Day trip route
Nikko holds Japan's most ornate shrine complex and a mountain road of waterfalls behind it. There are two railways into town, and only the JR route is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Tobu limited express trains run from Asakusa to Tobu Nikko in about 2 hours with no change, at roughly 3,050 yen one way. Tobu is a private railway, so a Japan Rail Pass is not valid.
If you hold a pass, take JR. If you do not, Tobu is usually simpler and cheaper, and it sells the Nikko area passes that include the local buses.
Late October and early November bring the strongest autumn colour in the Irohazaka valley, and also the heaviest traffic. Winter is quiet and clear but the upper road can close in snow. Start from Tokyo before 08:00 whatever the season, since the last convenient JR connection back leaves in the early evening.
Fljót svör við algengum spurningum.
Yes, if you travel via the Tohoku shinkansen to Utsunomiya and then the JR Nikko line. The Tobu railway from Asakusa is not covered.
About 2 hours with the JR route including the change at Utsunomiya, or about 2 hours direct on a Tobu limited express.
Yes for the shrine area. Adding Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls makes for a long day, so an overnight is more relaxed.
No. Local Nikko buses are run by Tobu, so buy a separate bus day pass.
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