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Four days in Tochigi: stay by the lake or explore two cities

To add a lakeside night, stay two nights near Nikko Station, then move to Lake Chuzenji. Visit the British villa on the last day and descend by mountain-road bus. For Oya’s underground quarry and gyoza, stay one night in Utsunomiya and two in Nikko, visiting the waterfall and lake as a day trip. Villa courses cannot be followed unchanged during December–March winter closures.

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Choose a 4 days / 3 nights itinerary

4 days / 3 nights A

After the temples, spend a night by the lake

For an evening and morning by the lake, stay two nights near Nikko Station and one in Chuzenji-onsen. Travel from and back to Asakusa, visiting temples first, then the waterfall and British villa on separate days at the lake. The villa closes December–March, so this course cannot be followed unchanged in winter.

After the temples, spend a night by the lake →4 days / 3 nights B

Give Oya, gyoza, lake and temples separate days

For Oya’s underground quarry and gyoza followed by Nikko’s temples and lake, split your stay between one Utsunomiya night and two near Nikko Station. Depart from Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. Visit the waterfall and lake as a day trip from Nikko; the last day includes only Sanbutsudo and Toshogu.

Give Oya, gyoza, lake and temples separate days →
4 days / 3 nights A

After the temples, spend a night by the lake

For an evening and morning by the lake, stay two nights near Nikko Station and one in Chuzenji-onsen. Travel from and back to Asakusa, visiting temples first, then the waterfall and British villa on separate days at the lake. The villa closes December–March, so this course cannot be followed unchanged in winter.

Day 1

Visit Toshogu, then spend your first night near Nikko Station.

  1. Asakusa Station → Tobu-Nikko Station and Tourist Center

    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.

    Current Tobu Nikko limited express timetableBus pass sales

  2. Tobu-Nikko Station → Toshogu entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop

    From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK bus bound for Yumoto-onsen via Kotoku-onsen to 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 timetables, stands and faresTobu Bus routes and stops

  3. Toshogu → Visit Toshogu, then have lunch

    Visit with the 1,600-yen Toshogu-only ticket, then have lunch and a break. Retrace Omotesando and Nishisando to the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9).

    Toshogu admission tickets

  4. 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.

    Bus timetables, stands and fares

Check Toshogu’s seasonal last admission. Today does not continue to the lake.

Day 2

Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin, then return to the Nikko station area.

  1. Tobu-Nikko Station → Sanbutsudo entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop

    Buy a new same-day World Heritage bus pass for 600 yen. 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 Nishisando and Omotesando towards Sanbutsudo, allowing time to reach the entrance and queue.

    Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji visiting routeBus pass salesBus timetables, stands and fares

  2. 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 ticket sales end at 14:30; check the deadline for your season. On dates with Sanbutsudo restrictions, adjust to available hours. Check dated restrictions in the attraction guide and temple event notices.

    Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji visiting route

  3. Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station

    After lunch, take a C or YK bus for JR Nikko Station from the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9) and alight at Tobu-Nikko. Do not continue to the JR Nikko terminus.

    Bus timetables, stands and fares

Sales of the two-site combined ticket end before the general admission deadline.

Day 3

Move to Chuzenji-onsen, visit the waterfall and lakeshore, and stay by the lake from tonight.

  1. Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji-onsen terminal

    Buy the 2,300-yen Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass at the station Tourist Center, starting today. Choose a morning bus allowing for purchase queues. 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.

    Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and fares

  2. Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Visit the Kegon Falls viewing platform

    From Chuzenji-onsen terminal, follow signs east towards Kegon Falls for about five minutes to the elevator entrance. Ride down to the paid viewing platform. Adult return fare is 600 yen, with first-come, first-served admission.

    Kegon facility accessKegon tickets and hours

  3. Kegon Falls → Walk the lakeshore, then return to Chuzenji-onsen

    After lunch, walk the public shoreline path from the large torii past Sunrise Pier and Sunset Pier, returning the same way. No boat ride is included.

    Official lake and waterfall walking map

Start the Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass today and use it until your descent tomorrow. Allow for mountain-road traffic during autumn foliage season.

Day 4

See the British villa’s exhibitions and lake views, then return to Asakusa.

  1. Large lakeside torii → British Embassy Villa Memorial Park entrance

    From the large torii, follow the road southeast along the lake and the Utagahama shoreline towards the British villa. The official walk from Chuzenji-onsen terminal takes about 35 minutes.

