Hi guys, I am planning to do two day trips from Tokyo. Its my first time in Japan and I was hoping for someone that was familiar with the area to review my plans for those days. For the Nikko day I was also wondering if it was worth getting the Nikko World Heritage pass when I have the JR pass?
Also any tips in general like some cool things to check out that I might be missing, or how to best travel in the area would be highly appreciated! Thank you so much!
**December 12th: Day trip to Takayama**
1. Arrive at Takayama Station
2. Take some pictures early around Sanmachi-suji district.
3. Walk to historical building Takayama Jinya.
4. 5 minute walk to Sanmachi Suji which is the central street of Takayama’s old town.
5. 10 minute walk to Kusakabe Heritage House
6. Hachiman Shrine
7. Do the Hagashiyama walking course around town
**December 13th: Tokyo; Day Trip to Nikko**
Nikko world heritage area pass includes unlimited bus rides and return ticket to Nikko from Tokyo. Go from Asakusa to Nikko station. Look for Tobu office at asakusa station.
1. Tobu Asakusa Station to Tobu Nikko Station
2. Take bus towards Shinkyo bridge, Shinkyo bridge is almost 400 years old.
3. Rinno-ji Treasure house & Temple.
4. Nikkō Tōshōgū, pass the sleeping cat carving (Nemurineko) to visit Leyasu Tokugawa’s (first shogun) grave.
5. Futarasan Shrine
6. Kanmangafuchi abyss
7. Maybe try to use the bus to go to Nikko National Park for Kegon Falls & Ryuzu Falls
5 comments
I did the same Nikko trip as you as a day trip from Tokyo and completed 1-6 with the help of a volunteer local guide. I did not attempt 7.
how are you getting to takayama from tokyo in a day and back??
Takayama is a LONG day trip from Tokyo. I’d recommend staying the night in Takayama and checking out the morning markets the next day before you head out.
It’s impossible to do a day trip to takayama.
Nikko as a day trip is rushed, totally not enjoyable
It’s going to take you 4.5 – 5 hours to get from Takayama to central Tokyo, so be sure to factor that in to your plans. It’s not really a day trip, to be honest.
Are you planning on visiting the Hida-Takayama folk village, which is within walking distance of Takayama? For some reason, social media and blogs seem to ignore it in favour of Shirakawa-go, but I really like Hida-Takayama and, of course, it’s very conveniently located if you’re in Takayama.
There’s also an amazing bakery called “Train Bleu” on the way to the folk village that had the most fantastic white peach Danish pastry when I was last there.