Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nikko?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Nikko?

A weekend is usually not enough time to experience the cultural town of Nikko, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the small town charm, and the gorgeous scenery. You'll likely want more than a weekend, as many tourists set aside around one to four days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nikko?

Many visitors spend one to four days in Nikko during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The town offers the chance to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, explore the small town, and take in the beautiful scenery.

Nikko is a rural town in the Tochigi Prefecture about two hours from Tokyo. It's a beautiful natural setting that is filled with waterfalls, shrines, and temples. Visitors also enjoy the area's hot springs, hiking trails, and cedar groves.

Do you have one or two days to visit Nikko? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Nikko?

With its wealth of sights and attractions, Nikko is a top choice for tourists. One day is probably not enough time in the cultural mountain town. You might feel rushed to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, explore the small town, and take in the beautiful scenery. To thoroughly enjoy all that the town has to offer, you'll probably want more time here and in the surrounding mountains. Most travelers schedule one to four days to fully experience the cultural town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Nikko

Nikko is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the town's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. The town sits on the edge of Nikko National Park, where you'll find shrines and temples. Toshogu Shrine is lavishly designed. Other notable temples in the area are Taiyuin, Rinnoji Temple, and Futarasan Temple.

Nikko is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. There are striking temples, dramatic waterfalls, and beautiful nature that offers the perfect setting for losing yourself.

A few tour suggestions include:

World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi ($93)

Nikko is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. While the town is relatively walkable and there are walking paths through the forest and to most of the temples and shrines, if you want to get further into the region, it's helpful to have a car.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Nikko?

A weekend is usually not enough time to experience the cultural town of Nikko, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the small town charm, and the gorgeous scenery. You'll likely want more than a weekend, as many tourists set aside around one to four days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Nikko Rinnoji Temple, Japan (©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO)

How to spend 2 days in Nikko

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Nikko, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The ancient town is filled with giant cedar trees that line walking paths that take you to the many shrines and temples in the area.

A few tour suggestions include:

World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi ($93)
Hiking Around Yuno Lake: Revel in the Essence of Nikko's Nature and History ($136)

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. There are many traditional dishes in the area, but one of the most famous is yuba. Yuba is made from a part of soy milk, and you'll find it in places all over town. You'll also find sushi, tofu, and tea everywhere.

Public transit in Nikko is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There are buses that run from the main train station to the many tourist sights in the area.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Nikko, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.