Tamozawa Imperial Villa
Former Nikko residence of the Imperial Family
Tamozawa Imperial Villa (田母沢御用邸, Tamozawa Goyōtei) blends traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture throughout its 106 rooms. The villa was erected in Nikko in 1899, using parts of a residence that originally stood in Tokyo.
Before being moved to Nikko, the building served as the Tokyo residence of a branch of the Tokugawa family and was later temporarily used as the Imperial Palace. In Nikko, it was enlarged into a summer residence for the Imperial Family, but suffered neglect after World War II. In the year 2000, the villa was opened to the public after extensive renovations.
In addition to the building's long line of illustrious occupants, Tamozawa Imperial Villa is one of the largest remaining wooden buildings in Japan. The interior of the villa is a curious mix of Japanese and Western styles. Many floors are carpeted, and elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceilings. Yet the villa's Japanese elements, such as sliding paper doors and tatami flooring are prominent as well.
Although still impressive in size and grandeur, Tamozawa Imperial Villa currently occupies only one third of its original area. It now functions as a museum and memorial park, and is well equipped with multilingual displays for visitors. The manicured Japanese style garden, that surrounds the villa, has several maple trees which offer autumn colors usually around late October and early November.
Getting there and around
From JR or Tobu Nikko station, take a Tobu bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and get off at the Tamozawa bus stop. The bus ride takes 10 minutes and costs 350 yen one way. The villa can also be reached in about a 20 minute walk from Toshogu Shrine.
How to get to and around Nikko
Hours and Fees
Hours
April to October: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:00)
November to March: 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 15:45)
November to March: 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 15:45)
Closed
Tuesdays (or following day if Tuesday is a national holiday)
December 29 to January 1
December 29 to January 1
Admission
600 yen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Nikko
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Kamenoi Hotel OkunikkoA hotel surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, and mountains in Okunikko. Warm up at a famous onsen with 1200 years of history and explore the nearby Toshogu Shrine World Heritage site.View siteSponsored
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B&B Izumi NikkoB&B Izumi Nikko features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Nikko, 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The 2-star bed and breakfast has river views and is 3.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station. Every room comes with a balcony. Certain units in the bed and breakfast have private entrance and are fitted with desk and outdoor furniture. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and slippers, the units at the bed and breakfast have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the bed and breakfast, all units have bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the bed and breakfast include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 121 km from B&B Izumi Nikko.View on Booking.com -
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Sanga NikkoLocated in Nikko, 2.1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Sanga Nikko provides rooms with free WiFi access. The property is set 10 km from Kegon Falls and 22 km from Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en. Nikko Station and Tobu-Nikko Station are within a 5-minute walk from the property. The property is equipped with two private bathrooms. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and fishing. A supermarket is situated within a 5-minute walk from the property. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Rinnoji Temple and Shinkyo Bridge. Futarasan Shrine is 2.2 km from the property, while Chuzenji Lake is 12 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Stay Nikko GuesthouseFeaturing free WiFi, Stay Nikko Guesthouse offers accommodation in Nikko. Nikko Station on the Tobu and JR lines can be reached within a 13-minute walk. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this guest house is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Views of the mountains, river or garden are featured in certain rooms. Guests will find a microwave, toaster and kettle on site. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 20-minute stroll from Stay Nikko Guesthouse, while Kegon Falls is a 50-minute bus ride from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Okunikko Guesthouse JUNLocated in Nikko and only 1.1 km from Kegon Falls, Okunikko Guesthouse JUN provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 1-star guest house features lake views and is 16 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km from the guest house, while Nikko Station is 18 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Nikko Guesthouse SumicaFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is located in Nikko, 300 metres from Nikko Station and 300 metres from Tobu Nikko Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a tour desk for guests. At the guest house, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.7 km from the guest house, while Kegon Falls is 20 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 117 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Nikko Akarinoyado Villa RevageHomely rooms with mountain views, free Wi-Fi and a private bath await guests at Villa Revage, 350 metres from Nikko Botanical Garden. It is completely non-smoking, and free private parking is available on site. Rooms at Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage are heated and come with simple furnishings and art on the walls. An LCD satellite TV is included. Both a hairdryer and toiletries are provided. You can relax on the sun terrace, enjoy the garden or unwind in one of the private reservable baths. The hotel is 4 km from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station. Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is 800 metres away, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi NikkoSet in Nikko, 1.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service for guests. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Nikko Station is 2 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko, while Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.4 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 119 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Nikko Beans HotelNikko Beans Hotel is set in Nikko, within 16 km of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 18 km of Tobu Nikko Station. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.5 km from Kegon Falls. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in Nikko Beans Hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. Nikko Station is 19 km from Nikko Beans Hotel, while Chuzenji Lake is less than 1 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 130 km away.View on Booking.com -
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The Ritz-Carlton, NikkoThe Ritz-Carlton, Nikko features restaurants, fitness centre, a lobby lounge bar and shared lounge in Nikko situated by Lake Chuzenji and overlooking Mount Nantai. This 5-star hotel offers a concierge service and ticket service. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, hot spring baths for guests. At The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko all units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a hot tub, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also offer a mountain view. A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. The onsite restaurants feature Japanese and Western-style cuisines. Guests can relax in the spa and wellness centre, including a hot spring bath, a sauna and a hot tub, or in the garden. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, and car hire is available at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Chuzenji Temple.View on Booking.com -
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Hatago NagomiSituated next to Lake Chuzenji, Hatago Nagomi is renovated in August 2017. The hotel features a restaurant, bar and free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available on site. Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV and lake views. Rooms have a private bathroom equipped with a bath and hairdryer. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. Some rooms includes a balcony. You will find a shared bath with natural free-flowing hot spring water at the property. Hatago Nagomi provides a buffet breakfast, and guests can sample kaiseki mutli-course dinner or made with local produce. A la carte dinner can be requested on site. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The area is popular for fishing, hiking and mountain climbing.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Nikko
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Experience the Samurai Spirit through Ogasawara-style Archery – Including a Private Prayer Tour at Nikko Toshogu ShrineYabusame is the ancient traditional art of mounted archery, in which a rider on horseback shoots at consecutive targets during a gallop. In this plan, guests can experience yabusame or the related traditional art of kyudo, archery performed on foot – along with a guided tour of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site.View experienceSponsored
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Top rated in Nikko
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Nikko Sightseeing 10 Hours Private Chartered Car Tour from TokyoLake Chuzenji is Japan’s highest natural lake, located just west of Nikko and is part of the Nikko National ParkView on Klook -
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Nikko Toshogu Shrine & Kegon Waterfall One Day Tour from TokyoVisit the famous historical and natural attractions in the city of Nikko on this day tour from TokyoView on Klook -
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Kanto private chartered one-day tour | Kamakura & Yokohama & Hakone & Mount Fuji & Karuizawa | Departing from TokyoDeparting from Tokyo, a customized 10-hour chartered one-day tour of the Kanto region, with professional drivers recommending scenic spots, the entire route can be freely planned, and you will have a relaxing and rich one-day tour!View on Klook -
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Nikko Toshogu One Day Bus Tour from TokyoThis tour takes you to the most iconic sites in Nikko, Tochigi!View on Klook
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