Three days in Tochigi: spend day two at the lake or temples
For Nikko temples and the waterfall, stay two nights in Nikko and visit Lake Chuzenji on day two. For Oya’s underground quarry and gyoza, stay in Utsunomiya and take the JR Nikko Line to Toshogu on day two. The Nikko course travels from and back to Asakusa; Utsunomiya uses Tokyo Station. Both stay at the same accommodation throughout.
Choose a 3 days / 2 nights itinerary
Add a waterfall and lakeside day between temple visits
Stay two nights near Nikko Station to combine temples, waterfall and lake. Travel from and back to Asakusa, visiting Toshogu on day one, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji on day two, and Rinnoji on the last day. Visit the lake as a day trip without changing accommodation.
Add a waterfall and lakeside day between temple visits →3 days / 2 nights BStay in Utsunomiya and make a Nikko day trip
Stay two nights in Utsunomiya to combine Oya’s underground quarry and gyoza with Toshogu’s carvings. Travel from and back to Tokyo Station: Oya History Museum on day one, Nikko as a day trip on day two, then Gyoza Street and Kirasse on the last day. The waterfall and lake are excluded.
Stay in Utsunomiya and make a Nikko day trip →Add a waterfall and lakeside day between temple visits
Stay two nights near Nikko Station to combine temples, waterfall and lake. Travel from and back to Asakusa, visiting Toshogu on day one, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji on day two, and Rinnoji on the last day. Visit the lake as a day trip without changing accommodation.
Day 1
Focus on Toshogu today, then stay near Nikko Station.
- Asakusa Station → Tobu-Nikko Station
From Asakusa, board a reserved-seat Liberty Kegon limited express for Tobu-Nikko and alight there. Buy a same-day World Heritage bus pass for 600 yen at the station Tourist Center.
Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko limited express timetable
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Toshogu entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
From Tobu-Nikko stand 2A, take a YK bus bound for Yumoto-onsen via Kotoku-onsen to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow Nishisando and Omotesando signs for the approximately ten-minute walk to Toshogu’s entrance, allowing time to queue.
Toshogu admission ticketsRinnoji visiting routeBus timetables, stands and faresTobu Bus routes and stops
- Toshogu → Visit Toshogu, then have lunch
Visit with the 1,600-yen Toshogu-only ticket, then have lunch and a break. Return to the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9).
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
From the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take a YK bus bound for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko.
Distinguish today’s World Heritage one-day pass from the Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass starting tomorrow.
Day 2
Visit Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, then return to the Nikko station area.
- Tobu-Nikko Station Tourist Center → Tobu-Nikko Station bus stands
After breakfast, buy the 2,300-yen Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass at the station Tourist Center, starting today. The Tourist Center’s checked opening time was 08:20. Choose a bus in your date’s timetable allowing time for purchase queues and the walk to the stand. For mobile purchase, check travel-date selection conditions.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji-onsen terminal
From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK bus bound for Yumoto-onsen via Kotoku-onsen and alight at Chuzenji-onsen · 中禅寺温泉 (26). The stand listed when checked was 2A. Allow for autumn-foliage traffic.
- Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Visit the Kegon Falls viewing platform
From the terminal, follow signs east towards Kegon Falls for about five minutes to elevator reception. Take the elevator down to the paid viewing platform. Adult return fare is 600 yen; no reservations are taken, so allow time for first-come, first-served queues.
Bus timetables, stands and faresKegon facility accessKegon tickets and hours
- Kegon Falls → Have a meal and prepare for the next stage
After the waterfall, have lunch by the lake. Check the day’s shop hours and queues.
- Large lakeside torii → Walk the public Lake Chuzenji shoreline
Follow the official map along the public lakeside path from the large torii towards Sunrise Pier · サンライズピア and Sunset Pier · サンセットピア, then return the same way. This excludes boat trips, paid Chuzenji Temple visits and Mount Nantai climbs. You do not walk around the whole lake.
