Nikko, Oku-Nikko, Kinugawa, Yunishigawa, recommended winter sightseeing spots for 2025-26
In winter in the Nikko area, there are many sightseeing spots because of the cool and cold temperatures. Nikko city center, where "Nikko Toshogu Shrine" is located at an altitude of 600 meters, is dry and has a small amount of snowfall, but there are many days when the temperature drops below freezing. Oku-Nikko, at an elevation of 1,200 meters or more, is colder and has more snowfall, so visitors can enjoy the wonderful scenery and experiences of nature that only winter can offer. The Kinugawa and Kawaji hot spring areas have less snowfall, and day-trip bathing and winter events are recommended. In Yunishigawa hot spring, where there is a large snowfall, the Kamakura Festival is famous.
Nikko Area
<Oku-Nikko Area
Kinugawa Area
<Yunishikawa Area
Nikko, Oku-Nikko and Kinugawa Traffic Information
Nikko Area
1Taiyuin, Rinnoji Temple, Mt. Nikko
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?
- Rinnoji Temple on Mt. Nikko
-
2300 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
10 min. by car from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station.
Take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Jimbashi" and walk about 5 minutes.
April-October 8:00-17:00, November-March 8:00-16:00 (last admission 30 minutes before)
The Treasure Hall and Shoyoen are closed about 10 times a year for exhibition changes and Rinnoji temple events.
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.
0288-54-0531
Charged
2Nikko Strawberry Park
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.
- Nikko Strawberry Park
-
3581 Serinuma, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
7 min. drive from Shimo-Imaichi Sta. of Tobu Railway
November 29, 2025 (Sat) - Late May, 2026
10:00 - 16:00 (reception until 15:30)
Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
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.
0288-22-0615
Free of charge
<Oku-Nikko Area
3Kegon no Taki (Kegon Falls)
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.
- Kegon Falls
-
Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
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.
March-November: 8:00-17:00
December - February: 9:00 - 16:30
Hours are subject to change depending on the season and weather conditions.
Elevator fare (round trip): Adults (junior high school students and older): 600 yen, elementary school students: 400 yen, children under elementary school age: free
0288-55-0030(Kagon Falls Elevator)
Charged
4Lake Chuzenji
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.
- Lake Chuzenji
-
Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
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.
0288-22-1525(Nikko Tourist Association)
Charged
5Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center
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.
- Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center
-
Yumoto, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
Approximately 45 minutes from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station by car.
Take a bus from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Railway Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Yumoto Hot Spring" and walk about 3 minutes.
9:00-16:00
Varies depending on the season.
April-November: No holidays
Dec. and Jan. Weekdays
Wed. in Feb. and Mar.
Free of charge
*Additional fees are required to participate in events.
0288-62-2321
Free of charge
Kinugawa Area
6Tobu World Square
Light up buildings around the world with a variety of illuminations
Tobu World Square is a one-25th scale reproduction of world buildings and world heritage sites. 102 buildings are illuminated, creating a completely different scene from the daytime. The illumination period is from November to early March every year.
Two 102-meter light tunnels named after Tobu (102) are set up in the square, and since last year, Taiwanese lanterns have also been lit up.
The illumination will not be held from 2024 to 2025.
▼Night Museum "Nightlife Around the World" (Illumination)
Period: December 3, 2022 - January 29, 2023 on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and some dates during the year-end and New Year holidays
Hours: 16:30-19:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Fee: Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,500 yen, children (4 years old to elementary school students) 1,000 yen *Free with daytime ticket
Note: For more information, please visit https://www.tobuws.co.jp/new/event/#Event185 Confirmation required at
- Tobu World Square
-
209-1 Ohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture MAP
From Kinugawa Onsen Station on the Tobu Railway line, take the bus bound for Nikko Edomura. 5 minutes from the Tobu World Square stop.
Summer (March 20-November 30) 9:00-17:00
Winter (December 1 - March 19) 9:30 - 16:00
January 20 (Mon) - 26 (Sun), 2025
Adults 2,800 yen, children 1,400 yen
0288-77-1055
Charged
<Yunishikawa Area
7Yunishikawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
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.
- Yunishikawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
-
Sawaguchi riverside venue (Yunishigawa, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture) MAP
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.
January 30 (Fri) - March 1 (Sun), 2026
Mini kamakura lighting every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 17:30 to 21:00
No mini kamakura lighting from Monday to Thursday
Free of charge
0288-22-1525
Available
Heike no Sato and Yunishigawa Mizunogo Snow Park venues charge a fee. For details, please check the respective websites.
Nikko, Oku-Nikko and Kinugawa Traffic Information
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
- Kinugawa Area
- <Yunishikawa Area
- Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby



