Nikko is one of the popular destinations from Tokyo. You can visit there as a day trip. Of course if you stay there, you can visit many places in outside of Nikko city and also can enjoy the hot spring in Kinugawa Onsen too.
There are several ways to get Nikko by train. In this post, I will show you how to get there and compare a few deals.
Overview
Please see the map below:
As you saw the map above, there are three ways to get Nikko.
- The Tohoku Shinkansen + JR Nikko line — the average trip time 2 hours (includes 1 transfer at Utsunomiya)
- The limited express “Nikko” from Shinjuku — the average trip time 2 hours (the direct access)
- Tobu Railway limited express “Kegon” from Asakusa — the average trip time 2 hours (the direct access)
The trip times are not much different among these choices. But you have to transfer at Utsunomiya station to take the route by the Tohoku Shinkansen + JR Nikko line route.
Tohoku Shinkansen and JR Nikko line route
If you use JR Pass to visit Nikko, this route is only way that is fully covered by JR Pass.
JR East Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass cover this route fully too. But the direct train to Nikko from Shinjuku is available for these passes too. Please read the next chapter.
JR/Tobu Limited Express Nikko from Shinjuku
Both JR East and Tobu Railway operate the direct train service “Nikko” from Shinjuku to Nikko and “Kinugawa” to Kinugawa Onsen. This train runs on JR East line and Tobu Railway line. So JR Pass does not cover this train fully. It covers between Shinjuku and Omiya only. But both JR East Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass cover this train fully even though this train runs on non JR line.
Please see the post below to get the details about this train.
You can find out the timetable at JR East official site:
JR East official site – the timetable
Tobu Limited Express Spacia Kegon from Asakusa
Tobu Railway is more popular to visit Nikko for local tourists. Tobu Railway’s terminal station is Asakusa. Asakusa is not very convenient place if you stay in east side of Tokyo, such as Shinjuku. But the train runs more frequently and especially to Kinugawa Onsen.
You can find the timetable of the limited express from Asakusa in the link below:
If you use Tobu Railway, you can use some Tobu Railway’s deals. Please see the link below:
Tobu Railway’s ordinary train
I mentioned only the limited express train service above. But Tobu Railway operates the ordinary train service too. Tobu Railway’s deals do not include the limited express surcharge. If you want to avoid paying any extra on top of Tobu Railway’s deals, you may take the ordinary train. Some ordinary train is called “Rapid” or “Express”. These trains skip many station.
Rapid train used to run between Asakusa and Tobu-Nikko/Kinugawa-Onsen directly. However this direct rapid train was discontinued in 2017. If you travel by rapid train, you have to change trains at least once at Minami-Kurihashi.
If you take Rapid train, trip time is 2.5 hours to 3 hours to get Nikko. It is not very much different from limited express.
Nikko stations
In Nikko, Tobu-Nikko station is the core place. JR Nikko station is a few minutes away from Tobu-Nikko station. Most of bus services stop at both stations. Please see my post to see more about Nikko stations.
I hope this post helps you to build your trip plan to Nikko.
Comments
Hi! I am visiting Tokyo on 27th this month, evening flight arrival Narita Airport, stay at Asakusa from 27-31 Oct, go to Tobu Nikko from Asakusa station in the morning on 31 Oct to 2 Nov, then take morning train to Fujikawaguchiko from 2-4 Nov. Will leave Japan on 4th Nov night flight in Haneda Airport.
I am considering to use Tokyo Subway Ticket (valid 72-hours) and then use JR East Tohoku Area Pass (5 flexible days) for round trip to Nikko and Fujikawaguchiko and back to Haneda Airport. Do I need to buy Nikko All Area Pass ? What do you think ?
Thanks & regards
Horace
Hi Horace,
Tokyo Subway Ticket is okay but I recommend you to use two passes, Nikko All Area Pass + Tokyo Wide Pass.
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/all.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-wide-pass-is-newer-version-of-kanto-area-pass-nikko-fuji-gala-yuzawa-and-odaiba-are-covered-by-this-pass.html
You will be staying in Asakusa. Tobu railway is more convenient to get Nikko. Nikko All Area Pass does not include limited express fee. But even if you add it, it’s still cheaper than JR East Pass. JR East Pass does not cover Otsuki to Kawaguchiko on Fuji Kyuko line. But Tokyo Wide Pass covers it. You can get Haneda by Monorail by this pass. Total cost of these two passes + Tobu railway limited express surcharge is cheaper than JR East Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san,
Thank you for your quick response and suggestion above.
