2 Days in Nikko Japan Itinerary: The Perfect Tokyo Weekend Escape

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FTC Disclosure: Thank you so much to Tobu Railways for providing my All Area Nikko Pass in exchange for coverage. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Are you looking for a beautiful weekend escape from Tokyo? Mountains? Lush green trees? Temples surrounded by mystical nature? All of the above?

Then you ought to leave Tokyo and build some extra time in your itinerary for Nikko.

Now don’t get me wrong. I love Japan’s big cities. Love them. Insanely busy crosswalks, delicious ramen bars in hidden alleys, incredible shopping malls. I can’t say enough about how much I loved Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka. 

However, you can’t come all the way to Japan and miss the spectacular nature and smaller cities. They are special, too, and worthy of your consideration.

And Nikko? Is incredibly special. It is one of my favorite places in Japan, and to say that I fiercely miss it, is an understatement. Nikko was one of my favorite places on my solo trip to Japan.

Nikko Travel Tips

First and foremost, don’t stress too much about getting to Nikko from Tokyo. I was a little worried about getting lost, but at the end of the day, my fears were unfounded. Japan’s public transportation is incredible, and the routes between Tokyo and Nikko are very easy to navigate.

You depart from Asakusa Station, which is served by Tobu Railway, to go to Nikko. All in all, the journey takes a little over two hours, which is manageable. 

You won’t have any issue upon arriving at your destination either. Nikko is remarkably easy to travel around, particularly with the All Area Nikko Pass. This “all in one” pass covers your transportation from Asakusa to Nikko, as well as Nikko’s own local commuter trains and Tobu-designated buses. 

Be sure to keep your pass with you at all times. Do not, do not, do not lose it. Please do not lose it. You will need to show your pass to the staff to board the public transportation.

Again. Do not lose it. Do not. I cannot stress this enough. 

Your pass will also include the bus schedule, which is immensely helpful for seeing Nikko’s natural wonders, so keep that in your day bag too!

Is 2 Days in Nikko Enough Time?

Yes, 2 days in Nikko is the perfect amount of time. Of course, you need to do whatever works best for your itinerary. For most of my audience, Japan is a far flight and even spending 8 days in Japan doesn’t seem like nearly enough to see and do everything. I understand most of you want to travel at a faster pace. 

However, a weekend in Nikko gave me the recharge that I needed after traveling alone in Tokyo, and I would’ve been thrilled with even more time to spend in nature. 

As I was doing my research, I noticed that a lot of travelers go to Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo. I would actually recommend against this, and encourage two days instead. You won’t have nearly enough time to see all the temples and natural wonders in Nikko with just a day trip.

If you truly only have a day to spare, then I suggest going to Kamakura instead, which is way more manageable to see in a single day compared to Nikko. 

Nikko Travel Essentials

You don’t need to pack anything special for Nikko. However, it’s important to dress in comfortable, atheleisure clothing since you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors. Comfort trumps style, in my humble opinion.

I would opt for comfortable hiking shoes, since you will be climbing up and down many stairs, and would also suggest bringing a light daypack to keep your water and snacks. Make sure you’re to easily remove your shoes, though, because you cannot wear them in many of Nikko’s temples.

Where to Stay in Nikko 

Nikko has plenty of accommodation options.

As for me, I decided to stay at an adorable hostel called K’s House Nikko. This hostel was located a little out of the way, at Tobu World Square station, but I absolutely loved being in the middle of the green lush mountains. I needed peace in nature and found it at K’s House Nikko.

Additionally, I wanted to experience onsen in Japan. K’s House Nikko has a gorgeous little onsen that overlooked the trees. This onsen was also tattoo-friendly, which was important to me, since I have a small cat tattoo on my shoulder. 

All in all, I highly recommend K’s House Nikko to solo travelers seeking a weekend escape from Tokyo.

2 Days in Nikko Japan Itinerary 

For this itinerary, one day focuses on Nikko’s UNESCO temples and history, while the other day focuses on the natural wonders in this area.

However, keep in mind that this itinerary is a bit weather-dependent. I visited Nikko in June, at the height of rainy season, but was blissed with glorious weather.

So, remember to keep your plans flexible in the event of rain. Nikko has a lot of adorable cafes that you can hide away in until the weather improves.

Nikko’s Temples and Shrines

To reach the temples, you will need to take the train to Tobu-Nikko Station and then walk through Nikko. Feel free to explore the town of Nikko beforehand. It’s very cute with plenty of shopping options for snacks, coffee, souvenirs, and more. 

However, you will obviously want to dedicate most of your time to Nikko’s rich history. 

Shinkyo Bridge

You will encounter Shinkyo Bridge prior to reaching the temples. Make sure to stop and take a photo. I mean, just look at those views. 

Shinkyo Bridge is a beautiful, vermilion-lacquered structure that’s right at the entrance of the Nikko mountains. You can admire the bridge for free (and take pictures), but if you wish to cross the bridge, you need to pay a small fee. 

Make sure you have cash readily available. Shinkyo Bridge, as well as Nikko’s temples, do not accept credit card payments, nor do they accept IC (eg. Suica Card) payments. Cash will make your life a million times easier.

Rinnoji Temple

After crossing the bridge, you will experience what Nikko is most beloved for, which are its world-class temples. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikkō encompasses 103 buildings or structures and the natural setting around them.

