Three days in Tochigi: use day two for the lake or shrine?
Stay two nights in Nikko for temples and a day-two Lake Chuzenji visit. For Oya’s quarry and gyoza, stay in Utsunomiya and visit Toshogu on the JR Nikko Line on day two. Nikko routes return to Asakusa; Utsunomiya routes return to Tokyo Station. Both keep the same hotel.
Choose a 2 nights, 3 days itinerary
Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits
Stay two nights near Nikko Station to explore temples, waterfall and lake. Travel from and back to Asakusa: Toshogu on day one, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji on day two, then Rinnoji. The lake is a day return, so you can keep the same hotel.
Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits →2 nights, 3 days BStay in Utsunomiya and visit Nikko for a day
Stay two nights in Utsunomiya to explore Oya’s underground quarry, eat gyoza and see Toshogu’s carvings. Travel from and back to Tokyo Station: Oya History Museum on day one, Nikko on day two, then Gyoza Street and Kirasse. The waterfall and lake are excluded.
Stay in Utsunomiya and visit Nikko for a day →Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits
Stay two nights near Nikko Station to explore temples, waterfall and lake. Travel from and back to Asakusa: Toshogu on day one, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji on day two, then Rinnoji. The lake is a day return, so you can keep the same hotel.
Day 1
Focus on Toshogu on day one and stay near Nikko Station.
- Asakusa Station → Tobu-nikko Station
Take a reserved-seat Liberty Kegon limited express from Asakusa to Tobu-nikko and alight there. Buy that day’s JPY 600 World Heritage bus pass at the station tourist centre.
Bus-pass salesBus timetable, stands and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko limited-express timetable
- Tobu-nikko Station → Toshogu entrance · alight at Nishisando Iriguchi
From Tobu-nikko stand 2A, take YK towards Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow Nishisando and Omotesando signs to Toshogu’s entrance. Allow about ten minutes for the walk, plus time for ticket queues.
Toshogu admission ticketsRinnoji walking routeBus timetable, stands and faresTobu bus routes and stops
- Toshogu → Visit Toshogu and have lunch
Visit with the JPY 1,600 Toshogu-only ticket, then have lunch and rest. Return to the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9).
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-nikko Station
Take YK towards JR Nikko Station from the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9) and alight at Tobu-nikko.
Distinguish day one’s World Heritage one-day pass from the Chuzenji Onsen two-day pass starting the following day.
Day 2
Visit Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, then return to the Nikko station area.
- Tobu-nikko Station tourist centre → Tobu-nikko Station bus stands
After breakfast, buy the JPY 2,300 Chuzenji Onsen two-day pass at the station tourist centre and start using it today. The centre opened at 08:20 when checked. Choose a bus for your travel date allowing time for purchase queues and reaching the stand. For mobile purchases, check the specified-use-date conditions.
- Tobu-nikko Station → Chuzenji Onsen terminal
From Tobu-nikko, take YK towards Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen to Chuzenji-onsen · 中禅寺温泉 (26). Stand 2A was used when checked. Allow autumn-foliage traffic delays.
- Chuzenji Onsen terminal → Visit Kegon Falls’ viewing platform
Follow the eastward Kegon Falls signs from the terminal about five minutes to the lift ticket entrance. Descend by lift to the paid viewing platform. Adult return admission is JPY 600; visits are first come first served without reservations, so allow queues.
Bus timetable, stands and faresKegon facility accessKegon ticket types and operation
- Kegon Falls → Have lunch and prepare for the next walk
Have lunch beside the lake after the waterfall. Check restaurant opening on your travel date and queues.
- Large lakeside torii → Walk along Lake Chuzenji’s public shore path
Follow the official map along the public shore path from the large torii past Sunrise Pier (サンライズピア) and Sunset Pier (サンセットピア), then retrace your steps. This itinerary excludes boat rides, paid Chuzenji temple entry, Mount Nantai climbing and a full circuit of the lake.
- Lake Chuzenji public shore → Chuzenji Onsen terminal · station-bound stand
Allow time to walk back to the stop and wait. The stand for buses towards JR Nikko and Tobu-nikko was 26B when checked. Confirm official guidance for your travel date and signs; distinguish Yumoto-bound 26A.
- Chuzenji Onsen terminal → Tobu-nikko Station
Take YK towards JR Nikko Station from Chuzenji Onsen and alight at Tobu-nikko. Stay another night near Nikko Station, so no immediate return limited-express connection is needed today.
Use the Chuzenji Onsen two-day pass today and tomorrow. Choose your return bus allowing weather suspensions and lift queues at the waterfall.
Day 3
Visit Rinnoji’s Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin, then return to Asakusa.
