Three nights in Tochigi: stay by the lake or visit both cities?
For a lake night, spend two nights near Nikko Station, then move to Lake Chuzenji. Visit the British villa on the last day before taking the mountain bus down. For Oya’s quarry and gyoza, spend one night in Utsunomiya and two in Nikko, with a waterfall and lake day trip. Villa itineraries need adjustment during the December–March winter closure.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days, 3 nights
Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake
Stay two nights near Nikko Station, then one at Chuzenji Onsen to enjoy the lakeside evening and morning. This Asakusa round trip visits the temples first, then heads up to the lake for the waterfall and British villa on different days. The villa closes December–March, so this itinerary cannot be used unchanged in winter.
Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake →4 days, 3 nights BGive Oya, gyoza, the lake, and temples a day each
Split your stay into one night in Utsunomiya and two near Nikko Station to explore Oya’s underground quarry, eat gyoza, then visit Nikko’s temples and lake. Depart Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. The waterfall and lake are a day trip from Nikko; the final day visits only Sanbutsudo and Toshogu.
Give Oya, gyoza, the lake, and temples a day each →Visit the temples, then spend a night beside the lake
Stay two nights near Nikko Station, then one at Chuzenji Onsen to enjoy the lakeside evening and morning. This Asakusa round trip visits the temples first, then heads up to the lake for the waterfall and British villa on different days. The villa closes December–March, so this itinerary cannot be used unchanged in winter.
Day 1
Visit Toshogu, then spend the first night near Nikko Station.
- Asakusa Station → Tobu-Nikko Station and tourist center
Board the reserved-seat Limited Express Revaty Kegon from Asakusa to Tobu-Nikko and get off there. Buy that day’s ¥600 World Heritage bus ticket at the station tourist center.
Current Tobu limited express timetable toward NikkoBus ticket sales
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Toshogu entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK service to Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen and get off at Nishisando Iriguchi · 西参道入口 (9). The boarding stop was 2A at the checked date; recheck the operator’s information and on-site signs for your date. Follow Nishisando and Omotesando directions to Toshogu’s entrance, an officially listed walk of about 10 minutes, plus admission time.
- Toshogu → Visit Toshogu and have lunch
Visit with the ¥1,600 Toshogu-only ticket, then have lunch and rest. Retrace Omotesando and Nishisando to the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9).
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
At the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take a C or YK service toward JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-Nikko. Do not continue to the JR Nikko terminus.
Check Toshogu’s seasonal admission cutoff. You do not head up to the lake today.
Day 2
Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin, then return to the Nikko station area.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Sanbutsudo entrance via Nishisando Iriguchi stop
Buy a new ¥600 World Heritage bus ticket for today. From Tobu-Nikko, take a C service to Chuzenji Onsen and get off at Nishisando Iriguchi (9). The boarding stop was 2C at the checked date; recheck the operator’s information and on-site signs for your date. Follow the route from Nishisando and Omotesando to Sanbutsudo, allowing time for the entrance walk and admission queue.
Rinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffsRinnoji visitor routeBus ticket salesBus timetable, stops, and fares
- Sanbutsudo entrance → Visit Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin
In the morning, buy the ¥900 Sanbutsudo–Taiyuin combined ticket. Visit Sanbutsudo, then follow the official map to walk to Taiyuin and visit. April–October combined-ticket sales end at 2:30 p.m.; check the cutoff for your season. On Sanbutsudo restriction days, adjust to the available visiting hours. Find date-specific restrictions in attraction information and temple event notices.
Rinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffsRinnoji visitor route
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
After lunch, take a C or YK bus toward JR Nikko Station from the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), getting off at Tobu-Nikko rather than the JR Nikko terminus.
The two-site combined ticket stops selling earlier than regular admission.
Day 3
Move to Chuzenji Onsen for the waterfall and shore, and begin your lakeside stay today.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji Onsen Terminal
At the station tourist center, buy the ¥2,300 Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket starting today. Choose a morning bus allowing for the purchase queue. From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK service to Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen and get off at Chuzenji-onsen · 中禅寺温泉 (26). The boarding stop was 2A at the checked date. Allow for fall foliage-season traffic.
