Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Is It Worth It? (THE Guide!)
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In this video, Abby from PiQtour Japan takes you to Nikko, one of the best day trips from Tokyo for nature, history, shrines, and beautiful scenery. We visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, the famous three wise monkeys, Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum, local yuba food, and more.
If you’re planning a Japan itinerary and want a break from the chaos of Tokyo, Nikko might be the perfect place to add to your trip.
32 Comments
Keep it up Abby !
We had a four monkey display growing up. Original 4th monkey was “do no evil”, but I always called him “have no fun” , haha.
I was literally researching Nikko last night and thought "I hope piqtour makes a guide for Nikko someday" 🫨🫨 Thank you!
We were there last April. An absolute highlight of our four weeks in Japan. I only wish you’d been our guide!
I'm two weeks back home from 10 days in Japan… and now I have to go back! Damn!
Thank you for showing this beautiful place. I already bookmarked a tour from Tokyo in my booking app for my upcoming trip. Now i will definitely go.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for doing this video! It was one of my requests as I am sure many others. Disney next please. 😊
went there and is an amazing place. The Shogun series character is based on the 1st Shogun
@ 5:57
Mizaru (See No Evil): Covers his eyes, symbolizing the refusal to dwell on, or witness, evil.
Kikazaru (Hear No Evil): Covers his ears, symbolizing the refusal to listen to evil or gossip.
Iwazaru (Speak No Evil): Covers his mouth, symbolizing the refusal to speak harmful words.
My last trip was to Nikko in the Fall, and I can attest to the fact that it will be very busy.
Thank you so much. We still have two unplanned days in Tokyo and I am trying to decide on which day trip to take. I am considering Matsumoto to see an authentic castle. We have Nikki on our list…..your information is awesome.
Was just looking for more about Nikko 😀
Nice fresh air! I love this side trip. But Enoshima Island is as good and much closer to Tokyo
Went there in December last year. Loved the Toshogu Shrine. The stone pathway and steps cutting through the trees is breathtaking. I took the Spacia-X train too. Very nice train for under $20 each way.
Was there in December. Except took the bus up to Kegon Dallas and Lake Chuzenji. Disappointed to not see anything within the bus pass mentioning in here .
I did a day trip to Nikko from Shinjuku & it was well worth it. Early start! It’s a beautiful area & I was fortunate to see all the Autumn colours 😊
Really enjoy your day-trip videos, so how about doing one for my favourite place in Japan (so far) – Koyasan. Fairly easy train trip from either Osaka or Kyoto, chance to ride a cable car and then a short bus ride into Koyasan centre…would love to get your take on the place?
I visited late November, it was gorgeous but packed!
My girlfriend and I are going to Japan this year and have been following your channel for a while. We think your channel is amazing; you provide a lot of detailed information about Japan. Thank you very much.
Thanks for posting. We did a day trip last November and managed to secure the cafe car to Nikko and a compartment car back to Tokyo on the Spacia X. Awesome experience. We had only 4 hours in Nikko and walked to Shinkiyo Bridge and Nikkozan Rin’noji temple. We plan on exploring further with a car on a future trip!
Will be going to Nikko on the 27th october. Don't knwo what to really expect. Not that it seems 'boring' or that I was expecting something more but is there other stuff to do, maybe in the city. Because on internet forums lots of people rave about this place
Loved this video so much! We spent 3 nights up there back in January. It was so cold, but beautiful! I was also there 3 years ago. I haven’t seen much of Japan, but so far Nikko is my happy place
I was there in October. I loved the Kinugawa Onsen Hotel. It was well worth the price. That was the fanciest place I stayed on my trip. I walked so much around Nikko.
What I like is all the history you add to your vlog. This makes this channel so unique.
Went there in October 2025 but too early for the fall colours. It is amazing and will be back for a few nights to explore the entire area (Falls, Lake, etc).
First of all: thank you for your guide, it's full of suggestions and informations. I have a question: can i use the JR pass for the Spacia x train?
Thx again. Wanted to so also a daytrip next january. And "jizo Statue" … I thought all the time you Said "Jesus Statue" and was confused haha.
Just came back from a 2 weeks Japan trip and I wanna say your videos help me so much in my planning process 🙂 my partner and I even saw you and Tappei last week at a Starbucks in Kyoto! didn’t manage to say hi as you guys looked busy 😅 But thank you once again and we hope to visit Japan again soon ❤
Kanmangafuchi abyss is very underrated! When I visited Nikko in autumn I saw maybe 10 people while I was there. Also, a tip to avoid the lines was to stay at a hotel there for a day or two so you can visit everything in the morning before the people arrive from that 2 hour train ride from Tokyo. I stayed 3 nights there (which turned out to be maybe one day too many) but the extra time allowed me to see Kegon falls and lake chuzenji. If you are staying in Nikko and get bored you can take the train to Utsunomiya for a day. It’s a very quiet town with really good gyoza.
We absolutely LOVED Nikko! HIGHLY recommend adding this as a day trip, it was awesome. We were there in March & loved the walk from the station . We discovered this amazing little local spot along the river where we had fresh matcha made for us by the owner. Looked like it was his home & we sat outside (probably enough space for a few customers) & watched the river flow. He was the sweetest old man & I wish I knew more Japanese so we could converse more. This was part of our walk to the statues & it was so cool walking through the neighborhood. It truly felt like a hidden gem as we made our way to the statues & cemetery. This was definitely a highlight of our trip!
We saw you when we were in Kyoto. Wanted to take a picture. But you’re in a tour. Didn’t want to disturb.
Hi, nice vids! Need your advice. If i'm traveling with 3 kids (1 toddler) for a one day trip, do you think it's still worth it? I'm planning the trip for the last day at Japan (flight at midnight). Thank you in advance