Is Nikko worth it?

17 comments

1. I was just in Nikko about a week and a half ago and loved it. I only went for one day so I didn’t bother with the falls. It was packed, but if you start early enough and adjust your expectations, it’s okay.

   That said, the fall colors were already starting to fade, and that was about ten days ago. The trees will be completely dead by the time you’re there. A day trip to see the shrines and temples might be worth it, but the nature aspect is going to be missing some wow factor (unless it snows).

2. I can’t speak for the bus traffic, but Nikko is GORGEOUS. Kegan falls itself was worth the trip for me.

3. I would definitely recommend Nikko at a short trip

4. it should be past fall colors peak, so less domestic people traveling to that area

5. Nikko is absolutely worth it, even for a single day. It’s great to spend more time there like you plan to.

6. Very worth it! I love Nikko, it’s very beautiful. Last summer, we hiked from the early morning, starting at Ryuzu Falls, walking through Senjogahara marshland, had lunch at Yudaki Falls, continued the journey alongside Lake Yunoko, and ended with a public onsen at Yumoto.

7. Worth it. 3 days is maybe a little too long though.

8. I found the hiking there to be pretty amazing – if you like hiking you can spend several days there and have a great time.

9. Edo Wonderland is a cool spot in Nikko. The ninja house is a trip.

10. I enjoyed the tobu world square while I visited as well, if you want something a bit different. I stayed by kinugawaonsen which has a free public foot bath right outside the station which was cute.

11. Lake Chuzenji is so nice, especially after everyone else leaves. It takes forever to get places, but that may just be because I went in a crowded time. It’s past peak for the leaves so hopefully not too bad now. I wish I could have stayed at least two nights. Book a nice onsen hotel and you will thank yourself.

12. It’s more than worth it for a day trip and since you plan on staying there overnight, you should be able to leave early and avoid the biggest crowds.

    Just take it easy and slow, use the jetlag to your advantage and you’ll be fine.

13. Not sure. Toshogu and Futarasan are impressive shrines, Kegon is only good if you manage to ignore all the ugly concrete behind, the lake above is nice but gets old in 5 minutes, grass walks are meh. Hot springs there are great, cuisine has some famous beef. Three days is an overkill. It’s a destination for a day trip or one night at most.

14. It’s a really great day trip from Tokyo! I’d say if you can only do about half the day, the World Heritage site at least is worth it

15. We just hiked the falls and the Senjogahara trail 2 weeks ago and loved it. Nikko was beautiful, though definitely crowded at the major tourist attractions. Are you taking the Spacia X? If you walk a few minutes over to the JR station and get on the bus there, the line is minimal.

16. We stayed in Nikko for 3 days at two different ryokans and absolutely LOVED it. Kegon falls is mind-blowingly beautiful — but I actually liked the view from the Akechidaira Ropeway Observation Deck even more (far less crowded too). I actually proposed to my now fiance there 🙂

    As for Nikko Toshogu shrine and surrounding area – it’s worth a visit but IMHO the nature is the big draw of Nikko.

17. Traffic have as bad as people say I was there this Saturday and it was very manageable. I’ve seen much worae at US national parks. There are a lot of people there at the shrines but it’s Japan there are a lot of people everywhere.