If you have a holiday in Tokyo and can spare 1 day, you cannot miss Nikko! It is a serene mountain area, about 2 – 2.5 hour train trip to north from Tokyo area that allows you to do a day trip. It is best if you try to arrive there early rather than arrive at lunch time since it’s a mountain area.

Nikko Toshogu is one of the world heritages where shrines and temples were built as the power source (based on feng shui) that flows toward the Shogun’s main castle in Tokyo back in early 1600’s. This shrine area is also dedicated to the great Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa who was the first Shogun of one of the most stable and cultural governments, Tokugawa dynasty. There are many wonderful architectures and statues (including “hear no evil, see no evil” monkeys) in this mountain area. Feel the ancient power and boost up your energy level!

About 10 km away from Toshogu shrines, there are Chuzenji-ko Lake and Kegon Waterfall as wonderful nature sights. If you drive from Toshogu area to the lake, you will pass through Nikko’s famous zig zag IROHA-zaka slope. This lake area surrounded by mountains would be even more beautiful during colouring leaves season, which will be around late October to the beginning of November.

Easiest way to go from Tokyo is to catch Express trains to Tobu Nikko station. Tickets will be about 3000 yen depending on which line you will travel with.

• From Asakusa station, catch Tobu Express train (“Tokkyu”) to Shimoichi-shi station (about 1.5 hrs) then change to Tobu Nikko station for 2 more stops.
• From Shinjuku station, catch JR Express (“Tokkyu”) to Tobu Nikko station for about 2 hours.

Tokyo to Nikko