Kanto, Japan · Mountain
A hot spring town along the Kinugawa River gorge, with traditional ryokan perched over the canyon, the Tobu World Square theme park (1:25-scale miniature replicas of world monuments, from the Parthenon to Tokyo Tower), walks and boat rides along the gorge itself, and, further up the valley, the gateway to even more remote hot springs like Yunishigawa and Okukinu.
Train — Direct Tobu limited express from Asakusa, no transfer, ~2h, ¥3,040-3,730 depending on train type (upper end taken here). 100% private Tobu line, with no JR relationship. For anyone based in Nikko, a local train via a transfer at Shimo-Imaichi takes just 45min for ¥330 — much cheaper and shorter than going back to Tokyo.
👨👩👧👦 Family / kids trip
Traditional ryokan perched directly over the Kinugawa River canyon, many with open-air baths (rotenburo) overlooking the gorge.
Forty minutes in a flat wooden boat between rocks and rapids, with the boatman narrating the landscape; it does not operate from late November to mid-April.
From late January to early March, some seven hundred miniature snow huts lit with candles cover the riverbank in the neighbouring village of Yunishigawa.
A theme park set in the Edo period, with recreated streets and samurai residences, ninja shows, and the chance to dress up as a samurai or a princess; about 20 minutes by bus from Kinugawa Onsen station.
Trails and viewpoints along the rocky canyon carved by the Kinugawa River, with suspension bridges and volcanic rock formations.
Six kilometres of trail through a gorge whose rock changes colour (purple, green and white, the 'three dragons' that give it its name), with waterfalls along the way.
A theme park with 1:25-scale miniature replicas of more than 100 world monuments, from the Parthenon to Tokyo Tower, with animated figures.
Several ryokan open their baths above the river to visitors who are not staying, a convenient option if the town is done as a day trip.
In summer fireworks are set off over the canyon, visible from the bridges and from the terraces of the ryokan themselves.
Free foot baths right as you step off the train, the quickest way to try the town's waters.
Shrine of the dragon god beside the river; on July 25 and 26 its festival is held, with a mikoshi of a thousand lanterns and fireworks over the gorge.
A reconstructed village of thatched houses commemorating the survivors of the Heike clan who hid in these mountains after losing the war of the 12th century.
A neighbouring hot spring town with much softer water and a quiet atmosphere, a good counterpoint to the bustle of Kinugawa's big hotels.
From late January to late February, oni demons, taiko drums and even a themed steam train take over the town.
Woodcarving with the curved gouge characteristic of the craftsmen who decorated the Nikko shrines.
A descent by inflatable raft down the fast stretch of the river, with local operators and equipment included.
Four thermal inns upstream reachable only on foot or by shuttle, with no direct road access: the real disconnection in this area.
Four minutes by ropeway to a viewpoint over the valley, with a monkey enclosure where the animals can be fed.
Further up the valley, an even more remote and quiet hot spring village, traditionally linked to defeated Heike clan survivors; reachable by bus from Kinugawa Onsen.
A restored steam train running as far as Kinugawa Onsen, with a turntable at Shimo-Imaichi station where the locomotive can be seen being turned.
Tochigi is Japan's top strawberry prefecture and the greenhouses in the area open from winter into spring.
The thin soy skin of Nikko, served fresh, fried or in broth: the speciality of this whole part of Tochigi.
Tell us how many days you have and what you are interested in, and the planner builds a realistic itinerary with real train times.
Open the planner