Narita Air and Bus
Only 3.5 hours north of Narita Airport by bus is the town of Nikko, entrance to Nikko National Park and home to Toshogu, one of Japan's most celebrated shrines. The shrines and temples of Nikko, specifically the buildings of Toshogu, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the town sees many visitors, both local and international, who come to see these well-known icons. Nikko is also surrounded by abundant nature ensuring that those who come will leave feeling refreshed and recharged.
Three buses a day make the trip from Narita Airport to JR Nikko Station. The first bus arrives just after noon, providing just enough time to see the main spots after lunch, while the second and third bus arrivals would require an overnight stay to be able to enjoy Nikko fully. One of the local delicacies popular in Nikko is yuba, or tofu skin, and you will see many shops offering the dish.
A nice thing about taking a direct bus from Narita Airport to Nikko is that you do not have to worry about navigating the rail network right from the get-go. There are no transfers to make nor luggage to lug around, just a comfortable ride with views of the countryside all the way to Nikko. Passengers can receive information about Nikko on the bus and do some prior reading before disembarking.
Once at Nikko and surrounded by Japanese religious culture, you would almost be able to feel the power spots (places where positive energy supposedly emanates from) that comes with being in a spiritual place. Definitely a must go and see place for those who want to experience Japan outside of its glitzy neon lights and urban sprawl.
Before starting your journey towards the sightseeing spots, it is also worth checking out the tourist information center at Tobu Nikko Station, a stone's throw from JR Nikko Station (note that the bus stops outside the JR station). Free WIFI is always an added bonus when travelling and both train stations are equipped with the Nikko City Free Wifi service. Entry tickets to all the major sightseeing spots are sold at the tourist counter in the Tobu station as well as luggage storage and forwarding services.
For local transportation, the two passes that are most useful for visitors are the one-day World Heritage loop bus (500 yen for one calendar day) for use within the town, and the two-day Chuzenji Onsen Free Pass (2000 yen for two calendar days) which goes all the way to Chuzenji Onsen in Okunikko.
The major sightseeing spots in Nikko are located close to one another. They are: Toshogu, an extravagantly designed shrine and mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate; Rinnoji Temple, Nikko's most important temple; and Taiyuinbyo, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu who was the grandson of Ieyasu. The two mausoleums feature a mix of Buddhist and Shinto elements and it is relatively rare to see places with both these days.
It is possible to visit the spots in an afternoon, but note that entry to the spots, shops and restaurants end at around 17:00, and the town tends to be very quiet after most of the tourists have gone home. If you do not plan to stay the night and head back to Tokyo, a single transfer at Utsunomiya brings you back to Tokyo quickly via the shinkansen which is useful for those with a JR Pass. Alternatively, limited express trains on the Tobu Railway provide direct access to Asakusa.
Staying the night when visiting Nikko is recommended as it allows one to tour the place at a leisurely pace and pay a visit to Chuzenji Onsen in Okunikko as well. One of the attractions of Okunikko is the vast nature that surrounds the area, which also forms the backdrop for the town of Nikko. Hiking trails in Okunikko are popular during the warmer months while many also go there to escape the heat at the height of summer. The region as a whole typically has a long autumn color season as it starts in Okunikko before making its way down to Nikko.
If Nikko is your last stop before you leave the country, the bus departs Nikko in the afternoon and arrives at Narita Airport in the evening.
