Tobu Railway provides a range of rail passes for travelers heading to Nikko from Tokyo. These passes include round trip transportation to Nikko along with unlimited rides on trains and buses within designated areas around Nikko on two or four days. Below we introduce the four passes that are most relevant to the average international tourist.

Digital passes (from Asakusa)
 
Through Nikko MaaS
Through English websites
2-day World Heritage Area Pass
2,500 yen
from 3,000 yen
4-day Nikko All Area Pass
n/a
8,000 yen

Paper passes (from Asakusa)
 
Apr 20 to Nov 30
Dec 1 to Apr 19
4-day Marugoto Nikko Free Pass
4,810 yen
4,390 yen
4-day Marugoto Nikko Kinugawa Free Pass
6,720 yen
6,190 yen

The maps below show the coverage areas of the four passes:

Validity

  1. The passes cover one round trip by Tobu Railway from Tokyo's Asakusa Station to Nikko and back. Some of the passes can also be used from Tobu stations other than Asakusa, but note that none of the passes cover the direct trains to/from Shinjuku Station.
  2. The round trip is fully covered if done by express or local trains. However, if using a limited express train, the limited express fee has to be purchased separately (1450-2140 yen one way) at a Tobu station or online.
  3. In the Nikko area, all four passes cover the following buses and trains:
    • Tobu World Heritage sightseeing buses that loop through the town center of Nikko
    • Tobu buses between Nikko Station and Rengeishi bus stop
    • Non-express Tobu trains between Nikko, Shimo-Imaichi and Shin-Fujiwara
  4. All passes - except the World Heritage Area Pass - additionally cover the following:
  5. The Marugoto Nikko Kinugawa Free Pass additionally covers the following:
  6. The Nikko All Area Pass additionally comes with the following benefits:
  7. All passes provide discounts at selected tourist facilities, restaurants and shops.
  8. All passes are valid on up to four consecutive calendar days (midnight to midnight) except the World Heritage Area Pass which is valid on up to two consecutive calendar days.
  9. The Nikko All Area Pass pass can be used only by people with a non-Japanese passport (and Japanese nationals accompanying them).

Points of sale

Digital tickets

Digital tickets remove the need to pick up any physical tickets. The most inexpensive digital tickets can be purchased through the Nikko MaaS website; however, the website is available only in Japanese and requires the registration of a Japanese phone number and address, making it very difficult to impossible to use for the average international tourist. Digital tickets are also sold through English websites, such as Japan Experience and Klook, but the cost is higher than when purchased through the Nikko MaaS website.

Paper tickets

Conventional paper passes can be purchased at the tourist information center or ticket office at Tobu Asakusa Station in advance or on the day of travel. It is also possible to purchase passes through online and offline travel agents, in which case you will first receive a voucher, which needs to be exchanged to the actual pass at Tobu Asakusa Station.

Assessment

World Heritage Area Pass - good for those visiting only the town area

Regular tickets for a round trip between Asakusa and Nikko cost 2800 yen, which alone makes the pass a good value for those able to purchase it via the Nikko MaaS website (for 2500 yen). But because the pass also covers unlimited rides on buses in the town center and discounts at selected spots, it can also pay off quite easily for those paying a higher price.

Marugoto Nikko Free Pass - good for those visiting both the town and the national park

At 4390-4810 yen, this paper pass is cheaper than regular round trip tickets for the train from Tokyo (2800 yen) and a bus pass as far as Lake Chuzenjiko (2300 yen) or Yumoto Onsen (3500 yen) combined, making it a good deal for those also venturing into the national park.

Marugoto Nikko Kinugawa Free Pass - good for those also visiting Yunishigawa Onsen

This is the pass to get for those who plan to visit not only the Nikko and Kinugawa areas, but also make it all the way to Yunishigawa Onsen.

All Nikko Pass - lost a lot of its value in April 2025

This pass used to be great value at around 4500 yen until April 2025 when its price was almost doubled to 8000 yen. Its coverage area is pretty similar to the one of the Marugoto Nikko Free Pass, which is over 3000 yen cheaper, except for the following additional benefits:

  • Buses between Kinugawa Onsen and Edo Wonderland (regular cost: 250-490 yen per ride)
  • A bath at the Nikko Astraea Hotel (regular cost: 1000 yen)
  • Outside winter: sightseeing boats on Lake Chuzenjiko (regular cost: 900-1850 yen per ride)
  • Outside winter: buses to the far end of Lake Chuzenjiko (regular cost: 500 yen per ride)
  • During winter: four lift rides at the Nikko Yumoto Ski Resort (regular cost: 1500 yen)
Unless you make very good use of these additional benefits, the Marugoto Nikko Free Pass will be the better deal.

