What would you like to see in Tochigi?
Give Toshogu and Rinnoji separate visits for a closer look at shrine and temple architecture. Choose Oya History Museum for the underground quarry’s scale, or Lake Chuzenji for shoreline walks and villa displays. Oya uses stairs underground; the lake needs mountain-road buses. Compare walking and travel conditions too.
Attraction fees, hours and access
Nikko Toshogu
Nikko Toshogu Shrine日光東照宮
At Nikko Toshogu, explore Yomeimon and the Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings, walking among the grounds’ buildings and sculptures. Rinnoji tickets do not include Toshogu admission.
- AdmissionIndividual admission costs 1,600 yen for adults and high-school students or 550 yen for elementary and junior-high school students. The museum combined ticket is a different ticket type.
- HoursApril 1–October 31: 09:00–17:00; November 1–March 31: 09:00–16:00. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Avoid planning around late-afternoon entry.
- Getting thereFrom JR Nikko or Tobu-Nikko Station, take a Tobu Bus to Sannai. Alight at Nishisando Iriguchi and follow Omotesando signs to Toshogu’s entrance. The operator’s diversion map gives a walk of about 10 minutes, excluding admission queues. Allow time to walk and climb steps after leaving the bus.
Toshogu admission ticketsTobu Bus routes and stopsToshogu Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat
Nikkozan Rinnoji
Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple日光山輪王寺
Explore a large wooden hall at Rinnoji Sanbutsudo, then Tokugawa Iemitsu’s mausoleum architecture and lanterns at Taiyuin. Choose a Sanbutsudo-only ticket or a combined ticket for both. Combined-ticket sales end earlier; plan your arrival accordingly when visiting both.
- AdmissionAdults pay 400 yen for Sanbutsudo, 550 yen for Taiyuin or 900 yen for the combined ticket. The Treasure House and Shoyoen garden cost extra.
- HoursApril–October: 08:00–17:00; November–March: 08:00–16:00. General admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Combined-ticket sales end earlier: 14:30 in April–October, 13:30 in November–March.
- Getting thereFrom Nikko Station, take a Tobu Bus to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow Nishisando and Omotesando signs to Sanbutsudo; Taiyuin has a separate entrance. For both visits, use the official temple map alongside the course’s walking sequence.
- Event-related visiting restrictionsSanbutsudo is unavailable all day on February 3 and April 2, from 11:00 on April 1, and during the morning of December 14. Events restrict access inside Taiyuin’s worship hall at certain times on April 18–20, May 17 and July 14–15. Check event notices for your date.
Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlinesRinnoji wooden main hall, Iemitsu’s mausoleum and lanternsRinnoji visiting routeTobu Bus routes and stopsBus timetables, stands and fares
Kegon Falls
華厳滝
At Kegon Falls, view the falling water and rocky cliffs below. Choose the ground-level viewpoint or pay for the elevator down to the lower viewing platform. If mist obscures the falls or facilities are suspended, follow directions on site.
- AdmissionThe return elevator fare is 600 yen for junior-high school students and older, or 400 yen for elementary school children; preschool children ride free.
- HoursMarch–November: 08:00–17:00; December–February: 09:00–16:30. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing; weather may suspend services.
- Getting thereFrom JR Nikko or Tobu-Nikko Station, take a Tobu Bus for Chuzenji-onsen or Yumoto-onsen and alight at Chuzenji-onsen. Follow signs east towards Kegon Falls for about five minutes to the elevator entrance.
Kegon tickets and hoursKegon Falls lower platform, waterfall and cliffsTourism authority hours and feesKegon facility accessBus timetables, stands and fares
Lake Chuzenji
中禅寺湖
A lakeside night adds evening and next-morning scenery to your Lake Chuzenji walk. On a day trip, visit Kegon Falls, then walk the public shoreline by the large torii and Sunrise and Sunset piers. This differs from walking around the entire lake or adding a sightseeing cruise.
- CostsSightseeing boat, temple and viewpoint fees are excluded from the walking itinerary.
- HoursTravel in daylight and plan your return around weather and buses for your date.
- Getting thereFrom Chuzenji-onsen stop, follow the official tourism map towards the lakeshore. The 1,250-yen adult single bus fare covers Nikko Station–Chuzenji-onsen.
Official lake and waterfall walking mapBus timetables, stands and fares
Oya History Museum
大谷資料館
At Oya History Museum, descend into the large underground space left by stone quarrying. It is cooler than above ground, so bring a light layer even in summer. Access uses stairs; contact the facility before visiting if you need mobility assistance.
- AdmissionFrom April 2026, admission costs 1,000 yen for adults or 400 yen for elementary and junior-high school students; preschool children enter free. Pay in cash only.
- HoursApril–November: 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. December–March: 09:30–16:30, last admission 16:00. Closed winter Tuesdays, or the following day when Tuesday is a public holiday. Check December 26–January 3 closures and temporary changes too.
