Day One Japan

Tochigi (栃木県)

See the carved gates of Nikko Toshogu, then follow the cedar-lined lanes to Futarasan Shrine and the quieter Taiyuin mausoleum.

Open the full walk in Google Maps
The gilded and carved Yomeimon Gate at Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Nikko Toshogu Shrine · Jpatokal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and framed for this page

Getting to Nikko Toshogu Shrine

From Tobu Nikko Station (東武日光駅)

Take the Tobu World Heritage sightseeing loop bus (世界遺産めぐりバス) to Omotesando (表参道). Walk uphill along the shrine approach to Toshogu.

Tobu-Nikko Station (東武日光駅)

Tobu-Nikko Station’s steep roof and entrance from the bus plaza
Saigen Jiro · CC0 · Resized
Public transport in Google Maps Tobu’s Nikko sightseeing bus guide

Three stops in order

  1. 1. Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮)

    Start with the carved Yomeimon Gate (陽明門) and the main shrine. If you add Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb, allow extra time for the steps.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Nikko’s official Toshogu guide

  2. 2. Futarasan Shrine (日光二荒山神社)

    Walk west from Toshogu along the lane lined with stone lanterns. Visit the shrine in the World Heritage precinct.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Nikko’s official Futarasan Shrine guide

  3. 3. Taiyuin Temple (日光山輪王寺 大猷院)

    Continue to the gates and stairways of the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The Taiyuin / Futarasan Shrine stop is nearby for the return bus.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Nikko’s official Taiyuin guide

The sites have separate admission arrangements. Check closing and last-entry times before deciding how long to spend at Toshogu.

Transport and visitor information checked .