Nikko is a small town in Tochigi Prefecture, less than two hours by train from central Tokyo, that is packed with natural wonders and famous World Heritage Sites. Among the latter are the Toshogu Shrine, the 17th-century tomb of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu; Futarasan Jinja Shrine, an 8th-century shrine dedicated to local mountain gods; Rinnoji, an 8th-century Buddhist temple known for its gold-leaf statues; and the sacred river crossing of the Shinkyo Bridge.
In the countryside around Nikko are famous waterfalls, lakes, hot spring spa resorts, hiking trails and scenic mountain landscapes.
Although the official boundaries of Nikko extend over a huge area in northwestern Tochigi Prefecture, this is actually mostly countryside, and central Nikko itself is quite a small town. As a result, central Nikko has a relatively limited number of accommodation options available. It has also become a very popular tourist destination — so we recommend booking your stay as early as possible.
For those who are planning a short stay in Nikko and want time to see all the main attractions, staying in Nikko’s station area or in central Nikko are probably the best options. But if these areas are already booked up, you may need to broaden your search to the wider Nikko area.
If you have time for a longer stay, exploring the countryside around the hot spring resort of Chuzenji Onsen or booking a relaxing stay in the nearby Kinugawa Onsen spa resort area are also highly recommended.
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The Nikko Station Area
Many people travel to Nikko by train, so staying in the station area is an obvious choice. There are two railway stations serving Nikko: Tobu Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station. The two stations are very close together — being just five minutes apart on foot — and both stations are within walking distance of a good range of budget hostels and guesthouses, medium-range business and tourist hotels, and some high-end tourist hotels too.
Around the station area you can also find a large number of souvenir stores selling local crafts and specialty foods as well as restaurants, cafes, cheap diners and bars.
Tobu Nikko Station is the main entry point for Nikko, receiving regular limited express services from Asakusa in Tokyo.
JR Nikko Station receives just one or two local train services each hour from Utsunomiya. However, visitors using a Japan Rail Pass may find it more economical to travel from Tokyo via Utsunomiya, and so will make use of this station.
The drawback of staying in the station area is that it is not particularly close to Nikko’s main attractions. From Tobu Nikko Station it would take you at least 20 minutes to walk to the Shinkyo Bridge, and 30 minutes to walk to Futarasan Jinja Shrine.
Taxis are readily available in the station area, but the good news is that Nikko also has an excellent bus service, called the World Heritage Sightseeing Bus, that runs regular trips around all the main attractions. When traffic is light, a bus can take you to the Shinkyo Bridge in 5 minutes and to the Futarasan Jinja Shrine in 10 minutes. However, traffic can get heavy and slow in peak tourist season, so if you are going to stay in the station area, we recommend taking the bus in the early morning — and avoid booking your stay on a weekend.
Mid-range
- Nikko Station Hotel Classic is a traditional hotel offering comfortable rooms with modern amenities, a restaurant serving Japanese and Western cuisine, and an onsen bath. Located near Nikko Station, it provides easy access to Nikko’s historic sites and natural attractions.
- Nikko Station Hotel 2 is a budget-friendly hotel featuring simple accommodations with essential amenities, making it a practical choice for travelers. Its proximity to Nikko Station offers convenient access to the area’s famous temples and shrines.
Budget
- Hotel Famitic Nikko Station offers functional and budget-friendly rooms with basic amenities and a relaxed atmosphere. Its location close to Nikko Station ensures convenient access to local attractions, making it suitable for travelers looking for simplicity and convenience.
- Hotel Viva Nikko provides basic accommodations with a focus on comfort and affordability, offering free Wi-Fi and a shared lounge area.
- Nikko Park Lodge Tobu Station is a cozy, lodge-style hotel offering warm hospitality, comfortable rooms, and a communal lounge with a fireplace.
Central Nikko Area
Staying in central Nikko means you can take a leisurely stroll to the main tourist attractions and fully enjoy Nikko’s picturesque surroundings — without having to worry about bus timetables. There are also plenty of souvenir shops and dining options in this area.
Near the Shinkyo Bridge you can find some of Nikko’s best known luxury tourist hotels and traditional ryokan inns. There are also some more tourist hotels and ryokan inns near the Toshogu Shrine and Futarasan Jinja Shrine.
However, this area does not have so many medium-range or budget accommodation options.
This area is well-connected to the Tobu and JR railway stations by local bus services.
Luxury
- Nikko Kanaya Hotel is a historic luxury hotel offering elegant rooms with a blend of Western and Japanese styles, fine dining, and beautiful gardens. As Japan’s oldest resort hotel, it provides a rich cultural experience alongside modern comforts.
