The Nikko area is made up of the town of Nikko, home to the World Heritage shrines and temples (Toshogu, Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji), and Oku-Nikko, the lake and highland country beyond the Irohazaka hairpins: Lake Chuzenji, the Senjogahara marsh and Yumoto. It takes about 40 minutes to drive from Kiyotaki IC to Yumoto in Oku-Nikko. This page sets out a one-day route from the shrines and temples to Yumoto, how to avoid the traffic in the autumn leaf season, and lists the roads and places to stop.
Map of the Nikko area
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Michi-no-Eki Nikko
- 2Shinkyo Bridge
- 3Nikko Toshogu
- 4Akechidaira
- 5Kegon Falls
- 6Ryuzu Falls
- 7Senjogahara
- 8Yumoto Onsen and Lake Yunoko
- 9Kirifuri Falls
- 10Kisugedaira
- 11Hangetsuyama Observatory
Line: 1 → 2 → 3 → Irohazaka (up) → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → Irohazaka (down) → 1
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The line on the map is the route described below under "First visit: one day from the shrines and temples to Yumoto". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Hover over or tap a number to see its name.
Recommended drives
First visit: one day from the shrines and temples to Yumoto
Start at Michi-no-Eki Nikko in Imaichi, visit Shinkyo Bridge and Toshogu, then climb the Dai-ni Irohazaka to Akechidaira. See Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, pass Ryuzu Falls and Senjogahara to reach Yumoto, and come back down the Dai-ichi Irohazaka. The loop is about 77 km and about 2 hours 10 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and do not include traffic.
Irohazaka is one-way on each side: the Dai-ni (second) Irohazaka goes up and the Dai-ichi (first) Irohazaka comes down. Once you are past Akechidaira on the way up, you cannot turn back. In the autumn leaf season, the roads are quieter if you climb Irohazaka before 7:00 on a weekend, or after 15:00 on a weekday.
On autumn weekends, park away from the shrines and temples and walk
On 31 October and on 1, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 15 November, free temporary car parks (about 280 spaces) open from 9:00 to 17:00 on the Daiya River bank and nearby. The shrines and temples are about 1.6 km away, a 25-minute walk. If you come from Imaichi IC, you also avoid the traffic around Nikko IC.
Kirifuri Highland: 25 minutes from Nikko IC
From Nikko IC, the Kirifuri Highland road climbs to Kirifuri Falls and the Kisuge-daira Park. The Kisuge-daira Park car park costs ¥1,000 for a standard car in October and November, and is free from December to March.
Roads you can drive
| Road | What it is | Length and toll | Hours and rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irohazaka (Route 120) | Road from the town of Nikko up to Lake Chuzenji. 48 hairpin bends, a climb of about 440 m | Free | One-way: Dai-ni Irohazaka up, Dai-ichi Irohazaka down. Winter tyres or chains required in winter |
| Route 120 (Lake Chuzenji to Yumoto to Konsei Pass) | From Lake Chuzenji through Senjogahara and Yumoto, over Konsei Pass into Gunma | Free | The Konsei Road (5.5 km) beyond Yumoto closes in winter. Last winter: 25 December to noon on 24 April |
| Nikko-Utsunomiya Road | Toll road linking Utsunomiya IC with Imaichi IC, Nikko IC and Kiyotaki IC | Standard car: ¥670 Utsunomiya to Kiyotaki, ¥550 Utsunomiya to Nikko. ETC accepted | On 28 October some ETC lanes at Osawa IC are closed |
| Kirifuri Highland Road (Prefectural Road 169) | Road from the town of Nikko up to Kirifuri Falls, Kisuge-daira and Roppozawa | — | Winter tyres or chains required in winter |
| Chuzenji Lake Skyline (Prefectural Road 250) | Road from the south shore of Lake Chuzenji up to the Hangetsuyama car park | 7.0 km | 7:00–17:00. Closed in winter (last winter: 28 November to 10 April) |
| Akanuma to Senjogahara | Road from Akanuma on the Senjogahara marsh to Odashirogahara and Senjugahama | About 10 km | Closed to private cars. Take the low-emission bus (¥500, until 30 November) |
Places to stop
Views and nature
The numbers match the map.
| No. | Place | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Shinkyo Bridge | No car park of its own. City-run Shinkyo car park (60 cars) and Nishi-Sando car park (73 cars): ¥700 (¥1,000 in busy periods). Kami-Hachiishi car park (38 cars): free | About 5 minutes from Nikko IC |
| 3 | Nikko Toshogu | Toshogu car park, 200 cars, ¥600 a day | Open 9:00–17:00 (16:00 from November to March). Rinnoji's No. 2 car park (100 cars) is ¥500; Futarasan Shrine's car park (100 cars) is ¥700 |
| 4 | Akechidaira | Prefectural Akechidaira car park, 30 cars, free, open 24 hours | Partway up the Dai-ni Irohazaka. The ropeway is suspended until 31 August 2027 |
| 5 | Kegon Falls | Prefectural No. 1 (138 cars) and No. 2 (62 cars), ¥500 per visit | Lift open 8:00–17:00 |
| — | Lake Chuzenji | Prefectural car parks at the lakeside, Utagahama, Tachiki and elsewhere, ¥500 per visit | Autumn leaves from mid-October to early November |
| 6 | Ryuzu Falls | Prefectural car parks: upper (9 cars), middle (19) and lower (18), all free | Autumn leaves from early to mid-October. The lower car park closes in winter |
| 7 | Senjogahara | Prefectural Akanuma (181 cars, ¥500) and Sanbonmatsu (110 cars, free) | Low-emission bus from Akanuma to Senjugahama |
| 8 | Yumoto Onsen and Lake Yunoko | Free car parks on Yumoto Hondori and nearby | End of Route 120 in Oku-Nikko. Yudaki Falls car park (58 cars) is ¥500 |
| 9 | Kirifuri Falls | Free car park | Autumn leaves from late October to early November |
| 10 | Kisuge-daira Park | City-run Nos. 1–3, 138 cars in all. ¥1,000 in October and November | Autumn leaves from early to late October |
| 11 | Hangetsuyama Viewpoint | Free car park | About 30 minutes on foot from the end of the Chuzenji Lake Skyline |
There are 11 prefectural pay car parks in Oku-Nikko, and each costs ¥500 per visit. A common day ticket (¥1,000) covers all 11 as many times as you like in one day; it can only be bought online. The date changes at 4:00, so a car parked across that time is charged for two days.