    Official lake and waterfall walking mapBritish villa hours, tickets and walk

  2. British villa entrance → Visit the lakeside villa

    Use the 300-yen British villa-only ticket to see displays on Ernest Satow and the international summer resort’s history, then lake views from the second floor. Return along the same shoreline towards Chuzenji-onsen. The Italian villa and tea activities are excluded.

    Official lake and waterfall walking mapBritish villa hours, tickets and walk

  3. Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station

    From the station-bound stand at Chuzenji-onsen terminal, take a YK bus for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko. The stand listed when checked was 26B; distinguish Yumoto-bound 26A. Check operator notices, signs and the station-bound timetable for your date. This is day two of the Chuzenji-onsen pass started yesterday.

    Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and faresStand 26B change notice

  4. Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station

    At Tobu-Nikko, board your reserved Asakusa-bound Liberty Kegon limited express. The bus down from the lake may be delayed; choose a return train leaving a margin after reaching the station.

    Bus timetables, stands and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko limited express timetable

The villa closes December–March and closes at 16:00 in April and November 11–30. Choose your return limited express allowing time for the shoreline round-trip walk and bus traffic.

Transport and admission costs: 13,000 yen per adult

Included costs: Return Tobu limited express fares 6,100 yen + World Heritage bus passes for the first two days 600 yen × 2 + Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass 2,300 yen + Toshogu 1,600 yen + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin combined ticket 900 yen + Kegon Falls elevator 600 yen + British villa-only ticket 300 yen = 13,000 yen.

Extra costs: Accommodation, meals, bathing tax, travel to Asakusa Station, sightseeing boats, tea activities, extra visits such as the Italian villa, activities and luggage storage cost extra.

Calculated using fares checked on 2026-10-08. The Tobu limited express uses a regular-season paper fare and reserved-seat supplement totalling 3,050 yen one way. Check seasonal pricing, bookings, fares, admission and discounts for your actual dates.

The lakeside walk to the villa is longer than the short walk by the waterfall. Shorten the villa visit during rain or access restrictions, and prioritise a bus connecting comfortably to your booked return train.

Limited express supplementsSeasonal faresBus timetables, stands and faresBus pass salesToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesKegon tickets and hoursBritish villa hours, tickets and walk

4 days / 3 nights B

Give Oya, gyoza, lake and temples separate days

For Oya’s underground quarry and gyoza followed by Nikko’s temples and lake, split your stay between one Utsunomiya night and two near Nikko Station. Depart from Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. Visit the waterfall and lake as a day trip from Nikko; the last day includes only Sanbutsudo and Toshogu.

Day 1

Arrive in Utsunomiya and visit Oya History Museum.

  1. Tokyo Station → Shiryokan-iriguchi stop via a bus from JR Utsunomiya

    From Tokyo Station, take a Utsunomiya-bound local train on the Utsunomiya Line and alight at Utsunomiya, using an ordinary-class seat, with Green Car seating excluded from the budget. Buy the 2,200-yen Oya sightseeing one-day pass at station Tourist Information. From west stand 6, take route 45 bound for Tateiwa via Oya · 大谷経由立岩 to Shiryokan-iriguchi · 資料館入口. Distinguish route 47 for Shin-Kanuma. The official ride takes about 30 minutes; allow extra time for traffic.

    Oya pass coverage and sales hoursFees, access and visitor restrictionsOutward stand 6 weekday timetableCurrent JR station timetables: select month and operating dateKanto Bus current route and timetable selection

  2. Shiryokan-iriguchi stop → Explore the underground quarry, then have lunch

    Walk about five minutes from the stop to the museum. Explore the underground quarry displays, then have lunch above ground.

    Fees, access and visitor restrictionsOya pass coverage and sales hours

  3. 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

The Oya pass is used today only. Check the museum’s seasonal hours.

Day 2

After gyoza, travel on the JR Nikko Line to Nikko and stay there.

  1. JR Utsunomiya Station west side → Walk along Gyoza Street

    From the JR station’s west side, walk about 15 minutes to Gyoza Street to explore its signs and alleys. Check individual opening hours.

    Gyoza Street accessCity tourism authority’s food walking course

  2. 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; distinguish the five permanent vendors’ weekly closures. Finish eating with time to return to the station for your Nikko train.

    Kirasse Main Store hours

  3. 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

  4. 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

After your city meal, choose a JR train continuing to Nikko rather than terminating at Kanuma.

