Two days in Tochigi: choose temples or Oya and gyoza
For relaxed temple visits, spend one night in Nikko and give Toshogu and Rinnoji a day each. For quarry visits and food, see Oya History Museum in Utsunomiya, then walk Gyoza Street the next day. The Nikko stay travels from and back to Asakusa; Utsunomiya uses Tokyo Station.
Choose a 2 days / 1 night itinerary
Give Nikko’s Toshogu and Rinnoji separate days
Stay one night in Nikko to explore Toshogu’s carvings and Rinnoji’s wooden halls and mausoleum architecture at a relaxed pace. Travel from and back to Asakusa, visiting Toshogu on day one and Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin on day two. Keeping the waterfall and lake out of these two days leaves time for breaks between visits.
Give Nikko’s Toshogu and Rinnoji separate days →2 days / 1 night BOya History Museum and Utsunomiya gyoza
Stay one night in Utsunomiya to explore Oya’s underground quarry, then try gyoza the next day. Travel from and back to Tokyo Station, visiting Oya History Museum on day one, then Gyoza Street and Kirasse Main Store on day two. This course excludes travel to Nikko.
Oya History Museum and Utsunomiya gyoza →Give Nikko’s Toshogu and Rinnoji separate days
Stay one night in Nikko to explore Toshogu’s carvings and Rinnoji’s wooden halls and mausoleum architecture at a relaxed pace. Travel from and back to Asakusa, visiting Toshogu on day one and Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin on day two. Keeping the waterfall and lake out of these two days leaves time for breaks between visits.
Day 1
Today is for Toshogu’s carvings and architecture. Stay near Nikko Station afterwards.
- Asakusa Station → Tobu-Nikko Station
From Asakusa, board a reserved-seat Liberty Kegon limited express bound for Tobu-Nikko. Alight at Tobu-Nikko Station.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Toshogu entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
Buy a same-day World Heritage bus pass at the station Tourist Center, open 08:20–16:20. From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK bus bound for Yumoto-onsen via Kotoku-onsen and alight at Nishisando Iriguchi · 西参道入口 (9). The stand listed when checked was 2A; check the operator’s guidance for your date and signs on site. Follow Nishisando and Omotesando signs for the officially listed ten-minute walk to Toshogu’s entrance, allowing extra time for admission.
Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and faresToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji visiting routeTobu Bus routes and stops
- Toshogu entrance → Explore Toshogu’s carvings and architecture
Use the 1,600-yen Toshogu-only ticket to see Yomeimon and the Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings. April–October hours are 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30; winter hours are shorter, so check your actual date. The subtotal excludes the museum combined ticket.
Toshogu admission ticketsToshogu Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat
- Toshogu → Lunch in Sannai, then walk to the bus stop
Have lunch and a break around Sannai. Retrace Omotesando and Nishisando from the entrance to the station-bound side of stop 9.
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
From the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take a C or YK bus bound for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko. Do not stay aboard to the JR Nikko terminus.
Toshogu’s last admission varies by season. If arriving late, adjust the plan to visit the following day.
Day 2
Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin before returning to Asakusa. Allow time to walk between their entrances.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Sanbutsudo entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
Buy a new one-day pass for day two at the station Tourist Center; yesterday’s pass is no longer valid. From Tobu-Nikko, take a C bus bound for Chuzenji-onsen to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). The stand listed when checked was 2C; check the operator’s guidance for your date and signs on site. Follow the path from Nishisando and Omotesando to Sanbutsudo, allowing time to reach the entrance and queue.
Bus pass salesRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji visiting routeBus timetables, stands and fares
- Sanbutsudo entrance → Buy the combined ticket and visit Sanbutsudo
Buy the 900-yen Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin combined ticket in the morning and visit Sanbutsudo. April–October combined-ticket sales end at 14:30, earlier than general admission. On dates with Sanbutsudo visiting restrictions, adjust to the available hours. Check dated restrictions in the attraction guide and temple event notices.
- Sanbutsudo → Walk from Sanbutsudo to Taiyuin and visit
Follow the official temple map from Sanbutsudo via Omotesando and Nishisando to Taiyuin, then visit Taiyuin. The Treasure House and Shoyoen garden are excluded from this ticket.
Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji visiting route
- Taiyuin → Lunch, then walk to the station-bound bus stop
After lunch, walk down Nishisando to the station-bound side of stop 9. Allow time for your meal, walk and bus wait.
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
From the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take a C or YK bus bound for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko. Do not stay aboard to the JR Nikko terminus.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station
At Tobu-Nikko, board your reserved Asakusa-bound Liberty Kegon limited express. Check the platform on the day’s departure display.
Rinnoji combined-ticket sales end at 14:30 in April–October and 13:30 in November–March. After visiting, coordinate the station-bound bus with your Asakusa limited express.
Included costs: Return Tobu limited express fares 6,100 yen + World Heritage one-day bus pass 600 yen × 2 + Toshogu 1,600 yen + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin combined ticket 900 yen = 9,800 yen.
Extra costs: Accommodation, meals, travel to Asakusa Station, flights, Treasure House admission, prayer services, special visits and luggage storage cost extra.
Calculated using fares checked on 2026-10-08. The Tobu single of 3,050 yen combines a 1,400-yen ordinary paper ticket with a 1,650-yen regular-season Liberty reserved-seat supplement. The World Heritage bus pass covers C and YK buses in Sannai; temple admission is excluded. Check seasonal pricing, bookings, fares, admission and discounts for your actual dates.
