Is Nikko worth a visit?
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Is Nikko worth a visit? Yes, Nikko is worth a visit! It’s actually the only place in Japan we decided to return to instead of going somewhere new because we love it so much.
Nikko is listed as one of Japan’s 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it’s located just two hours north of Tokyo in Tochigi prefecture, making it a stunning and easy escape from Tokyo.
Rather than a day trip from Tokyo, I suggest you stay overnight or two nights are even better. For a cosy B&B-like stay, book the tranquil Gableview Forest Inn with a private family onsen on the balcony overlooking the serene Nikko forest.
Spend a couple of days in Nikko, and indulge in all the area’s beauty and tranquility while having fun and a laugh with your family, especially if you choose to dress in period costume at the outrageously fun Edo Wonderland.
Nikko has the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery, history and culture, fun family activities and old-world nostalgia.
What to do in Nikko with kids?
Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura (historic theme park)
Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura is a fun and entertaining cultural and educational experience replicating life in Edo Japan (1603-1868). This park alone makes Nikko worth a visit.
This amusement park is scenic and surreal. This pretty, historic town is made up of perfectly replicated wooden buildings surrounding a stunning, central lake filled with koi. Further afield, an imposing mountainscape encircles the park.
The staff dress in period costumes and delight visitors by never breaking character, even correcting mini-samurais’ fighting form when passing on the street.
Edo Wonderland offers activities, experiences and shows and you also have the opportunity to dress in historical costume. When we visited most people were dressed up and the park itself provided many perfect photo backdrops.
Costume options and prices
There are many costume options to choose from all differing in price and style.
Here are the options and prices for kids:
- Towns boy or girl: 3,800 yen
- Samurai: 4,800 yen
- Samurai’s daughter: 4,800 yen
- Shinsengumi (elite group of swords people made up of mainly commoners): 7,300 yen
- Princess: 9,800 yen
- Lord: 9,800 yen
- Ninja: 4,800 yen
Here are the options and prices for women (men are similar):
- Towns lady: 4,100 yen
- Samurai daughter: 5,100 yen
- Princess: 9,800 yen
- Swordswoman: 5,800 yen
- Shinsengumi (elite group of swords people made up of commoners): 7,800 yen
- Hipster: 7,800 yen
- Ronin (samurai without a master): 6,300 yen
- Rich girl: 9,800 yen
- O-oku (women of the Tokugawa shoguns including wives, daughters and concubines): 9,800 yen
- Police officer: 7,700 yen
- Farmer: 7,700 yen
- Merchant: 7,700 yen
Hairsetting and parasols are an extra 500 yen each. There are images of each style to help you choose at the costume shop. Then staff will dress you and do your hair if you wish.
Pregnant people are advised against wearing costumes
Edo Wonderland advises against dressing pregnant women in costume for safety reasons.
Experiences at Edo Wonderland
One of the best parts of this amusement park is the option to participate in activities (work experience). Our children dressed as samurai, so they wanted to participate in samurai work experience training and they were not disappointed!
The experiences are free but you need to sign up ahead of time. Go to the area where the experience will take place and receive a time. If you’re lucky you’ll walk straight in like we did!
The kids learned to wield the katana (samurai sword) and also how to attack a mannequin with balloons attached. They loved it. Even though the instruction was in Japanese, the kids could follow along easily and the teacher was patient, kind and fun. Plus, the sensei’s demonstration was impressive! Parents are allowed to watch.
Other work experience options at Edo Wonderland include ninja training and Edo police officer.
Shows at Edo Wonderland
There are entertaining, live-action shows daily at the park in the various theatres. These include comedy, martial arts, traditional water magic, and sword battles. There is also a beautiful procession. Get the program at the start of the day and enjoy.
Attractions at Edo Wonderland
You can find period masks and Edo toys to play with in the town square. There are souvenir shops that sell woodblock prints and toy weapons and also replica shops that show how blacksmiths and armour repairs were conducted at the time.