Alternative tickets

Tobu Bus offers several bus passes for unlimited use of buses around Nikko which can be purchased at Tobu Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station or through Jorudan:

  • Yumoto Onsen Free Pass (3500 yen): Two days between Nikko and Yumoto Onsen.
  • Chuzenji Onsen Free Pass (2300 yen): Two days between Nikko and Chuzenji Onsen.
  • Kirifuri no taki Free Pass (1500 yen): Two days between Nikko and Kirifuri Waterfall.

Hotels around Nikko

    • Kamenoi Hotel Okunikko
      A hotel surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, and mountains in Okunikko. Warm up at a famous onsen with 1200 years of history and explore the nearby Toshogu Shrine World Heritage site.
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Top rated in Nikko
Budget:
    • B&B Izumi Nikko
      Budget-friendly
      B&B Izumi Nikko features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Nikko, 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The 2-star bed and breakfast has river views and is 3.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station. Every room comes with a balcony. Certain units in the bed and breakfast have private entrance and are fitted with desk and outdoor furniture. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and slippers, the units at the bed and breakfast have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the bed and breakfast, all units have bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the bed and breakfast include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 121 km from B&B Izumi Nikko.
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    • Sanga Nikko
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Nikko, 2.1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Sanga Nikko provides rooms with free WiFi access. The property is set 10 km from Kegon Falls and 22 km from Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en. Nikko Station and Tobu-Nikko Station are within a 5-minute walk from the property. The property is equipped with two private bathrooms. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and fishing. A supermarket is situated within a 5-minute walk from the property. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Rinnoji Temple and Shinkyo Bridge. Futarasan Shrine is 2.2 km from the property, while Chuzenji Lake is 12 km away.
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    • Stay Nikko Guesthouse
      Mid-range
      Featuring free WiFi, Stay Nikko Guesthouse offers accommodation in Nikko. Nikko Station on the Tobu and JR lines can be reached within a 13-minute walk. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this guest house is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Views of the mountains, river or garden are featured in certain rooms. Guests will find a microwave, toaster and kettle on site. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 20-minute stroll from Stay Nikko Guesthouse, while Kegon Falls is a 50-minute bus ride from the property.
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    • Okunikko Guesthouse JUN
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Nikko and only 1.1 km from Kegon Falls, Okunikko Guesthouse JUN provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 1-star guest house features lake views and is 16 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km from the guest house, while Nikko Station is 18 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Hanaan
      Mid-range
      Located in Nikko, near Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Nikko Futarasan-Jinja Nantaisan Okumiya, Hotel Hanaan features an open-air bath. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy lake views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. An Asian breakfast is available at the ryokan. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 15 km from Hotel Hanaan, while Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.
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    • Nikko Guesthouse Sumica
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 1-star accommodation, Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is located in Nikko, 300 metres from Nikko Station and 300 metres from Tobu Nikko Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a tour desk for guests. At the guest house, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.7 km from the guest house, while Kegon Falls is 20 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 117 km from the property.
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    • Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage
      Mid-range
      Homely rooms with mountain views, free Wi-Fi and a private bath await guests at Villa Revage, 350 metres from Nikko Botanical Garden. It is completely non-smoking, and free private parking is available on site. Rooms at Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage are heated and come with simple furnishings and art on the walls. An LCD satellite TV is included. Both a hairdryer and toiletries are provided. You can relax on the sun terrace, enjoy the garden or unwind in one of the private reservable baths. The hotel is 4 km from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station. Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is 800 metres away, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2 km away.
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    • Nikko Beans Hotel
      Mid-range
      Nikko Beans Hotel is set in Nikko, within 16 km of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 18 km of Tobu Nikko Station. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.5 km from Kegon Falls. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in Nikko Beans Hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. Nikko Station is 19 km from Nikko Beans Hotel, while Chuzenji Lake is less than 1 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 130 km away.
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    • Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko
      Mid-range
      Set in Nikko, 1.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service for guests. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Nikko Station is 2 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko, while Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.4 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 119 km away.
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    • The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
      Luxury
      The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko features restaurants, fitness centre, a lobby lounge bar and shared lounge in Nikko situated by Lake Chuzenji and overlooking Mount Nantai. This 5-star hotel offers a concierge service and ticket service. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, hot spring baths for guests. At The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko all units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a hot tub, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also offer a mountain view. A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. The onsite restaurants feature Japanese and Western-style cuisines. Guests can relax in the spa and wellness centre, including a hot spring bath, a sauna and a hot tub, or in the garden. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, and car hire is available at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Chuzenji Temple.
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Experiences around Nikko

Top rated in Nikko