Exploring Nikko: 10 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit

10 Best Things to Do in Nikko

1. Take Photos of the Iconic Shinkyo Bridge

We first start off with one of the most famous landmarks in Nikko, the Shinkyo Bridge, an iconic red-black bridge with a storied past, set against the beautiful forests and rivers of Nikko.

Constructed in 1636 to bridge over the Daiya River, the Shinkyo Bridge is one of Nikko's many rich cultural heritages. Legend has it that Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin, who introduced Buddhism to Nikko in the 8th century, crossed the river on the backs of two giant serpents, which served as an inspiration for the city to build the bridge in its distinctive curve design.

You can walk and get up close and personal with the bridge if you don't mind paying the 500 JPY entrance fee. The bridge is open from 9:15 AM - 3:30 PM every day, but you can see the bridge for free anytime right from the main road. The bridge is also stunning at night when illuminated by streetlights, so be sure to check it out.

Where to Stay in Nikko?

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Turtle Inn Nikko

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Midorian

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Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage

Twin Room | $$$

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2. Stroll Around Kanmangafuchi Abyss 💎 Hidden Gem

Kanmangafuchi Abyss is one of my favorite places in Nikko. This beautiful forested volcanic gorge is located along the Daiya River, south of Yasukawacho town, and it is known for its picturesque Jizo stone statues of Buddhist monks.

Along the gorge, you will find these moss-covered stone statues facing the river, all lined up neatly along the walking path, which makes for a peaceful stroll as well as a great photo spot.

The journey to reach Kanmangafuchi Abyss is an attraction in itself. As you stroll through the small, tranquil backstreets of Yasukawacho, cross the river, and continue on, you'll encounter numerous viewpoints that offer a glimpse of the beautiful gorge and some of its stunning waterfalls.

Since it is a bit further away from other tourist attractions in Nikko, you won't find as many people, which is even more reason to check out Kanmangafuchi Abyss. The place is open 24/7, and there is no entrance fee.

3. Admire the Beauty of Nikko Toshogu Temple ♥️ Must Visit

Nikko is home to some of the most stunning temples in Japan, and the one you shouldn't miss is Nikko Toshogu Temple, a beautifully decorated 17th-century shrine complex that was built to honor the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years.

Stepping into Nikko Toshogu is like entering another realm, transitioning from nature into a palace-like courtyard surrounded by opulent temples and shrines adorned with vibrant colors and detailed carvings.

One of the highlights of visiting Nikko Toshogu is seeing the famed Yomeimon Gate, which is considered to be the most beautiful gate in Japan. The gate is truly a masterpiece of design, featuring more than 240,000 pieces of gold leaf as well as over 500 elaborate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and other imaginary animals. It is truly quite a sight to behold.

Since the temple is one of the most popular places to visit in Nikko, there might be a bit of a queue at the ticket machines, but they usually move quite fast and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to get inside the temple. To beat the crowds, get there early in the morning.

The temple is open from 8 AM to 4 PM (in the autumn) or 5 PM (in the summer) every day, and the entrance fee is 1300 JPY. You can expect to spend about 30 minutes to an hour to see all the attractions inside the temple.

4. Check Out Nikko Gojunoto, the Five-Storied Pagoda

After you are done with Nikko Toshogu Temple, you can also spend some time admiring the stunning Nikko Gojunoto, a five-storied pagoda located at the entrance of Nikko Toshogu Temple. It gracefully pierces the sky, towering over the tall trees of Nikko.

Nikko Gojunoto is a Shinto shrine that was established in the 17th Century to honor the first Tokugawa shogun. The pagoda is a beautiful example of a Gojunoto, which is a storied pagoda often found across the country. Personally, I think this one in Nikko is the most photogenic, thanks to its incredibly intricate roof design and its beautiful surroundings.

You can pay 300 JPY to get a closer look at the pagoda, but you cannot go inside and climb up, which is a shame. Personally, I don't think it is worth the price to just see the pagoda a few meters closer. You can simply admire the pagoda from the outside while you wait in line to enter Nikko Toshogu Temple for free.

5. Check Out the Museums of Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple 🏛️ Best Museum

Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple is probably one of the first temples you will encounter as you enter Nikko's world heritage site. The temple complex was built in the 8th century, and it is famous for its old wooden main hall, treasure house, and peaceful garden where you can stroll around.

The Treasure House Museum holds a number of artifacts related to Buddhism and the Tokugawa shogunate, such as a 1000-year-old sutra. You will also have access to a beautiful garden behind the treasure house, where you can stroll around and enjoy the beautiful foliage.

You can visit the temple grounds for free, but if you wish to enter the treasure house and the garden, you will need to pay the entrance fee of 1000 JPY. The temple is open from 8 AM to 5 PM in the summer and until 4 PM for the rest of the year.

