THE GUIDE
Tochigi gives a trip from Tokyo separate bases: the shrines and temples of central Nikko, Lake Chuzenji in the mountains above them, the hot-spring town of Kinugawa, and the highlands of Nasu. Travel time between them is part of the choice, so this guide compares the rated stays by place first, then by rooms, baths and awards.
On this page
The short answer
In central Nikko, by the shrines: FUFU Nikko, with two MICHELIN Keys and 24 rooms, each with its own bath. On Lake Chuzenji: The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. In Kinugawa, with a private bath: Kinugawa Keisui. In Nasu, a small ryokan: Nasu Bettei Kai, with ten rooms.
The stays compared: area, rooms, baths and awards
| Stay | Area | Rooms | Bath | Award / price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUFU Nikko | Nikko | 24 | Every room | Two Keys / about US$327 |
| The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko | Lake Chuzenji | 94 | Not recorded | Two Keys / not recorded |
| Kinugawa Keisui | Kinugawa | 58 | Every room | One Key / about US$539 |
| Nasu Bettei Kai | Nasu | 10 | Every room | Ryokan Collection / about US$341 |
Pick the destination before the hotel
Central Nikko is about two hours from Asakusa or Shinjuku by limited express, and the World Heritage shrines and temples are about 13 minutes from Nikko and Tobu-Nikko stations on the World Heritage Tour bus. Lake Chuzenji is about 50 minutes further by bus, up the Irohazaka road; the lake is at 1,269 metres. Kinugawa is 35 to 45 minutes by train from Tobu-Nikko Station. Nasu is a separate trip from Nikko: about 75 minutes from Tokyo to Nasushiobara on the Tohoku Shinkansen “Nasuno”. Check transfer times before putting Nikko and Nasu in one short stay.
Nikko, Kinugawa and Nasu rated stays
Nikko, Tochigi
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
ザ・リッツ・カールトン日光
US$720〜Per room / night
Check rates — The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
Nikko, Tochigi
TOKYU Harvest Club VIALA Kinugawa Keisui
東急ハーヴェストクラブVIALA鬼怒川渓翠
US$539〜Per person · 2 meals
from US$1,080 for 2
Check rates — TOKYU Harvest Club VIALA Kinugawa Keisui
Prices are in US dollars, converted from the yen the properties quote at the Oct 7, 2026 reference rate, and are indicative.
A price marked ≈ is itself an estimate: halved from a published two-person total, or rounded from an earlier figure. Totals for 2 assume two guests sharing one room.
Who this region suits
Choose Tochigi if you want a trip of about two hours from Tokyo by train that pairs shrines and temples, a mountain lake or the highlands with an onsen stay, without flying. Choose elsewhere if sea views come first. Compare rated stays near Tokyo, Hakone and Izu and Atami.
One stay from this guide: FUFU Nikko
Compare current rates for FUFU Nikko
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Nikko or Nasu for a first trip?
Choose Nikko for the World Heritage shrines and temples, reached by limited express and local buses. Choose Nasu for a highland stay; it is a separate trip from Nikko.
Is Kinugawa in Nikko?
Administratively yes, but it is a separate hot-spring base from central Nikko and Lake Chuzenji. Compare transfer times before booking.