This is the most important blogpost you should read and understand for using buses in Nikko, Japan.
The most comprehensive of the Nikko Bus passes is the “All Nikko Pass” which is considered the best choice as it covers unlimited bus service for an extensive four-day period from Tobu/JR Nikko train stations to destinations as far as Yumoto Onsen.
Along the way, passengers can enjoy visiting numerous sightseeing spots such as world heritage sites, the Akechidaira ropeway, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Senjogahara, and Lake Yu.
The primary benefit to buying this pass is that it includes roundtrip train transportation from Asakusa in Tokyo to Tobu Nikko station – which serves as the central hub for exploring Nikko. It’s important to note that Nikko is a vast city – ranking as Japan’s third largest in size – which makes this pass incredibly useful.
The “All Nikko” bus pass tickets can be purchased in person exclusively at Asakusa station. You can not purchase the 4 day bus pass in Nikko, you will be limited to the 2 day bus pass. The 4 day bus pass (which includes round trip train to/from Tokyo is ¥4,780 (April 20 – November 30) or ¥4,160 (December 1 to April 19). The 2 day bus pass is available for roundtrip to Chuzenji Onsen for ¥2,300 or roundtrip to Yumoto Onsen for ¥3,500.
You can buy the 4 day pass (All-Nikko Pass) in person at Asakusa station in Tokyo.
The 2 day pass is the “Nikko Free Pass,” valid for two consecutive days of bus travel here. This convenient pass can only be bought in Nikko at Tobu Nikko or JR Nikko train stations or online at https://ticket.jorudan.co.jp/tobu-bus-nikko/en/. However, and this is just bazaar, the ticket counter at the Tobu Nikko train station doesn’t start selling physical tickets until 8:20am. There is also a vending machine at the station, BUT they don’t turn it on until 8:20am. So, if you want to take an earlier bus, you NEED to buy the bus ticket beforehand using their app or the link above.
The 2 day “Nikko Free Pass” tickets can be purchased at (JR) Nikko Station, Tobu-Nikko station or their app. When you buy the ticket using their app, you will receive a ticket in their dedicated app to use of the bus. Download it on the App Store or Google Play.
Both types of pass include itinerary locations such as Kegon Waterfall, Chuzenji Lake, Ryuzu Waterfall, Senjogahara, Lake Yu, or Yumoto Onsen.
Opting for a “Nikko Free Pass” is more cost-effective than buying single-use tickets for bus travel (roundtrip). The “Free” in the pass name refers to the flexibility it provides by allowing passengers to hop on and off at any location along the bus route as many times as desired.
The main distinction between the Nikko Free Passes and the All Nikko Pass is that the former covers only buses within Nikko, while the latter includes roundtrip train transportation from Asakusa station in Tokyo. The “Nikko Free Pass” is great for holders of the JR Rail Pass since you can arrive in Nikko using the JR line. Transfer from the Shinkansen at Utsunomiya station and take the Nikko line to (JR) Nikko Station. You don’t need to activate your JR Rail pass for Nikko as it is so close to Tokyo and the passes mentioned in this article are more affordable.
For those interested in visiting World Heritage sites, a 600 yen ticket option is available, saving you from walking uphill for 25 minutes from Tobu Nikko or JR Nikko stations.
Every morning here at earth hostel ~ nikko riverhouse, a free shuttle service transports guests directly to these UNESCO World Heritage locations or to JR Nikko or Tobu Nikko train stations to purchase a “Nikko Tobu Bus Free Pass” and catch the necessary bus.
Book Direct At Earth Hostel Nikko Riverhouse
- ¥600 : Tobu Bus World Heritage Sightseeing Pass- Tobu Nikko station or JR Nikko station <> World Heritage: This one-day unlimited nikko pass world heritage area ticket is suitable for visitors exploring iconic spots like Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko-zan Rinno-ji Temple, and Nikko Futarasan-jinja Shrine. You will receive coupons a discount for the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. Below you can download the nikko world heritage bus map.
