What to do

• Look for the famous Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat carvings as you walk through the shrine buildings.
• Take in the Yomeimon Gate, covered in detailed carvings and gilding, generally considered the highlight of the complex.
• Climb the stone steps to Ieyasu's mausoleum at the back of the grounds if you have extra time.
• Combine the visit with the neighboring Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji Temple, both an easy walk away.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: entry to the shrine grounds costs around yen 1,600 for adults, with a combo ticket covering the Toshogu Museum at about yen 2,400. The ticket counter has often required cash, so bring yen. Confirm current prices and hours on the official Toshogu site before visiting.

Getting there

From Tokyo, take the Tobu Nikko Line limited express direct from Asakusa Station to Tobu-Nikko Station, about 2 hours. From there it is a 10-minute bus ride or a 30 to 40 minute uphill walk to the shrine. JR users can take the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya and transfer to the JR Nikko Line.

Nearby

Combine with Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji for a full day in the Nikko area, or extend the trip with a night at Kinugawa Onsen.

What to do

• Ride the elevator down to the lower observation platform for a close, spray-level view of the 97-meter drop.
• Check the free upper viewing area near the bus stop first if you just want a quick look without paying.
• Walk along Lake Chuzenji, a short walk from the falls, for more mountain and lake scenery.
• Visit in autumn for the surrounding maple foliage, one of the most photographed color-viewing spots in the Nikko area.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: the upper viewpoint is free, while the elevator to the lower observation deck costs around yen 600 for adults and yen 400 for elementary school children round trip. Hours run roughly 8:00 to 17:00 in the warmer months and shorter in winter; confirm current times before visiting since they can shift seasonally.

Getting there

From Nikko Station or Tobu-Nikko Station, take a bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen and ride to the last stop, about 40 minutes. The falls are a short walk from the bus terminal.

Nearby

Easy to pair with Nikko Toshogu Shrine on the same day, since both are reached via Tobu-Nikko Station, or continue on to Kinugawa Onsen for an overnight stay.

What to do

• Soak in a riverside open-air bath (rotenburo) at one of the ryokans offering day-trip access.
• Walk along the Kinugawa Gorge for views of the river cutting through the rock walls.
• Ride the Kinugawa Onsen Ropeway for a wider view over the town and surrounding mountains.
• Browse the shops and casual restaurants near the station if you are not staying at a ryokan with meals included.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: there is no admission fee to walk through the town. Day-trip bathing (higaeri onsen) at individual ryokans generally runs around yen 1,000 to 2,000 per person; hours and availability vary by property, so check directly with the ryokan before visiting.

Getting there

From Tokyo, the most direct route is the Tobu Railway limited express from Asakusa Station to Kinugawa-Onsen Station, a little over 2 hours. Alternatively, take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya, then transfer to a local JR or Tobu line toward Kinugawa Onsen.

Nearby

Kinugawa Onsen makes a good overnight base after visiting Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls earlier in the day.

What to do

• See the Great Wisteria tree and the wisteria tunnels during the peak bloom window, roughly mid-April to mid-May.
• Visit the water wisteria display over the pond if you are there in late spring.
• Come back outside spring for the large-scale winter illumination event, a separate highlight from the flower season.
• Check the park's real-time bloom status online before your trip, since wisteria timing shifts from year to year.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: admission uses dynamic pricing that changes with bloom condition, especially during the spring wisteria season, with adult daytime tickets roughly yen 1,200 to 2,300 at peak bloom and lower outside that window. Check the official park website for the exact price and hours on your travel date, since both shift with the flowers.

Getting there

Take the JR Ryomo Line to Ashikaga Flower Park Station, a short walk from the entrance; this station mainly operates during flower and illumination seasons. Outside those times, use Tobu Ashikaga-shi Station or JR Ashikaga Station and a short taxi or bus ride.

Nearby

If you are exploring wider Tochigi, this pairs as a separate day trip with Nikko Toshogu Shrine, though the two areas are far enough apart that most visitors treat them as separate outings rather than one day.