Nikko (日光, Nikkō) is a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park, most famous for Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was built in the 1600s, and Nikko National Park continues to offer scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys and hiking trails.

Nikko and the Okunikko area around Lake Chuzenji, in particular, are well known for their beautiful autumn colors (koyo). In the average year the colors start descending from the higher elevations of Yumoto Onsen in early October, are best around Lake Chuzenji and the Irohazaka road in mid to late October and reach the town of Nikko in the first half of November.

Nikko is located along Japan's Romantic Road.

  • 1

    Shrine

    Toshogu Shrine•••

    Lavish mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

    4.4

    1,820

  • 2

    Temple

    Taiyuin

    Mausoleum of Iemitsu, Ieyasu's grandson.

    4.2

    573

  • 3

    Temple

    Rinnoji Temple

    Nikko's most important temple.

    3.9

    1,140

  • 4

    Historic Site

    Tamozawa Villa

    Former Nikko residence of the Imperial Family.

    3.7

    167

  • 5

    Nature

    Kanmangafuchi Abyss

    Atmospheric walking trail through a gorge.

    4.1

    242

  • 6

    Shrine

    Futarasan Shrine

    Dedicated to Nikko's sacred mountains.

    4.0

    985

  • 7

    Nature

    Kirifuri Waterfall

    Beautiful waterfall in the forested mountains.

    3.8

    29

  • 8

    Garden

    Botanical Garden

    Research garden of the University of Tokyo.

    3.7

    189

  • 9

    Shrine

    Shinkyo Bridge

    Sacred bridge at the entrance to Nikko's shrines.

    3.4

    949

  • 10

    Historic Site

    Kanaya Hotel History House

    The predecessor of the Kanaya Hotel.

    12

  • 1

    Viewpoint/Tower

    Hangetsuyama

    Mountain with great views over Lake Chuzenji.

    3.8

    48

  • 2

    Nature

    Lake Chuzenji

    Lake at the foot of Mount Nantai.

    3.8

    987

  • 3

    Nature

    Senjogahara Marsh

    Idyllic marshland with nice hiking trails.

    3.8

    307

  • 4

    Nature

    Ryuzu Waterfall

    Waterfall famous for its autumn colors.

    3.9

    469

  • 5

    Nature

    Kegon Waterfall

    Nikko's most famous waterfall.

    3.9

    881

  • 6

    Onsen

    Yumoto Onsen

    Hot spring resort in the national park.

    3.8

    336

  • 7

    Viewpoint/Tower

    Akechidaira Plateau

    Observation decks along the Irohazaka road.

    3.7

    81

  • 8

    Temple

    Chuzenji Temple

    Temple at the shores of Lake Chuzenjiko.

    3.7

    219

  • 9

    Scenic Ride

    Irohazaka

    Road connecting the town with Okunikko.

    3.4

    207

  • 1

    Nasu-Shiobara

    Resort area with hiking trails and hot springs.

    3.2

    229

  • 2

    Kinugawa Onsen

    Hot spring resort with theme parks near Nikko.

    3.2

    547

  • 3

    Utsunomiya

    Prefectural capital of Tochigi Prefecture.

    2.8

    85

Budget:

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    • Sanga Nikko - Serene Boutique Guesthouse Near Nikko Station & Bus Terminal

      Mid-range

      Located in Nikko, 2.1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Sanga Nikko - Serene Boutique Guesthouse Near Nikko Station & Bus Terminal provi

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    • Stay Nikko Guesthouse

      Luxury

      Featuring free WiFi, Stay Nikko Guesthouse offers accommodation in Nikko. Nikko Station on the Tobu and JR lines can be reached within a 13-minute walk. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this

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    • B&B Izumi Nikko

      Luxury

      Located in Nikko and only 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, B&B Izumi Nikko provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. With river views, this accommodation features a balco

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    • Okunikko Guesthouse JUN

      Budget-friendly

      Located in Nikko and only 1.1 km from Kegon Falls, Okunikko Guesthouse JUN provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 1-star guest house features lake views and is 16 km

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    • Nikko Guesthouse Sumica

      Budget-friendly

      Featuring 1-star accommodation, Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is located in Nikko, 300 metres from Nikko Station and 300 metres from Tobu Nikko Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and l

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    • Honke Bankyu

      Luxury

      Established in 1666, Honke Bankyu is housed in a registered historical building. The Japanese rooms feature traditional decor, futon bedding and a flat-screen TV. The hotel has 5 hot-spring baths and serves local specialities for dinner. Shoji paper screens, tatami (woven-straw) floors and views of greenery add to the zen flavour of each air-conditioned room. A yukata robe is provided. All rooms have a private toilet, and some rooms have a private bathroom. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Yunishikawa-Onsen Train Station. Heike Village Museum is just a 10-minute walk away. Ryuokyo Canyon is a 40-minute drive, and Nikko Toshugu Shrine is 50 km away. A private hot-spring bath can be reserved, for a fee. You can relax at the library, take a stroll in the garden or browse the unique items in the gift shop. Japanese style breakfast and set-menu dinner are served at the hotel’s dining room.

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    • Annex Turtle Hotori-An

      Budget-friendly

      About a 20-minute walk from the Nikko shrines, Annex Turtle Hotori-An is situated next to the Daiya river and green forests. It features hot spring baths with river views. Only 1.5 km from the Toshogu and Futarasan shrines at Nikko, Hotori-An Turtle Annex Hotel also offers easy access to local hiking trails. A 40-minute drive brings guests to historical theme park Nikko Edomura. The Japanese-style rooms feature tatami (woven straw) floors and traditional futon beds. Each room includes a private bathroom. Turtle Annex Hotori-An features a gallery showing local Mashiko-yaki pottery. English-speaking staff are available to help with sightseeing. Breakfast features fruit, eggs and bread. Property staff can recommend nearby dinner options upon check-in.

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    • Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko

      Mid-range

      Set in Nikko, within 1.8 km of Tobu Nikko Station and 2 km of Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a terrace and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk for guests. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.4 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko, while Kegon Falls is 20 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 119 km away.

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    • Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage

      Mid-range

      Homely rooms with mountain views, free Wi-Fi and a private bath await guests at Villa Revage, 350 metres from Nikko Botanical Garden. It is completely non-smoking, and free private parking is available on site. Rooms at Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage are heated and come with simple furnishings and art on the walls. An LCD satellite TV is included. Both a hairdryer and toiletries are provided. You can relax on the sun terrace, enjoy the garden or unwind in one of the private reservable baths. The hotel is 4 km from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station. Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is 800 metres away, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2 km away.

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    • The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko

      Luxury

      The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko features restaurants, fitness centre, a lobby lounge bar and shared lounge in Nikko situated by Lake Chuzenji and overlooking Mount Nantai. This 5-star hotel offers a concierge service and ticket service. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, hot spring baths for guests. At The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko all units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a hot tub, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also offer a mountain view. A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. The onsite restaurants feature Japanese and Western-style cuisines. Guests can relax in the spa and wellness centre, including a hot spring bath, a sauna and a hot tub, or in the garden. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, and car hire is available at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Chuzenji Temple.

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