- ¥2,300 : Tobu Bus Chuzenji Onsen Pass – Tobu Nikko station or JR Nikko station <> Lake Chuzenji (Osaki bus stop) : This two-day unlimited Chuzenji Onsen Bus pass ticket is perfect for customers wishing to visit Akechidaira Plateau, Kegon Falls, and Chuzenji Onsen. You will receive coupons a discount for the Chuzenji Lake Boat Cruise, he hybrid bus from Akanuma to Sainoko, Akechidaira Ropeway, Nikko Natural Science Museum and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park.
- ¥3,500 : Tobu Bus Yumoto Onsen Pass – Yumoto Onsen < > Tobu Nikko station or JR Nikko station: Another convenient two-day unlimited ride option catering to travelers who want to see Akechidaira Plateau, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu Falls, Senjogahara Plateau, and Yumoto Onsen. You will receive coupons a discount for the Chuzenji Lake Boat Cruise, he hybrid bus from Akanuma to Sainoko, Akechidaira Ropeway, Nikko Natural Science Museum and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park.
- ¥1,500 : Tobu Bus Kirifuri Kogen Pass – Tobu Nikko station or JR Nikko station <> Kirifuri Falls, Kirifuru Koen and Kirifuri Highland
Book Direct At Earth Hostel Nikko Riverhouse
? Buses up the mountain to the trailheads
The Nikk? stations ? Ch?zenji ? Senj?gahara ? Yumoto. Times show when each bus arrives at that stop.
| ? Hostel shuttle leaves |
Tobu-Nikk? Stn board here |
Ch?zenji Onsen Lake · Nantai · Kegon |
Akanuma Senj?gahara |
Yumoto Onsen Yutaki · Shirane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:50am* | 6:09am | 6:54am | 7:13am | 7:26am |
| 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:15am | · | · |
| 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:40am | 7:59am | 8:12am |
| 7:23am | 7:53am | 8:38am | 8:57am | 9:10am |
| 8:05am | 8:35am | 9:20am | · | · |
| 8:15am | 8:45am | 9:30am | 9:49am | 10:10am |
| 8:35am | 9:05am | 9:50am | 10:09am | 10:30am |
| 9:05am | 9:35am | 10:20am | · | · |
| 9:15am | 9:45am | 10:30am | 10:49am | 11:10am |
| 9:25am | 9:55amEX | 10:40am | · | · |
| 9:35am | 10:05am | 10:50am | 11:09am | 11:30am |
| — | 10:35am | 11:20am | · | · |
| — | 10:43am | 11:28am | 11:47am | 12:08pm |
| — | 11:05amEX | 11:50am | · | · |
| — | 11:10am | 11:55am | 12:14pm | 12:35pm |
| — | 11:35am | 12:20pm | · | · |
| — | 11:40am | 12:25pm | 12:44pm | 1:05pm |
| ? Afternoon | ||||
| — | 12:07pm | 12:52pm | · | · |
| — | 12:15pm | 1:00pm | 1:19pm | 1:40pm |
| — | 12:45pm | 1:30pm | 1:49pm | 2:10pm |
| — | 1:13pm | 1:58pm | 2:17pm | 2:38pm |
| — | 1:30pm | 2:15pm | · | · |
| — | 1:35pm | 2:20pm | 2:39pm | 3:00pm |
| — | 2:13pm | 2:58pm | 3:17pm | 3:38pm |
| — | 2:33pm | 3:18pm | 3:37pm | 3:58pm |
EX = express (skips minor stops). A “·” means that bus terminates at Ch?zenji Onsen. Ry?zu Falls is the stop just before Akanuma (?3 min) — use the Akanuma time. * The 5:50 AM shuttle is earlier than our standard 6 AM start — let us know the night before and we’ll run it. Buses up the mountain also run through the afternoon and evening (last ~9:20 PM from Tobu-Nikk?) — ask us if you need a later one.
? Buses back down the mountain return to Tobu-Nikk?
