Which Tochigi attractions would you like to explore?

Give Toshogu and Rinnoji separate time to examine detailed shrine and temple architecture. Visit Oya History Museum to explore the scale of its underground quarry, or Lake Chuzenji for shore walks and villa displays. Oya entry uses stairs; the lake requires a mountain-road bus. Compare walking demands and transport conditions before choosing.

Attraction fees, hours and access

Visits and walks

Nikko Toshogu

Nikko Toshogu Shrine日光東照宮

Explore Yomeimon and the Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings at Nikko Toshogu. Walk among the grounds’ buildings and carvings. Rinnoji tickets do not admit you to Toshogu.

AdmissionIndividual admission costs JPY 1,600 for adults and senior high school pupils, or JPY 550 for primary and junior high school pupils. Museum combination admission is a different ticket.
Hours1 April–31 October: 09:00–17:00; 1 November–31 March: 09:00–16:00. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Avoid relying on late-afternoon entry.
Getting thereTake a Tobu bus from JR Nikko or Tobu-nikko to Sannai. Alight at Nishisando Iriguchi and follow Omotesando signs to Toshogu’s entrance. The operator’s diversion map gives about ten minutes on foot, excluding ticket queues. Allow walking and stairs after alighting.

Toshogu admission tickets2026-10-09Tobu bus routes and stops2026-10-08Toshogu’s Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat2026-10-09

View Nikko Toshogu details →Two days A · Give Nikko’s Toshogu and Rinnoji a day each Three days A · Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits Three days B · Stay in Utsunomiya and visit Nikko for a day Four days A · Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake Four days B · Give Oya, gyoza, the lake and temples a day each Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Visits and walks

Nikkosan Rinnoji

Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple日光山輪王寺

Explore the large wooden Sanbutsudo hall and Tokugawa Iemitsu’s mausoleum architecture and lanterns at Taiyuin. Choose a Sanbutsudo-only ticket or a combination for both. Combination-ticket sales end earlier, so arrive in time if visiting both.

AdmissionAdult admission costs JPY 400 for Sanbutsudo, JPY 550 for Taiyuin or JPY 900 for the combination. The treasure hall and Shoyoen cost extra.
HoursApril–October: 08:00–17:00; November–March: 08:00–16:00. Ordinary admission ends 30 minutes earlier. Combination-ticket sales end earlier still: 14:30 in April–October or 13:30 in November–March.
Getting thereTake a Tobu bus from the Nikko stations to Nishisando Iriguchi (9). Follow Nishisando and Omotesando signs to Sanbutsudo; Taiyuin has a separate entrance. Use the official temple map and itinerary walking order for both sites.
Event-related visiting restrictionsSanbutsudo is unavailable all day on 3 February and 2 April, from 11:00 on 1 April, and during the morning on 14 December. Taiyuin’s worship-hall interior has event restrictions at certain times on 18–20 April, 17 May and 14–15 July. Check your date’s event notices.

Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal deadlines2026-10-09Rinnoji’s wooden main hall, Iemitsu mausoleum and lanterns2026-10-09Rinnoji walking route2026-10-08Tobu bus routes and stops2026-10-08Bus timetable, stands and fares2026-10-08

View Nikkosan Rinnoji details →Two days A · Give Nikko’s Toshogu and Rinnoji a day each Three days A · Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits Four days A · Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake Four days B · Give Oya, gyoza, the lake and temples a day each Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Visits and walks

Kegon Falls

華厳滝

At Kegon Falls, see falling water against the lower rock cliffs. Use the ground-level viewpoint or pay for the lift to the lower viewing platform. Follow local guidance if mist obscures the waterfall or the facility is suspended.

AdmissionReturn lift admission costs JPY 600 for visitors of junior-high school age and above, or JPY 400 for primary pupils. Preschool children enter free.
HoursMarch–November: 08:00–17:00; December–February: 09:00–16:30. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. Weather may suspend operation.
Getting thereTake a Tobu bus towards Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen from JR Nikko or Tobu-nikko and alight at Chuzenji Onsen. Follow eastward Kegon Falls signs about five minutes to the lift entrance.