6. Hike Deeper and Visit the ancients shrines of Takino'o

If you still can't get enough of temples and shrines in Nikko, there is a trail you can follow that will take you deep into the forest to Takino'o Shrine, a small Shinto shrine that rarely gets any visitors, thanks to its remote location.

It is the perfect place to visit if you find yourself overwhelmed by the crowds in Nikko, as it can be a bit of an effort to get there. From Nikko Toshogu, you will have to walk for about 20 minutes along the 1.5 km path, where you will find plenty of beautiful moss-covered shrines waiting for you to discover along the way.

Don't worry, it is an easy and peaceful walk, and there will be plenty of sights to keep you occupied on your way there and back. If you can spare some time in Nikko, be sure to hit the trail and explore some of the hidden shrines scattered around the forest of Nikko.

7. Stay in a Ryokan

One of the best experiences you can have in Nikko is to stay in a Ryokan, a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas, providing you a glimpse of what life was like back in Japan in the old days.

There are several Ryokans you can check out in Nikko. If you are on a budget, I highly recommend Turtle Inn Nikko, a traditional inn located on the backstreet of Yasukawacho, not too far from the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. The place is equipped with a two-person onsen, a traditional Japanese-style room, and a lovely common area, all at a very affordable price.

I really love the large personal onsen facility they have here as you can enjoy the onsen experience without having to share with others. Since it is a shared facility, you will have to take turns with other guests, but since it is a small inn, you do not have to wait very long. I spent about 15 minutes in the onsen after a long day in Nikko, and it was heaven!

If you don't mind paying a bit more for Ryokan, I also recommend Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage, where you will be able to stay in a more comfortable traditional Japanese-style room with access to a shared private onsen facility, free breakfast, and more.

There are a limited number of Ryokans in Nikko, and they often get booked out weeks in advance. So, to avoid disappointment, I highly recommend you book them months prior to your trip. You can browse for available Ryokans here.

8. Visit Kegon Falls

Now that we have covered most of the best tourist attractions around Nikko town, it is time to travel further into the mountains and explore the Chuzenji Onsen area, starting with Kegon Falls, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area.

Plunging from a height of 97 meters (318 feet), the falls create a stunning display of cascading water against the ever-changing foliage of Nikko, which changes with the season, creating a unique experience no matter which season you choose to visit.

The first time I visited Kegon Falls was in July, and the area was completely covered with lush greenery, which was beautiful. This time, I visited the waterfall in autumn, and I had a completely different experience, surrounded by the stunning red and orange fall foliage instead.

To get to Kegon Falls, you will have to take one of the C, Y, and YK buses from any bus stop in Nikko to get to Chuzenji Onsen, which is only a 5-minute walk away from Kegon Falls. The bus journey can take between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic, and it should cost about 1250 JPY one way. Again, to save money, be sure to get the Chuzenji Onsen Bus Pass so you can have unlimited access to the Tobu bus in Nikko.

Once you arrive at Kegon Falls, you can check out the view of the waterfall from above via a free observation deck located here. However, if you want a closer look at the waterfall, you can buy the entrance ticket and gain access to an elevator that will take you to the base of the waterfall. This will allow you to truly appreciate the beauty of Kegon Falls up close.

From the observation deck at the base, you will have an unobstructed view of the waterfall, where you can truly appreciate the beautiful colors of the vegetation surrounding it. It is one of the best things to do in Nikko, so be sure not to miss it.

The waterfall is open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance ticket is 570 JPY per person, which I think is definitely worth the unique perspective you get from the base of the waterfall.

9. Enjoy the Fall Foliage from Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck

For the best viewpoint over Chuzenji Lake and Kegon Falls, I have to give it to the Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck with its incredible vantage point above a mountaintop, overlooking the entire area. That said, visiting the Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck requires a bit of patience and effort.

For one, this place is only accessible on your way to Chuzenji Onsen, but not the other way around. So, if you want to visit the viewpoint, you will have to get off at Akechidaira Bus Stop before you visit Kegon Falls. You won't be able to get back to Akechidaira from Chuzenji Onsen, as the road passing Akechidaira is one-way.

Secondly, to reach the viewpoint, you'll need to take the cable car, and the queue can be extremely long! Arriving early is helpful, but even then, you might still have to wait in line due to congested traffic along the mountainous road, which can delay your arrival. The longer you wait, the more tourists will pile on, so you have to be extremely patient.

That said, the view from up there is absolutely stunning, and it is the only viewpoint where you will be able to see Kegon Falls and Chuzenji Lake together, in one go. If you don't mind waiting in line, be sure to check out Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck. The ropeway ticket is 1000 JPY for a round trip and takes about 3 minutes to get to the top.

10. Hike to Mt.Hangetsu Observation Deck

Last but not least, if you are looking for a challenging hike to do near Chuzenji Lake, you can go for a day hike to Mt. Hangetsu Observation Deck, where you will be rewarded with an incredible view of Chuzenji Lake and its surroundings from above.

