Japan · Region
Nikko
Nikko is home to the UNESCO-listed Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a mountain complex centered on the lavishly carved Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Beyond the shrines, the surrounding Nikko National Park offers alpine scenery, hot-spring towns, and highland lakes and waterfalls just a short bus ride further into the mountains.
Top attractions
attraction Nikko Natural Science Museum: Travel Guide (4.0★)
Nikko Natural Science Museum sits at Chugushi, on the road along Lake Chuzenji near the Chuzenji-ko/Kegon Falls area, open daily 9am to 5pm. 4.0★ (416 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park: Travel Guide
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park sits in the town of Nikko, a short walk from Tosho-gu shrine, and is open every day except Tuesday from 9am to 5pm. 4.4★ (2,450 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Nikkō Tōshōgū: Nikko Travel Guide (4.5★)
Nikkō Tōshōgū is the lavishly gilded 17th-century shrine complex honoring shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, open daily 9am–4pm. 4.5★ (34,063 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Nikko National Park: Travel Guide (4.4★)
Nikko National Park sprawls far beyond the famous shrines, up into the volcanic highlands around Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and the marshy plateau of Senjogahara. 4.4★ (943 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura: Travel Guide (4.3★)
Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura is an Edo-period theme park in Karakura, Nikko, a short hop from Kinugawa Onsen. 4.3★ (6,877 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Nikko
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Where to stay in Nikko
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Plan your trip to Nikko
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Frequently asked questions about Nikko
How do I get to Nikko?
Most travellers reach Nikko by rail from Tokyo, either on the Tobu Railway's limited express trains from Tobu Asakusa Station direct to Tobu-Nikko Station (~2 hours), or via the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya with a transfer onto the local JR Nikko Line. Once in town, local buses (including the World Heritage loop bus) connect the station area to the main shrine precinct and onward to sites like Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls.
How many days should I spend in Nikko?
Plan on ~1-2 days: a single day covers the core Toshogu shrine complex as an easy Tokyo day trip, while a second day allows time to head further into the highlands for the lakes, waterfalls, and onsen towns of the wider national park area.
What is Nikko known for?
Nikko is home to the UNESCO-listed Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a mountain complex centered on the lavishly carved Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Beyond the shrines, the surrounding Nikko National Park offers alpine scenery, hot-spring towns, and highland lakes and waterfalls just a short bus ride further into the mountains.