Horace
No worries, Horace.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! We are visiting Tokyo at the end of the month and plan to go on day trip to Nikko. (1) What is the best and most convenient way to go, considering that we have a one year old with us? We are coming from Shin-Urayasu (2) if taking Shinkansen, is it covered by the 1 day Tokyo pass? Is seems that the 3 dayTokyo wide pass will not be worth it if we use only for one day.
Hi Theresa,
The following route is the easiest:
Shin-Urayasu (JR Keiyo line) Tokyo (Shinkansen) Utsunomiya (JR Nikko line) Nikko
1 day pass does not cover Nikko. Tokyo wide pass is your choice. Actually it’s cheaper than single fare (around 12000 yen for round trip).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much! Is it easy to get to Edo Wonderland from Nikko Station?
Hi Theresa,
Please see the link below:
http://edowonderland.net/en/access/access.html#bus
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshita,
I am planning to visit Nikko on This October and Will cover Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall. I Will use Tokyo Wide Pass. Is it possible to get to Nikko with Shinkansen and go back to Tokyo with rapid? Thank You.
Hi Lizalman,
If you meant rapid on Tobo line, it’s not covered by Tokyo Wide Pass.
Tokyo Wide Pass covers Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Utsunomiya, and Nikko line between Utsunomiya and Nikko only.
Cheers,
Takeshi (not Takeshita) / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for the resource above, it is the first article which mentions the Rapid train…
I will visit Tokio in October, so I would like to make an one day trip to Nikko. I want to travel cheap and early in the morning from Asakusa. In Nikko I want to take a bus to Chuzenji onsen and some stops around it.
I first wanted to go by Rapid train and use my Suica Card for paying. Is this possible and if yes, how is the Rapid train called, so I can find it at the Asakusa Station? Does it has some transfer or is it non-stop to Nikko?
Besides, is it better to buy one of the passes you mentioned, which already include the bus to Chuzenji? I could buy one by the TOBU Tourist Information Center at Asakusa Station, but they don’t list the 2 day pass you recommend…
What is the cheapest and best way to travel to Nikko? Should I buy a pass? Or should I use my Suica?
Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Christina
Hi Christina,
I recommend you to use Nikko All area pass.
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/all.html
If you pay single fare or using Suica, your cost will be more than 5,000 yen. This pass is cheaper.
Many of rapid trains go to Tobu-Nikko station from Asakusa directly. But there are many routes from Asakusa. Please make sure the train goes to Asakusa or not. It’s called “Kaisoku (快速)” in Japanese.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, Takeshi, for your reply.
So all the local trains to Nikko and from Asakusa are included in the all Area pass? I just have to ensure that I use the direct one called Kaisoku?
Many thanks,
Christina
Hi Christina,
I have just found that this train is no longer available. There is no “Kaisoku” which go to Nikko directly from Asakusa. You must change trains at Minami-Kurihashi on the way to Nikko.
But as long as you follow the route, you can take any trains to Nikko.
There are many “Kaisoku”. This is a name of types of trains. There are Kaisoku which go to other destinations too. So you have to make sure that train is Kaisoku to Minami-Kurihashi. And then change trains to Tobu-Nikko. Tobu railways Nikko station is called “Tobu-Nikko”. It’s not just “Nikko”.
Sorry about it. But this direct train to Nikko was discontinued in this year.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Can you please help me which pass should we purchase for our Nikko day trip as I am quite confuse which is which is the best deal.
Here is our places to go:
First to Okunikko area: Ryuzu falls, Kegon falls and Lake Chuzenji
then next to Central town: Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo bridge and Kanmangafuchi Abyss
We will take from Asakusa station. 🙂
Should we purchase Nikko passes or single purchase is best deal?
We will be going to Tokyo on November and wanted to visit Nikko, Disneyland, Lake Kawaguchiko, and visit Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara area 🙂
Thank you so much. 🙂
Hi Alen san,
Nikko All Area Pass is most suitable. This is only deal to cover Okunikko area.