- Chuzenji Onsen Terminal → Visit the Kegon Falls viewing platform
From Chuzenji Onsen Terminal, follow signs east toward Kegon Falls for a roughly five-minute walk to the elevator entrance. Ride down to see the falls from the paid viewing platform. The adult round-trip price is ¥600; admission is first come, first served.
- Kegon Falls → Walk the shore and return to Chuzenji Onsen
After lunch, take an out-and-back walk along the public shore path from the large torii toward Sunrise Pier, then the front of Sunset Pier. No boat ride is included.
Start the Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket today and use it until your descent tomorrow. Allow for mountain-road congestion in fall foliage season.
Day 4
See the British villa’s exhibits and lake views, then return to Asakusa.
- Large lakeside torii → British Embassy Villa Memorial Park entrance
From the large torii, follow the road southeast along the lake and the shore toward Utagahama to reach the British villa. The official walking estimate is about 35 minutes from Chuzenji Onsen Terminal.
Official lake and waterfall walking mapBritish villa operations, tickets, and walking access
- British villa entrance → Visit the lakeside villa
Use the ¥300 British-villa-only ticket to see exhibits about Ernest Satow and the international summer resort’s history, then lake views from the second floor. Afterward, retrace the same shore route toward Chuzenji Onsen. The Italian villa and tea experience are excluded.
Official lake and waterfall walking mapBritish villa operations, tickets, and walking access
- Chuzenji Onsen Terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station
At Chuzenji Onsen Terminal’s station-bound stop, take a YK service toward JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-Nikko. The station-bound stop was 26B at the checked date, distinct from Yumoto-bound 26A. Check your date’s operator notices, on-site signs, and station-bound timetable. This is the second day of the Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket started yesterday.
Bus ticket salesBus timetable, stops, and faresStop 26B change notice
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station
Board your reserved-seat Limited Express Revaty Kegon from Tobu-Nikko Station to Asakusa. The bus down from the lake may be delayed, so choose a return train with a buffer after your station arrival.
Bus timetable, stops, and faresCurrent Tobu limited express timetable toward Nikko
The villa closes December–March, and closes at 4 p.m. in April and November 11–30. Choose your return limited express with time for the round-trip shore walk and bus congestion.
Costs included in the calculation: Tobu limited express round trip ¥6,100 + World Heritage bus tickets for the first two days ¥600 × 2 + Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket ¥2,300 + Toshogu ¥1,600 + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo–Taiyuin combined ticket ¥900 + Kegon Falls elevator ¥600 + British-villa-only ticket ¥300 = ¥13,000.
Extra costs: Lodging, meals, bathing tax, travel to Asakusa Station, sightseeing boats, tea experiences, extra visits such as the Italian villa, activities, and bag storage are separate.
Calculated with prices checked October 8, 2026. Tobu limited express uses a regular-season one-way price of ¥3,050 for a paper base-fare ticket and reserved-seat limited express ticket. Check your actual date’s season, booking terms, fares, admission, and discount conditions.
The shore walk to the villa is longer than the short walk near the waterfall. In rain or with on-site restrictions, shorten the villa visit and prioritize a bus that connects to your reserved return train with plenty of time.
Limited express chargeSeasonal faresBus timetable, stops, and faresBus ticket salesToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffsKegon ticket types and operationsBritish villa operations, tickets, and walking access
Give Oya, gyoza, the lake, and temples a day each
Split your stay into one night in Utsunomiya and two near Nikko Station to explore Oya’s underground quarry, eat gyoza, then visit Nikko’s temples and lake. Depart Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa. The waterfall and lake are a day trip from Nikko; the final day visits only Sanbutsudo and Toshogu.
Day 1
Arrive in Utsunomiya and visit Oya History Museum.
- Tokyo Station → Shiryokan Iriguchi stop via bus transfer at JR Utsunomiya Station
Take a regular Utsunomiya Line train from Tokyo Station toward Utsunomiya and get off there. Use an ordinary car, not a Green Car. Buy the ¥2,200 Oya sightseeing one-day ticket at the station tourist information office. From Utsunomiya Station’s west-side stop 6, take route 45 for Tateiwa via Oya (大谷経由立岩) and get off at Shiryokan Iriguchi · 資料館入口. Distinguish it from route 47 to Shin-Kanuma. The official ride estimate is about 30 minutes; allow for traffic.
