The Tobu Railway runs through four prefectures in the Tokyo suburbs, where many historic sightseeing spots await. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to the first shogun of the Edo period; Ouchijuku, a post town that preserves the look of a thriving samurai-era Edo-period stopover; and Tsuruga Castle, the final battlefield where the Edo period came to an end during the Boshin War. This culturally rich “Samurai Journey” takes you back in time to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Edo period.
The streetscape of Ouchijuku
Tsuruga Castle
Day 1 of the Japanese Samurai Journey
8:00 AM – Visit Senso-ji Temple
Nakamise shopping street scenery
The “Samurai Journey” begins at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, a long-popular tourist destination. The Nakamise shopping street, stretching from the Kaminarimon Gate adorned with large red lanterns all the way to the main hall, is lined with specialty shops selling traditional Japanese souvenirs and a variety of exquisite Japanese sweets. It’s said that this street was established during the Edo period and is one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets. Some shops open as early as 8:00 AM, allowing visitors to enjoy a refreshing morning visit to Senso-ji Temple while experiencing the joy of shopping and sampling local treats.
9:00 AM – Take the Tobu new limited express train Revaty to Nikko
Tobu Skytree Line, Asakusa Station
Tobu Travel Service Center, Asakusa
Revaty and Tokyo Skytree
Next, we depart from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, located near Senso-ji Temple, and head to Tobu Nikko Station. We’ll be riding the new limited express train Revaty, which officially began service on April 21. The train offers onboard Wi-Fi, and all seats are equipped with power outlets, ensuring a comfortable and convenient ride. After boarding the Revaty, which departs promptly at 9:00 AM, we’ll pass by the world’s tallest tower, the Tokyo Skytree.
Discounted passes for leisurely sightseeing in daylight hours are also available.
NIKKO ALL AREA PASS (Nikko All-Area Pass)
A 4-day unlimited-use bus pass covering the Nikko-Kinugawa area railways, World Heritage sites, and the Oku-Nikko region.
Price: 4,520 yen (approx. 275 RMB) (April–November); Available at Asakusa Station or online.
NIKKO CITY AREA PASS (Nikko City Area Pass)
A 2-day unlimited-use bus pass for the Nikko-Kinugawa area railways and World Heritage sites.
Price: 2,670 yen (approx. 162 RMB); Available at Asakusa Station or online.
11:00 Baggage storage service and purchase of sightseeing bus passes
World Heritage Bus
After arriving at Tobu Nikko Station, it is recommended to first visit the information counter on the 1st floor to use the “Hands-Free Service.” Staff will deliver your large luggage such as suitcases to your accommodation around Nikko. After checking in your luggage, you can purchase a World Heritage Tour Ticket (500 yen, approx. 30 RMB) at the Tobu Nikko Station Tourist Center. This ticket allows unlimited rides on the World Heritage buses departing from in front of Tobu Nikko Station throughout the day, with a bus every 10 minutes for convenient travel. You can leisurely explore the shrines and temples of the World Heritage Site, Nikko. Depending on the length of your stay, you can choose either the World Heritage Tour Ticket or a discounted pass. For bus riding information, please refer to the following website.
Tobu Bus URL: http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/pdf/nikko_en.pdf?201704
11:30 Visit Toshogu Shrine in Nikko
Among Japan’s representative World Heritage Sites, “the Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” is Toshogu Shrine. This shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate. Its architecture is dazzlingly colorful and exquisitely beautiful, offering a visually stunning experience. Here, you can also see the Yomeimon Gate, which regained its splendor in March this year after a four-year restoration project. The pillars and many other parts of Toshogu Shrine are adorned with intricate carvings. Among them, the “Three Wise Monkeys,” symbolizing the human virtues of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” are the most famous.
Attraction Name: Toshogu Shrine in Nikko (URL: http://www.sekaiisan-nikko.jp/cms/wp-content/themes/nikko/pdf/nikko_chinese2.pdf)
Location: Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture (Approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes by train and bus from Asakusa Station)
※ Toshogu Shrine in Nikko is located within the area marked ② on the Samurai Journey recommended attractions map.
13:00 – Enjoy Sunlight Cuisine
Sunlight Tofu Skin Roll Set Meal
After visiting the World Heritage Sites, you can indulge in a wide variety of delicious local cuisine in Nikko. The area offers many traditional Japanese dishes, such as soba noodles made with refreshing spring water from at the foot of the mountains, and yuba (tofu skin), a traditional Nikko dish made from soybean milk. We recommend visiting “Nikko Yuba Maki Zen,” located near Toshogu Shrine, to try their creative “Nikko Yuba Maki Set Meal” (2160 yen, approximately 131 RMB). It’s sure to be a treat for your taste buds.
Nikko Tofu Skin Roll Zen – URL: https://livejapan.com/zh-cn/spot/lj0002725/
14:00 – After your meal, take a Tobu Bus to enjoy Nikko’s natural scenery
Ryuzu Falls
Chuzenji Lake and Mount Nantai
Odashirohara Plateau on the hiking trail
After lunch, you can fully appreciate Nikko’s stunning natural beauty. Beyond the shrines and temples of the World Heritage Site lies a vast and colorful landscape with crisp air and crystal-clear lakes. In addition to the World Heritage sightseeing buses, Tobu Buses also operate within the Oku-Nikko area, allowing you to take in the region’s natural splendor. Simply purchase a pass at the Tobu Nikko Station Tourist Information Center to ride any bus heading to Oku-Nikko. With this pass, after passing through the winding Irohazaka curves, you’ll come across Ryuzu Falls where the Rhododendron indicum blooms from late May to early June, Chuzenji Lake and Mount Nantai, as well as hiking trails through wetlands—spending a wonderful day surrounded by beautiful nature.
Oku-Nikko Area Pass – URL: http://www.tobu-bus.com/cn/nikko/
Nikko-Kinugawa Travel Guide – URL: http://nikko-travel.jp/jianti/attract/nikko.html
18:15 – Check in to the historic Nikko Kanaya Hotel
Nikko Kanaya Hotel (1)
Nikko Kanaya Hotel (2)
Nikko Kanaya Hotel (3)
After a full day of sightseeing, stay at the nostalgic Nikko Kanaya Hotel, one of Japan’s oldest resort hotels. As soon as you step inside, you’ll feel as though you’ve traveled back in time. After experiencing over 140 years of history at the Kanaya Hotel, you can unwind at the hotel bar, slow down, and enjoy jazz music along with whiskey or cocktails.
Nikko Kanaya Hotel URL: http://www.tobujapantrip.com/cn/lodging/nikko_kinugawa/20.html
[Complete Map of the Nikko Area]
Day 2 of the Japanese Samurai Journey
9:23 – Depart from Tobu Nikko Station
Footbath Onsen
On Day 2, take a train departing Tobu Nikko Station at 9:23 AM, and you’ll arrive at Yunishigawa Onsen Station in about 2 hours. Next to the thatched-roof station is a free footbath onsen (available except Wednesday mornings). Be sure to give it a try.
After soaking your feet, head to Ouchijuku. Take the “Saru-yugo” bus bound for Ouchijuku, which departs Yunishigawa Onsen Station at 12:05 PM, and you’ll arrive in about 20 minutes.
12:25 – Step Back in Time to Edo-Era Ouchijuku
Ouchijuku is a post town from the Edo period that still retains its historic charm. As it was a key route connecting Aizu and Nikko, it served as an important stop for daimyo (the highest-ranking samurai who reported directly to the shogun) traveling to Edo and other travelers during the Edo period. Today, over 30 thatched-roof houses remain, transporting visitors back in time. Many of these buildings house restaurants or souvenir shops. At lunchtime, try soba served with leeks used as chopsticks. After enjoying a fulfilling meal and sightseeing, you can take a bus departing at 2:25 PM back to Yunishigawa Onsen Station.
Street view of Ouchijuku
Soba with Leeks (Negi Soba)
Attraction – Ouchijuku (URL: http://ouchi-juku.com/index.php?English)
Location – Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture (about 2 hours and 20 minutes by train and bus from Tobu Nikko Station)
※Ouchijuku is located in the area marked ③ on the recommended Samurai Journey map.
15:45 Visit the impregnable fortress city—Hirado Castle
Hirado Castle
Return to Yunoshima Onsen Station and take the train departing at 14:49. After about 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. From there, take a taxi to Hirado Castle. This castle was the stage for intense battles during the Boshin War, where the new government army, which sought to usher in a new era, clashed fiercely with the old shogunate army that aimed to defend the Tokugawa shogunate. The new government army emerged victorious, marking the beginning of Japan’s modernization. The Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps), who fought valiantly to defend the old shogunate, have a moving and tragic story that is well known throughout Japan.
Attraction: Hirado Castle (URL: http://www.tsurugajo.com/language/cha/index.html)
Location: Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture (Approximately 40 minutes by train and taxi from Yunoshima Onsen Station)
※Hirado Castle is located within the area marked ④ on the recommended Samurai Route sightseeing map.
About the Byakkotai
The Byakkotai were a group of 15- to 16-year-old boys from the Aizu Domain during the late Edo period. During the Boshin War, they fought for the old shogunate army, defending their hometown with great valor. Under fierce attacks by the new government forces, 20 of the boys retreated to Mount Iimori. Seeing Hirado Castle shrouded in smoke and flames, they believed it had fallen and chose to take their own lives. This tragic and moving story has been passed down through generations and has been adapted into numerous Japanese historical dramas.
16:45 Must-try Japanese sweets for souvenirs and a quick rest
Shop Name: Hirado Castle Hall
Hirado Castle Hall – Homemade Sake
Hirado Castle Hall (Koike Yoneko Shop)
Located near the north side of Hirado Castle, Hirado Castle Hall sells local Aizu souvenirs and homemade sake. Aizu is a rice-producing region, so the area offers a variety of sake that is refreshing with a hint of sweetness, easy to drink, and leaves a pleasant aftertaste—very popular among women. You can also sample the sake in-store to choose your favorite. Inside Hirado Castle Hall, there’s also a Japanese sweet shop called Koike Yoneko Shop, where you can buy freshly steamed millet mochi filled with red bean paste. The outer skin is made from millet and glutinous rice using a unique method, resulting in a soft and chewy texture. (97 yen each, approx. 6 RMB)
Address: 4-47, Otemachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00–17:00
Shop Name: Honke Nagatoya
Kounanmoku (Aromatic Wood Fruit)
Product: Kounanmoku 1,900 yen (approx. 115 RMB) / 17 pieces
Founded in 1848 during the Edo period. Each piece consists of premium red bean paste wrapped around a whole local Aizu ghost walnut, coated entirely in brown sugar. This Japanese sweet was even served at the 2016 G7 Ise-Shima Summit attended by world leaders and has won awards in international souvenir competitions. The shop is about 1 km from Hirado Castle and can be conveniently purchased on your way back to your hotel by taxi.
Address: 2-10, Kawaramachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00–17:30
Shop Name: Okashinoyakata Taroan
Taroan – Kitakata Ramen Pudding
Product: Kitakata Ramen Pudding 432 yen (approx. 26 RMB) / each
It looks like ramen, but it’s actually a cake with a pudding base. The “ramen broth” is made of Earl Grey mousse, the “noodles” are chestnut cream shaped like noodles, and the “chashu pork” is replicated with chocolate. The novel and unique design of this sweet makes it highly photogenic for sharing on social media. The shop is located at the east exit of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. After visiting Hirado Castle, you can take a taxi directly to the front of Taroan (Honke Aizu Main Store), and it’s also very convenient for the return trip.
Address: 180-1, Byakkocho, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Business Hours: 9:00–19:00
18:13 Return to Tokyo from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
Take the 18:13 train from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Kōriyama Station. If you choose the Shinkansen to return to Tokyo Station, you’ll arrive in Tokyo around 21:00. After resting a bit, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Tokyo the next day. After experiencing this Samurai Route, aren’t you also eager to come and immerse yourself in the unique “Way of the Samurai” in Japan?
【Recommended Samurai Route Attractions Map】
Tobu Railway covers major rail lines in the Kanto region centered around Tokyo. The line includes the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world.
※Detailed information such as business hours and transportation routes for each facility can be found via the link below.
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