The Limited Express Spacia Kegon for Asakusa and Nikko

The Spacia Kegon is a limited express service operated by Tobu Railway that provides a fast link between Tobu Nikko Station in Tochigi Prefecture and Tobu Asakusa Station in Tokyo. The Spacia Kegon is part of the Tobu #100 series of trains which are all branded “Spacia”. However, the Spacia Kegon is often called simply “Kegon” on official timetables and station signs.

The Spacia Kegon, and a similar limited express service called the Revaty Kegon, are both named after a famous waterfall, the Kegon Falls, which is located in Nikko National Park. There are six regular weekday Spacia Kegon services that run the full route between Asakusa and Nikko in around 1 hour and 50 minutes. On weekends and public holidays there are seven full services. At Tobu Nikko Station all limited express services arrive and depart at platforms 4, 5, and 6. At Tobu Asakusa Station all limited express services arrive and depart at platforms 3 and 4. All seats on this service must be reserved in advance, and you will have to pay a limited express surcharge as well as paying for your train ticket.

Key Destinations

The Spacia Kegon stops at the following stations. Only two services, that start or terminate at Shin-Tochigi Station, include that station on their route.

Tobu Nikko – Shimo-Imaichi – Shin-Kanuma – (Shin-Tochigi) – Tochigi – Kasukabe – Kita-Senju – Tokyo Skytree – Tobu Asakusa

The key destinations are listed below with rail fares (including limited express surcharges) and example journey times given from Tobu Nikko Station.

Tobu Nikko Station

Nikko is one of Japan’s top tourist destinations and is famous for its ancient sites, and breathtaking natural scenery. Among its shrines and temples, the Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Jinja Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple, are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites and their grounds contain many historic and beautiful structures. Nikko is also the access point for the Oku-Nikko region with its many hot spring resorts and natural beauty spots such as the spectacular Kegon Falls, and the scenic Lake Chuzenji.

Shimo-Imaichi Station

Transfers can be made here to the Tobu Kinugawa Line for services bound for the theme park at Tobu World Square and the hot spring resort town of Kinugawa Onsen. On weekends and public holidays Tobu operate special 35 minute steam locomotive rides on the SL Taiju between Shimo-Imaichi and Kinugawa Onsen stations.

Tochigi Station

Tochigi’s chief sightseeing area is the historic Kuranomachi district which has many well-preserved buildings and wooden warehouses which are called “kura”. Popular local attractions include the Tochigi Kuranomachi Museum of Art which is located in three 200-year-old warehouses, and boat tours on the Uzuma River. Transfers can be made here to the JR Ryomo Line.

Kasukabe Station

Transfers can be made here to the Tobu Urban Park Line.

Kita-Senju Station

Transfers can be made here to the Tsukuba Express, the JR Joban Line, and Tokyo Metro’s Chiyoda and Hibiya lines.

Tokyo Skytree Station

Exit here for the Tokyo Skytree, which is the world’s tallest tower at 634 meters high. The Skytree is a popular tourist attraction with upper level observation decks as well as souvenir shops and restaurants. Around the tower is a large commercial complex with a great variety of shopping and dining facilities, a museum and an aquarium.

Tobu Asakusa Station

Asakusa is a major sightseeing destination in Tokyo. Among its top attractions are Sensoji Temple which dates from the year 645 and is believed to be Tokyo’s oldest temple, and the dramatic Kaminarimon (or “Thunder Gate”) which is a popular meeting place and Instagram spot. Shopping at the souvenir shops of Nakamise and dining at the cheap pubs of Hoppy Street are popular activities in this downtown district. Transfers can be made in Asakusa to Toei Asakusa Subway Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, and the Tsukuba Express Line.

On Board the Spacia Kegon

All cars on the Spacia Kegon are non-smoking and there is also a free Wi-Fi internet service available on board the train. In the 6th car there are six private compartments which can seat up to four people each. These compartments cost an additional 3,090 yen on weekdays and 3,700 yen on weekends and holidays. The Spacia has an on board trolley service selling drinks, sandwiches, bento-style lunch boxes, and Spacia-themed souvenirs. There is also a soft drinks vending machine in car 3. Some trains also have a kiosk in car 3 where you can buy drinks (including draft beer), snacks, and souvenirs.

Timetables

The Spacia Kegon makes 7 return services on weekdays, and 8 return services on weekends and holidays. Most trains start or terminate at Tobu Nikko Station. However, service #206, which is the first train to Asakusa, starts at Shin-Tochigi, and so cannot be boarded at Tobu Nikko. Also service #255, which is the last service from Asakusa, terminates at Shin-Tochigi and does not continue to Tobu Nikko.

Inbound	Tobu Nikko	Shin-Tochigi	Tobu Asakusa
Spacia Kegon #206	–	5.44	7.06
Spacia Kegon #18	9.57	–	11.45
Spacia Kegon #24	11.27	–	13.15
Spacia Kegon #26 (weekends & holidays only)	11.54	–	13.45
Spacia Kegon #34	14.57	–	16.45
Spacia Kegon #36	15.23	–	17.15
Spacia Kegon #44	17.23	–	19.15
Spacia Kegon #46	18.11	–	20.05

 

Outbound	Tobu Asakusa	Shin-Tochigi	Tobu Nikko
Spacia Kegon #5	7.30	–	9.20
Spacia Kegon #9 (weekends & holidays only)	8.30	–	10.21
Spacia Kegon #13	9.30	–	11.16
Spacia Kegon #21	12.30	–	14.18
Spacia Kegon #31	15.00	–	16.48
Spacia Kegon #33	16.00	–	17.47
Spacia Kegon #51	21.00	–	22.51
Spacia Kegon #255	22.00	23.16	–

Discount Passes

Because Tobu Railway is a private company its lines are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. However, Tobu does have its own system of discount passes for international tourists. Special passes are offered that cover the Nikko area and the journey between Nikko and Asakusa. To find out more please visit the official Tobu Railway website.

Alternatives to the Spacia Kegon

Tobu Railway operates two other limited express services that run between Tobu Nikko and Tobu Asakusa stations. These are the Kirifuri (which is the cheapest service but only runs on weekends and holidays) and the Revaty Kegon. There is also another service called the Limited Express Nikko which runs between Tobu Nikko Station and Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.

Useful Links

The official Tobu Railway website has downloadable route maps of all the Tobu lines and complete timetables for all limited express services. To find the train times and routes that suit your own travel itinerary, we recommend using English language route finders like the Japan Transit Planner or Hyperdia.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.