The Top Things to do in Nikko Japan | Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo

Nikko is a Japanese traditional wonderland and a ‘must-see’ destination on every traveler’s Japan bucket list.  There is a bucket-load of places to see in Nikko!

You can venture out on a boat on Lake Chuzenji.  Choose to go on a hike in Mount Nantai or check out the Edo Nikko Edomura cultural theme park.  There is also a Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, Nikko Yumoto Onsen, Yunishigawa Onsen, or numerous other places to see, like museums and beautiful national park walks.

However.  If you are limited on time and you are looking for the top things to do in Nikko on a day trip, then we highly recommend you stick to the beautiful Nikko National Park.  This is the best list of what to do in Nikko Japan!

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If you are looking for how to get to Nikko from Tokyo, here is our previous post:

HOW TO GET FROM TOKYO TO NIKKO

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Video of our Nikko National Park Day Trip from Tokyo

Watch our short video of our Nikko National Park day trip from Tokyo.  It was a really cold day and we even saw gorgeous snowflakes fall down.

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Top Things to do in Nikko Japan

Please find below our list of the best things to do in Nikko on a day trip.

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1. Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the number one place to visit whilst on your trip to Nikko.  It is the final resting place of Tokugawa Shogunate founder, Tokugawa Ieyasu.  This shogunate ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868.

Toshogu Shrine consists of more than a dozen beautifully decorated buildings, all situated in a thick oak forest on top of a hill.

Make sure to bring a camera as you will be bombarded with picture-perfect scenes everywhere you look.  Some of the main spots that we would recommend checking out and taking some snapshots of are the Five-Story Pagoda, the famous “see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil” monkey and the Sozonozo Elephants storehouses and the Yomeimon Gate.

Although there are plenty of stairs here, don’t miss out on walking up all the way to the top of the Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum.

This shrine is known for both Buddhist and Shinto elements in its architecture.  Traditional wood carvings and gold leaf designs decorate most of the structures, making this shrine truly extraordinary and one of the most spectacular in all of Japan.

Opening Times:

• 8 am to 5 pm ( 4 pm-close between November and March)

Cost:

• 1300 JPY for shrine admission,
• 1000 JPY for the museum and
• 2100 JPY for a combined ticket

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2. Rinno-ji Temple

Rinno-Ji Temple is the most visited and most important temple in Nikko.  This temple dates back to the 8th century, making it the first Buddhist temple in the region.

Unfortunately, the main Sanbutsudo Hall is under renovation until March 2019 and it is covered by scaffolding.  You are still able to view the building, however, you will not be able to get a picture of the hall in its natural surroundings.

Other things to marvel upon here are the gold lacquered wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon (Kannon with a thousand arms), and Bato-Kannon (Kannon with a horse head).  Together with the main hall, these three are enshrined at Futarasan Shrine or the three mountain deities.

Opening Times:

• 8 am to 5 pm ( 4 pm-close between November and March)

Cost:

• 400 JPY for Sanbutsudo and
• 300 JPY for the Shoyoen Garden and the Treasure House

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3. Shinkyo Bridge

Shinkyo Bridge or the Sacred Bridge ranks among the top three finest bridges in Japan.  This elegant red-coloured bridge spans across the river at the foot of the hills on which the temples and shrines are located.

These days, this amazing 16th-century bridge is a tourist attraction and one of the most photographed bridges in the whole of Japan.  It is easy to see why.  The view from the main street is truly unique and extraordinary.

Opening Times:

• 8 am to 5 pm (April to September),

Cost:

• 300 JPY

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4. Explore the Town

Exploring the town does not cost you anything.  Nikko is a really pretty, clean, and well-looked-after little town.  It is a gateway for the Nikko National Park and home to generations of proud Japanese locals.  This is a true mountain town with sensational views, beautiful lakes, stunning waterfalls, hiking trails, native wild monkeys and so much more!

In town, Nikko offers a large variety of souvenir shops, cozy restaurants, and plenty of small streets food shops. There are also some great local treats to try out such as Dango!  Are you brave enough to try new foods?