Kegon ticket types and operation2026-10-09Kegon Falls lower platform, waterfall and rock cliffs2026-10-09Tourism organisation’s hours and fees2026-10-08Kegon facility access2026-10-08Bus timetable, stands and fares2026-10-08

View Kegon Falls details →Three days A · Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits Four days A · Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake Four days B · Give Oya, gyoza, the lake and temples a day each Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Visits and walks

Lake Chuzenji

中禅寺湖

An overnight stay adds evening and next-morning views to a lakeshore walk. On a day trip, follow Kegon Falls with the public shore path by the large torii, Sunrise Pier and Sunset Pier. This differs from a full lake circuit or cruise itinerary.

CostsCruise, temple and observation-deck fees are excluded from the walking itinerary.
HoursTravel in daylight and return according to weather on your travel date and bus operation.
Getting thereFollow the official tourist map from Chuzenji Onsen stop to the shore. The JPY 1,250 adult one-way bus reference covers Nikko Station–Chuzenji Onsen.

Official lake and waterfall walking map2026-10-08Bus timetable, stands and fares2026-10-08

View Lake Chuzenji details →Three days A · Add a waterfall and lakeshore day between temple visits Four days A · Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake Four days B · Give Oya, gyoza, the lake and temples a day each Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Visits and walks

Oya History Museum

大谷資料館

Descend into the large underground space left by stone quarrying at Oya History Museum. Bring a light extra layer even in summer, as it is cooler underground. Access uses stairs; contact the facility beforehand if you need mobility assistance.

AdmissionFrom April 2026, adult admission costs JPY 1,000; primary and junior high school pupils pay JPY 400, and preschool children enter free. Payment is cash only.
HoursApril–November: 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. December–March: 09:30–16:30, last admission 16:00. Closed Tuesdays in winter, or the following day for public holidays. Also check 26 December–3 January closure and temporary operating changes.
Getting thereFrom JR Utsunomiya west-side stand 6, take a bus towards Oya and Tateiwa to Shiryokan Iriguchi. The ride takes about 30 minutes, followed by about five minutes on foot. Return from the station-bound side of the same stop towards Utsunomiya Station.
Mobility assistanceOrdinary admission does not permit wheelchairs, pushchairs or walking frames. Paid golf-cart assistance requires advance booking on available weekdays; same-day requests are not accepted. Holiday periods and group use may limit bookings; contact the facility.

Fees, access and use restrictions2026-10-09Return weekday timetable2026-10-08

View Oya History Museum details →Two days B · Explore Oya History Museum and try Utsunomiya gyoza Three days B · Stay in Utsunomiya and visit Nikko for a day Four days B · Give Oya, gyoza, the lake and temples a day each Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake

Visits and walks

British Embassy Villa Memorial Park

英国大使館別荘記念公園

Displays explore diplomat Ernest Satow and Oku-Nikko’s international summer-resort history, with lake views from the second floor. The walk is longer than a short stroll near the terminal, and the villa closes in winter. Tea and café purchases cost extra.

AdmissionAdult admission costs JPY 300 for one villa or JPY 450 for the two-villa combination. The tea experience and café purchases cost extra.
HoursApril and 11–30 November: 09:00–16:00; May–10 November: 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays in April; check substitute closures for public holidays. No regular closure in May–November; closed December–March for winter. Check temporary changes separately.
Getting thereOfficially about 35 minutes on foot from Chuzenji Onsen terminal. Follow the official map along the southeastern lake road and Utagahama shore. From a hotel, check the route from its own location.

British villa operation, tickets and walking access2026-10-09Nikko tourism organisation’s 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closure2026-10-09

View British Embassy Villa Memorial Park details →Four days A · Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Visits and walks

Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park

イタリア大使館別荘記念公園

Explore cedar-bark finishes and lake views in the lakeside main building, then photos and films about the international summer resort in the annex. Compare the combination ticket if visiting the British villa as well. The villa closes in winter.