- Tobu-nikko Station → Sanbutsudo entrance · alight at Nishisando Iriguchi
Yesterday’s Chuzenji two-day pass also covers today’s Sannai buses, so do not buy another JPY 600 pass. Take C towards Chuzenji Onsen from Tobu-nikko to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Stand 2C was used when checked; confirm guidance for your travel date and signs. Follow Nishisando and Omotesando paths towards Sanbutsudo, allowing time for the entrance walk and queues.
Bus-pass salesRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal deadlinesRinnoji walking routeBus timetable, stands and fares
- Sanbutsudo entrance → Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin
Buy the JPY 900 Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin combination ticket in the morning, visit Sanbutsudo, then walk to Taiyuin following the official map. April–October combination-ticket sales end at 14:30; confirm other seasonal deadlines for your date. Adjust restricted-day visits to available hours; see attraction guidance and temple event notices.
Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal deadlinesRinnoji walking route
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-nikko Station
From the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take C or YK towards JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-nikko. Do not stay on to the JR Nikko terminus.
- Tobu-nikko Station → Asakusa Station
Take your reserved Asakusa-bound Liberty Kegon limited express from Tobu-nikko. Check the departure board for the platform.
Bus timetable, stands and faresCurrent Tobu Nikko limited-express timetable
Yesterday’s two-day pass also covers Sannai today. Check temple admission deadlines and your return limited express together.
Included in the calculation: Tobu limited-express return JPY 6,100 + day-one World Heritage bus pass JPY 600 + days two and three Chuzenji Onsen two-day pass JPY 2,300 + Toshogu JPY 1,600 + Rinnoji combination JPY 900 + Kegon Falls lift JPY 600 = JPY 12,100.
Extra costs: Accommodation, meals, airport and Asakusa Station access, cruises, museums, treasure hall, extra shrine visits and luggage storage cost extra.
Calculated using rates checked on 2026-10-08. The Tobu limited-express reference is JPY 3,050 one way in the regular season. The Chuzenji pass covers day-three Sannai buses, so JPY 600 is not added again. Follow the specified public lakeshore path. Check season, booking conditions, fares, admission and discounts for your travel date.
Limited-express supplementsSeasonal faresBus timetable, stands and faresBus-pass salesToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal deadlinesKegon ticket types and operation
Stay in Utsunomiya and visit Nikko for a day
Stay two nights in Utsunomiya to explore Oya’s underground quarry, eat gyoza and see Toshogu’s carvings. Travel from and back to Tokyo Station: Oya History Museum on day one, Nikko on day two, then Gyoza Street and Kirasse. The waterfall and lake are excluded.
Day 1
Visit Oya History Museum and stay in Utsunomiya.
- Tokyo Station → JR Utsunomiya Station west side
Take a Utsunomiya-bound ordinary Utsunomiya Line train from Tokyo Station and alight at Utsunomiya. Ordinary carriages are used, excluding Green Car. Buy the JPY 2,200 Oya sightseeing one-day pass beside the ordinary-train ticket gates.
Oya pass inclusions and sales hoursFees, access and use restrictionsCurrent JR station timetables: select month and operating date
- JR Utsunomiya Station → Shiryokan Iriguchi bus stop · Oya History Museum
From west-side stand 6, take route 45 towards Tateiwa via Oya to Shiryokan Iriguchi. Walk about five minutes to the museum.
Oya pass inclusions and sales hoursFees, access and use restrictionsOutward stand 6 weekday timetableKanto bus current route and timetable selection
- Oya History Museum → Visit the underground quarry and have lunch
Visit Oya History Museum, then have lunch above ground. Admission is included in the Oya pass, so do not pay another JPY 1,000. The Oyaji benefit is unused.
Oya pass inclusions and sales hoursFees, access and use restrictions
- Shiryokan Iriguchi bus stop → JR Utsunomiya Station west side
Take route 01 towards Utsunomiya Station from the station-bound side of Shiryokan Iriguchi.
Oya pass inclusions and sales hoursFees, access and use restrictionsReturn weekday timetableKanto bus current route and timetable selection
Museum admission is included in the Oya pass, so no extra admission is added.
Day 2
Visit Toshogu using the JR Nikko Line, then return to Utsunomiya in the evening.
- JR Utsunomiya Station → JR Nikko Station
Take the JR Nikko Line from Utsunomiya towards Nikko and alight at JR Nikko. Choose a train reaching Nikko, distinguishing Kanuma-terminating services.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date
- JR Nikko Station → Tobu-nikko Station · station tourist centre
Walk from JR Nikko Station to Tobu-nikko along Route 119 on the official map. Buy that day’s JPY 600 World Heritage pass at the tourist centre. Have lunch nearby, then go to bus stand 2A.
