Hotel Accommodation
Nikko's lodging options often include hot spring resorts with public baths and Japanese-style rooms featuring tatami mats where you sleep on a futon mattress.

If you prefer raised beds, choose the Western-style room option during booking. Note that public baths don't allow clothing. Consider a high-end resort with private baths for a more personal onsen experience.

Location Tips
Most Nikko lodgings are near train or bus stations and scenic spots. Be cautious of similar station names with different distances. For example, Kawaji Onsen accommodations are near Kawaji-Yumoto Station, not Kawaji-Onsen Station. Tobu-Nikko and Nikko Stations are close, and Nishi-Sando is the bus stop for Nikko Toshogu. Confirm stations to avoid detours.

Nearby Amenities
Few convenience stores and supermarkets are in Nikko compared to other tourist areas. Research nearby shopping districts and hours if you like post-arrival shopping. Stations often offer shopping opportunities too.

Transport Accessibility
Nikko's rail network is less dense than Tokyo's. Many attractions and hotels rely on buses with 30-minute to 2-hour intervals. Missing a bus can cause delays, so research bus times for smoother check-ins on a tight schedule. As buses have limited space, for convenience, try to pack light for your trip around Nikko.

Now let's take a closer look at tourist-friendly accommodations and must-see hotspots in Nikko, sorted by the five general areas of Nikko Station / Tobu-Nikko Station, Nikko Toshogu, Lake Chuzenji, Kinugawa, and Yunishikawa Onsen / Kawaji Onsen.

The region's main transport hubs are Nikko Station on the JR Lines and Tobu-Nikko Station on the Tobu Railway. The two stations are about five minutes away from each other by train, and both can be reached quickly and conveniently from areas within Tokyo City in about two to two-and-a-half hours by train.

Tobu-Nikko Station serves as the main gateway to Nikko. As expected, there's a range of accommodation options to choose from, catering to various budgets and styles, in close proximity to the station. Many buses that connect different areas around Nikko also make stops here.

Opting for a hotel in this vicinity ensures smooth check-ins without frequent train or bus transfers, regardless of your origin or destination. If you want to avoid lugging heavy luggage for extended periods, considering a stay here is a sensible choice.

・Hotels

・Hot Spring Resorts

・Apartments, Villas, Homestays

・Guesthouses and Hostels

Said to be the most iconic landmark of the city, Nikko Toshogu Shrine and the nearby Nikkozan Rinnoji, Nikko Futarasan Jinja along with a few other buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikko. As you may have already guessed, the area containing these places is indeed the main tourist attraction of Nikko. It takes about 15 minutes to reach here by bus from the Tobu-Nikko Station and its popularity means there are accommodations of all types here for your picking. The approach leading to Toshogu Shrine is lined with booths and eateries selling local snacks and meals, so there's always something to do either before or after your Toshogu visit. If you're staying nearby, you can bring any tasty tidbits you've purchased directly back to the room to enjoy at leisure too!

・Hotels

・Hot Spring Resorts

・Guesthouses and hostels

Lake Chuzenji is about 45 minutes from Tobu-Nikko Station by bus. En route, you'll see the well-known Irohazaka, a winding road that takes you through the lush and beautiful foliage of Nikko's maple trees while you relax comfortably in your own seat in a vehicle.

As the entrance to the area of Okunikko, you'll also find natural scenic sights such as Kegon Falls and Ryuzu Falls near Lake Chuzenji.

From one of the many observation decks scattered throughout the area, admire the scenery from a bird's eye view! We highly recommend that you consider splurging a little by checking into a luxury hotel near Lake Chuzenji to fully immerse yourself in Nikko's peaceful natural wonders and serene waterfront views.

・Hotels

・Hot Spring Resorts

One of the most well-known hot spring regions of Tochigi, it only takes about two hours to get here from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro in Tokyo via direct train, or about one hour from Tobu-Nikko with one transfer at Shimo-Imaichi. As a traditional hot spring district with a long history, visitors can expect to see a quaint but harmonious blend of olden Japanese-style inns, renovated resorts, and large buildings on both sides of the main street. Despite the old-fashioned vibe of the area, the simple beauty of Kinugawa remains clear and those serious about quality soaking will certainly enjoy the healthy spring waters and elegant atmosphere this place exudes.

・Hot Spring Resorts and Hotels

・Vacation homes and villas

While Kinugawa is one of the larger and more well-known hot spring resorts of the area, smaller areas like Yunishikawa and Kawaji are also ideal destinations for nature-loving travelers desiring to delve deeper into what Nikko has to offer. For example, Yunishikawa holds a Snow House Festival every winter that comes with what is heralded by many as "a scene you'll want to see at least once in your lifetime"! During this time, thick snow domes and snow-covered straw houses are set aglow during the night with lamps to create a sight that looks straight out of the pages of a fairytale. Kawaji is located upstream from Kinugawa and most of its accommodations are near Kawaji-Yumoto Station, which is a tad quieter than Kinugawa. Perhaps that's something that appeals to your inner ascetic?

・Yunishikawa Onsen: Hot Spring Resorts and Hotels

・Kawaji Onsen: Hot Spring Resorts and Hotels

The most commonly seen accommodation type in Nikko, especially in the areas of Kinugawa, Lake Chuzenji, and other hot spring districts.

