Autumn Colors in Oku-Nikko and Senjogahara marshland
奥日光と戦場ヶ原の紅葉 （日光市）
Visit this Autumn wonderland and enjoy walking, hiking, cycling, as well as fun water activities.
DATE
TIME & SCHEDULE
Spot 1: Odashirogahara（小田代ヶ原）
Best time for autumn Colors — Late September to Mid October
Spot 2: Senjogahara（戦場ヶ原）
Best time for autumn Colors — Late September to Mid October
Spot 3: Yumoto / Lake Yunoko（湯元 / 湯ノ湖）
Best time for autumn Colors — Early October to Late October
Spot 4: Ryuzu Falls / Ryuzu no taki（竜頭ノ滝）
Best time for autumn Colors — Early October to Late October
Spot 5: Lake Chuzenji / Chuzenjiko（中禅寺湖）
Best time for autumn Colors — Mid October to Early November
Spot 6: Kegon Falls / Kegon no taki（華厳の滝）
Best time for autumn Colors — Late October to Mid November
COST
Free
How to enjoy the autumn colors in Oku-Nikko?
Take stunning photos
Enjoy the nature
Walk in nature
Hiking
Chuzenji Lake Cruise
Historical buildings and shrines
Enjoy water sports (SUP, Canoeing)
Friends & Family
Couples
Enjoy for a full day
Chuzenji Lake Cruise
Soak in the 🍁🍂 amazing autumn colors in Oku-Nikko
Further into the mountains from the UNESCO registered Nikko shrines is ⛰️ Oku-Nikko, a popular destination where you can experience a beautiful view of orange, red, and yellow 🍁🍂🍃 leaves covering the mountains, lakes and waterfalls. This magnificent fall foliage has been enjoyed many artists and is a sight not to be missed.
There are many ways to enjoy Oku-Nikko’s beauty such as taking the 🛥️ Chuzenjiko lake cruise or visiting the English & Italian embassy villas, visiting waterfalls (such as the famous Kegon falls) or🚶walking through the many footpaths.
If you are active, we recommend 🛶 canoeing or 🏄standup paddle-boarding or 🥾hiking up one of the hills to enjoy a view from above. There is also a ⛺camping site in Shoubugahama, on the shore of Chuzenji lake, where you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty and watch the early morning mist cross the lake.
🌰 Peak season for the 🍁🍂autumn leaves in Oku-Nikko is late September to Late October. (Oku-Nikko is higher than the Nikko shrines (Toshogu shrines) so peak season is earlier than the autumn leaves
During peak season, the roads can get busy in the morning, so we recommend staying at least one night at one of the nice hotels near Chuzenjiko Lake to make the most of your journey!
*Oku-Nikko is home to Chuzenjiko Lake which is 1,269 meters above sea level, making it the highest elevated lake in Japan.
What else to do in Oku-Nikko?
Onesn (Hot springs)
Nice Hotels and Ryokans
Camping
Enjoy local food (vegetables and fish)
Kitrip Nikko
Akechidaira Ropeway
Oku-Nikko
Ryokan (Japanese style)
Hotel (Western style)
There are many western style Hotels in Oku-Nikko including the newly opened Ritz-Carlton.
Holiday rental (Airbnb)
Guesthouses
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
Access (How to get to Oku-Nikko)
Spot 1: Odashirogahara
How to get there
Public Transport
3hrs from Tokyo by train & Bus. (Tobu line)
Car
3hrs drive from Tokyo by car
Location & Address
Address
Entrance of Hiking trail
(Akanuma Chaya )
2494 Chuguji, Nikko city, Tochigi Pref
〒321-1661 栃木県日光市中宮祠2494
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Railway +Bus
From Tokyo, take the Tobu Limited express to Tobu Nikko station. Then take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Akanuma Bus stop (Bus stop No. 39). *This is better if you have a Nikko Pass.
Via JR Railway + Bus
From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station. and change to the JR Nikko line. From JR Nikko sta. take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Akanuma Bus stop (Bus stop No. 39). *This is better if you have a JR Pass.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Express way to Utsunomiya IC and change to the Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway). Get off at Kiyotaki IC and drive 45 min.
*Peak season can be very busy, especially on weekends (the roads start to get crowded at 6:30 AM from Kiotaki IC).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Spot 2: Senjogahara
How to get there
Public Transport
3hrs from Tokyo by train & Bus.
Car
Location & Address
Address
Entrance of Hiking trail
(Akanuma Chaya )
2494 Chuguji, Nikko city, Tochigi Pref
〒321-1661 栃木県日光市中宮祠2494
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Railway +Bus
From Tokyo, take the Tobu Limited express to Tobu Nikko station. Then take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Akanuma Bus stop (Bus stop No. 39). *This is better if you have a Nikko Pass.
Via JR Railway + Bus
From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station. and change to the JR Nikko line. From JR Nikko sta. take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Akanuma Bus stop (Bus stop No. 39). *This is better if you have a JR Pass.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Express way to Utsunomiya IC and change to the Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway). Get off at Kiyotaki IC and drive 45 min.
*Peak season can be very busy, especially on weekends (the roads start to get crowded at 6:30 AM from Kiotaki IC).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Spot 3: Yumoto (Lake Yunoko)
How to get there
Public Transport
Car
3hrs 30min drive from Tokyo by car
Location & Address
Address
Yumoto Visitor Center (日光湯元ビジターセンター)
2549-27 Yumoto, Nikko city, Tochigi Pref
〒321-1662 栃木県日光市湯元2549-27
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Railway + Bus
From Tokyo take the Tobu Limited express to Tobu Nikko station. Then take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Yumoto Onsen stop (Bus stop No. 46).
Via JR Railway + Bus
Take the Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station and change to the JR Nikko line. From JR Nikko station take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Yumoto Onsen Bus stop (Bus stop No. 46).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Express way to Utsunomiya IC and change to the Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway). Get off at Kiyotaki IC and drive 60 min.
*Peak season can be very busy especially on weekends (the roads start to get crowded at 6:30AM from Kiotaki IC).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Spot 4: Ryuzu Falls (Ryuzu no taki)
How to get there
Public Transport
3hrs from Tokyo by train & Bus.
Car
3hrs drive from Tokyo by car
Location & Address
Address
Ryuzu Falls (Ryuzu no taki)
2845 Chuguji, Nikko city, Tochigi Pref
〒321-1661 栃木県日光市中宮祠2845
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Railway + Bus
From Tokyo take the Tobu Limited express to Tobu Nikko station. Then take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Ryuzu no Taki bus stop (Bus stop No. 37).
Via JR Railway + Bus
Take the Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station and change to the JR Nikko line. From JR Nikko station take the Tobu Bus towards Yumoto Onsen and get off at Ryuzu no Taki bus stop (Bus stop No. 37).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Express way to Utsunomiya IC and change to the Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway). Get off at Kiyotaki IC and drive 40 min.
*Peak season can be very busy especially on weekends (the roads start to get crowded at 6:30AM from Kiotaki IC).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Spot 5: Lake Chuzenji (Chuzenjiko)
How to get there
Public Transport
3hrs from Tokyo by train & Bus.
Car
3hrs drive from Tokyo by car
Location & Address
Address
Chuzenji Onsen Bus stop
中禅寺温泉バス停周辺
2480-1 Chuguji, Nikko city, Tochigi Prefecture
〒321-1661 栃木県日光市中宮祠 2480-1
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Railway + Bus
From Tokyo take the Tobu Limited express to Tobu Nikko station. Then take the Tobu Bus towards Chuzenjiko and get off at Chuzenji Onsen bus stop (Bus stop No. 26).
Via JR Railway + Bus
Take the Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station and change to the JR Nikko line. From JR Nikko station take the Tobu Bus towards Chuzenjiko and get off at Chuzenji Onsen bus stop (Bus stop No. 26).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Express way to Utsunomiya IC and change to the Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway). Get off at Kiyotaki IC and drive 40 min.
*Peak season can be very busy especially on weekends (the roads start to get crowded at 6:30AM from Kiotaki IC).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Spot 6: Kegon Falls (Kegon no Taki)
How to get there
Public Transport
3hrs from Tokyo by train & Bus.
Car
2hrs 45min drive from Tokyo by car
Akechidaira Ropeway
Location & Address
Address
Walk from Chuzenji Onsen Bus stop
中禅寺温泉バス停周辺
2480-1 Chuguji, Nikko city, Tochigi Prefecture
〒321-1661 栃木県日光市中宮祠 2480-1
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Railway + Bus
From Tokyo take the Tobu Limited express to Tobu Nikko station. Then take the Tobu Bus towards Chuzenjiko and get off at Chuzenji Onsen bus stop (Bus stop No. 26).
Via JR Railway + Bus
Take the Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station and change to the JR Nikko line. From JR Nikko station take the Tobu Bus towards Chuzenjiko and get off at Chuzenji Onsen bus stop (Bus stop No. 26).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway)
From Tokyo take the Tohoku Express way to Utsunomiya IC and change to the Nikko-Utsunomiya Yuryo Douro (Nikko-Utsunomiya Expressway). Get off at Kiyotaki IC and drive 40 min.
*Peak season can be very busy especially on weekends (the roads start to get crowded at 6:30AM from Kiotaki IC).
*If you want to take the ropeway from Akechidaira, please be aware that it is on a one-way road so the only way to see it is to stop on the way up Irohazaka road.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Contact Details (Event Organizer)
Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center
Autumn season calendar (External Link – Japanese)
Oku Nikko Onsen Ryokan Association
About Autumn Hiking (External Link – Japanese)
Nikko Natural Science Museum
English Website (External Link)
Nikko Official Guide
English Website (External Link)
Oku-Nikko-Shitsugen (Ramsar sites in Japan)
English Article (PDF) (External Link)
Bus routes (Nikko and Oku-Nikko) updated April, 2022
PDF (Bus route map for Nikko area) (External Link)
Disclaimer: NearbyTokyo.com strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information by researching and contacting event organizers. All information on the page is provided in good faith. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, or availability of any information found here. Readers are encouraged to verify any information with official sources.