The hike is easy to moderate, depending on which route you want to take. The trailhead begins right at the Tori Gate in Chuzenji Lake, and you can choose to walk along the lake and up to the observation deck directly, which should take about 2.5 hours walking up and then another 1.5 hours walking back the same way. You can also do the loop, which is significantly more difficult.

If you go with the loop, you will be looking at around 6-7 hours of hiking as the loop will take you up and down mountains several times before you reach the observation deck. If you choose to do this, be sure to prepare yourself accordingly. Bring enough water, wear comfortable shoes, and set aside an entire day for it. Keep an eye on the daylight hours because the last thing you want to do is hike down in the dark.

For an accurate map, I highly recommend that you acquire one from the information center when you arrive in Nikko the day prior and familiarize yourself with the trail before tackling it. The hiking map is pretty easy to follow and straightforward, but none of the trail information is available on Google Maps or Maps.me, so you will have to rely solely on the paper map provided by the tourist information and your navigation skills.

I completed the loop, and it was tiring but amazing. I was there before the observation deck was built, so my view wasn't that great. However, with an elevated platform, you will be able to have an even better view of Chuzenji Lake than I did. If you are looking for a nice hike to do in Nikko, this is the one to do.

How to Get from Tokyo to Nikko?

Tobu Limited Express Train: There are several ways you can get from Tokyo to Nikko. The simplest way is to get on the Tobu limited express train from Asakusa Train Station in Tokyo. You will be dropped off at Tōbu-Nikkō Station in about 2 hours, and it should cost about 3000 JPY per person.

For JR Pass Holders: If you are a JR Pass holder, you can catch a JR Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya Station and switch trains to the JR Nikkou Line to get to JR Nikko Station (a 2-minute walk from Tōbu-Nikkō Station). The whole journey should take about 2 hours, and it will cost you nothing as all the lines are covered by the JR Pass.

Tips: If you are a train pass holder like the JR Pass and want to only see train routes that you can use with a JR Pass, try NAVITIME app. You can filter train routes based on the train pass you hold. Highly recommended.

How to Get Around Nikko?

Tobu Bus is the best way to get around Nikko. The entire area of Nikko is well connected by interconnecting bus lines, running from the train station all the way to Chuzenji Onsen (Kegon Falls) and beyond.

You can easily navigate Nikko using Google Maps. All you have to do is punch in your destination, and the app will recommend the best bus line to take, what time to take it, and from which bus station. I relied on Google Maps the entire time I was there and had no problems.

The cost of bus travel in Nikko depends on the distance you want to travel, and it can cost as much as 1,250 JPY the further you travel from Nikko Town.

If you plan to follow my itinerary or want to travel from Nikko Town to Kegon Falls and back, I highly recommend you get the Chuzenji Onsen Free Pass, a 2-day pass with unlimited bus access between Nikko and Chuzenji Onsen (Kegon Falls).

The Chuzenji Onsen Free Pass costs about 2300 JPY per person, which is a significant saving considering the 5,000 JPY total cost if you were to buy the bus ticket individually. You will save more than 2700 JPY with this bus pass. You can get the bus pass from Tobunikkoeki Information Centre located inside the Tobu-Nikko Train Station (Not at the Nikko JR station).

Once you've got the bus pass, you can get on the first bus and let the driver activate the pass, and all you have to do is show the driver the pass every time you get off the bus. That's it.

Keep in mind that during the peak season, around October to November, the bus can be packed, and the traffic can be pretty bad. It can take more than an hour and a half to get from Nikko to Chuzenji Onsen, so make sure you plan your time accordingly.

Tips: To help avoid crowded buses, you can either visit Nikko during the off-season (which is beautiful in its own way, no matter the season) or hop on the bus at the starting point, usually from Tobu-Nikko train station. This way, you can secure a seat before the crowds pile on along the way.

Can you do day trip to Nikko from Tokyo?

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. For one, it takes about 2 hours to travel between Tokyo and Nikko one way. That's 4 hours already gone. Secondly, there are way too many things to do here, so it would be too rushed if you were to compress it into one day.

Things like experiencing a proper Ryokan will also not be possible on a day trip since you have to stay overnight to experience one. Lastly, it gets pretty crowded in Nikko, and getting around can be a pain, especially if you visit during the peak season like Autumn. Traffic jams are a big problem in Nikko, and a 40-minute journey from Nikko to Kegon Falls can be delayed to more than 1.5 hours.

Doing a day trip from Tokyo to Nikko can be extremely stressful, and that is the last thing you want when you are in such a peaceful place like Nikko. To make the best out of your trip here, I highly recommend staying for at least 1-2 nights and taking your time to explore the region thoroughly.