Exploring the Wonders of Nikko, Japan | Ultimate Travel Itinerary & Guide

Exploring the Wonders of Nikko, Japan | Ultimate Travel Itinerary & Guide

Go. After spending 8 days soaking in the non-stop energy of Tokyo, we decided to trade in neon lights for stunning waterfalls, ancient temples, and fresh mountain air. Welcome to the famous city of Niko, home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, and countless breathtaking attractions located just 2 hours north of Tokyo. Join me as we embark on a three-ight retreat surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage, peaceful scenery, mouthwatering local dishes, and unforgettable adventures. Let’s see if Niko truly lives up to the hype. Now, most people visit Niko as a quick day trip by train, but we wanted more flexibility and freedom to explore. So, we hit the road with a rental car we picked up in Tokyo. All right. So, right now we are renting a car at a Herz rental car for a Toyota. Yeah, they gave us a nice car. Um, it’s actually a Toyota Yarus. Hopefully, it’ll fit all of our luggage. [Music] Here we go. [Music] Okay, so on the way to Niko, we actually stopped about halfway along the journey uh in a town called Kabago. Uh we’re going to pick up some lunch and that’s where we’re headed. So, right around the corner is a ramen shop. It looks like to be kind of a somewhat of a more fancy ramen shop. You still order from a vending machine, but it’s called Danja. So, we’re just waiting for our spot, ordering our food and uh waiting for some open seats. We ordered the signature skimen, also known as the dipping ramen that came with hearty chunks of pork and the plentiful noodles served were thick, chewy with great texture, pairing perfectly with the bold, rich, and spicy flavored broth. Oo, that was good. Um, a random find. I just went on Google. The noodles come in a separate bowl if they’re cold and then you dip into the broth of your choice. That spicy one with the pork was really good. All right. And then literally right next door is a coffee roaster. It’s called Koka Coffee Roaster. You walk right inside and you see various beanes scattered out. Smells very good. So, if you’re a coffee lover, I believe you wouldn’t be disappointed with this place. So, we’re going to actually get some coffee. It’s about 400 p.m. Um, it is more of a quiet town, it appears, but yeah, we need our second dose of coffee for today. [Music] Not overly sweet. You can taste that roast. All right, so we made our way away from that ramen shop that we were just at. Got closer to this Oldtown strip where there’s a lot of merchants. I think you can buy a lot of souvenirs and crafts, but there’s a lot of good eeries and small bites that you can try and sample here as well. So, this shop here is very famous apparently for their mochi balls that they sell that are stuffed with red bean and sweet potato. So, we’re going to try that out and give it a shot. Very good. That mochi outer layer is very thin. You don’t taste a whole lot of mochi, but the flavor from the red bean and the sweet potato, absolutely delicious. Very good combination. I like how the mochi is very thin. It’s not like chewy and you can’t like bite into it. You can’t swallow it. So, it’s really good. People come out here for day trips and I believe it’s just to kind of give you a taste of what ancient Japan was like. Actually, really cool. Now, apparently, one of the things we need to try whenever visiting is uh eel unagi. So, the soy sauce, to my understanding, is very popular, but the unagi is something you can’t leave before you try. We’re here at a shop and we’re just going to get some to go before we make our way up to Niko. Right. So, here we have our unagi set from the shop. It’s apparently one of the best in this town. It’s called Oga Kiku. We checked into our hotel in Niko and immediately went for the meal set we took for the road. It was every bit as amazing as people say, and our only regret was that we ordered just one share for our family of three. We actually are making our way into the Edo Wonderland. Um, so it’s part of the thing we always do whenever we travel to a foreign country is obviously to try to dress in the attire of that country to kind of be a part of that whole experience. So right now after we made our way into the entrance ticket, two tickets for adults were 11,000 yen. Child is free unless you’re 6 to 12 years old. Uh so right now we’re going to go get some outfits for myself and the little one so we can uh just kind of immerse oursel in this whole part of the culture and experience to save cost on the attire my wife actually rented from the hotel which is like 25% cheaper than what you pay here. So they unfortunately at the hotel they didn’t have a gentleman here samurai looked like a statue from afar but then as people walk closer he just kind of like flinched and uh got everybody spooked. All right so we just picked out our outfits. So, you have a few different options you can pick from a menu, which is actually really cool. All right, fully dressed up. It was a really cool experience because when we did something very similar when we were at Hanbok in uh Soul Korea, you have to dress yourself up, right? But over here, the ladies dress you up and there’s multiple layers underneath here. It’s like literally four or five different layers I’m wearing right now. So, my role, I guess, of what I’m dressing up is the head of a samurai group that reports up to the higher lord. Uh, which is actually really cool. [Music] All right. So, we are in the samurai experience within Edeto Wonderland. Me and my buddy are going to do it. They only allow six people in at a time cuz supposedly it’s a small