The Ninja Trick Maze is a fun and challenging activity and the House of Illusion makes walls bend before your eyes.
Beware of wax museums and haunted house
The haunted house and the two wax museums take scary to a whole new level. I would suggest avoiding these with kids as they show visceral scenes of torture and suffering which may be scary for children (and also adults!).
Eating at Edo Wonderland
There are a few traditional restaurants on the main street of the park. The yakitori (grilled meat stick) stand is particularly delicious.
If you want a sit-down meal, you can choose from soba noodles and rice from one of the Edo-themed restaurants.
There are also a few treat stands and the Edo ice cream is delicious!
How much time do you need at Edo Wonderland?
We spent around three hours total here and we dressed up, participated in the samurai training, enjoyed other attractions, ate some yakitori and ice cream, did some souvenir shopping and got lots of photos!
I can see how it would be possible to spend all day at the park if you wanted to watch every live show and participate in every single activity. Allow three hours minimum.
Bring cash
Make sure you bring yen to the park as credit cards are not accepted everywhere in the park.
How to buy tickets to Edo Wonderland
The easiest way to ensure you have a ticket before arriving at the park is to buy through Klook. The Klook ticket price is 5,500 yen (a 300 yen discount from buying at the door) and includes all performances and shows.
Please remember to budget 4,800 – 10,000 yen extra per person for costumes if you wish to dress up.
How to get to Edo Wonderland
By car: There is a large car park directly in front of Edo Wonderland if you decide to drive.
By public transport: There is a free shuttle bus!
Take the free bus to Edo Wonderland from the bus stop near Toshogu Shrine, across the street from the Tsurukame Daikichi ryokan or from JR Nikko Station just outside the station exit; turn left and walk about 20 metres.
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (mid-March to November), 9:30 to 16:00 (December to mid-March)
Admission ends one hour before closing time. Wednesdays (except national holidays and during school holidays) December 8 to 21.
Address: 470-2 Karakura, Nikko, Tochigi 321-2524, Japan
Cost: 5,500 yen through Klook or 5,800 at the door
Tobu World Square (miniature model land)
Tobu World Square is a remarkably accurate miniature land made up of 102 perfect reproductions of famous world sites on the 1/25 scale. The miniatures also include 140,000 intricately painted dolls acting out scenes.
The miniatures all have small surprises and you can insert 100 yen, press a button and make some part of the scene come alive! It could be a marching band swaying along to their music, a small boat pulling a banana inflatable or window washers scaling the Empire State Building.
There are six different zones in the park: Japan, modern Japan, America, Egypt, Asia and Europe. The park is so detailed, that they even change the model trees depending on the season. Also, visitors in winter can experience their illuminations.
Bring plenty of 100 yen coins
Children will enjoy making each miniature scene come alive with a press of a button and finding the secret movement.
There are also plenty of great photo spots such as a steamed dumpling basket!
The park is stroller and wheelchair friendly and even boasts a special menu tailored for Muslim guests without pork or alcohol. If you want to bring your pet along, you can, as long as they are in a stroller or basket. But they are not allowed in restaurants.
Hours: 9am – 5pm except Dec 1 – March 19 when it’s 9:30am – 4:00pm. Open every day of the year!
Address: 209-1 Kinugawaonsen Ōhara, Nikko, Tochigi 321-2522, Japan
Cost: ¥2,800 for adults and ¥1,400 yen for kids
Access: Tobu World Square has its own train station which can be reached on the Tobu-Kinugawa Line going to Shimo-Imaichi. The park is a few minutes walk from the Tobu World Square Station. There is also a car park if you decide to drive.
Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu
Toshogu Shrine is one of the most spectacular shrines in Japan. Usually, shrines in Japan are modest and simple in design, however, Toshogu is unique due to its lavish aesthetic using 500 kilograms of gold leaf and elaborate carvings. This shrine itself makes Nikko worth a visit!
The shrine is a memorial to the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Ieyasu who is enshrined at this site. It was originally more modest in design, however, Ieyasu’s grandson Iemitsu enlarged it into its current spectacular form in the first half of the 1600s and it now includes over more than a dozen buildings.
