JR Nikko Station: Tochigi’s Century-Old Train Station Destination

Planning a trip to Nikko? You might have plans to visit the fabulous Nikko Toshogu Shrine, or spend a relaxing afternoon at Lake Chuzenji, but you’ll have to get there first! Step off the train and into a storybook at JR Nikko Station, a pretty pink landmark that has welcomed travelers to Tochigi since 1890. The Meiji-era elegance offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience a nostalgic taste of turn-of-the-century Japan before exploring Nikko’s shrines, mountains, and hot springs beyond.

The pale pink building of JR Nikko Station is so quaint, it almost looks like a dollhouse, and in recent years, that retro style has made it an increasingly popular destination in and of itself. Nikko’s JR train station first opened in this spot during the 23rd year of Japan’s Meiji period (1890), and in the decades since, it has been a witness to the explosion in popularity that Nikko has seen among travelers, both local and international.

The station building we see today was built in the first year of the Taisho period (1912), and the Neo-Renaissance structure showcases its age in the best possible way. The station actually maintains a special VIP room only for the royal family and officials, but anyone can climb the stairs up to the second floor to see a waiting room once reserved for first-class train passengers.

Compared to many of the stations on major JR train lines, JR Nikko has a quiet, local atmosphere, where the opposite platform is accessible via a wooden overpass, and the open-air platforms let you see the juxtaposition of modern station signs and the timeless green mountains in the distance. From the days when JR Nikko Station was part of a private railway line, to the modern day when it carries countless tourists from all over the world, this station has seen major changes (not to mention countless imperial visits) over the past 100 years, and it rings with that history.

JR Nikko Station（JR日光駅）
Aioicho, Nikko, Tochigi
Hours: 8:00 – 18:00
Train service: 5:07 – 21:52
Official Website (jp)

Local Treats Near JR Nikko Station: Try the Famous Age Yuba Manju

Before leaving the station area and heading out to Nikko’s many tempting sightseeing destinations, you won’t want to miss the chance to try the “age yuba manju” (揚げ湯葉饅頭) sold nearby! These soft steamed buns are made with nutty “yuba” tofu skin, filled with sweet red bean paste, and deep-fried before receiving a light sprinkle of sea salt. The soft-and-crunchy, sweet-and-salty combination puts these unique snacks on a different level from Japan’s average manju, and you might just find yourself buying a couple extras to go.

Nikko Sakaeya Age Yuba Manju Honpo (日光さかえや 揚げまんじゅう本舗)
10-1 Matsubaracho, Nikko, Tochigi
Phone: +81-288-54-1528
Hours: 9:30 – 18:00 (hours may be extended during peak seasons)
Access: 3 min on foot from JR Nikko Station

Begin Your Nikko Journey With a Once Upon a Time

More than just a stop on your way to see the sights, JR Nikko Station is almost a museum of Japan’s early railway era, where royal visitors once rested and today’s travelers begin their Nikko adventures. Stroll from its wooden platforms to local snack shops or onward to Nikko’s UNESCO shrines, and you’ll see why this century-old station remains one of Tochigi’s most charming gateways.

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