GETTING READY FOR YOUR ADVENTURE TO JAPAN

*A Quick Note on Nikko & Tobu Nikko Station. Both Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station are right next to each other and you can use either as your destination point when heading to Nikko. Once there, the stations are less than 5min walk from one another.

*A Quick Note on Asakusa Station & Tobu Asakusa Station. Both Asakusa Station and Tobu Asakusa Station are nearby, however, they are approximately 5-10min walk between the Tokyo Subway Platform and the Tobu-Nikko Line Platform. Please plan at least 15min for transfer here if coming from the Tokyo Subway Station by foot. If you have luggage that will not allow taking stairs, please plan 30min for transfer to have enough time or consider transferring at Kita-Senju Station.

From Narita Airport: Take the Narita SkyAccess to Asakusa Station. Transfer to the Tobu-Nikko Line to Tobu Nikko Station. (Approximately 3 hours)

Full Route from Narita Airport to Tobu Nikko Station via Google Maps

From Haneda Airport: Take the Keikyu Line to Asakusa Station. Transfer to the Tobu-Nikko Line to Tobu Nikko Station. This train will take you directly to Tobu Nikko Station. (Approximately 3 hours)

Full Route from Haneda Airport to Tobu Nikko Station via Google Maps

From Tokyo: From your nearest station, take necessary transfers to Asakusa, Tokyo SkyTree, or Kitasenju Station. Transfer to the Tobu-Nikko Line. This train goes directly to Tobu Nikko Station. (Approximately 2 hours)

Route from Asakusa Station (Tobu Asakusa Station) to Tobu Nikko Station (Nikko Station) via Google Maps

*A Quick Note on Ashikaga Station and Ashikaga-Shi Station. Both Ashikaga Station and Ashikaga-shi Station are in Ashikaga City. That said, if you are leaving from Tokyo the most convenient is the direct train from the Tobu Asakusa Station to Ashikaga-Shi Station. If you try to take the train to Ashikaga Station it will cost around 4,000-6,000yen, involve at least one transfer, and take 1.5-2hrs. In contrast, the Tobu Ryomo Express Train from Tobu Asakusa Station to Ashikaga-Shi Station will cost just 2,000yen, have no transfers, and take 1h20.

*A Quick Note on Asakusa Station & Tobu Asakusa Station. Both Asakusa Station and Tobu Asakusa Station are nearby, however, they are approximately 5-10min walk between the Tokyo Subway Platform and the Tobu-Nikko Line Platform. Please plan at least 15min for transfer here if coming from the Tokyo Subway Station by foot. If you have luggage that will not allow taking stairs, please plan 30min for transfer to have enough time or consider transferring at Kita-Senju Station.

From Narita Airport: Take the Narita SkyAccess to Asakusa Station. Transfer to the Ryomo Line. This train will take you directly to Ashikaga-shi Station. (Approximately 3h)

Full Route from Narita Airport to Ashikaga-shi Station via Google Maps

From Haneda Airport: Take the Keikyu Line to Asakusa Station. Transfer to the Ryomo Line. This train will take you directly to Ashikaga-shi Station. (Approximately 2h10)

Full Route from Haneda Airport to Ashikaga-Shi Station via Google Maps

From Tokyo: From your nearest station, take necessary transfers to Asakusa, Tokyo SkyTree, or Kita-Senju Station. Transfer to the Tobu Skytree Line or Ryomo Line to Ashikaga-Shi Station. (Approximately 1h20-2h)

*A quick note on getting to Matsumoto Station from Tokyo. There are many ways to get to Matsumoto Station from Tokyo area and airports. That being said, the two main ways we recommend are to take the Chuo Express from Shinjuku Station (2h30), and taking the Shinkansen to Nagano City and transferring to the Shinano Line (1h) to Matsumoto. Both are valid and fastest ways to Matsumoto. The former is direct with no transfers, the latter requires one transfer at Nagano Station. I always prefer less transfers and choose the Chuo Express from Shinjuku when coming from Tokyo.

From Narita Airport: Take the Narita Express to Shinjuku Station. Transfer to the Chuo Line, see below from Shinjuku Station. (4h30)

From Haneda Airport: Take the Haneda Airport Limo Bus to Shinjuku Station. Transfer to the Chuo Line, see below from Shinjuku Station (3h30)

From Shinjuku Station (Tokyo): Take the Chuo Express to Matsumoto Station (2h30).

Please see our article on getting to the Shimanami Kaido Area for details.

From Narita Airport: Take the Narita-Airport Limousine Bus to Tokyo Station. Transfer to the Joetsu Shinkansen, which will go to Takasaki Station. (Approximately 2 hours).

From Haneda Airport: Take the Haneda-Airport Limousine Bus to Tokyo Station. Transfer to the Joetsu Shinkansen, which will go to Takasaki Station. (Approximately 1.5 hours).

From Tokyo Station: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen, which goes directly to Takasaki Station. (Approximately 1 hour).