Nikko (Tochigi)
Local Guide
[2025–26 Edition] Recommended Winter Sightseeing Spots in Nikko, Oku-Nikko, and Yunishigawa

Winter in the Nikko area offers many tourist spots that are especially appealing precisely because of the low temperatures and cold weather. The Nikko city center, home to Nikko Toshogu Shrine and located at an elevation of 600 meters, has a dry climate with relatively little snowfall, though temperatures often drop below freezing.Oku-Nikko, at an elevation of over 1,200 meters, experiences harsher cold and heavier snowfall, allowing visitors to enjoy the magnificent natural scenery and unique experiences that only winter can offer. Yunishigawa Hot Spring, known for its heavy snowfall, is famous for its Kamakura Festival.

Nikko Area

＜Oku-Nikko Area

<Yunishikawa Area

Nikko, Oku-Nikko and Kinugawa Traffic Information

A majestic and beautiful sight in the snowy landscape

Taiyuin, a national treasure, is the mausoleum (graveyard) of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The carvings on the gate become more gorgeous as you climb the 130 steps from the Niomon Gate at the entrance to the main hall of worship, the Ai-no-Ma, and the Hon-den. The "Worship Hall, Ai-no-Ma, and Main Hall" has a "Gongen-zukuri" structure with three interconnecting rooms. It is also called "Kinkakuden" (Golden Pavilion) because of the large number of gilded decorations used, and it is a rare place where visitors can enter.
The building is a massive structure made of gold and black, which was designed to be less glamorous than the mausoleum of Ieyasu's grandfather at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and is a sight to behold.
Why not take your time and visit in winter to find a photo spot?


Local Guide

The Nikko Toshogu Shrine is different from the other shrines in Nikko, and is highly recommended. The majestic appearance will overwhelm you.

Rinnoji Temple on Mt. Nikko
  • Address 2300 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 min. by car from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station.
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Jimbashi" and walk about 5 minutes.
  • Business hours April-October 8:00-17:00, November-March 8:00-16:00 (last admission 30 minutes before)
  • Closed The Treasure Hall and Shoyoen are closed about 10 times a year for exhibition changes and Rinnoji temple events.
  • Admission fee Sanbutsudo ticket: Adults 400 yen, Junior high school and elementary school students 200 yen
    Taiyuin ticket: Adults 550 yen, Junior high school and elementary school students 250 yen
    Homonoden and Shoyoen tickets: Adults: 300 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students: 100 yen
    Set tickets are available.
  • Phone 0288-54-0531
  • Parking Admission Fee

Experience seasonal strawberry picking at a popular sightseeing farm

Tochigi Prefecture is the largest producer of strawberries in Japan, as represented by "Tochiotome. In the Nikko area, visitors can pick strawberries (all-you-can-eat) at the Nikko Strawberry Park, a sightseeing farm. There are two types of greenhouses for strawberry picking, one is a high cultivation greenhouse where visitors can pick strawberries standing up, and the other is a soil cultivation greenhouse where visitors bend down to pick strawberries, making it possible for visitors with strollers or in wheelchairs to use the greenhouses. Several varieties are grown, so you can look forward to different tastes depending on when you go. The cold winter and clean water at the foot of Mt. Nikko result in strawberries that are sweet with just the right amount of tartness, so you can enjoy them in abundance.


Local Guide

There are many sightseeing spots nearby, so feel free to drop by. Free condensed milk is available, but the strawberries are so sweet and delicious that it is not necessary!

Nikko Strawberry Park
  • Address 3581 Serinuma, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 7 min. drive from Shimo-Imaichi Sta. of Tobu Railway
  • Business hours November 29, 2025 (Sat) - Late May, 2026
    10:00 - 16:00 (reception until 15:30)
  • Closed Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
  • Admission fee Strawberry picking (30 min. all-you-can-eat, reservation priority) 2,500 yen for adults (elementary school students and older), 1,900 yen for children (3 years old to elementary school students), free for children under 3 years old
    Prices vary depending on the season.
  • Phone 0288-22-0615
  • Parking Free

Don't miss the "Ice Falls" created by nature in winter!

Kegon Falls, one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan and a representative of Nikko's waterfalls, is famous for its "ice fall" in winter. The waterfalls, flowing down from Lake Chuzenji, are nearly 100 meters high, and the view of the water frozen to the spray is breathtaking during the days of sub-zero temperatures. An elevator (570 yen round trip) will take you to the viewing platform where you can look up at Kegon Falls up close.


Local Guide

In winter, Kegon Falls also offers the beauty of ice. The light blue ice and the violent fall are quite spectacular.

