The sights
Toshogu Shrine
The mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the shogunate that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868, rebuilt in its present extravagant form by his grandson in the 1630s. Look for the three wise monkeys on the sacred stable, the Yomeimon — the “gate you could look at until sunset” — and the small sleeping cat above the path to Ieyasu’s tomb.
ℹ️ Usually open 9:00–17:00 (to 16:00 November–March). Admission around ¥1,600. Busiest 10:00–14:00. Ten minutes by bus from the stations, or 30–40 minutes on foot uphill. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Shinkyo Bridge
The “sacred bridge”, an arc of vermilion lacquer over the Daiya River gorge at the entrance to the shrine precinct, belonging to Futarasan Shrine. The present structure dates from 1904, following a 17th-century design.
ℹ️ Viewing from the road bridge alongside is free; a small fee allows you to walk onto it. Allow 15 minutes.
Taiyuin & Rinno-ji
Taiyuin is the mausoleum of Iemitsu, the third shogun, set deeper in the forest: smaller and darker-toned than Toshogu, and to many eyes more beautiful. Rinno-ji, Nikko’s principal temple, houses three large gilded Buddhas in its Sanbutsudo hall, with a strolling garden opposite.
ℹ️ Separate tickets, each a few hundred to about ¥1,000; combined tickets are sold. Usually open 8:00 or 9:00 to 16:00–17:00. Allow 1.5 hours for both.
Kegon Falls
Lake Chuzenji’s outflow drops 97 metres in a single column, with a dozen smaller cascades seeping from the cliff beside it — ranked among Japan’s three finest waterfalls. A lift bored through the rock leads to a platform near the basin.
ℹ️ Upper viewing platform free; the lift costs about ¥600 and usually runs 8:00–17:00 (shorter in winter). Five minutes’ walk from Chuzenji Onsen bus terminal. Allow 45 minutes.
Lake Chuzenji
A lake at 1,269 metres, dammed by lava from the sacred Mount Nantai some 20,000 years ago. In the late 19th century it became a summer retreat for foreign diplomats; two of their villas are now memorial parks. Sightseeing boats and shoreline paths give changing views.
ℹ️ Free. About 45–50 minutes by bus from the stations via the Irohazaka hairpin road. Boats run from spring to November. Considerably colder than the town. Allow 1–2 hours.
Edo Wonderland & Kinugawa Onsen
North-east of Nikko, a theme park recreates an Edo-period town with costumed townspeople, ninja shows and samurai houses. Nearby Kinugawa Onsen is a hot-spring resort strung along a river gorge, with boat rides in season.
ℹ️ Edo Wonderland: usually open 9:00–17:00 (shorter in winter), closed Wednesdays; paid day pass. Reached by Tobu Railway to Kinugawa Onsen and a bus. Allow at least half a day.
