Take a Tobu limited express from Asakusa to Tobu-Nikko, about 1 hour 50 minutes, or the shinkansen to Utsunomiya and the JR Nikko Line, about 1 hour 35 minutes from Tokyo Station. From the two stations, side by side in Nikko town, buses run to the shrines in a few minutes and up to Lake Chuzenji in about 50.
Tobu Railway runs limited expresses from Asakusa in Tokyo to Tobu-Nikko Station, about 107 minutes on the fastest trains, with reserved seats. Some services split or continue to Kinugawa Onsen, so check the carriage for your stop.
Tobu also sells passes that combine the train with the local buses, which pay off if you are going up to the lake and Yumoto.
With a Japan Rail Pass or from Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku shinkansen to Utsunomiya and change to the JR Nikko Line, about 95 minutes in all. JR Nikko Station is a few minutes’ walk from Tobu-Nikko, so both lines end in the same place.
Toshogu, Rinnoji and Futarasan are about 2 kilometres up the main street from the stations: 30 to 40 minutes on foot, or a few minutes on the Tobu World Heritage route bus to the Omotesando stop.
For Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, Tobu buses climb the Irohazaka road to Chuzenji Onsen in about 50 minutes, and continue to Yumoto Onsen, about 80 minutes from the stations. In mid October to early November the road is badly congested and the trip can take far longer: go early.
If you have only one day and want both the shrines and the lake, a coach or a private tour from Tokyo saves the changes and the queues for the mountain bus. The coach days leave from Ginza or Shinjuku and are back in the evening; a private driver-guide picks you up at your hotel.
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 2426 reviews
The best-selling coach day from Ginza: Toshogu with a guide, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.
Departs from Ginza, Tokyo · 10.5 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 79 reviews
A coach day from Shinjuku with a licensed English guide and the Toshogu ticket included.
Departs from Shinjuku, Tokyo · 10 hours
GetYourGuide · 5.0/5 from 101 reviews
A private car with an English-speaking driver-guide from Tokyo, priced per person.
Departs from Tokyo (hotel pick-up) · 10 hours
Our take on each: Nikko day trip from Tokyo: Toshogu, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji · Nikko guided bus tour from Shinjuku, with the Toshogu ticket · Nikko private tour with an English-speaking driver-guide.
One night changes Nikko: you can be at Toshogu when it opens, before the coaches, and spend the evening in an onsen. Stay in Nikko town for the shrines, at Lake Chuzenji for the lake, or in Kinugawa Onsen for a ryokan with your own bath.
Hotels to look at
Shinkyo Bridge, Nikko town · 4 stars · 63 rooms
By the Shinkyo Bridge, about 15 minutes on foot to Toshogu
Japan’s oldest classic resort hotel, opened in 1873 above the Shinkyo Bridge; for travellers who want history, French cooking and the shrines on foot.
From £83 a night
JR Nikko Station, Nikko town · 3.5 stars
Opposite JR Nikko Station, with its own hot spring
A practical hotel opposite JR Nikko Station with its own hot-spring baths, indoor and open-air; the easy base for trains and buses.
From £86 a night
Western shore, Lake Chuzenji · 4 stars · 57 rooms
On Lake Chuzenji, for the falls at dawn
A log-cabin style hotel in the forest by Lake Chuzenji, with open-air hot-spring baths and French cooking; for couples and walkers.
From £106 a night
About 1 hour 50 minutes on a Tobu limited express from Asakusa, or about 1 hour 35 minutes from Tokyo Station by shinkansen to Utsunomiya and the JR Nikko Line.
Yes on the JR route: shinkansen to Utsunomiya and the JR Nikko Line to JR Nikko Station. Tobu trains from Asakusa are not covered.
By Tobu bus from either station up the Irohazaka road, about 50 minutes to Chuzenji Onsen; Yumoto Onsen is about 80 minutes.
Yes, the shrines and one stop at the lake. A coach or private tour makes it easier; by train, start early.
Sources: nikko-stationhotel.jp, japan-guide.com, nikko-kotsu.co.jp, tobu.co.jp. Checked October 2026.
