From Tokyo to Nikko: 2-Day Japan Travel Itinerary

Planning a trip to Japan and wondering if Nikko is worth the journey from Tokyo?

I asked myself the same thing before hopping on a train for a 2-day solo adventure, and I’m so glad I did.

Just two hours north of the city, Nikko offers a refreshing change of pace with its rich history, peaceful nature, and cozy cafes tucked between temples and forests.

In this post, I’m sharing my exact 2-day Nikko itinerary along with travel tips, where to eat, what to expect, and what I wish I knew before visiting.

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway from Tokyo or crafting a longer Japan itinerary, this guide will help you decide if Nikko deserves a spot on your list.

I hope you find this article helpful!

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2-DAYS IN NIKKO, JAPAN SOLO TRAVEL ITINERARY. PHOTO AT FUTARASAN SHRINE IN NIKKO.

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Table of Contents

Why Visit Nikko from Tokyo?

Nikko has been on my list of places to visit in Japan since the very first trip I planned. I’d seen countless photos and videos of its striking shrines, scenic waterfalls, and peaceful atmosphere, but I never had the chance to experience it in person.

I finally decided to make the journey on my most recent trip to Japan—and I’m so glad I did. After spending several days in Tokyo, I found myself craving a slower pace, a little more space, and a deeper connection to nature and culture. Nikko ended up being the perfect escape.

I was a bit concerned that, being such a well-known UNESCO World Heritage destination, it might feel overrun with tourists. But what I found was a great balance: yes, the main attractions are popular for a reason, but there were also cozy cafes, quiet side streets, and peaceful trails that gave me a moment to breathe.

Nikko offers more than just beautiful photo spots. It’s a place where history, spirituality, and natural beauty all come together.

Whether you’re a history lover, a nature seeker, or simply someone looking to unwind, Nikko makes for a rewarding side trip from Tokyo.

So, how do you actually get there? Let’s walk through your options for getting from Tokyo to Nikko.

How to Get to Nikko from Tokyo

Getting from Tokyo to Nikko takes about two hours, either by car or train.

If you plan to go by train, you can ride regular train lines to Nikko (with multiple transfers).

Or by reserving a seat on a Limited Express train (SpaciaX) to Nikko.

✨ The Nikko Pass will cover the base fare from Asakusa or Tokyo Skytree to Nikko, but you’ll still need to pay for the Limited Express ticket. This means that you will still need to reserve your Limited Express seat from the website linked here.

I ended up reserving my Limited Express tickets without using the Nikko Pass.

I paid 1,740 yen one way and 1,650 yen on the trip back. (3,390 yen total round trip)

‼️ Keep in mind: I recommend buying the tickets online as soon as you know your travel dates. I bought mine four days in advance and had limited options on what trains I could take.

You can purchase your Limited Express tickets here.

Is the Nikko Pass worth it?

Two types of Nikko Passes are available, and both cover round trip base fares on the Tobu Railway (note: you’ll still need to purchase a Limited Express ticket separately if you choose that option).

The World Heritage Area Pass includes unlimited rides on Tobu trains and buses in the areas surrounding Nikko’s World Heritage sites.
The All Area Pass offers broader coverage, including access to more distant areas like Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen.

Both passes also include small discounts at select shops, restaurants, and attractions (though not many).

In my opinion, the Nikko Pass is worth it if you’re staying two or more days and plan to cover a lot of ground, especially if you’re visiting spots like Edo Wonderland or heading out toward the lake and onsen areas.

💡 Want to see if a pass makes sense for your trip? Learn more about the Nikko Pass options and purchase yours here.

My 2-Day Nikko Travel Itinerary

🎥 Watch the Vlog: My 2-Day Nikko Itinerary

If you’re more of a visual traveler or want a sneak peek at what it’s like to visit Nikko, check out my 2-day Nikko travel vlog below! In this video, I take you along with me as I explore shrines, waterfalls, scenic spots, and cozy cafes, all just a few hours outside Tokyo. I also share helpful tips throughout the video so you can plan your own visit with ease.

👇 Watch the vlog here:

Prefer a written itinerary or want to save tips for later? Keep scrolling for my full 2-day Nikko travel guide below.

➡️ Check out my Japan video playlist on YouTube!

Nikko Day 1 – World Heritage Sites

How to Get to the Nikko World Heritage Sites

Right outside of Tobu-Nikko Station ( the Station where the SpaciaX will drop you off), there is a bus terminal with large English signs that tell you which bus to take depending on which site you plan to visit.

