Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nikko?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Nikko?
Three days in Nikko is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend about one to four days to explore the scenic town and beautiful mountains. Three days should give you enough time to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, explore the small town, and take in the beautiful scenery. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your journey.
How to spend 3 days 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 Shrine, Kanmangafuchi ($60)
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.
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 Shrine, Kanmangafuchi ($60)
- Hiking Around Yuno Lake: Revel in the Essence of Nikko's Nature and History ($126)
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.
The small-town atmosphere of Nikko is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's a beautiful small town that's filled with shrines, temples, and beautiful nature. It's located in the Tochigi Prefecture and offers a tranquil escape from the big city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour - Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi ($60)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Nikko.
Is 4 days enough time in Nikko?
With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Nikko has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel, spend more time hiking, or use Nikko as a base for day trips to nearby mountain towns. You'll be able to relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the small town charm at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Nikko Rinnoji Temple, Japan (©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO)
How to spend 4 days in Nikko
If you have more than 4 days in Nikko, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Nikko sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The town is surrounded by beautiful nature that you can explore on the many walking paths. The forests are well-preserved and they're filled with large cedar trees, dramatic waterfalls, and beautiful hikes. The area embraces the Japanese practice of "forest bathing" where you "bath" yourself in a beautiful natural environment.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour ($78)
- Hiking Around Yuno Lake: Revel in the Essence of Nikko's Nature and History ($126)
- Private Morning Hike Around Nikko Toshogu Shrine ($156)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Nikko.
Is 5 days enough time in Nikko?
Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Nikko, giving you the freedom to set your own pace while you explore the town and surrounding mountains. Enjoy the chance to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, explore the small town, and take in the beautiful scenery on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel, take on some extra hikes, or use Nikko as a hub for some nice day trips to nearby towns.
How to spend 5 days in Nikko
Having 5 days in Nikko will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
Perhaps the most famous place in Nikko is the Toshogu Shrine, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Nikko.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Nikko, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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