What is the Tokugawa Shogunate?
The Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan for around 250 years during the Edo period from 1603 – 1868. The Tokugawa Shogunate is famous for organising society under a strict class system and banning most foreigners. During their rule, Japan experienced rapid urbanisation and economic growth.
Another unique element of Toshogu is its blend of Shinto and Buddhist elements. In the Meiji period (1868-1912) Buddhism and Shinto were deliberately separated. However, as the two religions were so closely intermingled at Toshogu, it was not possible to separate them completely.
207 stone steps
Toshogu Shrine has 207 stone steps from the entry gate, weaving up through the forest to the memorial to Ieyasu. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a climb.
Futarasan Shrine and the five-storied pagoda
Futurasan Shrine is next to Toshogu and is also a little zen paradise. It was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the monk who brought Buddhism to Nikko, making it much older than the ornate and luxurious Toshogu next door.
The shrine is dedicated to the deity of the sacred Mount Futurasan, also known as Mount Nantai. The shrine’s precinct extends for 3,400 hectares including most of the mountains in Nikko National Park.
Futurasan Shine is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its irimoya roof is of importance with its mix of hip and gable with four sloping sides. The hipped roof provides stability and it is often used in places with strong winds, while the gable roof is recommended in areas with heavy snow.
Paid section of Futurasan
The majority of the grounds to the shrine are free to enter, however, there is one section where you can pay around ¥300 to walk behind the shrine weave through the lush forest and visit the seven lucky gods along the way. For the small entrance fee, it’s definitely worth entering.
This shrine is particularly popular with couples praying for fertility and happiness in marriage and you can witness many tributes to love behind the paid area, such as heart-shaped stepping stones.
When we visited the shrine in early to mid-December, we happened to visit during a Dondoyaki burning ritual where people bring possessions to be burned such as old decorations or Daruma dolls. This is a cleansing ritual to help prepare for the coming year.
Governor Tadakatsu of the present-day Fukui prefecture donated the five-storied pagoda (Gojunto) in 1617. In 1815, it burnt down and in 1818 one of Sakai’s descendants rebuilt it, which is the replica still standing today.
The pagoda has the typical five storeys which represent each of the five elements: Earth, water, fire, wind and void (sky or heaven).
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
This villa is absolutely stunning and one of the largest wooden buildings in Japan with 106 rooms. It has an interesting mix of Western and Japanese design with carpet as well as tatami and sliding doors, but also chandeliers.
I particularly love historic homes and this one is definitely worth a visit if you visit Nikko.
The Tokugawa Shogunate originally owned this site, then it became the summer residence for the Imperial Family from 1872. The main residence building was brought to Nikko from Tokyo in 1899.
The villa and site are now registered as a National Treasure of Japan. The grounds which seem quite extensive are around a quarter of their original size.
During World War II, the home became a hide-out for Emperor Hirohito and you can see the many underground tunnels and evacuation points as you tour the home and gardens.
At contrasting times of the year, different sections of the house are opened to the public. We visited in Spring and the staff showed us to the second storey, which is not usually open to the public in other seasons. The room overlooked the famous 400-year-old weeping cherry tree, unfortunately, we visited around 22 April and just missed the bloom!
The 400-year-old cherry tree blooms mid-April
The best time to see this incredible tree in bloom is mid-April. However, the garden was carefully planned to display delights in any season. The colours of the maple trees in Autumn are also worth seeing.
Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Tuesdays)
Address: 8-27 Honcho, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1434, Japan
Cost: ¥600
Access: By car, there is a large car park opposite the entrance to the park
By public transport, take a Tobu bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and get off at Tamozawa bus stop. Or you can walk for around 20 minutes from Toshogu Shrine.
Main street Nikko
Nikko’s main street is worth spending some time exploring. You will find cute antique shops, fancy chocolatiers, souvenir shops, restaurants and many specialty sweet shops. You must try the incredibly delicious monkey-shaped taiyaki found at Soppo.