Limited express supplementsSeasonal faresBus timetables, stands and faresBus pass salesToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlines
Oya History Museum and Utsunomiya gyoza
Stay one night in Utsunomiya to explore Oya’s underground quarry, then try gyoza the next day. Travel from and back to Tokyo Station, visiting Oya History Museum on day one, then Gyoza Street and Kirasse Main Store on day two. This course excludes travel to Nikko.
Day 1
Arrive in Utsunomiya, visit Oya’s underground quarry, then return to Utsunomiya for the night.
- Tokyo Station → JR Utsunomiya Station west side
From Tokyo Station, take a Utsunomiya-bound local train on the Utsunomiya Line and alight at Utsunomiya. Use an ordinary-class seat; Green Car seating is excluded from the budget.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date
- JR Utsunomiya Station → Shiryokan-iriguchi stop and Oya History Museum
Buy the 2,200-yen Oya sightseeing one-day pass at Tourist Information beside the local-train ticket gates. Sales are 09:00–14:50, with closures including New Year. From west stand 6 at Utsunomiya Station, take route 45 bound for Tateiwa via Oya · 大谷経由立岩 and alight at Shiryokan-iriguchi · 資料館入口. Distinguish route 47 for Shin-Kanuma. The official bus estimate is about 30 minutes; allow extra time for traffic, then walk about five minutes from the stop to the museum.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictionsOutward stand 6 weekday timetableKanto Bus current route and timetable selection
- Shiryokan-iriguchi stop → Explore the underground quarry
Visit Oya History Museum. April–November hours are 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30; check hours for your visit date, including winter Tuesday closures. Admission is included in the Oya sightseeing one-day pass. Ordinary access uses stairs and cannot accommodate wheelchairs or pushchairs. Paid golf-cart assistance requires advance booking on eligible weekdays; same-day requests are not accepted.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictions
- Oya History Museum ground level → Lunch, then walk to the station-bound bus stop
Check the day’s hours and menu for your chosen meal stop first. Have lunch and a break above ground, then return to the Utsunomiya Station-bound side of Shiryokan-iriguchi stop.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictionsKanto Bus current route and timetable selection
- Shiryokan-iriguchi stop → JR Utsunomiya Station west side
From the station-bound side of Shiryokan-iriguchi, take route 01 bound for Utsunomiya Station.
Return weekday timetableKanto Bus current route and timetable selection
At the time checked, Oya pass sales were 09:00–14:50. Check winter museum closures, stair-access restrictions, route 45 towards the museum and route 01 back to the station.
Day 2
Walk along Gyoza Street and eat at Kirasse Main Store, then return to Tokyo Station.
- JR Utsunomiya Station west side → Walk along Gyoza Street
From JR Utsunomiya Station’s west side, follow the main road across Miyanohashi to Gyoza Street. The prefectural tourism authority gives a walk of about 15 minutes from the station. Explore the signs and alleys and check individual shop hours. Today uses walking routes, so yesterday’s Oya pass is not used.
Gyoza Street accessCity tourism authority’s food walking course
- Gyoza Street → Eat gyoza at Kirasse Main Store
Go to Kirasse Main Store · 来らっせ本店 on central Babadori, at 2-3-12 Babadori in the basement of MEGA Don Quijote La Park Utsunomiya. From 11:00, compare gyoza in the rotating daily-vendor area · 日替わり店舗. This differs from frozen gyoza sales at the Paseo store. Finish your meal with time left to return to the station.
- Kirasse Main Store → JR Utsunomiya Station west exit
After your meal, return above ground and walk back to JR Utsunomiya Station’s west exit.
City tourism authority’s food walking courseKirasse Main Store hours
- JR Utsunomiya Station → Tokyo Station
At Utsunomiya, choose a local train travelling via Tokyo Station and alight there. Confirm it stops at Tokyo and distinguish services via Shinjuku.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date
Kirasse’s rotating daily-vendor area and five permanent vendors have different operating conditions. If meal queues are long, shorten street sightseeing to make your return train.
Included costs: JR Tokyo–Utsunomiya return local-train fares 4,180 yen + Oya sightseeing one-day pass 2,200 yen = 6,380 yen.
Extra costs: Accommodation, gyoza and other meals, travel to Tokyo Station, Green Car seating, taxis, flights, extra visits and luggage storage cost extra.
Calculated using fares checked on 2026-10-08. The JR single uses a 2,090-yen ordinary-class paper ticket. Use the Oya pass for day-one buses and museum admission; the included Oyaji admission is unused in this course. Museum admission is not added again, and day two uses walking routes. Check seasonal pricing, bookings, fares, admission and discounts for your actual dates.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rinnoji’s combined ticket include Toshogu?
The 900-yen ticket covers Rinnoji Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin. Buy Toshogu admission separately.
Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesToshogu admission tickets
Official sources and check dates
- Limited express supplements ·
- Seasonal fares ·
- Bus timetables, stands and fares ·
- Bus pass sales ·
- Rinnoji visiting route ·
- Revised JR fare table ·
- Oya pass coverage and sales hours ·
- Outward stand 6 weekday timetable ·
- Return weekday timetable ·
- Gyoza Street access ·
- City tourism authority’s food walking course ·
- Kirasse Main Store hours ·
- Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlines ·
- Toshogu admission tickets ·
- Tobu Bus routes and stops ·
- Fees, access and visitor restrictions ·
- Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date ·
- Kanto Bus current route and timetable selection ·
- Current Tobu Nikko limited express timetable ·
- Toshogu Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat ·