Winter in Nikko 2024: Waterfalls, Onsen Town & Marshlands

Located in Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko’s winter allure lies in its natural scenery, where snow blankets the marshlands, waterfalls freeze into shimmering curtains, and roads meander through forests of snow-laden trees. 

The mountains, alternating between shades of gray and white, create a breathtaking backdrop against the often clear blue sky. And if you’re lucky, you might even see wild monkeys lounging amongst naked branches and white drifts. 

So, while Nikko is famous for its vibrant fall foliage, winter brings its own kind of charm. Ready to experience it for yourself? Explore our comprehensive winter guide to discover why this hidden gem should be on your travel list this season.

Unlike the longer shinkansen (bullet train) ride to Honshu or flights to Hokkaido that can eat into your vacation hours, Nikko is an ideal winter getaway due to its proximity to Tokyo. In fact, it only takes about two hours to get from Shinjuku to central Nikko by train and car.

Visiting Nikko during the winter also means dodging the heavy, often congested traffic that fills the area during autumn, when both locals and international travelers flock to witness the vibrant fall colors. 

Find out more: Things to Do and Places to Visit in Japan During Autumn

As a relatively small city, covering approximately 1,500 square kilometers, you can easily experience many of Nikko’s top attractions in just two days — or take three if you prefer a more leisurely pace. 

Finally, if skiing or snowboarding isn’t on your agenda, Nikko is ideal for a quieter vacation with other things to do in winter, as the area caters more to those seeking an idyllic nature escape, allowing you to focus on the breathtaking beauty of winter landscapes.

Getting to Nikko from Tokyo is relatively easy. The fastest way is to take the shinkansen, which would take almost two hours. 

Alternatively, the cheapest option is to take the train. You will have to transfer twice from Tokyo Station;: from Tokyo to Ueno, Ueno to Kita-Senju, and then Kita-Senju to Tobu-Nikko Station. This route takes just over two hours.

Nikko has two railway stations, Tobu-Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station, located just 200 meters apart. The city’s famous shrines and temples are about 2 kilometers northwest of the stations. 

If you’re staying within the main tourist area of Nikko, the most convenient way to get around is by bus. However, renting a car is highly recommended if you have an international driving permit — especially if you're planning to explore Okunikko. 

While buses connect central Nikko to popular spots like Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen, having a rental car offers much greater flexibility. Many of the attractions in this region are spread out, making a car a more comfortable and efficient way to see everything at your own pace. 

Thankfully, Nikko's winter temperatures are more forgiving than Japan’s other cold regions like Hokkaido and Honshu. While it can still get cold, with nighttime lows reaching around -2°C, daytime temperatures remain relatively bearable.

It’s still important to dress warmly, though. A complete winter outfit is recommended, including a thermal underlayer, a sweatshirt or knit, and a thick winter coat. For added warmth, consider layering your pants with an extra layer to stay comfortable throughout the day.

Nikko is also known for its marshes, which get covered in a thick coating of snow during the winter. If you are planning to trek the snow, bring some snow boots.

When planning a trip to Nikko, it’s helpful to know that “traveling to Nikko” covers two main areas: Nikko city itself, known for its historic shrines, traditional villages, gardens, and the iconic Shinkyo Bridge, and Okunikko, famous for its scenic plateau, waterfalls, and marshlands.

If this is your first time in Nikko during the winter and you have at least two full days to spare to explore the region during winter, we recommend the following itinerary. 

The Shinkyo Bridge, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Nikko’s most iconic landmarks, defining the entrance to the city’s renowned temples and shrines. 

Though relatively small, the bridge's striking vermillion color sets it apart. Once closed to the public, visitors can now walk across it for a small admission fee.

While autumn, particularly late October and early November, is the most popular time to visit due to the momiji fall foliage, the bridge's deep red hue contrasts beautifully with the winter-white snow and bare branches.

For those more interested in photographing the bridge from afar rather than crossing it, it’s possible to capture stunning views from a distance. However, be cautious of traffic since roads and intersections surround the bridge. 

The bridge is conveniently accessible from both Nikko stations, either by a 5-minute bus ride to the Shinkyo bus stop or a 30-minute walk.

