Nikko Tokanso
321-1431 Tochigi, Nikko, Sannai 2335 , Japan – Great location - show map
Warm and friendly check-in & Breakfast was so wonderful.
United States of AmericaNikko Tokanso is perfectly located near the main shrines and temples and the Shinkyo bridge. Formerly the residence of the Date clan, it is now a sprawling inn with outdoor and indoor baths, a huge dining room, and spacious tatami rooms for guests with a small table and chairs by large windows overlooking trees. I noticed that there were foreigner-friendly aspects, such as an English drink menu, and surprisingly, a sign advertising tattoo cover stickers on sale at their shop for people who want to use the hot spring baths with tattoos. With their tattoos covered, they could enter. (People with tattoos are usually not allowed in public baths in Japan.) All in all, Tokanso is a great inn. I've included 2 photos taken within a one-minute walk of the inn so you can see the neighborhood.
JapanThe Tokens Hotel is a gem in Nikko. An irreproachable service, very kind and very professional staff, they have all kinds of attention towards customers. The breakfast as well as dinner are really delicious moments and so tasty and well prepared. We will come back for sure.
FranceBreakfast was excellent, as was dinner. Staff were very friendly and the location is excellent for walking around the temple area of Nikko. The shared onsen is also very pretty, with a small outside area.
AustraliaThe food was pretty good. I enjoyed both breakfast and dinner. Friendly staff. One staff member drove me to the train station at the end of my stay because it was snowing. This was outside the shuttle bus times. Another staff member gave me kairo ("pocket warmers") each morning to keep warm.
AustraliaVery Japanese traditional ryokan style. They helped me a lot in finding places and giving me tipps on what to do
GermanyI really enjoyed the onsen particularly! It was very beautiful. My room was also very nice and I had lots of room. Dinner and breakfast were both great! I would recommend getting them. It is in a really convenient spot and close to the bus stop if you were travelling further in the area.
JapanThis old ryokan is the closest you can get to the Shrine complex of Nikko, it’s less than 2 minutes walk! Especially with children and traveling by car, this place is super convenient! You can park your car at the ryokan instead of the paid parking lot at the Shrines around the corner. The owners/staff were really kind and the ryokan offers a great breakfast and dinner. Best to have dinner here as well. It’s great to spend time at the onsen and then have a Japanese dinner at this place, makes the whole day complete!
JapanThis hotel exceeded my expectations! It’s old Japanese style but renovated inside and very clean! No smell, new air conditioner so it was very warm. There is toilet and sink inside the room. But shower is only in the Onsen area. Onsen was great, especially outdoor bath 😌 Staff was very nice and friendly. They have free tea and coffee in the lobby. Location was also very convenient, 5min till bus stop but in nice nature area.
JapanThe location could not be better for people who want to explore all the world heritage sites Nikko has to offer. Dinner was superb and breakfast was also nice. The outdoor and indoor onsens (hot springs) were great. No complaints. I had a lovely weekend staying here. Thank you.
Japan
- What guests loved the most:
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Adele
United States of America
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Diane
Japan
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Anne
France
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Nanyangparkway
Australia
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Sarah
Australia
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David
Germany
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Megan
Japan
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Seval
Japan
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Evgeniya
Japan
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Andrea
Japan
Categories:
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Nikko Tokanso is a 5-minute drive from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station. A shuttle service to these 2 stations is provided. It offers Japanese-style accommodations with an outdoor open-air bath and indoor public bath, free parking and free internet in public areas.
Guest rooms feature tatami (woven straw) flooring with traditional futon bedding. Each room is equipped with a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV.
Massage services are available upon request. A private bath is available, but an advance reservation is required. The lobby has a computer for guests' use.
Guests can enjoy Japanese or Western dishes at the hotel’s dining room. An advance reservation is required.
Tokanso Nikko is a 10-minute walk from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Toshogu Art Museum. The Nikko Futarasan-Jinja Shrine is a 15-minute walk away.