AdmissionAdult admission costs JPY 300 for one villa or JPY 450 for the two-villa combination. The tea experience and café purchases cost extra.
HoursApril and 11–30 November: 09:00–16:00; May–10 November: 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays in April; check substitute closures for public holidays. No regular closure in May–November; closed December–March for winter. Check temporary changes separately.
Getting thereAbout 35 minutes’ walk from Chuzenji Onsen terminal along the southeastern lakeshore towards Utagahama. Boat access and seasonal buses are excluded from this itinerary.

Italian villa operation and tickets2026-10-09Nikko tourism organisation’s 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closure2026-10-09

View Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park details →Five days A · Stay two nights in Utsunomiya, then one each in Nikko and by the lake Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Visits and walks

Tochigi Prefectural Nikko Natural Science Museum

Nikko Natural Science Museum, Tochigi Prefecture栃木県立日光自然博物館

The museum explains lakeside landscapes through nature displays on water flow, wetlands and living things. History displays cover Oku-Nikko’s development as an international summer resort. Five days B visits these indoor displays the day after the two villas.

AdmissionOrdinary adult admission costs JPY 510; children from age four to junior-high school age pay JPY 260. Separate rates apply to groups of 20 or more.
Hours1 April–10 November: 09:00–17:00; 11 November–31 March: 10:00–16:00. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Open daily May–November; closed Mondays December–April and 29 December–3 January. Check holiday substitute closures and temporary operation separately.
Getting thereBeside Chuzenji Onsen terminal, one minute’s walk from the stop. This excludes the full walk from your hotel.

Natural science museum fees, hours and access2026-10-09

View Tochigi Prefectural Nikko Natural Science Museum details →Five days B · Explore Nikko’s temples and the lake’s nature and villas at leisure

Frequently asked questions

Is Oya History Museum adult admission JPY 800?

Individual adult admission is JPY 1,000 from April 2026, payable in cash only. The Oya sightseeing one-day pass includes museum admission, so do not add it again.

Fees, access and use restrictions2026-10-09Oya pass inclusions and sales hours2026-10-08

Can I enter Oya History Museum with a pushchair?

Ordinary admission does not permit pushchairs, wheelchairs or walking frames. Paid golf-cart assistance requires advance booking on available weekdays; same-day requests are not accepted. Holiday periods and group schedules may limit bookings; contact the facility.

Fees, access and use restrictions2026-10-09Oya pass inclusions and sales hours2026-10-08

Can I enter Lake Chuzenji’s British and Italian embassy villas in winter?

Both embassy villa parks close December–March. Closing is 16:00 in April and 11–30 November, or 17:00 in May–10 November. Check April Monday closures and temporary operation. This differs from lake walking and natural science museum hours. Seasonal operation checked on 2026-10-09.

Nikko tourism organisation’s 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closure2026-10-09British villa operation, tickets and walking access2026-10-09Italian villa operation and tickets2026-10-09

Official sources and confirmation dates

Bus timetable, stands and fares · 2026-10-08
Rinnoji walking route · 2026-10-08
Oya pass inclusions and sales hours · 2026-10-08
Return weekday timetable · 2026-10-08
Kegon facility access · 2026-10-08
Kegon ticket types and operation · 2026-10-09
Official lake and waterfall walking map · 2026-10-08
British villa operation, tickets and walking access · 2026-10-09
Rinnoji tickets, fees and seasonal deadlines · 2026-10-09
Italian villa operation and tickets · 2026-10-09
Natural science museum fees, hours and access · 2026-10-09
Toshogu admission tickets · 2026-10-09
Tobu bus routes and stops · 2026-10-08
Tourism organisation’s hours and fees · 2026-10-08
Fees, access and use restrictions · 2026-10-09
Nikko tourism organisation’s 2026 villa seasonal hours and winter closure · 2026-10-09
Toshogu’s Yomeimon, Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat · 2026-10-09
Rinnoji’s wooden main hall, Iemitsu mausoleum and lanterns · 2026-10-09
Kegon Falls lower platform, waterfall and rock cliffs · 2026-10-09