- Getting thereFrom JR Utsunomiya Station’s west stand 6, take an Oya/Tateiwa-bound bus to Shiryokan-iriguchi. The ride takes about 30 minutes, then walk about five minutes to the museum. Return from the station-bound side of Shiryokan-iriguchi on a Utsunomiya Station-bound bus.
- Mobility assistanceOrdinary access cannot accommodate wheelchairs, pushchairs or walking frames. Paid golf-cart assistance requires advance booking on eligible weekdays; same-day requests are not accepted. Holiday periods and group bookings may limit availability; contact the facility.
Fees, access and visitor restrictionsReturn weekday timetable
British Embassy Villa Memorial Park
英国大使館別荘記念公園
Explore displays on diplomat Ernest Satow and Oku-Nikko’s history as an international summer resort, with lake views from the second floor. The walk is longer than a short stroll near the terminal; the villa closes in winter. Tea and café orders cost extra.
- AdmissionAn adult villa-only ticket costs 300 yen; the two-villa combined ticket costs 450 yen. Tea activities and café orders cost extra.
- HoursApril and November 11–30: 09:00–16:00; May–November 10: 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays in April; check alternative closure dates for public holidays. No regular closures May–November; winter closure December–March. Check temporary changes separately.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Chuzenji-onsen terminal takes about 35 minutes. Follow the official map southeast along the lake and Utagahama shoreline. If starting from accommodation, check the walking route from its actual location.
British villa hours, tickets and walkNikko tourism authority 2026 seasonal villa hours and winter closures
Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park
イタリア大使館別荘記念公園
The lakeside main building has cedar bark finishes and lake views; the annex explores the history of the international summer resort through photographs and videos. Compare the combined ticket when visiting the British villa too. Closed in winter.
- AdmissionAn adult villa-only ticket costs 300 yen; the two-villa combined ticket costs 450 yen. Tea activities and café orders cost extra.
- HoursApril and November 11–30: 09:00–16:00; May–November 10: 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays in April; check alternative closure dates for public holidays. No regular closures May–November; winter closure December–March. Check temporary changes separately.
- Getting thereWalk about 35 minutes southeast along the lake towards Utagahama from Chuzenji-onsen terminal. Boats and seasonal bus alternatives are excluded from this course.
Italian villa hours and ticketsNikko tourism authority 2026 seasonal villa 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
Nikko Natural Science Museum’s displays on water flows, wetlands and living things help explain the lakeside landscape. History displays introduce Oku-Nikko’s development as an international summer resort. Four-night course B visits these indoor exhibitions the day after the two villas.
- AdmissionStandard admission costs 510 yen for adults or 260 yen for ages four through junior high school. Groups of 20 or more have separate rates.
- HoursApril 1–November 10: 09:00–17:00; November 11–March 31: 10:00–16:00. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Open daily May–November; closed Mondays in December–April and December 29–January 3. Check substitute public-holiday closures and temporary changes separately.
- Getting thereThe museum is beside Chuzenji-onsen terminal, a one-minute walk from the stop. This estimate does not cover the entire walk from your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Is adult Oya History Museum admission 800 yen?
Individual adult admission is 1,000 yen from April 2026, payable in cash only. The Oya sightseeing one-day pass includes museum admission, so do not add admission again.
Fees, access and visitor restrictionsOya pass coverage and sales hours
Can I enter Oya History Museum with a pushchair?
Ordinary access cannot accommodate pushchairs, wheelchairs or walking frames. Paid golf-cart assistance requires advance booking on eligible weekdays; same-day requests are not accepted. Holiday periods and group schedules may limit availability; contact the facility.
Fees, access and visitor restrictionsOya pass coverage and sales hours
Can I enter Lake Chuzenji’s British and Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Parks in winter?
The British and Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Parks close December–March. Closing is 16:00 in April and November 11–30, or 17:00 in May–November 10. Check April Monday closures and temporary changes. Distinguish these hours from lakeside walking and natural science museum operation. Seasonal hours checked 2026-10-09.
Nikko tourism authority 2026 seasonal villa hours and winter closuresBritish villa hours, tickets and walkItalian villa hours and tickets
Official sources and check dates
- Bus timetables, stands and fares ·
- Rinnoji visiting route ·
- Oya pass coverage and sales hours ·
- Return weekday timetable ·
- Kegon facility access ·
- Kegon tickets and hours ·
- Official lake and waterfall walking map ·
- British villa hours, tickets and walk ·
- Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal admission deadlines ·
- Italian villa hours and tickets ·
- Natural science museum fees, hours and access ·
- Toshogu admission tickets ·
- Tobu Bus routes and stops ·
- Tourism authority hours and fees ·
- Fees, access and visitor restrictions ·
- Nikko tourism authority 2026 seasonal villa hours and winter closures ·
- Toshogu Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat ·
- Rinnoji wooden main hall, Iemitsu’s mausoleum and lanterns ·
- Kegon Falls lower platform, waterfall and cliffs ·