- Lake Chuzenji public shoreline → Chuzenji-onsen terminal, station-bound stand
Allow time to return to the stop and wait. The checked stand for JR Nikko and Tobu-Nikko was 26B; confirm official guidance for your date and signs on site. Distinguish Yumoto-bound stand 26A.
- Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station
From Chuzenji-onsen, take a YK bus bound for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko. Stay another night near Nikko Station today; you do not connect immediately to a return limited express.
The Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass covers today and tomorrow. Choose your return bus allowing for weather-related waterfall suspensions and elevator queues.
Day 3
Visit Rinnoji’s Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin, then return to Asakusa.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Sanbutsudo entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
The Chuzenji two-day pass started yesterday also covers Sannai today; do not buy an additional 600-yen pass. From Tobu-Nikko, take a C bus 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 Nishisando and Omotesando towards 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 → Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin
Buy the 900-yen Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin combined ticket in the morning, visit Sanbutsudo, then walk to Taiyuin using the official map. April–October combined-ticket sales end at 14:30; check the deadline for other seasons on your date. On dates with Sanbutsudo restrictions, adjust to available visiting hours. Check dated restrictions in the attraction guide and temple event notices.
Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji visiting route
- 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.
Bus timetables, stands and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko limited express timetable
The two-day pass started yesterday covers Sannai too. Check temple admission deadlines alongside your return limited express.
Included costs: Return Tobu limited express fares 6,100 yen + day-one World Heritage bus pass 600 yen + Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass for days two and three 2,300 yen + Toshogu 1,600 yen + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin combined ticket 900 yen + Kegon Falls elevator 600 yen = 12,100 yen.
Extra costs: Accommodation, meals, airport travel and travel to Asakusa Station, sightseeing boats, museums, Treasure House admission, extra shrine visits and luggage storage cost extra.
Calculated using fares checked on 2026-10-08. Tobu limited express uses the regular-season single of 3,050 yen. The Chuzenji-onsen pass covers Sannai buses on day three too, so the 600-yen pass is not added again. At the lake, walk the specified public path. 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 deadlinesKegon tickets and hours
Stay in Utsunomiya and make a Nikko day trip
Stay two nights in Utsunomiya to combine Oya’s underground quarry and gyoza with Toshogu’s carvings. Travel from and back to Tokyo Station: Oya History Museum on day one, Nikko as a day trip on day two, then Gyoza Street and Kirasse on the last day. The waterfall and lake are excluded.
Day 1
Visit Oya History Museum and stay in Utsunomiya.
- 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. Buy the 2,200-yen Oya sightseeing one-day pass at Tourist Information beside the local-train gates.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictionsCurrent JR station timetables: select month and operating date
- JR Utsunomiya Station → Shiryokan-iriguchi stop and Oya History Museum
From Utsunomiya Station’s west stand 6, take route 45 bound for Tateiwa via Oya and alight at Shiryokan-iriguchi. 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
- Oya History Museum → Explore the underground quarry, then have lunch
After visiting Oya History Museum, have lunch above ground. Admission is included in the Oya pass; do not pay another 1,000 yen. The Oyaji benefit is unused.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictions
- Shiryokan-iriguchi stop → JR Utsunomiya Station west side
From the station-bound side of Shiryokan-iriguchi, take route 01 bound for Utsunomiya Station.
Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictionsReturn weekday timetableKanto Bus current route and timetable selection
The Oya pass includes museum admission, so no separate admission fee is added.
Day 2
Use the JR Nikko Line for a Toshogu day trip, returning to Utsunomiya in the evening.
