Nikko and Kamakura day trips from Tokyo: trains, passes and costs

Nikko or Kamakura?

Nikko: getting there

Times from the Nikko Official Guide and JNTO. Limited express fees from Tobu’s table from 15 March 2025: for the longest distance band, ¥1,650 (Kegon and Revaty Kegon) or ¥1,940 (SPACIA X standard seat) in the regular period, ¥200 more in peak periods and ¥200 less in low-demand periods; we have not confirmed from Tobu that Asakusa–Tobu-Nikko falls in that band, and the basic fare is a typical figure. Check Tobu’s own ticket site before you go. JR and Tobu also run joint limited expresses from JR Shinjuku to Tobu-Nikko (about two hours, reservations needed).

Is the NIKKO PASS world heritage area worth it?

If you go by Tobu, usually yes. It costs ¥3,000 (child ¥1,500), is valid for 2 days and includes:

• one round trip between Asakusa and Shimo-Imaichi at the basic fare;
• all Tobu trains between Shimo-Imaichi, Tobu-Nikko and Shin-Fujiwara;
• Tobu buses in the World Heritage area, including the World Heritage Sightseeing Bus to the shrines.

Not included: limited express tickets (buy them separately for each way) and entry to the shrines and temples. It is sold to foreign travellers, online or at Tobu’s tourist information centre in Asakusa; check Tobu’s page for the current sales rules.

A day in Nikko

1. Morning: an early limited express from Asakusa (or the Shinkansen from Tokyo with a JR Pass).
2. Late morning: bus to the shrines and Toshogu: ¥1,600 for adults and high school students, ¥550 for elementary and junior high school students; open 9:00–17:00 April–October and 9:00–16:00 November–March, entry until 30 minutes before closing.
3. Afternoon: the other World Heritage shrines and temples nearby, or a bus up to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls (about 50 minutes from Nikko Station to Chuzenjiko Onsen). The Akechidaira Ropeway is closed from 16 January 2026 to 31 August 2027.
4. Evening: back to Tokyo; reserve your limited express seat for the return too.

Kamakura: getting there

Times from Visit Kamakura (Kamakura City Tourist Association). The fare is a typical journey-planner figure, not from JR’s own page.

A day in Kamakura

1. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: about 10 minutes’ walk from the East Exit of JR Kamakura Station; the gates open 6:00–20:00 and there is no fee for the grounds (the Treasure Hall is ¥200).
2. Enoden to Hase (5 minutes, ¥200; IC cards work).
3. Great Buddha at Kotoku-in: ¥300 (children 6–12 ¥150), ¥50 more to go inside the statue; 8:00–17:30 April–September, 8:00–17:00 October–March.
4. Hasedera: ¥400 (children 6–11 ¥200); 8:00–17:00 July–March (last entry 16:30), 8:00–17:30 April–June (last entry 17:00).
5. Optional: Enoshima by Enoden (Kamakura–Enoshima 23 minutes, ¥260). Riding Kamakura–Hase–Enoshima and back with stops is when the ¥800 Noriorikun 1-day pass starts to make sense.

Kamakura asks visitors to mind the people around them when eating and drinking on the street, keep quiet at temples and shrines, and stay on the path on hiking trails. More in our etiquette and tipping guide.

When a tour helps

Both trips are straightforward on public transport. A tour is worth it when:

• You want Toshogu, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji in one day without managing the trains and the mountain bus. The Nikko day tours we saw on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026 were mostly 10–11 hours from Tokyo.
• You want Kamakura and Enoshima with a guide and temple tickets included; most listed tours were 9–10 hours.
• Not worth it if you hold a Japan Rail Pass and only want Kamakura, or Toshogu alone: the trains are easier than a coach timetable.

Quick answers

Nikko or Kamakura: which is the better day trip from Tokyo?

Kamakura is closer (about an hour by JR from Tokyo Station) and easy to do in half a day or a relaxed full day. Nikko is about two hours away and needs a full day, but rewards it with Toshogu Shrine and, if you have time, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.

How do I get from Tokyo to Nikko?

Tobu limited express trains from Asakusa take about two hours to Tobu-Nikko, and all seats are reserved. The JR route (Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then the JR Nikko Line) takes about 1 hour 40 minutes with a good connection and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Is the NIKKO PASS world heritage area worth it?

Often, if you go by Tobu. It costs ¥3,000 (adult) for 2 days and includes one round trip Asakusa–Shimo-Imaichi at the basic fare, Tobu trains to Tobu-Nikko and buses around the World Heritage area. Limited express tickets and shrine entry are extra. It is sold to foreign travellers only.

How much is Nikko Toshogu?

¥1,600 for adults and high school students, ¥550 for elementary and junior high school students. It opens 9:00–17:00 from April to October and 9:00–16:00 from November to March; entry closes 30 minutes before.

How do I get from Tokyo to Kamakura?

JR Yokosuka Line direct from Tokyo Station to Kamakura in about 60 minutes (about 50 from Shinagawa). IC cards work, and the Japan Rail Pass covers it.

How much is the Great Buddha of Kamakura?

Kotoku-in charges ¥300 for adults and ¥150 for children aged 6–12, plus ¥50 to go inside the statue. It opens 8:00–17:30 from April to September and 8:00–17:00 from October to March.

Is the Enoden 1-day pass worth it?

Only if you ride on beyond Hase. The Noriorikun pass is ¥800, while Kamakura–Hase is ¥200 each way and Kamakura–Enoshima ¥260. For the Great Buddha and Hasedera only, single fares or an IC card are cheaper.

More day trips from Tokyo: Mt Fuji and Hakone. Will a JR Pass pay for itself? Check with our JR Pass guide and checker. Combining Nikko with GALA Yuzawa or the Fujikyu line in three days? JR East’s ¥16,000 JR TOKYO Wide Pass is in JR Pass vs regional passes. Pay the Enoden and JR with an IC card such as Suica, and put your dates in the trip planner.

Sources

Checked against these pages on 24 October 2026. Official pages take precedence over this summary.

1. Tobu Railway: NIKKO PASS world heritage area: price, validity and zone
   Railway operator.
2. Tobu Railway: Limited express fees with peak and low-demand pricing from 15 Mar 2025 (PDF)
   Railway operator.
3. Tobu Railway: FAQ: NIKKO PASS sales, Kegon vs Kinu, refunds
   Railway operator.
4. Nikko Official Guide: Getting here and around: Tobu and JR routes from Tokyo
5. Japan National Tourism Organization: Nikko National Park: how to get there
6. Nikko Toshogu: Opening hours and admission (Japanese)
   The shrine’s own site.
7. JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group): Scope of validity: lines, trains and non-JR sections
   Official JR Group site.
8. Kamakura City Tourist Association (Visit Kamakura): Access: getting to Kamakura by train
9. Kamakura City Tourist Association (Visit Kamakura): Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: hours, fees and access
10. Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura): Opening hours and fees
    The temple’s own site.
11. Hasedera (Kamakura): Admission and access
    The temple’s own site.
12. Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden): Kamakura and Enoshima area guide: Enoden fares and IC cards
    Railway operator.
13. Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden): Enoden 1-day pass “Noriorikun”
    Railway operator.
14. Kamakura City Tourist Association (Visit Kamakura): Respect Kamakura guidelines

General information. Fares, timetables and opening hours change; each operator’s own page is always right. JapanBenri is not affiliated with Tobu, JR, Enoden, the shrines and temples or any tour company.