Oya ticket inclusions and sales hoursFees, access, and entry restrictionsOutbound route 6 weekday timetableCurrent JR station timetables: select month and operating dateKanto Transportation current route and timetable selection
- Shiryokan Iriguchi bus stop → See the underground quarry and have lunch
Walk about five minutes from the stop to the museum. Explore the underground quarry exhibits, then have lunch above ground.
Fees, access, and entry restrictionsOya ticket inclusions and sales hours
- Shiryokan Iriguchi bus stop → West side of JR Utsunomiya Station
Take route 01 for Utsunomiya Station from the station-bound side of Shiryokan Iriguchi stop.
Weekday return timetableKanto Transportation current route and timetable selection
Use the Oya ticket only today. Check the museum’s seasonal operations.
Day 2
After gyoza, take the JR Nikko Line to Nikko for your stay.
- West side of JR Utsunomiya Station → Walk Gyoza Street
From the JR station’s west side, walk about 15 minutes to Gyoza Street to explore its signs and lanes. Check individual shop hours.
- Gyoza Street → Eat gyoza at Kirasse Main Store
Order and compare gyoza in Kirasse Main Store’s rotating daily vendor area in the MEGA Don Quijote La Park basement. At the checked date, it operated daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m., with last orders at 8:30 p.m. Distinguish this from weekday closures of the five permanent shops. Finish eating with time to return to the station for your Nikko train.
- Kirasse Main Store → JR Utsunomiya Station west exit
After your meal, return to street level and walk back to JR Utsunomiya Station’s west exit.
City tourism walking food itineraryKirasse main store operations
- JR Utsunomiya Station → JR Nikko Station
Take a JR Nikko Line train from Utsunomiya toward Nikko and get off at JR Nikko Station. Choose a train continuing to Nikko, distinguishing it from services terminating at Kanuma.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date
After your city meal, choose a JR train continuing to Nikko, distinguishing it from services terminating at Kanuma.
Day 3
Take a day trip to Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, then return to the Nikko station area.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Chuzenji Onsen Terminal
Buy the ¥2,300 Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket starting today at the station tourist center. From Tobu-Nikko, take a YK service to Yumoto Onsen via Kotoku Onsen and get off at Chuzenji-onsen · 中禅寺温泉 (26). The boarding stop was 2A at the checked date. Allow for fall foliage-season traffic.
- Chuzenji Onsen Terminal → Visit the Kegon Falls viewing platform
From the terminal, follow signs east toward Kegon Falls for a roughly five-minute walk to the elevator ticket entrance. Take the elevator down to see the falls from the paid viewing platform. The adult round-trip price is ¥600. Admission is first come, first served without reservations, so allow waiting time.
- Kegon Falls → Lunch and walk Lake Chuzenji’s public shore
After lunch, walk the public shore by the large torii and the fronts of Sunrise and Sunset piers, then retrace your route. No boat or paid temple visit is included.
- Chuzenji Onsen Terminal → Tobu-Nikko Station
At Chuzenji Onsen Terminal’s station-bound stop, take a YK service toward JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-Nikko. The station-bound stop was 26B at the checked date, distinct from Yumoto-bound 26A. Check your date’s operator notices, on-site signs, and station-bound timetable. Do not immediately connect to a Tokyo-bound train on your mountain descent day.
Use the Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket today and tomorrow. After descending from the lake today, stay in Nikko.
Day 4
Visit Sanbutsudo and Toshogu, then return to Asakusa. Taiyuin is excluded.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Visit Rinnoji’s Sanbutsudo Hall
From Tobu-Nikko, take a C service to Chuzenji Onsen and get off at Nishisando Iriguchi (9). The boarding stop was 2C at the checked date; recheck the operator’s information and on-site signs for your date. Follow the route from Nishisando and Omotesando to Sanbutsudo, allowing time for the entrance walk and admission queue. Use the ¥400 Sanbutsudo-only ticket, rather than buying a Taiyuin combined ticket. On Sanbutsudo restriction days, adjust to the available visiting hours. Find date-specific restrictions in attraction information and temple event notices.
Rinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffsBus timetable, stops, and faresRinnoji visitor route
- Sanbutsudo → Walk from Sanbutsudo to Toshogu and visit
Follow Omotesando from Sanbutsudo to Toshogu’s entrance. Visit with the ¥1,600 Toshogu-only ticket. Taiyuin and the treasure house are excluded.
Toshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffsRinnoji visitor routeBus ticket salesTobu Bus routes and stops
- Nishisando Iriguchi → Tobu-Nikko Station
At the station-bound side of Nishisando Iriguchi (9), take a C or YK service toward JR Nikko Station and get off at Tobu-Nikko. Do not continue to the JR Nikko terminus.
- Tobu-Nikko Station → Asakusa Station
Board your reserved-seat Limited Express Revaty Kegon from Tobu-Nikko to Asakusa. Since you depart Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa, do not prepare a Tokyo Station round-trip ticket.
This option uses ¥400 Sanbutsudo-only admission and ¥1,600 Toshogu admission. The bus ticket started yesterday also covers the temple-area buses.
Costs included in the calculation: JR Tokyo Station–Utsunomiya Station ¥2,090 + JR Utsunomiya Station–Nikko Station ¥810 + Tobu-Nikko Station–Asakusa Station limited express ¥3,050 + Oya sightseeing one-day ticket ¥2,200 + Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket ¥2,300 + Kegon Falls elevator ¥600 + Rinnoji Sanbutsudo ¥400 + Toshogu ¥1,600 = ¥13,050.
Extra costs: Lodging, gyoza and other meals, travel to the departure station, Green Car travel, other temple visits, sightseeing boats, and bag storage are separate.
Calculated with prices checked October 8, 2026. Tobu limited express uses a regular-season one-way price of ¥3,050. The Chuzenji Onsen ticket covers days three and four, so another ¥600 temple-area bus ticket is not added on day four. Depart Tokyo Station and return to Asakusa Station. Check your actual date’s season, booking terms, fares, admission, and discount conditions.
Limited express chargeSeasonal faresRevised JR fare tableNikko tourism organization 2026 revised fare table and JR Nikko Line ¥810Oya ticket inclusions and sales hoursBus timetable, stops, and faresBus ticket salesToshogu admission ticketsRinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffsKegon ticket types and operations
Frequently asked questions
Do I return to Tokyo Station after Utsunomiya and Nikko?
The option with one night in Utsunomiya and two in Nikko leaves Tokyo Station by JR and returns from Tobu-Nikko to Asakusa by limited express. Departure and return stations differ. Even on a JR Nikko-bound bus from the temples, get off at Tobu-Nikko to catch the limited express.
Current JR station timetables: select month and operating dateBus timetable, stops, and faresCurrent Tobu limited express timetable toward Nikko
When should I start the Chuzenji Onsen two-day ticket for a lake night?
After two nights in Nikko, start the two-day ticket on Day 3 when traveling to the lake; use it again on Day 4 to return to the station. Temple buses on Days 1 and 2 each require a separate World Heritage day ticket. For one night in Utsunomiya and two in Nikko, use the Chuzenji ticket for the Day 3 lake round trip and Day 4 Sannai temple buses.
Official sources and checked dates
- Limited express charge ·
- Seasonal fares ·
- Bus timetable, stops, and fares ·
- Bus ticket sales ·
- Rinnoji visitor route ·
- Revised JR fare table ·
- Oya ticket inclusions and sales hours ·
- Outbound route 6 weekday timetable ·
- Weekday return timetable ·
- Gyoza Street access ·
- City tourism walking food itinerary ·
- Kirasse main store operations ·
- Kegon facility access ·
- Kegon ticket types and operations ·
- Official lake and waterfall walking map ·
- Stop 26B change notice ·
- British villa operations, tickets, and walking access ·
- Rinnoji tickets, prices, and seasonal admission cutoffs ·
- Toshogu admission tickets ·
- Tobu Bus routes and stops ·
- Fees, access, and entry restrictions ·
- Nikko tourism organization 2026 revised fare table and JR Nikko Line ¥810 ·
- Current JR station timetables: select month and operating date ·
- Kanto Transportation current route and timetable selection ·
- Tobu NIKKO PASS ALL AREA coverage, four-day validity, and exclusions ·
- JR EAST TOKYO Wide Pass: three days, coverage, and standalone Tobu limited express exclusion ·
- Current Tobu limited express timetable toward Nikko ·