- Nikko Senhime Monogatari is a traditional ryokan featuring spacious tatami rooms, private onsen baths, and kaiseki dining. The hotel offers an authentic Japanese experience with warm hospitality and serene surroundings.
- Nikko Nishimachi Club is a boutique hotel offering a blend of modern and traditional Japanese accommodations. The intimate atmosphere and personalized service make it a unique and tranquil retreat in Nikko.
Mid-range
- Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko provides modern, comfortable accommodations with contemporary amenities, including a fitness center and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s stylish design and convenient services cater to both leisure and business travelers.
- Nikko Hoshino Yado is a ryokan offering a peaceful stay with traditional tatami rooms, onsen baths, and exquisite Japanese cuisine. The focus on relaxation and cultural immersion makes it a perfect choice for experiencing Nikko’s tranquility.
- Hotel Seikoen is a traditional Japanese ryokan offering a serene experience with tatami rooms, a beautiful garden, and natural hot spring baths. The hotel emphasizes relaxation and cultural immersion, with guests enjoying kaiseki meals featuring local ingredients.
Budget
- Stay Nikko Guesthouse is a cozy and welcoming guesthouse offering simple, clean rooms and a communal kitchen. It’s a budget-friendly option for travelers seeking a home-like atmosphere and friendly hospitality.
- Turtle Inn Nikko is a charming inn featuring comfortable, modest rooms and a relaxing riverside onsen bath. The intimate setting and warm service make it a delightful choice for visitors looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Nikko.
Wider Nikko Area
More accommodation options can be found in various locations in the hills and valleys around central Nikko ranging from cheap guesthouses, to medium-range tourist hotels and high-end ryokan inns. Some of these locations may also be more convenient for Nikko’s lesser-known attractions such as the Kanmangafuchi Gorge, Tamozawa Imperial Villa or Nikko Botanical Gardens.
Transportation options will depend on the specific location. Some will be served by local bus services, and some high-end hotels run their own shuttle bus services to the station area. Some locations may be remote enough to require a car, while cheaper guesthouses may appeal to backpackers who don’t mind hiking! And taxis are of course always an option.
Luxury
- TAOYA Nikko Kirifuri is a serene retreat offering modern rooms with breathtaking mountain views, onsen baths, and gourmet dining options. The hotel focuses on relaxation and natural beauty, providing a tranquil escape in the lush surroundings of Kirifuri.
- Fufu Nikko is a luxury ryokan offering spacious suites with private onsen baths, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort. The personalized service and exquisite dining experiences make it an exclusive and intimate getaway in Nikko.
- Shelter Garden Nikko is a boutique hotel featuring contemporary design with a focus on privacy and relaxation. The hotel offers stylish rooms, a serene garden, and a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for those seeking a quiet retreat in nature.
Mid-range
- Hotel Natural Garden Nikko offers comfortable accommodations with a blend of Western and Japanese styles, featuring a relaxing onsen, a beautiful garden, and an on-site restaurant.
Budget
- Annex Turtle Hotori-An is a charming riverside inn offering simple, cozy rooms with traditional Japanese touches and a communal onsen bath. The peaceful location by the river provides a serene atmosphere for a relaxing stay in Nikko.
- Tokiwa Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn offering comfortable tatami rooms, warm hospitality, and homemade Japanese meals. The ryokan’s quaint and homey atmosphere provides an authentic and intimate experience for guests visiting Nikko.
Chuzenji Onsen Area
Chuzenji Onsen is a popular hot spring resort on the eastern shore of Lake Chuzenji in the wild and mountainous Oku-Nikko (or “Deep Nikko”) area to the west of central Nikko. There are several hot spring spa hotels here, which all have their own natural mineral baths and which range in cost from cheap to medium-range to upscale luxury.
This area is a good base for exploring nearby sightseeing spots such as the Kegon Falls, the Ryuzu Falls, the Senjogahara marshland, or Chuzenji Temple. Popular activities on and around the lake include pleasure cruises, water sports, trout fishing, hiking and bird watching. Lake Chuzenji is also particularly famous for its beautiful displays of fall foliage.
Bus services for Chuzenji Onsen depart regularly from the JR and Tobu Nikko stations and take around 45 – 50 minutes to reach Chuzenji Onsen Bus Terminal.
Luxury
- The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is a luxurious hotel offering elegant rooms and suites with stunning views of Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai. The hotel features a spa, onsen baths, and world-class dining, providing an opulent retreat in the heart of Nikko’s natural beauty.
- Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel combines historic charm with modern comfort, offering Western-style rooms with beautiful lake views and an on-site hot spring bath. The hotel’s rich history and peaceful location make it a perfect base for exploring Nikko’s scenic areas.
- Hotel Shikisai is a serene lakeside hotel offering traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and stunning views of Lake Chuzenji. The hotel features a hot spring bath and seasonal kaiseki dining, creating a tranquil escape surrounded by nature.
Mid-range
- Hatago Nagomi is a cozy, traditional inn offering warm hospitality and comfortable tatami rooms. The inn emphasizes a homely atmosphere with personalized service and homemade meals, making it a charming retreat for visitors to Nikko.
- Yutorelo Nikko is a modern ryokan offering a blend of Japanese and Western accommodations, featuring open-air hot spring baths and a relaxing garden. The hotel focuses on providing a comfortable and serene experience for guests seeking to unwind in a tranquil setting.
Kinugawa Onsen Area
Kinugawa Onsen is an old-fashioned hot spring resort town located to the northeast of central Nikko. Here there are many traditional hot spring spa hotels perched along the edges of a scenic mountain gorge. Most of these hotels are either medium-range or high-end tourist hotels, but you may also be able to find some cheaper business hotels or guesthouses.
Kinugawa Onsen is a short bus ride from the Edo Wonderland amusement park, a recreation of a town in the Edo era (1603 – 1868) with ninja shows, seasonal festivals and colorful parades. It is also a short train journey from Tobu World Square, a theme park with over a hundred scale model replicas of the world’s most famous buildings.
Activities in Kinugawa Onsen itself include boat cruises on the Kinugawa River and a cable car ride to the monkey park and observation point on top of Mount Maruyama. The main reason to stay here though is to eat good food, relax in hot spring baths and enjoy a slower, more leisurely pace of life.
Kinugawa Onsen is served by Kinugawa-Onsen Station on the Tobu Kinugawa Line. This station receives several limited express services from Asakusa and Shinjuku in Tokyo. Local train services can be used to travel between here and Tobu Nikko Station, but you may need to change at Shimo-Imaichi Station to the Tobu Nikko Line.
Regular bus services run from Kinugawa-Onsen Station to all of the main tourist hotels, and taxis are also available.
Luxury
- Kanaya Hotel Kinugawa is a luxurious hotel offering a blend of Western and Japanese-style accommodations with elegant decor. The hotel features hot spring baths, fine dining options, and scenic views of the Kinugawa River, providing a sophisticated retreat in the Kinugawa area.
- Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa offers comfortable accommodations with a variety of room styles, including traditional Japanese rooms and Western options. The hotel features onsen baths, a seasonal outdoor pool, and dining facilities, making it an ideal choice for both relaxation and family-friendly stays.
- Kinugawa Hotel Mikazuki is a grand resort hotel featuring spacious rooms, multiple onsen baths, and a large indoor water park with pools and slides. The hotel provides a fun and relaxing environment for families and travelers seeking a resort experience in Kinugawa.
- KINUGAWA KEISUI is a traditional ryokan offering serene Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring and futons. Guests can enjoy the tranquil ambiance, soak in the onsen baths, and savor kaiseki cuisine, all while experiencing the beauty of the Kinugawa region.
Mid-range
- LiVEMAX RESORT Kinugawa is a modern resort hotel offering stylish rooms with private open-air baths, as well as public onsen facilities. The hotel provides a comfortable and luxurious stay with easy access to nearby attractions in the Kinugawa area.
- Kinugawa Royal Hotel features a range of accommodations from simple rooms to more luxurious options, with onsen baths and dining facilities.
- Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotel Kinugawa Gyoen is a traditional Japanese onsen hotel offering a wide range of rooms, including those with private open-air baths. The hotel is known for its extensive onsen facilities and buffet dining, providing a quintessential onsen experience in Kinugawa.
- Kinugawa Plaza Hotel offers a mix of Western and Japanese-style accommodations with stunning views of the Kinugawa River. The hotel features several onsen baths, including outdoor options, and multiple dining choices, making it a popular choice for a relaxing stay in the region.
Visiting Yokohama or Asakusa?
Are you planning to visit Yokohama or Asakusa in Tokyo as well? We compiled comprehensive guides on where to stay in both cities. Please visit Where to Stay in Yokohama Guide and Where to Stay in Asakusa Guide.
Article by Michael Lambe. Photos by gandhi/pixta (1), momo/pixta (2), TTwings/pixta (3), Somchaip/pixta (4), Koichi/pixta (5), matya1234/pixta (6), TNK/pixta (7). All rights reserved.