Yumoto ? Senj?gahara ? Ch?zenji ? the Nikk? stations.
| Yumoto Onsen depart |
Akanuma Senj?gahara |
Ch?zenji Onsen depart |
Tobu-Nikk? Stn pickup point |
JR Nikk? Stn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · | · | 7:25am | 8:01am | 8:05am |
| 7:33am | 7:42am | 8:05am | 8:41am | 8:45am |
| 8:25am | 8:42am | 9:05am | 9:41am | 9:45am |
| · | · | 9:30am | 10:06am | 10:10am |
| 9:20am | 9:37am | 10:00am | 10:36am | 10:40am |
| · | · | 10:30am | 11:06am | 11:10am |
| · | · | 10:50am | 11:26am | 11:30am |
| 10:20am | 10:37am | 11:00am | 11:36am | 11:40am |
| 10:40am | 10:57am | 11:20am | 11:56am | 12:00pm |
| ? Afternoon | ||||
| · | · | 11:30am | 12:06pm | 12:10pm |
| 11:20am | 11:37am | 12:00pm | 12:36pm | 12:40pm |
| · | · | 12:10pm | 12:46pm | 12:50pm |
| 12:00pm | 12:17pm | 12:40pm | 1:16pm | 1:20pm |
| · | · | 12:55pm | 1:31pm | 1:35pm |
| 12:35pm | 12:52pm | 1:15pm | 1:51pm | 1:55pm |
| 12:55pm | 1:12pm | 1:35pm | 2:11pm | 2:15pm |
| · | · | 1:55pm | 2:31pm | 2:35pm |
| 1:30pm | 1:47pm | 2:10pm | 2:46pm | 2:50pm |
| 1:50pm | 2:07pm | 2:30pm | 3:06pm | 3:10pm |
| · | · | 2:45pmEX | 3:20pm | · |
| 2:20pm | 2:37pm | 3:00pm | 3:36pm | 3:40pm |
| 2:50pm | 3:07pm | 3:30pm | 4:06pm | 4:10pm |
| 3:10pm | 3:27pm | 3:50pm | 4:26pm | 4:30pm |
| 3:48pm | 4:05pm | 4:28pm | 5:04pm | 5:08pm |
| 4:03pm | 4:12pm | 4:35pm | 5:11pm | 5:15pm |
| · | · | 5:00pmEX | 5:35pm | · |
| 4:48pm | 4:57pm | 5:20pm | 5:56pm | 6:00pm |
| 5:15pm | 5:24pm | 5:47pm | 6:23pm | 6:27pm |
| · | · | 6:15pm | 6:51pm | 6:55pm |
| 5:55pm | 6:04pm | 6:27pm | 7:03pm | 7:07pm |
| 6:30pm | 6:39pm | 7:02pm | 7:38pm | 7:42pm |
| 7:30pm | 7:39pm | 8:02pm | 8:38pm | 8:42pm |
EX = express, ends at Tobu-Nikk?. A “·” in the left columns means that bus starts at Ch?zenji Onsen (handy after Nantai or Kegon at the lake). Ry?zu Falls is the stop right by Akanuma (?4 min) — use the Akanuma time. The last bus from Yumoto Onsen leaves 7:30 PM, reaching Tobu-Nikk? at 8:38 PM for the 9 PM pickup.
One-way fare from the Nikk? stations: Ch?zenji Onsen ¥1,250 · Ry?zu Falls ¥1,600 · Akanuma ¥1,700 · Yumoto Onsen ¥1,950 (as of 1 Apr 2026). A Ch?zenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen Free Pass gives unlimited rides plus the World Heritage loop — usually cheaper than two single fares. See getting here for pass details.
- Pay as you get off — ¥10,000 / ¥5,000 / ¥2,000 notes and credit cards are accepted on board.
- On weekends, holidays and during October–November the route can change for shrine festivals; confirm on the day.
- Journey times: stations ? Ch?zenji ? 48 min · stations ? Yumoto ? 88 min.
- Timetable valid 1 April – 30 November 2026.
Below is the 2026 Nikko bus timetable schedule