Day 3

Visit Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji as a day trip, then return to the Nikko station area.

  1. Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji-onsen terminal

    Buy the 2,300-yen Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass at the station Tourist Center, starting today. From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK bus 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.

    Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and fares

  2. 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.

    Kegon facility accessKegon tickets and hours

  3. Kegon Falls → Lunch, then a public Lake Chuzenji shoreline walk

    After lunch, walk the public shoreline by the large torii and Sunrise and Sunset piers, then return. Boats and paid temple visits are excluded.

    Official lake and waterfall walking map

  4. Chuzenji-onsen terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station

    From the station-bound stand at Chuzenji-onsen terminal, take a YK bus for JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-Nikko. The stand listed when checked was 26B; distinguish Yumoto-bound 26A. Check operator notices, signs and the station-bound timetable for your date. You do not connect immediately to a Tokyo-bound train on the day you descend.

    Bus timetables, stands and faresStand 26B change notice

The Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass covers today and tomorrow. Stay in Nikko after descending from the lake today.

Day 4

Visit Sanbutsudo and Toshogu before returning to Asakusa. Taiyuin is excluded.

  1. Tobu-Nikko Station → Visit Rinnoji Sanbutsudo

    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. Use the 400-yen Sanbutsudo-only ticket, rather than the Taiyuin combined ticket. On restricted dates, adjust to available hours. Check restrictions in the attraction guide and temple event notices.

    Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesBus timetables, stands and faresRinnoji visiting route

  2. Sanbutsudo → Walk from Sanbutsudo to Toshogu and visit

    From Sanbutsudo, follow Omotesando to Toshogu’s entrance. Visit with the 1,600-yen Toshogu-only ticket. Taiyuin and the Treasure House are excluded.

    Toshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji visiting routeBus pass salesTobu Bus routes and stops

  3. 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.

    Rinnoji visiting routeBus timetables, stands and fares

  4. Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station

    At Tobu-Nikko, board your reserved Asakusa-bound Liberty Kegon limited express. Departure is from Tokyo Station and return is to Asakusa; do not prepare a Tokyo Station return ticket.

    Current Tobu Nikko limited express timetable

This plan includes Sanbutsudo-only admission at 400 yen and Toshogu at 1,600 yen. Yesterday’s bus pass covers the temple section too.

Transport and admission costs: 13,050 yen per adult

Included costs: JR Tokyo–Utsunomiya 2,090 yen + JR Utsunomiya–Nikko 810 yen + Tobu-Nikko–Asakusa limited express 3,050 yen + Oya sightseeing one-day pass 2,200 yen + Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass 2,300 yen + Kegon Falls elevator 600 yen + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo 400 yen + Toshogu 1,600 yen = 13,050 yen.

Extra costs: Accommodation, gyoza and other meals, travel to the departure station, Green Car seating, other temple visits, sightseeing boats and luggage storage cost extra.

Calculated using fares checked on 2026-10-08. The Tobu limited express uses a regular-season single of 3,050 yen. Use the Chuzenji-onsen pass on days three and four, so no additional 600-yen temple bus pass is added on day four. Depart from Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. Check seasonal pricing, bookings, fares, admission and discounts for your actual dates.

Limited express supplementsSeasonal faresRevised JR fare tableNikko tourism authority 2026 revised fares and 810-yen JR Nikko Line fareOya pass coverage and sales hoursBus timetables, stands and faresBus pass salesToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesKegon tickets and hours

Frequently asked questions

Do I return to Tokyo Station after Utsunomiya and Nikko?

The course with one Utsunomiya night then two Nikko nights departs by JR from Tokyo Station and returns by Asakusa-bound limited express from Tobu-Nikko on the last day. Departure and return stations differ. Even on a JR Nikko-bound bus down from the temples, alight at Tobu-Nikko to change to the limited express.

Current JR station timetables: select month and operating dateBus timetables, stands and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko limited express timetable

When does the Chuzenji-onsen two-day pass start for a lakeside night after Nikko?

After two Nikko nights, start the two-day pass on day three when travelling up to the lake and use it through the descent on day four. Temple buses on days one and two each need a separate World Heritage day pass. For one Utsunomiya night followed by two Nikko nights, use the Chuzenji pass for the lake day trip on day three and Sannai temple buses on day four.

Bus pass salesBus timetables, stands and fares

Official sources and check dates