Some of these inns may have a rich heritage or trace their origins back to ancient times. Nevertheless, one trait they all share in common (with a few exceptions) is that guests can look forward to soaking in hot springs located right on the hotel grounds.

Another feature of these resorts is their Japanese-style tatami mat rooms, where guests are expected to sleep in futons rolled out on the mats as is tradition.

Not too comfortable with the idea? Then be sure to look for a hotel offering Western-style rooms with beds.

Also, if you have the budget for it, consider getting a room in a luxury Japanese-style hot spring resort. Every detail in the decor of these places is designed to make each step of your journey through their doors an experience in itself, making your stay worth every yen!

The areas around Tobu-Nikko Station, Nikko Station, and Nikko Toshogu have the highest concentration of these types of accommodations, although not every hotel will have hot spring baths within the building for guests.

These hotels have more Western-style rooms than traditional hot spring resorts and should be the go-to choice for travelers with busy itineraries who will feel better sleeping on an elevated bed after a tiring day of sightseeing activities, as the likelihood of accidentally booking a wrong room type is much lesser.

Most vacation homes and homestays come equipped with a kitchen, utensils, a private bath area, and common living areas, which means they are perfect for family groups or large travel groups hoping to have a good time with each other without wondering if they might be making too much noise for the next-door neighbor's liking.

Some homestays provide breakfast and English-speaking staff for guests' convenience. Since Nikko's lodgings are mostly hot spring resorts, however, this type of accommodation is difficult to find, and the price disparity may be quite big. Research is a must if this is your preferred choice!

The low cost of this type of accommodation is its biggest draw, though you'll have to share bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms with other travelers.

Then again, those who love exchanging information with other travelers will very much prefer this setup, especially since Nikko is full of historical and cultural places of interest to talk about! Sharing travel tips and life hacks with other like-minded individuals can be quite fun and exciting too!

Do take note, however, that there are very few hostels in the Nikko area, and some digging may be needed to locate one that suits your preferences.

Since most travelers to Nikko come here for Nikko Toshogu Shrine and other world heritage sites of its kind, visitors pour into the region basically all year round.

That said, Nikko's amazing autumn scenery all but guarantees a massive surge in numbers during the fall season. More information about Nikko's peak traveling season can be found below, which we hope can serve as a helpful reference for your plans.

August (Obon and summer vacation)
Most of Japan is on summer vacation in August, and the Obon consecutive holiday also falls on this month. The result is an increase in the number of visitors to Nikko because it is usually cooler than Tokyo City during summer. Since it only takes about two to three hours to reach Nikko from the city and the place offers unique sights for city-dwellers, such as an abundance of nature and world heritage sites, many Japanese tourists tend to pick this area as their August vacation spot. Avoid weekends and national holidays if you're trying to keep your trip as quiet and restful as possible this month.

October and November (Autumn)
Nikko's forest canopies start putting on their fall colors between October to November each year. This applies to areas in and around Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Senjogahara, Irohazaka, and other scenic sights. As you can imagine, the result is a breathtaking array of orange hues that are heartwarming by day and fantastical by night. It can be said that this is the period where Nikko sees the most number of visitors, so accommodations will be difficult to procure. If you must come during these months, plan and book your lodgings and transportation by January or February to ensure a smooth trip. Avoid going out on weekends wherever possible, and be prepared to encounter many more people than you may have anticipated!

January (Winter)
It snows during winter in Nikko, and the icy veneer left behind on popular places of interest such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the Futarasan Jinja torii (traditional Japanese temple gates) and sacred bridge, waterfalls, and ropeways are quite magnificent to behold. The Yunishikawa Onsen Snow House Festival is also well-known enough to attract a substantial amount of visitors during the winter days it is held. Overall, expect to see an uptick in Nikko's human traffic this season. Try to make arrangements for your trip to winter Nikko as early as possible to avoid any potential hassle that may take time and energy away from your enjoyment of the region!

If you're really unfortunate enough to miss out on the Nikko accommodation of your choice, don't be too disappointed. After all, Nikko is accessible from Tokyo City by a short two to three hour train ride! Therefore, one alternative you may consider is staying in a Tokyo hotel and going on a day trip to Nikko instead. Some hot spring resorts offer packages that allow you to soak in their baths without needing to stay the night. Take a look at the following districts in Tokyo conveniently connected to Nikko that you can consider booking a room in instead!

Asakusa
This station is served by trains on the Tobu Railway that travel directly to Tobu-Nikko Station with no transfers needed. Purchase either a Nikko Pass All Area or Nikko Pass World Heritage Area to cover your fares for Tokyo to Nikko and transportation services in Nikko while you're there. Highly recommended for family or larger travel groups for the cost savings alone!

Around Tokyo Station and Ueno
Alternatively, stay somewhere near Tokyo Station or in the Ueno district and make use of the Tohoku Shinkansen and Yamagata Shinkansen on the JR Lines to Utsunomiya Station, then transfer to a train on the JR Nikko Line to Nikko Station.

In less than two hours, you'll be stepping on Nikko soil, making this the fastest way to travel to Nikko from Tokyo using public transport. If you have a JR Tokyo Wide Pass, you won't punch a large hole into your transport budget either. Time-conscious travelers will definitely want to keep this option in mind!

Translation by: Huimin Pan