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The following is a medium paced full day walking itinerary around Okunikko in the national park above the town of Nikko. The walking part of the itinerary totals around eight kilometers and includes a long hike. Appropriate footwear is required, but the hiking trail is relatively easy, and the route can also be covered by bus.

Start
Start at Chuzenji Onsen bus stop
Walk
5 minutes
Kegon Falls
Nikko's most famous waterfall 30 minutes
The almost 100 meter tall Kegon Waterfall is the most famous of Nikko's many beautiful waterfalls. In fact, it is even ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls, along with Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture.
Walk
10 minutes
Chuzenji Onsen
Lakeside onsen area 20 minutes
A touristy hot spring resort town at the eastern shores of Lake Chuzenjiko. The small town consists of mainly of souvenir shops, hotels and ryokan. It is the departure point of sightseeing cruises of the lake.
Boat
20 minutes
Shobugahama Pier
Walk
10 minutes
Ryuzu Waterfall
Waterfall famous for its autumn colors 30 minutes
Literally "dragon head waterfall", named so because of its shape, Ryuzu Waterfall is flanked by many trees which turn yellow and red during the autumn leaf season which is usually at its peak here in early to mid October. There is a path at the side of the falls that visitors can stroll along to follow the falls upriver.
Walk
30 minutes
Senjogahara Marshland
Idyllic marshland with nice hiking trails
At an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level, the Senjogahara Marshland covers the plateau between Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen and offers some of the area's best hiking, especially in autumn when the marshland's grasses turn into a reddish yellow and the larch trees into a shiny gold.
Walk
90 minutes
Yudaki Waterfall
Popular Waterfall 10 minutes
The spectacular waterfall is called Yudaki (lit. hot water waterfall), but the water of the waterfall is not actually warm.
Walk
10 minutes
Lake Yunoko
Picturesque lake by a hot spring town 15 minutes
Literally meaning "hot water lake", Lake Yunoko offers nice views with mountainous backdrops from various points along its shore. The scenery here comes into its own in autumn when the hills that bear down on the lake turn gold and red.
Walk
30 minutes
Yumoto Onsen
High altitude hot spring town 60 minutes
Yumoto Onsen is a small hot spring on the northern shores of Lake Yunoko consisting mainly of ryokan with hot spring baths. There is a field in the back of the town where hot onsen water bubbles out of the ground.
Finish

Recommended Additions

Chuzenji Temple

Hotels around Nikko

Top rated in Nikko
Budget:
    • B&B Izumi Nikko
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Nikko, B&B Izumi Nikko provides 2-star accommodation with access to a garden and a terrace. Both WiFi and private parking are available at the bed and breakfast free of charge. Fitted with a balcony, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet and free toiletries. A fridge and kettle are also featured. An ? la carte, American or Asian breakfast is available daily at the property. Popular points of interest near B&B Izumi Nikko include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Jiunji Temple. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 121 km from the accommodation.
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    • Stay Nikko Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      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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    • Midorian
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring a garden, Midorian is located within Nikko National Park. The property is around 1.5 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, 8 km from Kegon Falls and a 16-minute walk from Futarasan Shrine. The guest house features mountain views, a terrace, and free WiFi is available throughout the property. On-site parking is available free of charge. Guest rooms in the guest house are fitted with a kettle. A shared kitchen comes with a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. At Midorian, every room comes with a shared bathroom with a hair dryer. Cycling and hiking are among the activities that guests of the accommodation can find nearby. Rinnoji Temple is 1.6 km from Midorian.
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    • sumica apartments
      Budget-friendly
      Sumica apartmens offers accommodation in Nikko, 900 metres from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 9.3 km from Kegon Falls. The property features views of the city and is 18 km from Nikko Yumoto Hot Spring. The accommodation is only a 2-minute stroll to Shinkyo Bridge, known as the entrance to the Shrines and Temples of Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kitchenette is fitted with a microwave. Towels and bed linen are offered at sumica apartmens. Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en is 22 km from sumica apartmens, while Rinnoji Temple is 600 metres from the property.
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    • Nikko Guesthouse Sumica
      Budget-friendly
      Just a 3-minute walk from JR Nikko Train Station, Guesthouse Sumica offers beds in dormitory rooms, as well as Japanese-style private rooms. It features a shared kitchen and free tea and coffee. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the whole building. The Sumica Guesthouse is a 5-minute drive from the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine, and a 30-minute drive from both Lake Chuzenji-ko and historical theme park village Edo Wonderland (Nikko Edomura). JR Nikko Train Station is a 3-minute walk away. Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is a completely non-smoking hotel. It offers luggage storage, and it has a curfew at 23:00.
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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. A Western breakfast is served at the dining room, which boasts a high ceiling and forest views. 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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    • Asaya
      Luxury
      Boasting open-air natural spring baths that look out to the surrounding mountains, Asaya provides chic Japanese accommodation that displays flower arrangements throughout. A bus stop is located right in front of the property, and shuttle buses are available from Utsunomiya Train Station, an hour away, at an additional fee. Featuring a relaxing ambience, each room comes with a flat-screen TV, a telephone and a fridge. Asaya Hotelfs front desk is open 24 hours, and massages are available at an additional cost. Karaoke facilities and a gift shop are on site. Some of the hot spring baths can be reserved for private use for a fee. A tour to Edo Wonderland can be arranged upon request. The hotel is a 13-minute walk from Kinugawa Koen Train Station. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 40-minute drive away, and Edo Wonderland Nikko theme park is a 10-minute drive from the property. A buffet is served at one of the on-site restaurants. The dinner buffet serves about 80 various dishes ranging from Chinese, Japanese and Western meals, while the breakfast buffet provides about 60 variations, mainly Japanese and Western dishes.
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    • Turtle Inn Nikko
      Budget-friendly
      Just 1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Turtle Inn Nikko offers value-for-money accommodation with river views. Hot spring baths are available and breakfast is offered. Nikko Turtle Inn offers easy access to the historical temples and beautiful nature of the Nikko area. Chuzenji-ko Lake and Kegon-no-taki Waterfall are a 40-minute bus ride away. The Nikko temples are less than a 15-minute walk away. The cosy rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs. Guests can fall asleep to the calming sound of the Daiya River. Staff at Nikko Inn Turtle speak English and are always happy to help with sightseeing or other requests. Breakfast are served in the dining room and require an extra fee. Breakfast includes eggs, fruit and bread.
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    • Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko
      Mid-range
      Set in Nikko, within 1.6 km of Tobu Nikko Station and 2 km of Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a terrace and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Kegon Falls is 20 km from the accommodation, while Rinno-ji Temple is 2.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 119 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko.
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    • Nikko Senhime Monogatari
      Luxury
      Guests can enjoy soaking in the indoor and outdoor public hot-spring baths at Nikko Senhime Monogatari. Massages can be requested and a sauna room is available for an extra relaxation. A free shuttle is available from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station, which is a 5-minute drive away. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are included in each. A safety deposit box is provided and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can purchase local products at the gift shop. Travel assistance is provided at the tour desk and photocopying services are available at the front desk. A traditional multi-course meal is served for dinner, and Japanese-style meal is served for breakfast. All meals are served at the dining room. Monogatari Senhime Nikko is a 10-minute walk from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and a 25-minute drive from Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.
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