Shinkyo Bridge
Shinkyo means sacred and this bridge was originally reserved for imperial messengers and important military leaders, but today you can cross this bridge for a mere ¥300.
This beautifully curved, red bridge is 28 metres long, 7.4 metres wide, and stands around 10.6 metres above the river.
The Shinkyo Bridge is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of Japan’s most beautiful bridges
Shinkyo Bridge is named one of Japan’s three most beautiful bridges along with Kintaikyo Bridge in Yamaguchi and Saruhashi Bridge in Yamanashi.
This bridge is at the end of Nikko’s main street, so include this site with your main street shopping and eating.
Shinkyo Bridge technically belongs to Futurasan Shrine and you can walk directly to the shrine from the bridge in around 15 minutes up a hill and through the forest.
It is possible to walk across the bridge for a small fee, however, you can also easily admire it from many vantage points all around.
The bridge’s current design dates back to 1636, however, there was a bridge much earlier than this in the same location. In 1902 the bridge was destroyed by a flood and it was rebuilt in 1904 according to the 1636 design.
Hours: 8:30 – 4:00pm (April – October); 9:30 – 3:00pm (November – March)
Address: Kamihatsuishimachi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1401, Japan
Cost: ¥300 for adults, ¥100 for high school students and younger
Access: There isn’t anywhere to park near so it’s best to park closer to the main street and walk up to the bridge.
Take a bus from JR or Tobu Nikko Station for around 5 minutes and stop at Shinkyo bus stop. Otherwise, it’s a 20-30 minute walk.
Nikko Daiyagawa Park
Nikko Daiyagawa Park is a gorgeous local park surrounding the picturesque Daiya River with a playground, farmers’ market and restaurants. The hordes of tourists haven’t discovered this beautiful place just yet. Go here to escape the crowds and experience Nikko as locals do.
Buy the most fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ market and enjoy Nikko’s serenity, while the kids burn off steam in the large playground.
Where to stay in Nikko
Our absolute favourite place to stay in Nikko is Gableview Forest Inn. This gorgeous home has friendly and helpful hosts who speak fluent English and Japanese.
Our favourite part about this stay is the private onsen you can book for your family. There are no rules about tattoos or dividing genders, so you can book a time that suits you and your family and guarantee you have the onsen to yourself. There are two indoor onsens to choose from and also an outdoor onsen overlooking the forest. It’s so serene and private.
The breakfast is delicious and usually includes some kind of in-season delicious fruit, bagels with cream cheese, eggs and more. I’ve heard the dinners are also spectacular but we are yet to try them.
There is a family room that includes some steep stairs to a loft area where the kids can sleep. Our kids love this and call it their tree house. It may not be suitable for toddlers however. It would also be a wonderful stay for couples as a peaceful and romantic retreat.
What to eat in Nikko
Buckwheat soba noodles and yuba
Nikko is famous for its buckwheat soba noodles and also yuba; boiled soy milk skimmed and rolled up. You can try this dish at the end of main street Nikko, just before Shinkyo Bridge in the restaurant named 神橋庵. The picture of the building with the red roof contains the restaurant. There are tables with chairs but also floor seating, so best to wear your best socks in case shoes need to be removed!
What is yuba?
Yuba is dried tofu skin. It is skimmed from the top of boiling soy milk and then dried and rolled up and used in dishes. The taste of yuba is surprisingly sweet with a slight chewy texture.
Monkey-shaped taiyaki
Taiyaki is a Japanese sweet dough filled with red bean paste, custard or cream.
Taiyaki is usually fish-shaped, but in Nikko, the store Soppo on the man street sells the cutest monkey-shaped taiyaki.
The Taiyaki are served fresh and hot and are incredibly delicious. These are a favourite with the kids.
Is Nikko worth the trip?
Yes, Nikko is worth the visit. Make the time to get out of Tokyo and explore this beautiful location full of nature, history and culture. Any time of the year, Nikko will astound you with its beauty.