On our walk down the main street, we spotted a crepe shop.  I think it took me half an hour to choose the flavor, and only two seconds to devour the delicious creation!  Anything with ice cream, chocolate, and strawberries will do!

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5. Kegon Falls

Kegon Waterfall is almost 100 meters tall and its majestic beauty attracts many tourists.  This waterfall is ranked as one of the top three waterfalls in all of Japan.  (Yes! There are a lot of top three’s in Nikko!)  Definitely a must-see, whilst on your visit to Nikko.

There are three main viewing platforms from where you can snap some photos. One is free and it is easily accessible on foot, and the other is a paid one, which is accessed via a 100-meter-deep elevator.  The paid platform does offer much more dramatic and impressive.  You can also choose to check out both Keagon Falls and Lake Chuzenji from Akechidaira Observatory, which you can access via a ropeway from Akechidaira Plateau.

Whichever you choose, the experience will be worth it and more of a relaxing one!

Lower Observation Deck elevator:

Opening times:

• 8 am to 5 pm (March to November)
• 9 am to 4:30 pm (December to February)

Cost:

• 550 JPY

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We loved Nikko, even though we went in the cooler season.  Fresh mountain air and relaxing atmosphere of the town soothes all your senses and enriches your soul.  It is one the most prettiest towns that we have visited whilst exploring Japan!

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Where is Nikko National Park

Nikko National Park is located about 125km from Tokyo in the Kanto region of the main island of Honshu, Japan.  The park encompasses four prefectures: Tochigi, Fukushima, Niigata, and Gunma.

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How to get from Tokyo to Nikko

All you need to know about how to get from Tokyo to Nikko is in our post:

HOW TO GET FROM TOKYO TO NIKKO JAPAN | COMPLETE GUIDE

Or check out the prices for the Tokyo to Nikko train here.

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Getting around Nikko

The best way to get around the Nikko area is with a Tobu Bus ticket.  You can purchase a day pass if you like or choose to get a one-way ticket to the top of the hill to see the shrine and take a walk down the main street back to the Nikko Station.

We chose option two.  That way we had plenty of time to explore the town on the way down.  It was a bit of a hike, but definitely worth it.  Otherwise, we would not have tried all the yummy delicacies and the famous crepes!!  Cannot miss out on the crepes!!

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The Best Nikko Tours

Nikko is a great place to visit not only as a solo traveler or as a couple.  Taking an option of an organized tour can have great benefits as well.  Ease of moving around, a detailed description of places visited by a tour guide, and more.  Check out a top-recommended tour to Nikko here.

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Where to stay | Hotels in Nikko Japan

We have researched the best-reviewed hotels for you, so your choice of where to stay in Nikko is easier.  Here are our top three selections of Nikko Japan Hotels:

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Okunoin Hotel Tokugawa

Beautifully designed Japanese-style hotel with spacious rooms and exceptional service.  This hotel is a luxury retreat in itself.  It offers not only a hot tub sauna but also a hot springs bath.  Now, that’s what I am talking about!  Relaxation in style.  Food is amazing, plenty of local hiking trails and a theme park as well.  It is located around 3km from the Nikko Station for easy access to the town.

BOOK HOTEL

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Iwaiyado Jyuan Ryokan

This hotel comes with excellent reviews, but it is a little further from the center of Nikko.  A shuttle bus to the station is available and connections are well organized.  The hotel itself has great service, and excellent food and your rooms are well-groomed with Japanese style in mind.

BOOK HOTEL

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Annex Turtle Hotori An

If you are after a more standard experience and the minimalistic approach is ok for you, then this ryokan comes highly recommended.  It is located just 1km from the town center and about 2.5km from the Nikko Station, the closest of all three accommodation options.  Enjoy a nice stay here, as well as a hot tub and hot springs bath.

BOOK HOTEL–

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Where to next?

If you are interested in other amazing places in Japan, or chasing some great activities that you might not have on your itinerary yet, check out our stories by clicking the links below:

TOKYO | KYOTO | OSAKA | KANAZAWA

TIPS & INFO ON BUYING AND USING THE JAPAN RAIL PASS

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