setting that we’re going to be swinging swords and stuff like that. So, uh should be really fun. Scattered across the grounds of Ederorld are countless exhibits, interactive activities, and live performances that let guests fully immerse themselves in the experience. One highlight from our visit was the incredible ninja show, which was an absolute mustsee. But even just wandering throughout the park, surrounded by its historic buildings and movie like scenery, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped back in time to ancient Japan. [Music] Our home base in Niko for three nights was the Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa. The room was spacious and carried a traditional charm, though some aspects felt a bit outdated and left a little to be desired. That said, the stay was very affordable at just $150 per night, which included a daily buffet breakfast with excellent food selections. Best of all, the hotel’s indoor and outdoor onins quickly became our go-to spot to unwind and rejuvenate. Just steps away from the hotel, a suspension bridge offered breathtaking views of the river and mountain scenery made even more stunning by the vibrant autumn foliage during our visit. Another highlight was a private outdoor foot bath fed by natural hot spring water. It was the perfect place to soak our tired feet while enjoying snacks and drinks with family and friends. [Music] All right, so it’s a beautiful day here in Niko right now. We’re making our way away from the hotel that we’re staying at to a place called Keegan Falls, which supposedly has a very beautiful waterfall. Maybe a little bit of hiking. So, we’re actually stopping off at a loss to pick up a bunch of goodies for the road trip. It’s about 58 minutes to an hour away. So, let’s go. [Music] So on the way to the waterfall, we stopped off at this lake is called Lake Chuenji. Unfortunately, we missed the peak time. This is so hard to time foliage, whether it’s the cherry blossoms or autumn season here. We had the same issue when we went to Korea last year. Uh but it’s still very beautiful. You can see the lake. The surrounding area is relatively quiet now because obviously I believe it’s during off peak season. But we’re going to actually make our way into town, try to find something to eat to satisfy our cravings and uh just enjoy the scenery, enjoy the peace and tranquility and obviously the uh nice cool breeze here as well. We came across this restaurant. It’s called Nantai, I believe. Uh and we’re just going to get some grilled sour fish and some pork color. It looks very good. Uh there’s some of the restaurants there’s a lot more options, but some of them are actually closed. This one seems to be pretty good based on the pictures, the pricing. So, we’re going to just try it out. So in Nikico this restaurant uh they had to divide us into two tables of four and we actually got the booth where you have to sit crisscross applesauce which is actually really cool. You take your shoes off and we just ordered our food and we did the fish set and the temper and pork cuts. So looking forward to eating it. [Music] Wow. Wow. You guys have to try this. So good. So tender and it’s juicy, too. And that sauce is like a little bit tart. [Music] She likes it. [Music] Now, I’m normally not a huge fan of the cold so noodles, but what we did is we actually added a bunch of those um green onion shavings and some wasabi into the dip. It gives a whole another experience. So, wow. Might be a new thing I like. All right, going for some of that fish and that special sauce. A little bit salty. That sauce is a little bit salty as well. It’s very refreshing. Also, one of the things that city is known for is the tofu. So, um there’s actually a tofu on the fish dish that we ordered and it comes with some wasabi and some yozu sauce. [Music] Definitely tofu. It’s more like skin type tofu. Interesting. [Music] Oh man, that was one of the best meals I’ve had all day. Uh that katsu pork perfecto. So the restaurant name is called Nanti. I believe I called it Nant Thai earlier, but my wife corrected me and uh I believe that is the way you say it. So again, if I’m pronouncing it wrong, apologies in advance. Uh the fish was great. A little bit salty for me, but that pork, that katu, that’s really good. The tofu is really good as well. I love the soba noodles. Adding that shaved green onions with the hints of wasabi takes that whole dining experience for the cold noodles I generally don’t like to a whole new experience that I really enjoy. So, just about a 3minute walk from that restaurant we ate at is the Keegan Falls, which is the waterfall that we’re also here for. It’s supposed to be the highlight of this town. Obviously, the lake is very beautiful as well. We’re gonna grab some coffee, I think, and then make our way to check out the waterfall elevator. Okay, so at the Keegan Balls you can admire the waterfall from the viewpoint obviously at the very top or you can hike down or if you don’t have any energy you can buy a ticket uh by elevator to go down 100 m and then you walk along this long corridor hallway or tunnel to the base of the waterfall so you can admire up close and personal. So that’s what we’re doing right now. All right, here we are. Keon Falls. Now, the viewing platform here at the very bottom, there’s actually three levels. At the very bottom, I think you probably have the best view cuz you can see the base of the waterfall itself. [Music] So, we’re going to get some of these Niko churros. About 900 yen for one. It’s quite hot. Okay. Ooh, it looks like a monkey. Okay. So, yeah, like I said, for one is 900 yen. And it’s actually um looks more golden, yellowish golden. So, it’s