Kegon Falls
  • AddressNakamiya-sha, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction From JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen (Chuzenji Hot Spring). 40 minutes from the bus stop, get off at Chuzenji Onsen and walk about 5 minutes.
  • Business Hours March-November: 8:00-17:00
    December - February: 9:00 - 16:30
    Hours are subject to change depending on the season and weather conditions.
  • Admission fee Elevator fare (round trip): Adults (junior high school students and older): 600 yen, elementary school students: 400 yen, children under elementary school age: free
  • Phone 0288-55-0030（Kagon Falls Elevator)
  • Parking Admission Fee

The crystal blue surface of the lake and the snowy landscape create a spectacular view.

Lake Chuzenji at the entrance to Oku-Nikko. It is the starting point for going out to enjoy the winter in Oku-Nikko. The lake is located over 1,200 m above sea level, and the surrounding mountains of the Nikko mountain range and Nantai-san (Mt. Nantai) become snow-covered, reflecting the blue winter sky for a wonderful view. However, the temperature is below freezing, so be sure to bring plenty of warmth for your feet.


Local Guide

A hidden winter tourist attraction is the "shibuki ices" by the lake at the Utaguhama parking lot in front of the Chuzenji Tachiki-kannon. On days when the temperature is low and the wind is strong, the ice grows large and forms fantastic shapes.

Lake Chuzenji
  • Address Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
  • Bus Direction Take the Tobu Bus bound for Chuzenji Hot Spring from JR or Tobu Nikko Station (approx. 50 min.), and get off at Chuzenji Hot Spring and walk shortly.
  • Phone 0288-22-1525（Nikko Tourist Association)
  • Parking Admission Fee

Walking in the virgin forest with snowshoes

Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in winter. There are many trails in the powdery Oku-Nikko area that are recommended. The appeal of snowshoeing is that you can walk through virgin forests that are not accessible in other seasons and rest wherever you want to rest. With equipment rentals and guides, everyone from beginners to experienced hikers can enjoy the area. Let's go enjoy the overwhelming nature.
The Nikko Yumoto National Park Visitor Center offers snowshoeing courses that last from 2 to 4 hours, so it is recommended to stop by and get information.


Local Guide

Snowshoes are easy for beginners to put on and walk around. You can enjoy the nature of Oku-Nikko while walking on the first snow of the season.

Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center
  • Address Yumoto, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 45 minutes from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station by car.
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Yumoto Hot Spring" and walk about 3 minutes.
  • Business hours 9:00-16:00
    Varies depending on the season.
  • Closed April-November: No holidays
    Dec. and Jan. Weekdays
    Wed. in Feb. and Mar.
  • Admission fee Free of charge
    *Additional fees are required to participate in events.
  • Phone 0288-62-2321
  • Parking Free

Enjoy the fantastic silver world and various kamakura

The Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival has been selected as one of Japan's nightscape heritage sites. Miniature snow-covered marshes are lined up along the riverbed of Yunishigawa Onsen, also known as "Village of the Heike", and lit by candles. The many lights floating in the snowy landscape are fantastic, and the festival is a popular spot for many visitors. The hot spring resort is also crowded with snow slides and large kamakura that can actually be entered.


Local Guide

During the daytime, there is a lively atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy. At night, the flickering lights of the miniature kamakura amidst the snowy landscape are fantastic.

Yunishikawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
  • Address Sawaguchi riverside venue (Yunishigawa, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture) MAP
  • Bus Direction From Yunishigawa Onsen Station on the Noiwa Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line, take the bus bound for Yunishigawa Onsen (about 25 minutes), get off at the last stop "Yunishigawa Onsen" and walk about 5 minutes.
  • Business hours January 30 (Fri) - March 1 (Sun), 2026
    Mini kamakura lighting every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 17:30 to 21:00
  • Closed No mini kamakura lighting from Monday to Thursday
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • Phone 0288-22-1525
  • Parking Available
  • Memo Heike no Sato and Yunishigawa Mizunogo Snow Park venues charge a fee. For details, please check the respective websites.

In the Nikko, Oku-Nikko, and Kinugawa areas, snow is expected to accumulate every year, and the road surfaces will be icy when the temperature drops below freezing. Some roads are closed during the winter season, so please check the route in advance. It is safe to install studless tires.
Also, it is recommended to use public transportation such as trains and buses for Direction in winter.

The following website is a useful reference for information on road closures during the winter season.
https://twitter.com/TochigikenD

MAP

Nikko Area
＜Oku-Nikko Area
<Yunishikawa Area
Nearby Hoshino Resorts Properties
Back to Top of Article
*The information provided is current as of the article’s update date. Please check in advance before visiting, as details are subject to change.