Take the World Heritage Bus from Tobu-Nikko Station to the Toshogu Shrine (about 10 minutes).

How to Pay for the Bus:

You can use your Suica/IC card to pay for the bus fare.
When you enter through the back, tap onto the bus and tap out again in the front (near the driver) to pay.
Or, if you’re using the Nikko Pass (ALL AREA or World Heritage only), you’ll show your pass to the driver when you exit the bus (since your fare is already covered).

📍Nikko Toshogu Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Our first stop of the day was the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, one of the most famous shrines in Japan, because it honors the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

💡 For context: his rise to power helped unify Japan and ushered in a time of peace and prosperity (the Edo Period).

Beyond the Inner Shrine, where his spirit rests, the grounds are filled with intricately carved buildings, like the famous Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat, making it feel like a history museum versus just a spiritual area.

When I went, the admission fee to enter the shrine was 1,600 yen, which is more expensive than other shrines/temples I’ve visited in Japan.

However, I felt the fee was worth it to visit such a special piece of Japanese history up close.

‼️ Keep in mind: Visiting the shrine involves many stairs (some very steep!), so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Oddly enough, I enjoyed the trek up to the Inner Shrine. It felt like a meditative, mental challenge that added to the shrine experience—but maybe that’s just me!

The climb to the Inner Shrine alone is 207 steps—and that’s just one of several staircases on the grounds.

Overall, this place stood out to me and is a must-visit if you want to add seeing a significant piece of Japanese history to your itinerary!

📍Futarasan Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

One thing I really appreciated about visiting Nikko is how easy it was to get from one World Heritage site to the next. The next stop, Futarasan Shrine, is only a short stroll away down a peaceful, tree-lined pathway.

Futarasan was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to the Nikko region.

As you walk through the grounds, you’ll notice heart-shaped motifs and rabbits throughout—symbols of good fortune, particularly in love and relationships.

Most of the shrine grounds are free to explore, but there’s also a paid area (300 yen admission).

The paid area is worth it because it’s really where you’ll see everything that make this shrine different from others in Japan.

There are several “power spots” where people come to pray, a “fountain of youth,” two swords that are designated National treasures of Japan, and a short trail where statues of the Seven Lucky Gods are tucked along the path.

Even while taking my time, I only spent an hour exploring the free and paid areas of the shrine.

✨ Pro Tip: If you want to receive a handwritten goshuin (shown below), I recommend dropping off your goshuin book before exploring the grounds and then picking it up when you’re done. This way, you won’t need to sit around and wait. You can use the “wait time” to explore!

📍Rinnoji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The next destination on my list was Rinnoji Temple, which, if I’m being honest, I did not spend as much time at as I wanted to—solely because I got really hungry!

I ended up only quickly walking through the front area of the temple before making my way down to the Shinkyo Bridge.

However, if I were to go back to Rinnoji, here are the places I would visit:

Sanbutsudo (Main Worship Hall) – the hall of three Buddhas representing the three mountains of Nikko
Treasure House – historical and religious artifacts from the Tokugawa era
Shoyoen Garden – a tranquil Edo-Period Japanese landscaped garden (definitely recommend during autumn🍁 )

Admission costs for each range from 300 to 400 yen. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Since I don’t have much to say from personal experience, I’ll leave a link to their website here, where you can read more about how to visit Rinnoji.

📍Shinkyo Bridge

The Shinkyo Bridge is only a short downhill walk from Rinnoji Temple. The bridge is a striking vermilion-lacquered bridge that belongs to Futarasan Shrine and is one of Nikko’s most iconic landmarks.

You can walk across the bridge for 300 yen. However, I don’t really think it’s worth paying for when you can get an amazing photo just from standing across from the bridge on the public sidewalk.

Lunch: Yuba Ramen (Nikko Specialty)

After taking in the view, I stopped for lunch at a small restaurant just off the main road near the bridge and ordered Yuba ramen.

Yuba is the delicate “skin” that forms on top of soy milk when heated. It’s a local Nikko specialty tied to the region’s spiritual roots.

For many of the Buddhist monks in the area, who follow a traditional vegetarian diet (shojin ryori), yuba has become a staple ingredient.

It’s mild, protein-rich, and surprisingly satisfying—especially in a warm bowl of ramen.

You’ll notice yuba dishes on many menus in the area (look for “ゆば“).

The place I went to was 📍Asaya Resthouse— a place that wasn’t anything fancy but…

It had lots of tables (great for bigger groups!)
Order via QR Code (meaning you can translate the menu into another language if necessary!)
Pay with cash or a card.