- Tobu-nikko Station → Toshogu entrance · alight at Nishisando Iriguchi
From Tobu-nikko stand 2A, take YK towards Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow Omotesando signs to the entrance. Allow about ten minutes for the walk, plus time for ticket queues.
- Toshogu → Visit Toshogu and walk to the station-bound stop
Use the JPY 1,600 Toshogu-only ticket to see Yomeimon and the Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings. Descend Nishisando afterwards to the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Other temple tickets are excluded.
Toshogu admission ticketsRinnoji walking routeBus timetable, stands and faresToshogu’s Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat
- Nishisando Iriguchi → JR Utsunomiya Station · walk from Tobu-nikko to JR Nikko for the train
From the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take C or YK towards JR Nikko Station and alight at Tobu-nikko. Walk along Route 119 to JR Nikko and take the JR Nikko Line towards Utsunomiya. Allow for walking between stations and reaching the platform.
Bus timetable, stands and faresCurrent JR station timetables: select month and operating date
JR Nikko and Tobu-nikko are separate stations. Choose your return JR train allowing the temple-to-station bus and 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
Walk from JR Utsunomiya’s west side to Gyoza Street, about 15 minutes according to official guidance. Explore signs and lanes and check individual shops’ hours.
Gyoza Street accessCity tourism organisation’s food walking route
- Gyoza Street → Eat gyoza at Kirasse Main Store
Order and compare gyoza in Kirasse Main Store’s daily rotating area, on basement level 1 of MEGA Don Quijote La Park. Hours were 11:00–21:00 daily, last orders 20:30, when checked; distinguish the five permanent stalls’ weekday closures. Finish with time to return to the station.
- Kirasse Main Store → JR Utsunomiya Station west exit
After eating, return to street level and walk back to JR Utsunomiya Station’s west exit.
City tourism organisation’s food walking routeKirasse Main Store operation
- JR Utsunomiya Station → Tokyo Station
Choose an ordinary train from Utsunomiya via Tokyo Station and alight there. Confirm it stops at Tokyo, distinguishing services via Shinjuku.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date
Choose an ordinary train stopping at Tokyo Station, distinguishing services via Shinjuku.
Included in the calculation: JR Tokyo–Utsunomiya return JPY 4,180 + Oya sightseeing one-day pass JPY 2,200 + JR Utsunomiya–Nikko JPY 810 × 2 + World Heritage bus pass JPY 600 + Toshogu JPY 1,600 = JPY 10,200.
Extra costs: Accommodation, gyoza and other meals, travel to Tokyo Station, Green Car, extra attractions and luggage storage cost extra.
Calculated using rates checked on 2026-10-08. The Nikko Line uses ordinary unreserved carriages without a limited-express supplement. Use the Oya pass on day one and World Heritage pass on day two; walk on the final day. Check season, booking conditions, fares, admission and discounts for your travel date.
JR revised fare tableOya pass inclusions and sales hoursNikko tourism organisation’s 2026 revised fees · JR Nikko Line JPY 810Bus-pass salesToshogu admission tickets
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-day bus pass enough for Nikko’s waterfall?
The JPY 600 World Heritage one-day pass covers Sannai shrines and temples, excluding the bus to Chuzenji Onsen. Three days A uses the JPY 2,300 Chuzenji Onsen two-day pass for day-two waterfall and lake travel and day-three temple buses. Kegon Falls’ JPY 600 lift admission is separate.
Bus-pass salesBus timetable, stands and faresKegon facility accessKegon ticket types and operation
Do I board and return directly at JR Nikko Station?
After arriving from Utsunomiya at JR Nikko, walk along Route 119 to Tobu-nikko for the bus. On your return, alight at Tobu-nikko and walk to JR Nikko. They are separate stations; distinguish your bus alighting point from the Nikko Line platform.
Bus timetable, stands and faresNikko tourism organisation’s 2026 revised fees · JR Nikko Line JPY 810
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Limited-express supplements ·
- Seasonal fares ·
- Bus timetable, stands and fares ·
- Bus-pass sales ·
- Rinnoji walking route ·
- JR revised fare table ·
- Oya pass inclusions and sales hours ·
- Outward stand 6 weekday timetable ·
- Return weekday timetable ·
- Gyoza Street access ·
- City tourism organisation’s food walking route ·
- Kirasse Main Store operation ·
- Kegon facility access ·
- Kegon ticket types and operation ·
- Official lake and waterfall walking map ·
- Stand 26B change notice ·
- Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal deadlines ·
- Toshogu admission tickets ·
- Tobu bus routes and stops ·
- Fees, access and use restrictions ·
- Nikko tourism organisation’s 2026 revised fees · JR Nikko Line JPY 810 ·
- Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date ·
- Kanto bus current route and timetable selection ·
- Current Tobu Nikko limited-express timetable ·
- Toshogu’s Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat ·