How to travel from Nara to Nikko, Japan

The distance between Nara and Nikko is around 611km (379 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 60m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Nara to Nikko by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out NikkoNara if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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3 x train
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Train to Kintetsunippombashi, plane

Take the train to Kintetsunippombashi then fly from Osaka Itami (ITM) to Fukushima (FKS) then take the train to Koriyama(Fukushima) then Utsunomiya and then to Nikko.

  • Duration3h 60m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    ¥37,785($275)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
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train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Tokyo and then to Tobu-Nikko.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥20,810($150)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Tokyo Station Nihonbashi-guchi and then to Tobu-Nikko.

  • Duration12h 10m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥24,915($180)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Nikkō.

  • Duration6h 45m
  • Distance620km (385 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Nara and Nikko

There are several options for getting from Nara to Nikko by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around ¥20,810 ($150) and will take around 4h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 60m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥37,785 ($275).

The distance between Nara and Nikko is around 611km (379 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 418km (260 miles)

It takes around 4h 35m to get from Nara and Nikko by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 6h 45m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Nara to Nikko is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 60m and will set you back approx ¥37,785 ($275).

The cheapest way to travel between Nara and Nikko, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around ¥20,810 ($150) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Nara and Nikko. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Nara to Nikko. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Kyoto, Tokyo and Kita-Senju. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 35m.

Japan Railways Shinkansen and Tobu Railway run train services between Nara and Nikko. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 35m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Nara and Nikko. It typically takes around 12h 10m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Nara to Nikko. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Tokyo Station Nihonbashi-guchi and Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 12h 10m.

JR Bus Kanto and Tohoku Kyuko Bus run regular bus services between Nara and Nikko. Buses run once daily and take around 12h 10m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Nara to Nikko. We recommend that you take the train to Kintetsunippombashi then fly from Osaka Itami (ITM) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) then take the train to Tobu-Nikko. instead which will take 4h 40m.

The closest major airport to Nikko is Fukushima Airport (FKS) (FKS) which is approximately 86km (54 miles) from Nikko. Narita International Airport (NRT) (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) (HND) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Nara and Nikko. The distance is around 620km (385 miles) by road and it will take around 6h 45m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Nara to Nikko is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around ¥20,810 ($150).

How do I get from Nara to Nikko

Compare travel optionsbetween Nara and Nikko

Transport options from Nara to Nikko
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Kintetsunippombashi, plane + 4 similar
3h 60m
¥37,785($275)
hourly748km (465 miles)
Train and Plane4h 40m
¥27,380($200)
hourly611km (379 miles)
Plane and Train4h 55m
¥36,005($265)
hourly939km (583 miles)
Train to Tsuruhashi, plane5h 10m
¥31,625($230)
hourly718km (446 miles)
Train to Tsuruhashi, plane5h 20m
¥27,925($205)
hourly659km (409 miles)
Train
4h 35m
¥20,810($150)
hourly650km (404 miles)
Bus
12h 10m
¥24,915($180)
once daily651km (405 miles)
Drive
6h 45m
¥9,035($66)
on demand620km (385 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Nara and Nikko

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Nikko

The following major airports near Nikko offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.

FKS
Fukushima Airport (FKS)
Domestic Airport
Distance
86km (54 miles) from Nikko
NRT
Narita International Airport (NRT)
International Airport
Distance
122km (76 miles) from Nikko
HND
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
International Airport
Distance
130km (81 miles) from Nikko