Afternoon Shopping & Eating

I finished my sightseeing earlier than expected and decided to skip the bus ride back. Instead, I walked leisurely toward Tobu-Nikko Station, strolling along the main road.

Along the way, I popped in and out of shops, snacking, browsing, and picking up a few locally made goods.

I even had a few charming interactions with local shop owners, which ended up being a surprising highlight of my day.

Dinner

I ended up eating food I picked up from Family Mart for dinner. So dull, I know! I just ended up eating so many snacks and little things along the way back to my hotel that I had no big appetite for dinner (lol).

‼️ Keep in mind that there is only one convenience store in the area between the World Heritage Sites and the Station.

There are many places to eat all along the main street between the Station and the World Heritage Sites though!

If your main goal is to see all the World Heritage Sites, you could easily make a day trip to Nikko from Tokyo. However, there is so much more to see and do in Nikko.

Nikko Day 2 – Lake Chuzenji Area

I’m so glad I decided to stay overnight in Nikko, because it gave me time to take the winding mountain roads up to the Lake Chuzenji area.

How to Get to Lake Chuzenji (without a car)

A car would be the most convenient way to get around Nikko. However, if you’re like me and are not confident in your international driving abilities…these tips are for you.

Take a 48-50 minute bus from Tobu-Nikko Station (which is the same bus area as the previous day, but a different bus!) towards Chuzenji Onsen.

Get off at Chuzenji Onsen Bus Stop and walk to Kegon Waterfall (5-minute walk).

You can pay with your Suica/IC Card, cash, or the Nikko ALL AREA Pass.

‼️ Keep in mind: The Irohazaka Winding Road up to this area is wiiiiiiindy, so be mindful of this if you get motion sickness easily. I’ve heard that taxi rides have been challenging on tourists because they drive very…confidently up the road. So a bus might be a better option.

‼️ It’s also worth noting that this road is a popular fall foliage photo area, so anticipate traffic during autumn.

📍Kegon Waterfall

There are many waterfalls throughout Nikko, but Kegon Waterfall is the most famous.

They say it’s best to go early in the morning or during a weekday to avoid large crowds.

I did both and successfully avoided the crowds! It was just me, a group of school children, and four other tourists.

💡 For context, I went during the offseason in May at the tail end of Golden Week. I’m sure it is way more crowded during peak fall foliage season (Oct/Nov), when Nikko is packed with tourists and locals alike.

You can see the waterfall for free as you walk towards the main ticketing gate (for the paid elevator). However, if you want a straight-on view of the falls, then you’ll want to pay the 600 yen fee to ride the elevator.

There are food stalls and little shops near the waterfall, but since I arrived at the falls so early, they weren’t open yet.

I only spent around 30 minutes at Kegon Waterfall, so I ended up walking down towards Lake Chuzenji to kill some time since nothing was open in the area yet.

📍Lake Chuzenji

It’s a 10-minute walk from Kegon Waterfall to Lake Chuzenji—all downhill, thankfully!

💡 Some fun facts about Lake Chuzenji are that it is one of the highest natural lakes in Japan, sitting at an elevation of 4,163 feet. Around 20,000 years ago, it was formed by a volcanic eruption from nearby Mount Nantai.

I can only imagine how beautiful this place must be in autumn, when the surrounding hills are lit with fall colors.

If you’d like to spend more time at the lake, there are options in the area to rent boats or do boat tours.

The Italian and British embassies are also located on the lakefront and open for public viewing.

📍Chuzenji Temple

I’m not going to lie; the bus system is a bit more complicated and less frequent when you get to this area of Nikko.

So, instead of taking a bus, I continued my walk from Lake Chuzenji to Chuzenji Temple.

The walk over was meditative in itself, though, with the lake to my right and soft sakura petals floating down all around me.

(The cherry blossoms in Nikko must have bloomed later than in Tokyo.)

There was a small entrance fee (500 yen) to enter the temple grounds, but visiting this quiet lakeside temple was worth it.

I can’t pinpoint exactly what touched me so much about this place… I think it was the overall experience of being there when a monk had just begun making his rounds, blessing all the different areas on the temple grounds, mixed with…

Close proximity to the water
Quiet temple atmosphere with only the sounds of birds chirping and monks chanting
Small sakura petals floating down from the mountain
An area dedicated to peace on earth

I was very moved and grateful to have made the trek out to this temple. I highly recommend it, especially if you want a peaceful, meditative experience to add to your Japan itinerary.

