teatimeabroadMost travel blogs will tell you to treat Nikko as a day trip, but I’m here to argue the opposite. Nikko, Japan is worth more than a day trip. Just two hours North of Tokyo, this region offers a slower and more scenic option than the big city.
How much time is worth spending in Nikko, Japan? And why?
3-5 days are a good sweet spot if your time is limited. Depending on your interests, you could easily fill a week with outdoor activities. The region is teeming with opportunities to enjoy nature. Go hiking, visit waterfalls, enjoy the onsen/spa culture, take a boat ride on one of the lakes, and visit historic sights such as the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
Staying overnight also provides a more immersive experience. Since Nikko is a day-tripper destination, it can be overcrowded between 10 am and 4 pm. Staying the night gives you the opportunity to linger without the crowds.
Where to stay?
Thanks to its volcanic activity, Nikko is known for its onsen/hot spring culture. Consider booking a traditional ryokan (Japanese-style inn) to experience thermal baths as a part of your stay. Ryokans typically offer gender-separated communal onsen, multi-course meals, and provide yukatas (light cotton robes) to wear throughout the inn. The most notable difference from hotels are the tatami mats with bedrolls that are laid out on the floor for sleeping.
Ryokans can be expensive. Make sure to book well in advance for the best price.
Getting Around
Public transportation options are well established in this region. Buses run frequently and are well connected to the most popular sights. Be aware that the schedule shifts from season to season. If you visit in a shoulder or low season, the buses run less often. Make a stop at the tourist information counter in the main train station to pick up a schedule.
This Guide offers basic information about seasonal weather, locker availability at the train stations, and downloadable English brochures for your Nikko trip.
If you want a more immersive experience that isn’t dependent on these schedules or routes, consider renting a car. Book before you arrive, especially in busy seasons, as car rentals can run out.
Where to Start
There is no shortage of stunning natural landscapes to enjoy. This is another reason that I think Nikko requires more than a day trip to be appreciated.
If it is your first visit, spend at least one full day at Lake Chuzenji, Japan’s highest natural lake. For the avid hiker, there is a 25 km (15.5 mile) walking trail that spans the entire perimeter. For the more leisurely traveler, the Tobu Chuzenjiko Cruise runs from mid-April through the end of November. From the lake you have 360° views of the surrounding volcanic mountains, including the peak of Mount Nantai. The boat tours allow hop-on-hop-off access to different parts of the lake so you can use water access rather than the bus for transportation.
What to do at the Lake
Take some time on the north shore to visit the spiritual Nikko Futarasan-jinja Shrine. At the back of this shrine are stairs leading up the mountain. These steps are a spiritual pilgrimage that lead to the peak of the mountain and another layer of the shrine. Anyone in good health is allowed to walk them, but they are only open in the summer season. This Visitor’s Guide provides advice and historical information about this shrine.
If you have extra free time to spend on the lake, there are swan boats available for rental. Rent a boat with friends or family and spend hours floating on the calm waters. Just keep in mind that Lake Chuzenji is a really large lake and has enough wind that they also offer sailboating lessons. Check the wind’s strength before going too far from shore.
*My slow travel tip
Purchase a nice cake or sweet treat in one of the bakeries along the lake and take it to the dock to watch the sunset. We had a perfectly clear evening and had a wonderful time watching the sun set behind the mountains as the swan boats floated by. The golden hour glow provided a magical setting to chat and enjoy the view.
Waterfalls
Kegon Falls: The most famous of Nikko’s waterfalls at nearly 100 m tall. Tickets can be purchased on arrival. You will need to ride in an elevator down to the viewing platform.
Ryuzu Falls: (Ryuzu means dragon head) Best known for its fall foliage and free to visit. There is a cafe and restaurant onsite. This waterfall is just a short walk from the Shobugahama Pier for the Lake Chuzenji boat tour. There is also a bus stop nearby.
Ryuzu Falls Tip: For those who have good mobility, walk around to the right side of Ryuzu falls and follow the stairs up along the river. It is a little steep, but there is a secondary waterfall point and a nice view of the river and valley below from a bridge at the top.
Yudaki Falls: This sulfur waterfall is on the southern side of Lake Yunoko. It is 70 m tall and 110 m wide. It is a little of the popular path and most easily accessed by car.
Visit the main town
Another day of your trip can easily be filled by exploring the main town of Nikko. This is where you will find the train station with connections to Tokyo. The town is small enough to walk through, although there are buses that run at frequent intervals.There are many vendors offering snacks and meals along the main road to Nikko’s famous red bridge.
Major Sights
Shinkyo Bridge: historic and set just off the main road with a nice backdrop of mountains over a river. Note that this bridge is not in use for pedestrians, although you can pay a small fee to walk partially on it. This stop is a nice place for photography but tends to be crowded with tourists.
Toshogu Shrine: a memorial built for the Tokugawa Shogunate. This shrine has both Shinto and Buddhist elements. It’s most notable for the famous wood carving of the “see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil” monkeys.
Rinnoji Temple: Arguably the most famous Buddhist temple in Nikko. Make sure to visit the Japanese garden across from the entrance. There is a small fee to enter, but the fall foliage is stunning if you visit in autumn.
Futarasan Shrine: This famous shrine is dedicated to the deities of the sacred mountains of Nikko. Entrance is mostly free, with one paid section off to the left.
Nikko is worth more than a day trip. Stay a little longer, slow down, and enjoy everything this beautiful region has to offer!