This property is a ryokan, which is a type of traditional Japanese Inn. Learn more
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- What's a ryokan?
- A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. They usually feature bathhouses, multicourse dinners, communal spaces where guests can relax, and rooms with woven-straw flooring and futon mats. Like hotels, a range of ryokans (from budget to luxury) is available. What originated centuries ago as a free rest house for long-distance travelers has evolved into a popular destination for relaxation surrounded by therapeutic mineral springs.
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- What are the big differences between a ryokan and a hotel?
- Unlike a hotel, where the guest room is just a place to turn in for the night, a ryokan is more than just a place to sleep. In Japan, many travelers journey long distances to relax in a hot spring bath and feast on a traditional multicourse dinner – staying in a ryokan is an experience in and of itself. These ryokans typically have Japanese-style rooms with woven-straw floors and futon beds (no Western beds and carpeting). You should also remove your shoes at the entrance of the room, or before you enter it. Modern ryokans might serve buffet-style meals in a dining area, while more traditional ryokans tend to serve in-room dinners. Some ryokan rooms have a private bathroom, and others might just have a shared bathroom.
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- What's a kaiseki meal?
- Kaiseki is the culinary highlight at a ryokan, embodying beautifully presented dishes that delight both the palate and the eyes. Every one of the 10 to 15 dishes that make up the multicourse Japanese dinner is prepared in a way that highlights the unique textures, colors, and flavors of featured seasonal ingredients and local specialties. Most commonly served at special restaurants and ryokans, a traditional kaiseki dinner usually consists of bite-size appetizers, fresh sashimi (raw fish, like sushi), soup, grilled fish or meat, a hot-pot dish, rice with miso soup, and a small dessert.
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- What's a yukata?
- A yukata is a casual summer kimono or robe, typically made of light cotton. Many ryokans provide guests with yukata robes during their stay. In some areas, it's common to see guests strolling through the neighborhood in their yukatas. The loose-fitting garment is perfect for sleeping and relaxing in.
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- How should I wear a yukata?
- First, put your arms through the sleeves like you would with a robe. Take the right side of the yukata and wrap it across your body. Then, take the left side and wrap it over the right, making sure that the robe is level at your ankles. Pinning the yukata closed on the right side, wrap the sash around your waist a couple of times and then tie a bow. Generally, the bow is tied around the waist for women, and the hips for men.
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- What's a Japanese hot spring (onsen)?
- Onsen (literally "hot spring") is a term often used to refer to both the mineral-rich hot springs and the bathing facilities that house them. Whether the bath is public or private, gender-segregated or mixed, indoor or outdoor, soaking and unwinding in the soothing geothermal waters at an onsen is a millennia-old custom deeply embedded in Japanese culture.
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- What's standard bathing etiquette?
- At a bathhouse—onsen or not—guests are expected to remove all clothing in their respective changing rooms before entering the bathing area. As a common courtesy, once inside the bathing area, guests should wash and rinse their bodies thoroughly before quietly stepping into the hot water. Whether you relax in solitude or converse softly with others is up to you, but guests should always be mindful of others. Wash towels are often used to cover one’s private areas while walking around. However, note that you should not put towels in the water.
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- Why are tattoos not allowed?
- While tattoos have become more popular among Japan's youth, many Japanese people still associate them with outlaws and organized crime. Nowadays, not all businesses ban customers with tattoos, but you might still be refused admission to bathhouses and swimming pools. Small tattoos can be covered up using waterproof bandaids, but keep in mind that each property has the final say on what’s acceptable.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.5 for a two-person trip.
Most popular amenities
Property Highlights
Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.8)
Breakfast Info
Asian, American
Free Private Parking Available On Site
Open-air bath, Public Bath, Hot spring bath
Select topics to read reviews:
See what guests loved the most:
Adele
United States of America“Warm and friendly check-in & Breakfast was so wonderful.”
