Nikkō
Nikkō is a mountain town about two hours north of Tokyo by train, known for the Tōshō-gū shrine complex, Kegon Falls and Lake Chūzenji.
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Nikkō is a mountain town in Tochigi Prefecture, about two hours north of Tokyo by train. It is best known for Tōshō-gū, the shrine complex where Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, is buried. Its buildings are carved and painted and set among tall cedar trees. The town lies within Nikkō National Park. Kegon Falls drops from the outflow of Lake Chūzenji into a deep gorge, and the lake sits higher in the hills, with shoreline paths of its own.
A day trip from Tokyo covers the shrines and the falls but leaves little time for the lake. Staying one night gives you the lake and a slower morning at the shrines. Autumn, when the maple leaves turn, is a popular time to go. Summer is cooler here than in Tokyo. Plan one full day for a day trip, and two days if you want the lake.
Nikkō in five
- Book the Spacia for a day tripThe Tobu limited express from Asakusa takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to Tobu Nikko. Slower trains with a change take roughly 2.5–3 hours, which eats a day trip. Limited express tickets go on sale one month ahead.Tokyo to Nikkō day trip
- Buy the small pass for shrines onlyThe World Heritage Area pass (¥3,000, 2 days) covers a round trip from Asakusa and town buses. The All Area pass (¥8,000, 4 days) adds Lake Chūzenji. Neither includes the Spacia ticket or shrine entry.Which Nikkō pass to buy
- Skip the Tobu pass on the JR routeA Japan Rail Pass covers the shinkansen to Utsunomiya and the JR Nikko line, but not the Tobu route. Neither Tobu pass works on JR trains. Pick one side and do not mix them.Is the JR Pass worth it?
- Time the color by altitudeLake Chūzenji, at about 1,270 m, turns first, usually in October. The shrines in town follow in late October to early November. Buses and the road up fill on peak weekends, so leave early.Best time to visit Japan
- Stay a night to beat the tour busesDay-tripper crowds thin after mid-afternoon and the shrine grounds close in the late afternoon. A night in Nikkō town or by the lake gives you a quiet morning at Tōshō-gū. Book early for October and Golden Week.
Things to do in Nikkō
See all attractions in Nikkō
Need to know
- Getting there
- Tobu Spacia from Asakusa, about 1 hr 50 min to Tobu Nikko
- Getting around
- Tobu buses from Nikkō station; town sights are walkable
- Best base
- Nikkō town for shrines; Lake Chūzenji for autumn and quiet
- Time needed
- 1 long day, or 2 days with Lake Chūzenji
- Nikko Pass
- World Heritage ¥3,000 (2 days), All Area ¥8,000 (4 days) Read more
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-3°Cold, snowJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-3°Snow, iceFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ice
- MarchRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh11°Low1°Cold, late thawMarchRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, late thaw
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low5°Late blossomAprilRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late blossom
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Green, festivalMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, festival
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 247 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low20°Cool, cloudyJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 316 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Cool, cloudy
- AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low21°Obon, busyAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 299 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Obon, busy
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 289 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Late color, coldNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late color, cold
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low-1°Cold, snowDecemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Nikkō, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Nikkō
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 26%
Nikkō
06:55 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°7°26%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Wed14°6°52%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Thu13°10°100%Thursday: Rain. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri19°9°10%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat9°5°23%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Sun11°3°4%Sunday: Fog. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Mon9°3°12%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 06:27 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lake Chūzenji and Kegon Fallsabout 50 min by busThe lake sits about 1,270 m up, cooler than town and the first place for autumn color.
- Oku-Nikkō and Yumoto onsenabout 80–90 min by busMarsh walks and hot springs beyond the lake, covered by the All Area pass.
- Kinugawa Onsenabout 45–60 min by trainA hot spring town on the Tobu line, a good overnight on the way back to Tokyo.
- Back to Tokyoabout 2 hours by trainBase in the capital and see Nikkō as a long day, or stay a night in the hills.Read the guide
Before you go to Nikkō
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Rules for Nikkō, checked
- Check entry requirements for Japan with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you fly, as rules differ by passport.Source
- Check what you may bring into Japan on the Japan Customs English site before you arrive, especially food and medicines.Source
- Some small shops and restaurants in Nikkō take cash only, so carry yen.
- Photos are not allowed inside some shrine and temple buildings at Tōshō-gū. Follow the posted signs in each hall.
- Dial 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. Save both numbers before you travel.
Plan around Nikkō
Price your route first: singles often win.
Read the guideBest time to visitBlossom, autumn color, rainy season and typhoons.
Read the guideMoney in JapanCash at shrines, IC cards and ATMs that take foreign cards.
Read the guideBest eSIM for JapanPlans compared, so you land online.
Read the guideNikkō FAQ
Can you visit Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes. Leave Asakusa or Shinjuku by 8am and you have about six hours in Nikkō. That covers the Tōshō-gū area, or Lake Chūzenji and Kegon Falls, but not both comfortably. Stay a night to see both.
How many days do you need in Nikko?
One long day covers the shrines. Two days let you add Lake Chūzenji, Kegon Falls and an onsen. Add a third only for hiking in Oku-Nikkō or if you visit in peak autumn.
Is the Nikko pass worth it?
For a day trip to the shrines only, the World Heritage Area pass (¥3,000) usually is, because it includes the Asakusa round trip. The All Area pass (¥8,000) pays only if you also ride buses to Lake Chūzenji and beyond. Check the current price on the Tobu site.
Does the JR Pass cover Nikko?
Partly. It covers the shinkansen to Utsunomiya and the JR Nikko line to JR Nikko station, about 2 hours from Tokyo in total. It does not cover the Tobu line or the Spacia, and Tobu passes do not work on JR.
Is Nikko worth visiting compared with Kamakura or Hakone?
Yes if you want ornate shrines in a mountain forest with a lake and waterfall. Kamakura is easier and closer for a half day. Hakone suits hot springs and Fuji views. Nikkō needs the most travel time of the three.
When is the best time to visit Nikko?
Mid-October to early November for autumn color, and late April to May for fresh green. Winter brings snow and fewer visitors, but some roads and lake buses run less often. Summer is cooler than Tokyo.