Rail passes for Nikko

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.

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:
   • Tobu buses between Nikko Station, Lake Chuzenjiko and Yumoto Onsen
   • Tobu buses between Lake Chuzenjiko and Hangetsuyama
   • Tobu buses between Nikko Station, Kirifuri Waterfall and Kirifuri Kogen
5. The Marugoto Nikko Kinugawa Free Pass additionally covers the following:
   • Tobu buses between Kinugawa Onsen, Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland
   • Tobu buses between Kinugawa Onsen and Yunishigawa Onsen
   • Non-express trains between Shin-Fujiwara and Yunishigawa Onsen
6. The Nikko All Area Pass additionally comes with the following benefits:
   • Tobu buses between Kinugawa Onsen, Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland
   • Eco buses between Akanuma and Senjugahama at the western end of Lake Chuzenjiko (outside winter)
   • Sightseeing boats on Lake Chuzenjiko (outside winter)
   • 4-ride lift ticket at the Nikko Yumoto Ski Resort (winter only)
   • One-time use of the hot spring baths at the Nikko Astraea Hotel
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. They are also sold through websites, such as Klook and Japan Experience. Those with Japanese reading skills and a Japanese phone number and address can purchase similar passes through Nikko MaaS.

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 is slightly cheaper than the 3000 yen for the pass. But because the pass also covers unlimited rides on buses in the town center and discounts at selected spots, it can pay off quite easily.

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)

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.