150 years ago, this was the place every foreigner wanted to see in Japan ...not Kyoto

this day trip deserves a spot on your Japan itinerary. 150 years ago, this was the place every foreigner wanted to see in Japan. Today, it’s just a 2-hour train ride from Tokyo, yet so many travelers skip it. Here’s the exact route we followed: 🚆 6:30am — Leave Asakusa on the Tobu Limited Express. We booked both our train tickets and our Nikko Pass on Klook. If your booking is eligible, you can use my code KATEROWLEYADVENTURES for a discount. 🚉 8:30am — Arrive at Tobu-Nikko Station. 🎫 Before leaving the station, stop at the Tobu counter and grab the World Heritage Area Bus Pass. This covers the bus loop to the shrine and temple area. 📍Shinkyo Bridge 📍Rinno-ji Temple 📍Toshogu Shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined. 🍜 Lunch near the shrine area. 🚌 After lunch, switch to the regular Tobu bus and simply tap your Suica card to head up to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. The World Heritage Area Bus Pass doesn’t cover this route, so don’t make the mistake of trying to use it there. 🚤 If you have extra time, take the sightseeing boat across Lake Chuzenji before heading to the falls. It’s one of the most peaceful ways to experience the mountains around Nikko. 💧 Kegon Falls (take the elevator down to the lower viewing platform) ⛩️ Kanmangafuchi Abyss 🍵 Hidden matcha café nearby if you have time. 🚆 Catch the evening train back to Tokyo around 5:45pm. Nikko ended up being one of our favorite places in Japan. Between the cedar forests, UNESCO World Heritage shrines, the boat ride across Lake Chuzenji, waterfalls, and peaceful walking trails, it felt like stepping into a completely different side of the country. Save this itinerary for your Japan trip, and follow @katerowleyadventures for more Japan itineraries, hidden gems, and travel tips.