To access Nikko’s temples, climb the stairs across the street from Shinkyo Bridge. You will find Rinnoji Temple just a few steps away from famous Toshogu. Definitely make sure to stop here. I actually bought my Goshuincho book here, so this temple holds a special place in my heart. 

Absolutely do not miss the most famous building within the Rinnoji Temple complex: Sanbutsudo Hall, which houses three large gold-lacquered wooden statues representing Amida, Senju-Kannon (the Thousand-Armed Kannon), and Bato-Kannon (the Horse-Headed Kannon). You cannot take pictures inside.

Tosho-gu

To open a true window into Japan’s past, spend an ample amount of time exploring Toshogu Shrine. I personally spent well over an hour here, because I was so transfixed by this extraordinary temple complex. 

Toshogu Shrine is most well-known for the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years. However, you don’t want to just walk up to the mausoleum and leave. Stay and soak in the forested surroundings. I, personally, needed the quiet time, and wish every day that I could go back. 

Furthermore, take note of the several famous carvings that surround you. My favorites were the “Three Wise Monkeys” (depicting “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”) and the “Sleeping Cat”

Another thing that I adored about how accessible Toshogu Shrine is even though it feels like an entire world away from everything. You need to walk up stairs to explore the temple grounds, but they are not too intense, and despite visiting in summer, I never once felt overexerted or wiped out. 

One final note. Be aware of what time of day you visit Toshogu. You might think everything closes at the same time, but, uh, that’s not the case.

At Toshogu, different buildings and shrines close at different times, with some closing their doors at 4 and others at 5. Confusing, I know.

Ultimately, though, if you arrive too late, you might be limited to certain areas of the temple grounds. Just something to be aware of! My advice is to visit earlier in the day rather than later.

Eat at a Local Izakaya 

Ready for dinner? You should be, because Nikko has some excellent food available. I personally suggest going to an Izakaya on your weekend in Nikko. I went to an Izakaya right next to my hostel. It was a beautiful experience, and the owners were very kind to me.

As a word of warning, don’t rely on Google maps for opening and closing times. You’re much better off using a resource such as Tabelog for finding restaurants in Japan, including Nikko. I didn’t find the opening and closing times listed on Google to be reliable at all, haha. 

Nikko’s Natural Wonders

In addition to temples, Nikko is well known for some of Japan’s best nature. Autumn is one of the most popular times to go, due to the vibrant fall foliage, but I also hear it gets uncomfortably crowded during this time of year. If you want a more intimate view of Nikko, then I suggest opting for other times of the year.

For instance, I actually went during rainy season, and all the hydrangeas were in full bloom, which was amazing. The weather also worked in my favor. I only experienced light drizzle on my second evening here! Win/win! 

Akechidaira Ropeway

After boarding the bus, one of the first nature stops was the historic Akechidaira Ropeway.

On the way, your bus will drive along Irohazaka Winding Road. This is a famous mountain road that has amazing views, but definitely sit toward the front of the bus if you are prone to car sickness!

Akechidaira Ropeway is a short and scenic ride, but the observatory is a thousand percent worth it! You’ll have clear views of Nikko’s famous landmarks like Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, and Mount Nantai. I could NOT stop taking pictures, haha. 

Lastly I did notice that compared to other tourist attractions in Nikko, Akechidaira Ropeway was very quiet and peaceful. I didn’t have to wait long at all to board the cable car, and could enjoy the sweeping views of Nikko’s mountains in silence. I highly recommend hopping off the bus and riding the ropeway if you need a break from other tourists. It was absolutely serene. 

Kegon Waterfalls

Kegon Falls is one of Japan’s most famous waterfalls. I highly recommend paying the entrance fee to see these wondrous waterfalls up close. Have some change with you, because (from my memory) credit card isn’t accepted at Kegon Falls. 

These waterfalls plunge a total of 97 meters, which is incredible to see in person. I loved visiting in the summer, because of all the lush greenery. Plenty of platforms are available if you pay the fee and take the elevator down. Photographers will have a lot of fun snapping pictures from different vantage points. 

Again, don’t stress about transportation. The Tobu bus drops you off a five minute walk from Kegon Falls, so reaching this area is very easy, especially with your All Access Nikko Pass. 

Lake Chuzenji 

Lastly, you’ll want to spend part of your second day in Nikko on the shores of Lake Chuzenji. This lake very close to Kegon Falls, so it’s easy to visit both attractions in a single afternoon. There are plenty of cafes near Lake Chuzenji too, so don’t worry if you’re hungry and want to stop for lunch, or need to grab a coffee! 

Lake Chuzenji is beautifully located on the shores of Mount Nantai. The water reflects the surrounding mountains, making it a photographer’s dream come true, and I actually spent an hour simply enjoying the breeze and fantastical surroundings.

Your All Access Nikko Pass includes a boat cruise around the lake. These cruises offer splendid views, particularly in autumn, and are a wonderful respite for your two days in Nikko.

If you’re more active than I am (haha), then canoe rentals are available for you to paddle on your own. Planning your own journey can be a spiritual experience in and of itself.

I hope you enjoyed reading this 2 days in Nikko itinerary. Nikko is absolutely worth visiting as a weekend trip in Japan, so please make room in your itinerary if you have a bit of flexibility. You will love it.