Nikko has been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries, and its shrines and temples were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so while you’re still in central Nikko, take the opportunity to explore the temples that are also already close to the Shinkyo Bridge.

The first shrine you’ll see is the Rinnoji Temple, founded 1,200 years ago by Buddhist monk Shodo, who served as the first head priest of Nikko. Sanbutsudo Hall, the temple’s main building, is one of the largest wooden structures and houses eight-meter-tall gold statues of the Thousand-armed Buddha of Mt. Nantai, the Amida Buddha of Mt. Nyoho and the Horse-headed Buddha of Mt. Taro. 

Next, visit Toshogu Shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, is enshrined. Built by his grandson Iemitsu, this lavish complex includes 55 buildings, eight of which are listed as National Treasures. 

Notable features include the ornate Yomeimon Gate and carvings like the famous three monkeys and a sleeping cat. If you want to learn more about Tokugawa, head to the Nikko Toshogu Museum nearby. 

Lastly, the Futarasan-jinja Shrine, dedicated to the deity of Mt. Futarasan, is a popular spot for prayers of good luck, fertility, and happiness. Its expansive precincts cover much of Nikko National Park, and the shrine is recognized for its irimoya-style architecture — referring to the hip-and-gable roofs of the buildings — and lush gardens.

Read more: Where to Eat in Nikko

For memories you'll keep with you forever, join our exclusive byFood-original experience, combining a mesmerizing fire ritual and a tour of a historic temple with kaiseki multi-course dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko.

Practice the art of writing meditation by copying sutra or key Buddhist imagery at Chuzenji Temple, a sanctuary dating back to 784, then witness a fire ritual of chants, holy cedar and leaping flames.

With the ritual complete, you'll be guided to the resplendent dining room of The Ritz-Carlton for your meal, surrounded by Nikko's lush mountain scenes.

On the fringe of Nikko lies Okunikko, home to the Senjogahara marshlands, Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, which freezes dramatically in winter. Most sites, from waterfalls to onsen towns, can be explored along one route, making it an ideal one-day trip. Renting a car is recommended, as buses, though available, have limited schedules and the locations are spaced apart. Plus, part of the charm of Okunikko is enjoying the stunning scenery as you drive between destinations.

If you spot an ultra-winding road between Nikko and Okunikko on the map, chances are you’re looking at the famous Irohazaka Winding Road. This twisty road was once a sacred path for monks and now doubles as a sightseeing route and connector of lower elevations of central Nikko with the higher, mountainous reaches of Okunikko.  

Winter transforms the twisty, zigzagging road into a peaceful, almost mystical journey. As your car (or bus) glides through the sharp curves, the quiet beauty of Nikko National Park unfolds around you, with snow-capped trees and frost-covered cliffs creating a serene, dreamlike sequence. 

Fair warning, though: The Irohazaka Winding Road is the main path that connects you to Okunikko. While it doesn’t have steep drop-offs, its tight curves can make the drive a bit nerve-wracking for those who are prone to motion sickness or afraid of heights.

At the top of the twisty Irohazaka Winding Road is your first destination: Akechidaira Ropeway, a stretched site with a spacious parking lot, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria.  

From the edge of the parking lot itself, you can already enjoy the vows of the valley below and the snow-covered mountain range hugging site, but you can go even further up by riding the ropeway to get arguably the best view of Nikko. 

In three minutes, the ropeway carries visitors to an observation platform further up the mountain for spectacular views over Kegon Waterfall and Lake Chuzenjiko.To the east, you can see a line of perpendicular cliffs and mountain ranges.

To get to Akechidaira Ropeway by bus, get off at the Akechidaira bus stop. Admission for a round-trip is ¥1,000, and while there are no closing days, it is only open until 3:30 pm. During the winter, traffic isn’t bad, and you’ll be pleased to find ample parking spaces. 

Just a 4-minute drive from the Akecchidaira Ropeway Observation Deck lies Kegon Waterfall, one of Japan’s three most beautiful falls. At nearly 100 meters tall, it is the sole outlet for Lake Chuzenji, framed by dramatic, tree-covered cliffs. 

In winter, the waterfall's flow diminishes, often freezing solid, creating a mesmerizing scene bathed in a blue-gray hue that evokes the season's chill.