Diane
Japan“Nikko Tokanso is perfectly located near the main shrines and temples and the Shinkyo bridge. Formerly the residence of the Date clan, it is now a sprawling inn with outdoor and indoor baths, a huge dining room, and spacious tatami rooms for guests...”- Anne
France“The Tokens Hotel is a gem in Nikko. An irreproachable service, very kind and very professional staff, they have all kinds of attention towards customers. The breakfast as well as dinner are really delicious moments and so tasty and well prepared....” 
Nanyangparkway
Australia“Breakfast was excellent, as was dinner. Staff were very friendly and the location is excellent for walking around the temple area of Nikko. The shared onsen is also very pretty, with a small outside area.”
SarahAustralia“The food was pretty good. I enjoyed both breakfast and dinner. Friendly staff. One staff member drove me to the train station at the end of my stay because it was snowing. This was outside the shuttle bus times. Another staff member gave me...”
David
Germany“Very Japanese traditional ryokan style. They helped me a lot in finding places and giving me tipps on what to do”
MeganJapan“I really enjoyed the onsen particularly! It was very beautiful. My room was also very nice and I had lots of room. Dinner and breakfast were both great! I would recommend getting them. It is in a really convenient spot and close to the bus stop if...”- SevalJapan“This old ryokan is the closest you can get to the Shrine complex of Nikko, it’s less than 2 minutes walk! Especially with children and traveling by car, this place is super convenient! You can park your car at the ryokan instead of the paid...”
EvgeniyaJapan“This hotel exceeded my expectations! It’s old Japanese style but renovated inside and very clean! No smell, new air conditioner so it was very warm. There is toilet and sink inside the room. But shower is only in the Onsen area. Onsen was...”- AndreaJapan“The location could not be better for people who want to explore all the world heritage sites Nikko has to offer. Dinner was superb and breakfast was also nice. The outdoor and indoor onsens (hot springs) were great. No complaints. I had a lovely...”
- Hello are hotel guests allowed to use the Onsen with Tattoos? ThanksIf you have a tattoo, you can use the public bath and open-air bath from 21:00 to 25:00.Answered on March 21, 2020
- What time are the communal baths available?Use of public bath is from 13:00 to 25:00, from 4:00 to 10:00.Answered on March 21, 2020
- What time do I have to arrive for dinner?Dinner starts at 18:00, lasts at 19:30, and closes at 20:30. Breakfast starts at 7am, last starts at 8:30 am and closes at 9:30 am.Answered on March 21, 2020
- What do we need to do to arrange a shuttle to collect us from Tobu-nikko station?There is pick-up from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station. Please inform us of your arrival time by the day before.Answered on March 21, 2020
- Is there a private bath and toilet in each ryokan?All rooms have a toilet with washlet function. The rooms do not have a bath. There is a private family bath. It can be used for free.Answered on March 21, 2020
- Still looking?
Cancellation/
prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.
Children & Beds
Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome.
Children 2 and above are considered adults at this property.
To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.
Crib and extra bed policies
Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.
No age restriction
There's no age requirement for check-in
Groups
When booking more than 3 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.
Nikko Tokanso accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
The fine print
To use the hotel's free shuttle, please make a reservation in advance.
To eat breakfast and dinner at the hotel, please make a reservation in advance.
For children's meals a reservation needs to be made at the time of booking.
Please note that restaurants around the area are limited and may close early in the evening. Dining options may be difficult to find after this time.
FAQs about Nikko Tokanso
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Nikko Tokanso offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):
- Spa
- Massage
- Karaoke
- Hot spring bath
- Open-air bath
- Public Bath
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Check-in at Nikko Tokanso is from 2:00 PM, and check-out is until 10:00 AM.
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From the nearest airport, you can get to Nikko Tokanso by:
- Walking 3h 30min
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Room options at Nikko Tokanso include:
- Quad
- Family
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Nikko Tokanso is 1.3 miles from the center of Nikko.
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Guests staying at Nikko Tokanso can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 8.8).
Breakfast option(s) include:
- Asian
- American
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The prices at Nikko Tokanso may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.
