
Current JR station timetables: select month and service date
After eating in the city, choose a JR train reaching Nikko, rather than terminating at Kanuma.
Day 3
Visit Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji on a day trip, then return to Nikko's station area.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji-onsen terminal
Buy a ¥2,300 Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass starting today at the tourist centre. Take a YK service to Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen from Tobu-Nikko to Chuzenji-onsen · 中禅寺温泉 (26). The checked bay was 2A. Allow autumn foliage traffic.
- Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Kegon Falls viewing platform
Follow eastbound Kegon Falls signs from the terminal to the elevator reception entrance, about five minutes on foot. Descend by elevator to the paid viewing platform. Adult return elevator admission is ¥600, boarding in arrival order without reservations; allow waits.
- Kegon Falls → Lunch and public Lake Chuzenji shore walk
After lunch, walk the public shore past the large torii and Sunrise and Sunset piers and return. Boats and paid temples are excluded.
- Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station
Take a YK JR Nikko Station-bound bus from the terminal and get off at Tobu-Nikko. The checked station-bound bay was 26B, distinct from Yumoto-bound 26A. Check visit-date notices, signs and station-bound schedules. Do not connect directly to a Tokyo-bound train on this mountain-descent day.
Use the two-day pass today and tomorrow. Stay in Nikko after descending from the lake today.
Day 4
Visit Sanbutsudo and Toshogu, then return to Asakusa. Taiyuin is excluded.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Visit Rinnoji Sanbutsudo
Take a C Chuzenji-onsen-bound bus from Tobu-Nikko to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). The checked bay was 2C; recheck operator information and on-site signs for your date. Follow Nishisando and Omotesando towards Sanbutsudo, allowing entrance walking and reception queues. Visit with the ¥400 Sanbutsudo-only ticket, without buying the Taiyuin combination. On restricted Sanbutsudo dates, adjust to available hours. See the attraction guide and temple event notices for dates.
Rinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal receptionBus timetables, bays and faresRinnoji visiting route
- Sanbutsudo → Walk from Sanbutsudo to Toshogu and visit
Follow Omotesando from Sanbutsudo to Toshogu's entrance. Use the ¥1,600 shrine-only ticket, excluding Taiyuin and the treasure hall.
Toshogu ticketsRinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal receptionRinnoji visiting routeBus pass salesTobu Bus routes and stops
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
From stop 9's station-bound side, take a C or YK bus to JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-Nikko. Do not continue to the JR terminus.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station
Take your booked Asakusa-bound reserved-seat Liberty Kegon from Tobu-Nikko. You start at Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa, so do not buy Tokyo Station return tickets.
This option calculates ¥400 Sanbutsudo-only and ¥1,600 Toshogu admission. Yesterday's bus pass also covers today's temple-area journeys.
Included costs: Tokyo–Utsunomiya JR ¥2,090 + Utsunomiya–Nikko JR ¥810 + Tobu-Nikko–Asakusa limited express ¥3,050 + Oya pass ¥2,200 + Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass ¥2,300 + Kegon elevator ¥600 + Sanbutsudo ¥400 + Toshogu ¥1,600 = ¥13,050.
Extra costs: Accommodation, gyoza and other meals, travel to the departure station, Green Car, other temples, boats and luggage storage are separate.
Calculated from prices checked October 8, 2026, with regular-season Tobu limited express ¥3,050 each way. Use the Chuzenji-onsen pass on days three and four; no extra ¥600 temple-area bus pass is added on day four. Start at Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. Check actual-date season, booking conditions, fares, admission and discounts.
Limited-express chargesSeasonal faresRevised JR faresNikko tourism body's revised 2026 fares and ¥810 JR Nikko Line fareOya pass coverage and sales hoursBus timetables, bays and faresBus pass salesToshogu ticketsRinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal receptionKegon tickets and operations
Frequently asked questions
Do I return to Tokyo Station after visiting Utsunomiya and Nikko?
The option with one night in Utsunomiya and two in Nikko starts from Tokyo Station by JR train, but finishes with a limited express from Tobu Nikko to Asakusa. Your departure and return stations differ. Even on a JR Nikko Station-bound bus from the temples, get off at Tobu Nikko to transfer to the limited express.
Current JR station timetables: select month and service dateBus timetables, bays and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko-bound limited-express timetable
When should I start the two-day Chuzenji Onsen pass for a one-night lake stay?
For two nights in Nikko followed by one at the lake, start the pass when travelling up on day three and use it to return to the station on day four. Buy a separate one-day World Heritage bus pass for each of the first two temple days. For one night in Utsunomiya followed by two in Nikko, use the Chuzenji pass for the lake return trip on day three and Sannai temple buses on day four.
Official sources and check dates
- Limited-express charges ·
- Seasonal fares ·
- Bus timetables, bays and fares ·
- Bus pass sales ·
- Rinnoji visiting route ·
- Revised JR fares ·
- Oya pass coverage and sales hours ·
- Outward bay 6 weekday timetable ·
- Weekday return timetable ·
- Gyoza Street access ·
- City tourism body's food walking itinerary ·
- Kirasse Main Store operations ·
- Kegon facility access ·
- Kegon tickets and operations ·
- Official lake and waterfall walking map ·
- Bay 26B change notice ·
- British villa hours, tickets and walking access ·
- Rinnoji tickets, prices and seasonal reception ·
- Toshogu tickets ·
- Tobu Bus routes and stops ·
- Fees, access and use restrictions ·
- Nikko tourism body's revised 2026 fares and ¥810 JR Nikko Line fare ·
- Current JR station timetables: select month and service date ·
- Kanto Bus current routes and timetable selection ·
- Tobu NIKKO PASS ALL AREA coverage, four days and exclusions ·
- JR EAST Tokyo Wide Pass: three days, coverage and standalone Tobu limited-express exclusion ·
- Current Tobu Nikko-bound limited-express timetable ·