Roadside stations
| No. | Station | Parking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michi-no-Eki Nikko (Nikko Kaido Nikoniko Honjin) | 71 standard cars | About 2 km from Imaichi IC. EV rapid charger |
Best seasons and crowds
The autumn leaves start in high Oku-Nikko and move down towards the town. As of 25 October, Yumoto, Ryuzu Falls and Senjogahara are near the end of their best, and Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls are just reaching theirs. The upper part of Irohazaka peaked on 22 October. The leaves at the shrines and temples come in early to mid-November.
| Place | Usual peak |
|---|---|
| Lake Yunoko, Yudaki Falls, Ryuzu Falls | Early to mid-October |
| Senjogahara, Odashirogahara | Mid to late October |
| Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Irohazaka | Mid-October to early November |
| Kirifuri Falls | Late October to early November |
| Nikko shrines and temples | Early to mid-November |
Busy places and times
- On weekends in the autumn leaf season (mid-October to early November, and to mid-November at the shrines and temples) and in Golden Week, it is very busy from 9:00 to 15:00 (to 17:00 on autumn weekends).
- Irohazaka normally takes about 20 minutes one way, but in the autumn leaf season it can take 3 hours.
- Route 119 around the shrines and temples and the area near Nikko IC also jam badly in the autumn leaf season.
- From 15 September to 22 November the prefecture recommends coming on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, before about 8:00 or after 15:00.
Closures and restrictions (as of 26 October)
- On 31 October and 1 November, from 8:00 to 15:00, you cannot turn right at the intersection in front of Futara Bridge at the top of the Dai-ni Irohazaka. The rule is not in force on days of bad weather.
- The Akechidaira ropeway is suspended until 31 August 2027. The prefectural Akechidaira car park can still be used.
- Private cars cannot go from Akanuma to Senjugahama.
- The winter closing dates have not been announced for this year. Last winter the Konsei Road closed from 25 December and the Chuzenji Lake Skyline from 28 November.
Getting there and fuel
| From | Time |
|---|---|
| Tohoku Expressway, Utsunomiya IC | About 50 minutes to Chuzenji Onsen and about 70 minutes to Akanuma on Senjogahara, via the Nikko-Utsunomiya Road and Irohazaka |
| Nikko-Utsunomiya Road, Nikko IC | About 10 minutes to Toshogu, about 25 minutes to Kisuge-daira on Kirifuri Highland |
| Nikko-Utsunomiya Road, Kiyotaki IC | About 20 minutes to Akechidaira and Lake Chuzenji, about 40 minutes to Yumoto Onsen |
From the Gunma side, you can reach Yumoto from Numata IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway by crossing Konsei Pass on Route 120. The Konsei Road closes in winter, so you cannot come in from the Gunma side then.
There is no petrol station to be found at Ryuzu Falls, Senjogahara or Yumoto, beyond Lake Chuzenji. The ENEOS Oku-Nikko service station by Lake Chuzenji is open 8:00–18:00 and closed on Wednesdays, so fill up in the town of Nikko or at Kiyotaki before you climb. The EV rapid charger is at Michi-no-Eki Nikko.
If you don't have a car
From JR Nikko Station to Lake Chuzenji it takes about 45 minutes by bus on a weekday. Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. If you are picking up a car at the airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best one-day drive in Nikko?
See the shrines and temples, climb the Dai-ni Irohazaka, go on to Akechidaira, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu Falls, Senjogahara and Yumoto, and come down the Dai-ichi Irohazaka. It is about 77 km and about 2 hours 10 minutes of driving.
How bad is the traffic on Irohazaka in the autumn leaf season?
On weekends in the autumn leaf season it can take 3 hours one way. It is quieter if you climb before 7:00 or after 15:00 on a weekday. On 31 October and 1 November, from 8:00 to 15:00, you cannot turn right at the intersection in front of Futara Bridge.
How much is parking in Oku-Nikko?
The prefectural pay car parks are ¥500 per visit. A common day ticket (¥1,000) covers 11 of them and can be bought online. The car parks at Ryuzu Falls, Sanbonmatsu and Yumoto Hondori are free.
Can I drive to Oku-Nikko in winter?
Yes. Irohazaka and Route 120 from Lake Chuzenji to Yumoto stay open in winter, but from early December to early April you need winter tyres or chains. The Konsei Road beyond Yumoto and the Chuzenji Lake Skyline close in winter.
Can I buy petrol in Oku-Nikko?
There is one station by Lake Chuzenji, open 8:00–18:00 and closed on Wednesdays. There is none to be found at Ryuzu Falls, Senjogahara or Yumoto, so fill up in the town before you climb.
Nearby areas and guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Oku-Nikko Yumoto Onsen Ryokan Cooperative (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko Natural Science Museum (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko Kotsu (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko Natural Science Museum (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Nikko City Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Kanto Michi-no-Eki Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki Nikko (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki Nikko (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Road Corporation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Road Corporation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Road Corporation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Road Corporation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Tochigi Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Times (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-26
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