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/all.html
You may add express bus fare to Lake Kawaguchi and subway pass in Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you so much for your reply. So this pass is best deal for our day tour in Nikko. 🙂
Can I ask again, if this Nikko All Area Pass need to reserve in advance?
And one last as I am confused, this pass includes round trip from Asakusa to Nikko and from Nikko to Tokyo? 🙂
Thank you so so much and I really appreciate your help and time to reply.
Cheers,
Alen
Hi Alen san,
>Can I ask again, if this Nikko All Area Pass need to reserve in advance?
You can purchase either online or on the spot. It’s up to you.
>And one last as I am confused, this pass includes round trip from Asakusa to Nikko and from Nikko to Tokyo?
It does not cover Nikko to Tokyo. This covers only Asakusa to/from Nikko.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you so so much for your reply.
Anyway, I mean roundtrip from Asakusa to Nikko and from Nikko back to Asakusa. Is that covers in Nikko All Area Pass? 🙂
Thank you once again.
God bless you. 🙂
Alen
Hi Alen san,
It covers round trip between Asakusa and Nikko.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! Are metro stations in Tokyo, wheelchair friendly? 🙂
Hi Diane,
In Tokyo, not only subway station but also most of railway station have elevator and slope.
However Tokyo is very busy city and there are many passengers all day. It sometimes may be hard to move by these many passengers.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
If starting in Yokohama am I correct in thinking I would go to Tokyo Station, change there and then to Utsunomiya, change there for Nikko?
Exactly, Steven.
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
I am planning to purchase Tokyo Wide Pass & go to Nikko as a day trip. I will be starting from Yokohama & when I check via Hyperdia, the fastest route is using Shinkansen Nasuno from Tokyo to Utsunomiya & then JR Nikko line to reach Nikko station. The shinkansen is covered by the pass? Is there a way to check which Shinkansen is covered by Tokyo Wide Pass? It is so confusing….Cause I don’t see Tohoku Shinkansen in hyperdia.
Hi May san,
It’s covered. Official site shows which Shinkansen lines are covered very clearly.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/?src=pcbp
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I further checked on Hyperdia; there is JR Utsunomiya Line Rapid from Tokyo station as well. It’s unreserved and overall only 30 mins extra it takes compared to Shinkansen. With this return fare for non-JR pass holder will be under JPY 6,000 – I suppose this is more economical than Tokyo Wide pass, as we have no plan to visit other destination apart from Nikko and JR pass will be valid on this route. What do you think?
Thanks & regards,
Rupesh
Hi Rupesh san,
Of course you can take Utsunomiya line. But it’s a sort of commute trains. You and JR pass holders will need to stand up in the trains. Are JR Pass holder happy with it? Trip time is not much different. But accommodation is so much different. Especially if you leave from Tokyo station in the morning on week day, train is very busy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-san,
Thanks for all the valuable information you’ve provided on various destinations. I am Japan resident so don’t have JR pass, but want to visit Nikko along with some visitors who are having JR pass. What is the most economical way for us to travel ‘together’ to Nikko from Tokyo? Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Rupesh
Hi Rupesh san,
Actually Tokyo Wide Pass is available for all non Japanese passport holders, even for resident.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/index.html?src=gnavi
So you can use this and take Tohoku Shinkansen and Nikko line route via Utsunomiya. JR Pass covers this route only anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Many thanks for prompt response. Yes we were considering the Tokyo Wide Area Pass but just felt it to be a bit expensive for visiting only Nikko; for Japan residents seems the Tobu express/pass from Asakusa is more economical (also we stay in Edogawa so access is easier). I guess the trade-off is between traveling together (paying more) vs spending less (travel separately).
Thanks once again for all your help.
Warm regards,
Rupesh
Hi Rupesh san,
You’re right. Tobu railway is most common way to get Nikko for the residents. As you understand, JR pass user cannot take Tobu railway.
So please think about which one is the best for you, travel together or save your cost.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello
Can foreigners get Tobu train also.
Do you have to prebook?
Hi Anne,
Anyone can take Tobu railway. If you intend to take rapid train, reservation is not required.
If you intend to take limited express Spacia, you may book in advance online:
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/using/spacia/line.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com