Tochigi Access Guide

Tochigi Prefecture is relatively close to the metropolitan area, which is one of the reasons why it is often chosen as the destination for elementary and middle school field trips. It only takes 2 hours from Shinjuku to get to Nikko, the number one tourist destination in Tochigi, and even less from Tokyo Station, making airplanes unnecessary. Therefore, Tochigi is the best place to travel to if on a budget.

Train

Taking the Train and Shinkansen is by far the cheapest and easiest way to get to Tochigi and Nikko. From Shinjuku or Asakusa stations, it takes 2 hours by JR on the “Spacia” Express line. From Tokyo Station, it is an hour and a half by Tohoku Shinkansen and Nikko Line. If you are starting from Utsunomiya, you can take the JR line to Nikko, as well as the Tobu Line if you are starting from Tochigi Station, all within an hour. If you buy the JR Kanto Area train pass, you can even get unlimited rides on limited express trains and Shinkansen. How convienient!

 

Buses are also an option if you want to save money. From Narita airport, there are direct highway buses that take less than 4 hours to Nikko, and less than 3 hours to get to Utsunomiya. From Ibaraki Airport, you can also drive a car for an hour and a half to get to Utsunomiya station, if you have an international driver’s license.