You can view the waterfall from a free observation platform that is easily accessible on foot and from a paid platform at the base. The paid platform, reached by a 100-meter-deep elevator, offers more breathtaking views of this natural wonder.

One does not simply stumble upon Lake Chuzenji — it’s impossible to miss if you’re heading from Central Nikko to the onsen towns. The massive lake, lodged at the foot of Mount Nantai above Nikko, was formed by a volcanic eruption that created a crater approximately 20,000 years ago. 

Dotted throughout its perimeter are many of Okunikko’s famous sites. On the northern shore, you’ll find the beautiful Ryuzu Waterfall; on the eastern bank lies Chuzenji Onsen, a popular hot spring resort town known for its souvenir shops, hotels and traditional ryokan.

Hiking trails wind throughout the area, and sightseeing boats are available for those looking to explore the water. A road hugs the lake's perimeter, perfect for leisurely drives.

Ryuzu Waterfall, while smaller than the renowned Kegon Fall, is known for its unique shape, which is said to resemble a dragon’s head — hence its name, “dragon head waterfall,” in Japanese. In winter, frozen sections create a magical scene, as if time has truly stood still.

Viewing Ryuzu Waterfall is free, but we highly recommend getting a meal at Cafe Ryuzu no Chaya, a cozy lodge-style eatery run by a team of elderly locals who whips out comforting Japanese cuisine. 

Situated directly facing the waterfall, sitting at the counter with windows overlooking the icy cascade and snowy landscape is an experience that photographs can’t capture. 

One of the highlights of your visit could be enjoying dishes like niku soba (soba with meat) and soba topped with yuba, or tofu skin like in the picture above. Adjacent to the restaurant, a souvenir shop sells soft-serve ice cream with the unique flavor of yuba.

En route from Lake Chuzenjiko to Yumoto Onsen, you'll encounter the stunning Senjogahara Marshland, a plateau that transforms into a winter wonderland. From December to March, the marsh is blanketed in several centimeters of snow, which can render some hiking trails impassable, but with enough snow, you can trek the marshland with snowshoes.

Fun fact: Throughout the drive in Okunikko, you might spot the pink-flushed-faced snow monkeys hanging by the branch or playing in the snow. These macaques, or nihonzaru, are native to the area and are often featured in Japanese stories, such as the Momotaro. 

At the tail end of your route and on the back of Okunikko lies the Yumoto Onsen, an idyllic, small onsen town. Known as the "origin of hot water," the area is packed with traditional ryokan (Japanese inns) with soothing hot spring baths, all set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Yunoko (meaning "hot water lake"). You don’t have to stay at the inns to dip in the natural onsen, as some also operate as public and private onsen houses. 

Adjacent to the town is the Yunodaira Marsh, which looks like a concept straight out of a fantasy book. This is where natural hot springs bubble up from the ground, and a sulfurous aroma wafts into the air. The marsh, thickly coated in winter snow, is a fascinating area to explore, traversable by wooden boardwalks. 

Wooden structures are dotted throughout the marsh, housing pumps that distribute hot water throughout the town. Despite the snow, you’ll still find puddles bubbling and steaming, their high sulfur content giving them a striking yellowish or green hue.

For more winter guides in Japan, learn more about everything you need to know about winter in Tokyo or the perpetually snowy Hokkaido and visit Japan’s best winter landscapes. 

Want to check out the other seasons? Find out the best time to visit Japan.

Yes, Nikko is easily accessible by train or car during winter. While roads are generally clear, it’s important to check weather conditions, especially if driving up to Okunikko, as snow can make the Irohazaka Winding Road slippery.

By train, it typically takes around two hours from Tokyo to Nikko, while driving can take around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Layered clothing, waterproof boots, and warm accessories like gloves, hats and scarves are essential. Nikko's winter temperatures can drop below freezing, especially in higher areas like Okunikko.

Most of Nikko’s attractions, including shrines, temples, and scenic spots, remain open during winter. However, certain sites may have reduced hours, such as the Akechidaira Ropeway, which closes by 3:30 pm. Always check operating hours before your visit.

Absolutely! Winter is one of the best times to enjoy Nikko’s onsen. Okunikko is home to several popular hot spring towns like Yumoto Onsen, where you can soak in natural hot springs while surrounded by snowy landscapes.