Experience a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Great Outdoors! A 2-Day Itinerary in Oku-Nikko Without a Rental Car

Your journey begins at Tobu Nikko Station, the gateway to Nikko.
It’s about a two-hour ride by Limited Express Spacia from Tobu Asakusa Station in Tokyo.
From the station to your first stop, it’s roughly a 10-minute ride on the World Heritage Sightseeing Bus.

The first stop is Rinnoji Temple, one of the cultural properties included in the UNESCO World Heritage “Shrines and Temples of Nikko.”
Its Sanbutsudo Hall is the largest wooden building in the Nikko mountain area, enshrining three statues: the Thousand-Armed Kannon, Amida Nyorai, and Bato Kannon.

After a roughly 10-minute walk from Rinnoji Temple, you’ll arrive at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the most renowned tourist spot in Nikko.
Considered the centerpiece of a visit to the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” it features a lavish complex of 55 buildings, including eight National Treasures and 34 Important Cultural Properties.

Your next destination, Nikko Futarasan Shrine, is about a 15-minute walk from Rinnoji Temple.
This shrine reveres Nikko’s three sacred mountains—Nikko Sanzan—as its deities and is known for bringing good fortune and fostering good relationships.
The picturesque red-lacquered Shinkyo Bridge, marking the entrance to the Nikko mountain area, is also part of Futarasan Shrine.

Once you finish at Nikko Futarasan Shrine, head back in the direction of Tobu Nikko Station for about 15 minutes to reach Nikko Yubamaki Zen.
Here, you can try a “Nikko Yubamaki,” which wraps rice and local ingredients in Nikko’s specialty yuba (tofu skin).
For lunch, the most popular choice is the “Nikko Yubamaki Gozen,” featuring Tochigi wagyu beef and wasabi yuba rolls.

After lunch, take a bus to Kegon Falls, Nikko’s most famous waterfall.
Water from Lake Chuzenji plunges 97 meters down a steep cliff, offering a spectacular display of natural power and beauty.

Board the bus again and get off at the “Ryuzu no Taki” stop.
Right away, you’ll see Ryuzu Falls on the Yu River flowing into Lake Chuzenji.
Formed by lava from Mt. Nantai’s eruption, the water cascades over a 210-meter stretch of stepped rocks, about 10 meters wide, making it one of the three famous waterfalls in Oku-Nikko.

Hop back on the bus and get off at the “Kohan-mae” stop to arrive at Kamenoi Hotel Okunikko.
If you use the NIKKO PASS ALL AREA, you can travel from Ryuzu Falls to the Yumoto Onsen bus stop, which is about a four-minute walk from the hotel.
The hotel stands next to Lake Yunoko, nestled in the heart of Oku-Nikko’s lush natural environment.

Begin your morning at the buffet restaurant in Kamenoi Hotel Okunikko.
There are around 70 Japanese and Western dishes, allowing you to indulge in locally sourced delights from Tochigi Prefecture right from the start of your day.
Recommended local specialties include “Tamari-zuke,” a type of pickled vegetables featuring rakkyo (Japanese shallots) and daikon radish.
Other highlights include “Yuba and Konnyaku in Yuzu Pepper Sauce,” and freshly made French toast prepared in front of you using locally produced Nikko milk and the brand egg “Nikko Goyoran.”

After enjoying breakfast and checking out, take a roughly 10-minute walk to Lake Yunoko.

Lake Yunoko was formed when an eruption of the nearby Mitsudake volcano range dammed the river.
Surrounded on three sides by mountains, this roughly three-kilometer perimeter lake exudes a serene and mystical atmosphere.
Follow the lakeside hiking trail toward your next destination, Yudaki Falls.

After about 40 minutes of walking from Lake Yunoko along the hiking trail, you’ll arrive at Yudaki Falls, which stands 70 meters high and 110 meters long. It is one of Oku-Nikko’s Three Great Waterfalls, along with Kegon Falls and Ryuzu Falls.
A walkway runs alongside the falls, so you can view the rushing water from three different angles: the top, the basin, and the side.

Once you’ve taken in Yudaki Falls, continue on to Senjogahara’s Nature Study Trail, which starts near the waterfall observation point.
From the trail, you can admire the wetlands—listed under the Ramsar Convention—and the surrounding Nikko mountain range.
The path has minimal elevation changes, making it suitable for beginners and families with small children.

After about an hour of walking, you’ll reach Akanuma Chaya.
You’ll find a wide range of options here, including sansai soba (wild vegetable soba), yuba soba, meat udon, as well as rice dishes like katsudon and gyudon.
It’s the perfect place to relax and grab lunch before continuing on.

Next, take a bus from the stop nearest Akanuma Chaya and head to Lake Chuzenji.
Nestled at the base of Mt. Nantai, the tranquil lakeside offers picturesque scenery throughout the year.
Hop on a sightseeing boat to take in the lake’s beauty from the water.

After walking about 40 minutes along the Lake Chuzenji shoreline, you’ll arrive at the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park, known for its panoramic view of the calm waters of Lake Chuzenji and the surrounding greenery.
If you’re tired from the day’s sightseeing, consider taking a taxi.
In the tearoom on the second floor of the iconic British Embassy Villa, enjoy authentic scones paired with tea while gazing out over Lake Chuzenji and reminiscing about your trip.