- JR Utsunomiya Station → JR Nikko Station
From Utsunomiya, take a Nikko-bound JR Nikko Line train and alight at JR Nikko Station. Choose a train continuing to Nikko, rather than terminating at Kanuma.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date
- JR Nikko Station → Tobu-Nikko Station and Tourist Center
Follow National Route 119 shown on the official station-front map from JR Nikko to Tobu-Nikko Station. Buy a same-day World Heritage pass for 600 yen at the Tourist Center. Have lunch nearby, then go to bus stand 2A.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Toshogu entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
From Tobu-Nikko stand 2A, take a YK bus bound for Yumoto-onsen via Kotoku-onsen to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow Omotesando signs for the approximately ten-minute walk to the entrance, allowing time to queue.
- Toshogu → Visit Toshogu, then walk to the station-bound stop
Use the 1,600-yen Toshogu-only ticket to see Yomeimon and the Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings. Afterwards, walk down Nishisando to the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Other temple admission is excluded.
Toshogu admission ticketsRinnoji visiting routeBus timetables, stands and faresToshogu Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat
- Nishisando Iriguchi → JR Utsunomiya Station via a walk from Tobu-Nikko to JR Nikko
From the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take a C or YK bus for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko. Walk along National Route 119 in front of the station to JR Nikko, then board a Utsunomiya-bound JR Nikko Line train. Allow time to walk between stations and reach the platform.
Bus timetables, stands and faresCurrent JR station timetables: select month and operating date
JR Nikko and Tobu-Nikko are different stations. Choose your return JR train allowing for the bus down from the temples and the walk between stations.
Day 3
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, walk to Gyoza Street, officially listed as about 15 minutes away. Explore street signs and alleys and check individual shop hours.
Gyoza Street accessCity tourism authority’s food walking course
- Gyoza Street → Eat gyoza at Kirasse Main Store
Order and compare gyoza in Kirasse Main Store’s rotating daily-vendor area, in the basement of MEGA Don Quijote La Park. Checked hours were daily 11:00–21:00, last order 20:30; these differ from the five permanent vendors’ weekly closures. Finish eating with time 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
Choose a local train stopping at Tokyo Station, distinguishing services via Shinjuku.
Included costs: JR Tokyo–Utsunomiya return fares 4,180 yen + Oya sightseeing one-day pass 2,200 yen + JR Utsunomiya–Nikko 810 yen × 2 + World Heritage bus pass 600 yen + Toshogu 1,600 yen = 10,200 yen.
Extra costs: Accommodation, gyoza and other meals, travel to Tokyo Station, Green Car seating, extra visits and luggage storage cost extra.
Calculated using fares checked on 2026-10-08. The Nikko Line uses unreserved ordinary-class seating without a limited express supplement. Use the Oya pass on day one and World Heritage pass on day two; the final day uses walking routes. Check seasonal pricing, bookings, fares, admission and discounts for your actual dates.
Revised JR fare tableOya pass coverage and sales hoursNikko tourism authority 2026 revised fares and 810-yen JR Nikko Line fareBus pass salesToshogu admission tickets
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-day bus pass enough for the waterfall from Nikko?
The 600-yen World Heritage one-day pass covers Sannai’s shrine and temple area; buses to Chuzenji-onsen are excluded. Two-night course A uses the 2,300-yen Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass for the waterfall and lake return on day two and temple buses on day three. Kegon Falls elevator admission at 600 yen is separate from the bus pass.
Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and faresKegon facility accessKegon tickets and hours
Do I board and return directly at JR Nikko Station?
After arriving at JR Nikko from Utsunomiya, you walk along National Route 119 to board at Tobu-Nikko on this course. On return, alight at Tobu-Nikko and walk back to JR Nikko. They are different stations; distinguish the bus alighting point from the Nikko Line platform.
Bus timetables, stands and faresNikko tourism authority 2026 revised fares and 810-yen JR Nikko Line fare
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 ·
- Kegon facility access ·
- Kegon tickets and hours ·
- Official lake and waterfall walking map ·
- Stand 26B change notice ·
- Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlines ·
- Toshogu admission tickets ·
- Tobu Bus routes and stops ·
- Fees, access and visitor restrictions ·
- Nikko tourism authority 2026 revised fares and 810-yen JR Nikko Line fare ·
- 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 ·