not the typical churro style that we’re used to when it comes to piping hot. And they make it in the design of a monkey. Let’s try it. Wow. There’s tons of sugar on there. It’s interesting. It like the texture, the consistency of it is almost like a crispy mochi. That’s the best way I can describe it. But it’s actually really unique and good. Before heading back to our hotel, we stopped at a charming little shop called Ebisia, known for its beautiful handcarved wooden creations. While the coffee itself was a bit underwhelming, the selection of cheesecakes more than made up for it as they were absolutely delicious. [Music] Okay, so today is another day for us and Niko exploring some of the attractions. Right now, we’re in another small little town heading towards a world heritage site that’s called the Shinko Bridge, which I believe sits at the entrance to many shrines and temples here in Niko. So, it’s actually uh quite popular of a spot. It’s very beautiful today. Weather’s nice and there’s a lot of beautiful autumn foliage that’s surrounding the bridge itself. [Music] Makes for a very picturesque atmosphere. Great for selfies, Instagram photos. All right. So, we’re going to begin our stampede up these steps. Got to pace yourself. Apparently, it’s like an 8minute walk with a lot of stairs. So, one person in our party unfortunately has a bad knee. So, she’s got to stay behind. But, going to wait for us at one of the coffee shops while we make our way up and check it out. [Music] I think we’re here. That wasn’t that bad of a walk. More like 5 minutes. Some steps for sure. There’s actually walk paths. And I do think there’s actually an accessibility path as well around the corner. All right, so right now I am at the front of the Toshoku Shrine, which is one of the three shrines or mini shrines here that comprise of the UNESCO World Heritage site here in Niko. It actually cost about 1,600 yen for an adult to get in. So we’re going to go up into the core part of the grounds. Strolling through the UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples of Niko, you’re surrounded by timeless beauty in a peaceful calm that lingers long after you leave. [Music] All right, so 3minut walk from our place of stay here, Niko, there’s a restaurant called Isizakaya Sachan. And it’s actually very exciting for me because I’ve been in Tokyo for almost six days now and I’ve yet to have sushi on this trip. And uh today we’re going to have I’m actually going to get to satisfy that craving in this restaurant with some sashimi. So looking forward to it. [Music] Cheers. Okay, thank you. This is my first taste of sushimi on this trip. Obviously, I’ve had it in Japan before, but like 6 days. Usually people come to Japan, the first thing they’re going to eat is sushi, right? But I have yet to have it till now. So very excited. [Music] Good. Wow. Strong. It’s like oily. So good. Like silky oily. M. Good. [Music] So this is a kaya sachan. And it’s actually relatively cozy. There’s actually only about four tables. There’s a bar area. So, very, you know, reminiscent of a Japanese restaurant. I love this type of envirment. It’s very, very cool. [Music] So crispy yet juicy and tender on the inside. Good. Definitely not as fresh as the stuff we had in Barcelona or Portugal, but it’s still pretty good. I feel like our clothes are going to smell like this restaurant after we leave. Creamiest curry right here. It’s more like a curry soup broth. If you finish that everything in that like a tofu gravy of some sort. So, we’re digging into some of this famous tofu skin here. Yeah. Like creamy. Yeah. [Music] She ate two chicken. Good. Huh? So silky creamy. Yeah. Like you can taste the texture of the skin is very light. It’s more like a pudding. A savory pudding of some sort. Very good. It’s like I’m eating a pudding or something. Yeah. Yeah. It’s exactly what it is. [Music] And that’s a wrap on our journey through the calm and beautiful city of Niko. Unlike the fast pace of Tokyo, Niko offers a slower rhythm. A place where history, nature, and tradition come together in the most peaceful way. From sacred shines and temples to the soothing sounds of nature’s wonders to the breathtaking autumn colors and delicious food we enjoyed, Niko is the kind of destination that lingers with you long after you’ve left. If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to hit that like button, subscribe to the channel, and check out my other travel vlogs for more adventures. Thank you so much for watching, and I can’t wait to take you along on the next journey.

✨ Welcome to Nikko, Japan — a destination of timeless beauty, sacred heritage, and natural wonders. In this video, we take you through a 3-day itinerary in Nikko, exploring everything from UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples, to the iconic Shinkyo Bridge, soothing onsens, and the breathtaking autumn foliage.

Along the way, we also make a brief stop in Kawagoe (Little Edo), a charming city near Tokyo that perfectly complements the journey to Nikko.

Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a multi-day stay, this Nikko travel guide shows you the best sights, foods, and experiences — and why Nikko should be at the top of your Japan itinerary.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Japan travel guides and adventures around the world!

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📍 Timecodes
00:00 – Intro
00:38– Tokyo Car Rental
01:01 – Exploring Kawagoe
03:55 – Edo Wonderland
06:04– Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa
06:52 – Exploring Kegon Falls
12:23 – UNESCO World Heritage Shrines & Temples
13:55 – Izakaya Sacchan
16:30- Thank you Nikko