The Nikko Cross may save you time and money in your journey to Nikko. However is it value it? And the way does it work? We’ve bought all the data for you!
In the event you’re planning to go to Nikko throughout your journey to Japan, chances are you’ll need to look into getting one of many two low cost Nikko Passes offered by Tobu Railway. Each embrace a return ticket from Asakusa Station to Nikko, limitless bus and practice journey inside sure areas and a few further reductions.
These passes may doubtlessly prevent money and time, for each a Nikko day journey and longer visits to the world. Under, we’ve bought all the data you’ll want to assist you resolve if the move is sweet worth on your journey to Nikko.

Tobu Railway elevated the costs of the World Heritage Space move and the All Space move in spring 2025. Whereas earlier variations of this text really useful each passes, the All Space move is not a superb match for shorter journeys to Nikko. Learn on to see if the Nikko Cross is best for you.
What’s the Nikko Cross?
The Nikko Cross is a reduction move created by Tobu Railway for exploring the World Heritage Websites of Nikko. The move features a return practice ticket from Tokyo’s Asakusa Station, limitless practice and bus journeys in sure areas and reductions at some theme parks, eating places and memento retailers.
There are two Nikko Passes – the World Heritage Space move and the All Space move.
The Nikko Cross World Heritage Space is legitimate for 2 consecutive days and means that you can journey freely throughout the world heritage space, which is centred across the spectacular Nikko Toshogu Shrine. It’s excellent in the event you’re visiting for one or two days to see the principle highlights in Nikko (Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple) and Kinugawa Onsen.
The Nikko Cross All Space is legitimate for 4 consecutive days and provides you the chance to discover Nikko even additional. The move enables you to journey freely throughout the world heritage space, Okunikko space, Lake Chuzenji and Kinugawa Onsen. This can be a better option in the event you’re visiting for a number of days and need to go to extra of Nikko’s nature, like Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.


Nikko Cross World Heritage Space vs. Nikko Cross All Space
Listed here are the principle variations between the 2 Nikko Passes:
Nikko Cross World Heritage Space | Nikko Cross All Space |
---|---|
2 consecutive days | 4 consecutive days |
Spherical journey between Asakusa and Shimo-Imaichi | Spherical journey between Asakusa and Shimo-Imaichi |
Limitless journey on:
(See maps beneath) |
Limitless journey on:
(See maps beneath) |
Purchase your Nikko Cross right here | Purchase your Nikko Cross right here |
Nikko Cross World Heritage Space
Tobu Railway Restricted Categorical Trains
For an extra charge, you can too buy tickets for the restricted categorical from Tobu Asakusa Station to Tobu-Nikko Station. These direct categorical companies are a lot quicker than the common trains, chopping your journey from about three hours down to 1 hour and 50 minutes.
There are three forms of restricted categorical that you could take to Tobu-Nikko Station. The costs listed beneath are as well as to a primary fare, which might be coated by a Nikko Cross:
- Spacia X: Tobu Railway’s latest restricted categorical, with trendy interiors and premium seat choices together with compartments, sofas and even a cockpit lounge. Customary seat costs begin from ¥1,740.
- Spacia: an older restricted categorical practice with fewer frills. Kegon companies go to Nikko, whereas Kinu companies go to Kinugawa Onsen. Seat costs begin from ¥1,450.
- Revaty Kegon: a standardised restricted categorical choice that’s used on a number of Tobu Railway traces. There are a number of completely different Revaty trains, however solely Kegon ones go to Nikko. Costs begin from ¥1,450.
All three trains take roughly the identical time to journey from Asakusa Station to Tobu-Nikko Station. The one distinction is the extent of modernity – except you’re a practice fanatic or need to journey in utmost consolation, the older companies are simply wonderful.
You may e book all three trains from Tobu Railway’s restricted categorical ticketing platform. Alternatively, you’ll be able to purchase your categorical tickets by means of Klook for a barely smoother expertise. Costs do range, so count on to pay a number of hundred yen extra on your chosen practice on the weekend or throughout nationwide holidays.
Nikko Cross Costs 2025
Listed here are the costs for the completely different Nikko Passes in 2025:
Nikko Cross World Heritage Space | Nikko Cross All Space | |
Adults | ¥3,000 | ¥8,000 |
Children | ¥1,500 | ¥4,000 |
The place to Purchase the Nikko Cross
We purchased our Nikko Passes on-line by means of Klook. It’s additionally doable to purchase them instantly by means of the Tobu Prime Excursions web site. In the event you don’t need to purchase them on-line, you are able to do so on the Tobu Vacationer Info Middle close to the principle entrance of Asakusa Station.
When reserving by means of Klook, you’ll be able to select whether or not you need to decide up your bodily Nikko Cross, or if you wish to purchase the digital Nikko Cross. They’re each the identical worth. In the event you select the bodily move or purchase by means of Tobu Prime Excursions, keep in mind that you need to decide up the move on the Tobu Vacationer Info Middle at Asakusa Station.
Is the Nikko Cross Price It?
The Nikko Cross World Heritage Space presents good worth when visiting Nikko, because it prices roughly the identical as a return ticket from Tokyo. In the event you plan to take any public transport throughout your time in Nikko, you’ll make financial savings with this move.
The cheaper Nikko Cross World Heritage Space prices ¥3,000, whereas probably the most primary return ticket from Asakusa Station on the Tobu-Nikko line is ¥2,800. Utilizing the JR Strains from Tokyo Station will set you again ¥5,480 for a return (except you have got a JR Cross).
In the event you plan to make use of public transport in Nikko, such because the bus to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, you’ll in a short time begin making financial savings with the World Heritage Space Cross whereas avoiding the effort of shopping for a number of tickets. This makes it a really handy choice.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to take into account that the World Heritage Space move doesn’t cowl the broader Nikko space. Additionally, particular person tickets for shrines and temples in Nikko aren’t included within the move and must be purchased individually.
Since the All Space move is rather more costly, it’s solely value contemplating in the event you’re planning to spend a number of days exploring Nikko. At ¥8,000 per ticket, you’ll want to go to quite a lot of the Nikko space to make financial savings with an All Space Cross.
If it is sensible financially, a Nikko Cross will even make your travels round Nikko very straightforward. As an alternative of getting to determine easy methods to purchase particular person bus tickets, you merely present your Nikko Cross and also you’re good to go. In the event you’re solely visiting for a day journey, the comfort of the World Heritage Space move will assist rather a lot!


Is the Nikko Cross Price It for a Day Journey?
Sure, the Nikko Cross World Heritage Space is value it for a day journey from Tokyo. A return ticket from Tokyo to Nikko prices roughly the identical because the move, so that you’ll avoid wasting cash in the event you use public transport when you arrive in Nikko.
In the event you solely have sooner or later to discover Nikko, I like to recommend paying the extra charge for the restricted categorical practice (which solely takes about two hours, in comparison with roughly three on the native practice). It should additionally prevent the effort of a number of transfers on the best way.
Simply keep in mind that admission charges for temples and shrines in Nikko are usually not included within the move. You’ll must pay for these individually if you wish to go to them.
Can I Use the JR Cross from Tokyo to Nikko?
Sure, you need to use the JR Cross when travelling between Tokyo and Nikko. From Tokyo Station or Ueno Station, you’ll be able to take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya. From there, you will get on the JR Nikko Line to Nikko Station.
Tobu and JR additionally share the JR Tobu line (departing from Tobu Asakusa Station), however because it’s a shared line, the JR Cross isn’t legitimate on the Tobu Line a part of the journey. You may nonetheless go for this, however you’ll must pay an extra charge. It’s simpler to stay with the route above to keep away from any pointless further expenses.
Since one of many essential benefits of getting the Nikko Cross is getting the return journey from Tokyo coated, it’s not value getting the Nikko Cross if in case you have the JR Cross.
In the event you’re considering of getting a JR Cross, take a look at my JR Cross deep dive to see whether or not it’s definitely worth the funding.
Nikko Cross Assessment: Ought to You Purchase a Nikko Cross?
The Nikko Cross World Heritage Space is sweet worth for a visit to Nikko. It’s roughly the identical worth as a return ticket from Tokyo and might prevent some cash on public transport. The Nikko Cross All Space is solely value contemplating in the event you’re spending a number of days in Nikko.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay an further charge for the restricted categorical practice on each passes except you’re comfy taking a three-hour native practice.
The cheaper Nikko Cross (World Heritage Space) doesn’t cowl ALL of Nikko – if you wish to discover locations just like the Kegon Falls or Lake Chuzenji, you’ll both must pay for added transport or get the four-day Nikko Cross All Space.
And if you have already got a JR Cross on your journey to Nikko, it’s higher to make use of that as an alternative of shopping for the Nikko Cross.
Nevertheless you get to Nikko, the time on the practice will likely be value it. Visiting the shrines at Nikko Toshogu is a magical expertise that I like to recommend to anybody on their first journey to Japan. However the place else must you go in your first go to to the Land of the Rising Solar? Our two-week Japan itinerary is prepared that can assist you plan the right journey.