Seishun 18 Ticket: Tochigi Edition | Day Trips from Tokyo | Focus #277

The Seishun 18 Ticket is an unlimited ride pass issued by JR during specific seasons. It costs 12,050 yen for five uses, which breaks down to 2,410 yen per use. One use means one person for one day, and the ticket can be shared among multiple people. It is available for purchase at JR ticket machines, and anyone can buy it regardless of age.

Nikko, a popular tourist destination in Tochigi Prefecture, is famous for being accessible via Tobu Express, but you can also reach it by transferring on JR trains.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine, nestled in a lush green forest, is a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, known for its lavish architecture. The carvings of the Three Wise Monkeys and the Sleeping Cat are also famous.
Further in, you'll find Futarasan Shrine, believed to bring good fortune in relationships. The red shrine buildings amidst the greenery create a mystical atmosphere.

Capture the fusion of history and nature in your photos.

• Location: 2301 Sannai, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, 321-1431
• Phone: 0288-54-0560
• Access:
• ① From Nikko Station (JR Nikko Line), take the Tobu Bus to Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and get off at 'Yasukawacho', then walk 8 minutes
  • Access to Nikko Station: Tokyo Station ~ (Ueno-Tokyo Line) ~ Utsunomiya Station ~ (JR Nikko Line) ~ Nikko Station (Approx. 3 hours)
  • ② From Nikko Station (JR Nikko Line), take the World Heritage Tour Bus and get off at 'Omotesando', then walk 4 minutes
• Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (April 1 to October 31), 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (November 1 to March 31)
• Admission Fee: 1,600 yen for high school students and above, 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students

About 30 minutes further into the mountains by bus from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, you can reach Kegon Falls, one of Japan's three famous waterfalls with a drop of 97 meters, and Lake Chuzenji, the highest altitude lake in Japan.

Nikko, where nature and tradition blend, is filled with a mystical atmosphere, allowing each person to capture their own unique scenery. Enjoy a leisurely outing by train and bus.

• Location: Chugushi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, 321-1661
• Phone: 0288-54-2496 (Nikko City Tourism Association Nikko Branch)
• Access: From Nikko Station (JR Nikko Line), take the Tobu Bus to Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and get off at 'Chuzenji Onsen', then walk 5 minutes
• Kegon Falls Elevator Fee: 570 yen for adults (junior high school students and above), 340 yen for elementary school students

Ashikaga Flower Park is known as a village of floral art, where a variety of flowers welcome you throughout the seasons. In 2018, a new station, 'Ashikaga Flower Park', was opened on the JR Ryomo Line, making it easily accessible by train.

The famous wisteria trellis is best viewed from mid-April to early May, but in summer, water lilies adorning the waterside, along with colorful roses and clematis, bloom vibrantly.

During the winter Seishun 18 Ticket period, the 'Garden of Illuminated Flowers', counted among Japan's top three illuminations, is also held. Capture the ever-changing faces of the garden's flowers with your camera!

• Location: 607 Hasama-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, 329-4216
• Phone: 0284-91-4939
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (subject to seasonal changes)
• Admission Fee: Varies depending on the blooming status of flowers. Please check the official website.
• Access: 3-minute walk from Ashikaga Flower Park Station (JR Ryomo Line)
  • Access to Ashikaga Flower Park Station: Tokyo Station ~ (Ueno-Tokyo Line) ~ Oyama Station ~ (JR Ryomo Line) ~ Ashikaga Flower Park Station (Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes)

Tochigi Prefecture is home to numerous spots where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and feel the history and culture. Whether you're looking for photogenic locations or simply want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature, why not spend a leisurely holiday with the Seishun 18 Ticket?