How to get to Nikko
Photo by Japanforeveryone.com
JR Trains (Shinkansen + Nikko Line)
If you have the Japan Rail Pass, this is without a doubt the most convenient and cost-effective way to reach Nikkō.
Depart from Tokyo Station or Ueno Station aboard a Shinkansen (bullet train) heading north: in about 45 minutes, you’ll arrive at Utsunomiya Station. From there, continue your journey on a local train on the Nikkō line, which will take you to your destination in another about 45 minutes.
This route is especially recommended only if you have the Japan Rail Pass, as the one-way ticket normally costs 5,480 yen, a fare that is fully covered by the pass.
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JR East and Tobu
The train departs from Shinjuku Station and also stops at JR Ikebukuro Station. It is a special service operated in cooperation between Japan Railways (JR) and Tobu Railway: the train runs partly on JR tracks and partly on Tobu tracks.
The one-way ticket costs 4,090 yen, but it is important to know that the Japan Rail Pass only covers the portion of the journey on JR lines, making it only partially valid for this trip.
For getting to Nikkō (Tobu-Nikkō Station), there are two direct trains per day:
- The “Nikkō 21”, departing at 7:31, runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
- The “Spacia Nikkō 1”, on the other hand, departs at 9:34 and operates daily.
There is also a third train, going to Kinugawa Onsen, which departs at 10:31. If you take this one, you must get off at Shimo-Imaichi Station and continue with a local train to Nikkō. The price remains the same, and the travel time increases by about 10 minutes compared to direct trains.
For the return trip from Nikkō to Tokyo, there are two options:
- The “Nikkō 22” train departs at 15:57, but runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
- The “Spacia Nikkō 4”, on the other hand, departs at 16:39 and operates daily.
If you have one of the following JR regional passes, the entire trip on this train is fully covered:
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass
- JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass
- JR East Tohoku Area Pass
- JR East South Hokkaido Pass
Tobu Nikko Line
An affordable alternative to reach Nikkō is represented by the trains of the Tōbu Railway, departing from the Asakusa station in Tokyo.
The travel time is about 3 hours with some changes along the way, and the one-way ticket costs only 1,400 yen, making it the most economical option.
Those who prefer a faster solution can opt for the express trains, which reach Tōbu-Nikkō in about 1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes). In this case, the price ranges from 2,850 yen to 3,540 yen, depending on the type of train and the seat chosen.
The first direct express train of the day is the Revaty Kegon 1, which departs from Asakusa at 6:30 and arrives at Tōbu-Nikkō station at 8:25.
Photo by 663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Passes
Nikko Pass All Area
8000 Yen + from 2900 Yen to 4280 Yen for round-trip express supplement (optional)
The Nikkō Pass All Area is a very convenient pass for those who want to explore Nikkō and the surrounding area flexibly.
It includes:
- The round-trip ticket from Tokyo (Asakusa Station) to Tōbu-Nikkō,
- The unlimited use of local buses in the Nikkō area,
- The rail connection to Kinugawa Onsen, a famous hot spring resort.
The pass is valid for `4 consecutive days`, allowing you to explore the area at a leisurely pace.
Note: The supplement to travel on Limited Express trains, such as the Revaty Kegon, is not included in the pass. If you wish to use these faster and more comfortable trains, you need to purchase the supplementary ticket separately.
Nikko Pass World Heritage Area
3000 Yen + from 2900 Yen to 4280 Yen for optional round-trip express supplement
The Nikkō Pass World Heritage Area is ideal for those who want to visit the main cultural and historical sites of Nikkō, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in one or two days.
This pass includes:
- The round-trip ticket from Asakusa (Tokyo) to Tōbu-Nikkō by train,
- Unlimited use of buses within the area of Nikkō’s main historical sites,
- Exclusive discounts at a selection of shops, restaurants, and partner attractions.
The pass is valid for 2 consecutive days, making it perfect for short stays.
Important: The supplement for Limited Express trains, such as the Revaty Kegon, is not included in the pass and must be purchased separately if you want to enjoy a faster and more comfortable journey.
Local bus passes
If you do not have one of Tōbu’s passes, it is still possible to purchase local bus passes, which are useful for exploring Nikkō and the surrounding areas in a comfortable and affordable way.
The basic pass is the World Heritage Tour Ticket, which costs 600 yen and is valid for 1 day. It allows unlimited travel between the main historical sites of the city, such as the Tōshōgū Shrine, Futarasan-jinja, and Rinnō-ji Temple.
For those wishing to go beyond the historical center, there are several other passes, each valid for specific tourist areas in the Nikkō region. Some of the covered areas include:
- Yumoto Onsen
- Chuzenji Onsen
- Senjōgahara
- Kirifuri Kōgen
- Ozasa Bokujo
- Kirifuri no Taki
The price of these passes varies depending on the area and distance, starting from 600 yen to about 3,000 yen.
For more information, visit the official website.