Final Coffee Stops & Shops

I booked a 3 pm train back to Tokyo, so with my last few hours in Nikko, I decided to grab a bite to eat and relax a bit.

First, I stopped at 📍Toki Coffee (House Toki), a cafe with Lakeview seating and a latte that not only tasted amazing but also had the cutest design in the froth.

Then, I caught the bus at Chuzenji Onsen Bus Stop (the same stop from the morning) and headed back to Tobu-Nikko Station.

Back near the Station, I popped into one last cafe, 📍 Cafe Karin, to sit and read while waiting for my train back to Tokyo.

Top Things to Do in Nikko

Nikko Toshogu Shrine – UNESCO World Heritage Site; ornate historical buildings and where the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate’s spirit is located.
Futarasan Shrine – UNESCO World Heritage Site; Pray for good fortune and luck in love and relationships
Rinnoji Temple – UNESCO World Heritage Site; One of Japan’s most important temples and home to the three Buddha statues that represent the three mountains of Nikko
Edo Wonderland – Edo-period theme park where you can dress up and fully immerse yourself into the period. Purchase tickets here.
Take photos of Nikko’s iconic Shinkyo Bridge.
Enjoy hiking through nature and all the waterfalls in Nikko (like Kegon Waterfalls)
Walk the trail, go on a boat tour or enjoy a rental around Lake Chuzenji.
Rent a car and drive through the windy Nikko roads.
Relax at a traditional ryokan and soak in a natural onsen.

Where to Eat in Nikko

Here are the places I ate at in Nikko (and would recommend!):

📍Asaya Resthouse – where I got my yuba ramen, lots of tables, suitable for groups, order by QR code (i.e., can translate menu into English), near Shinkyo Bridge
📍Nikko Tart-ya – amazing cheese tarts, small area to sit and people watch
📍Junia – hand drip coffee with a cute cat; heads up, they allow smoking inside, so while the coffee was great, I’m not sure I’d return. I recommend it for people who want to experience an old-school Japanese coffee shop.
📍Toki Coffee (House Toki) – strong latte with latte art (I loved my vanilla latte), good food and pastry options, lots of seating, good for groups, lake view (Lake Chuzenji)
📍 Cafe Karin – fresh scones, cute character theme, good hand drip coffee

What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Nikko

Pack layers when traveling in Nikko, especially if you plan to visit the Lake Chuzenji area, which is typically cooler due to its high elevation.
Be hyper-aware of the bus schedules if you venture outside the World Heritage Sites. The buses run less frequently, and the schedules were hard to read (at first!). I recommend reviewing and saving these Tobu bus guides:
- Nikko Area bus transit information
- How to Take the Buses in Nikko
- Ask for a physical bus schedule at Tobu-Nikko Station information.
Bring cash. Some stores and attractions (Kegon Waterfall, for example) are still cash only.
Temples, shrines, and museums typically close around 4 pm.
If you plan to visit the World Heritage Sites (especially Toshogu), you’ll be doing a lot of walking and stair hiking.
If you visit Nikko during peak travel season (autumn):
- Plan to arrive at attractions in the morning when they open and, if possible, on a weekday.
- Anticipate lots of crowds, longer lines, and traffic on roads.
Reserve your train seats as soon as you can. Tokyo to Nikko is a popular route, and I learned the hard way that if you wait until the last minute, you may have limited options for when you can leave/arrive.
The coffee scene in Nikko surprised me the most (in a good way!). So many small shops provide cozy atmospheres, good food, and delicious, tasty coffee and expresso options.
The road up to the Lake Chuzenji area (where the Ritz Carlton Hilton and Kegon Falls are located) has many aggressive turns, so be mindful of this if you get motion sickness easily.

Final Thoughts: Is Nikko Worth Visiting?

I highly recommend adding Nikko to your Japan travel itinerary. It’s so easy to get here from Tokyo, and you can easily do a day trip. Or, I’d recommend staying for two to three days to get the whole experience + some time to relax at a nearby rural onsen town.

Nikko is great for groups and solo travelers.

Plan Your Trip: Resources & Links

I hope you found this Nikko travel guide helpful. Below are links to my most popular Japan travel tips and resources.

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From Tokyo to Nikko: 2-Day Japan Travel Itinerary

Why Visit Nikko from Tokyo?

How to Get to Nikko from Tokyo

Is the Nikko Pass worth it?

My 2-Day Nikko Travel Itinerary