May 10, 2017
Travel Through Time to the Edo Period When Samurais Existed
Trip to World Heritage Sites and Post Towns on the “Samurai Route”
Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.
The area covered by Tobu Railway lines which stretch across 4 prefectures around Tokyo is where the “Samurai
Route” is located. With World Heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine where the first shogun that started the Edo Period is
enshrined, Ouchi-juku where landscape of a post town of the Edo Period when samurais existed is preserved and
Tsurugajo Castle where a fierce battle of the civil war that ended the Edo Period took place, the route lets you enjoy
the experience of traveling back in time to the Edo Period. Here is a recommended trip into history on the “Samurai
Route”.
Day 1 Trip into history on the “Samurai Route”
8:00 AM Visit Senso-ji Temple
The trip into history on the “Samurai Route” starts from Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
Shops selling typical Japanese souvenirs and Japanese confectioneries are lined up in the
Nakamise street leading from the Kaminarimon gate with the large lantern to the main
temple. Established in the Edo Period, it is known to be one of the oldest shopping
centers in Japan. As some shops open from 8:00AM, you can go shopping after visiting
the temple early in the morning.
Nakamise
9:00 AM Head to Nikko on the new limited express train “Revaty”
Travel to Tōbu Nikkō Station from TOBU SKYTREE
Line Asakusa Station which is near Senso-ji Temple. The
new limited express train Revaty, which began its service on
April 21 (Fri.), provides a Wi-Fi environment on the entire
train and power outlets for each seat, offering a comfortable
and convenient train trip. If you take the new limited express
train Revaty leaving at 9:00AM, it will pass by the TOKYO
SKYTREE, the highest tower in the world, and arrive at
Tōbu Nikkō Station at 10:54AM. You can purchase tickets
for Revaty (From Asakusa Station to Tōbu Nikkō Station:
¥2,800 for adults) at Tobu Tourist Information Center
Asakusa located in front of the ticket office on the first floor
of Asakusa Station. Please be assured as guidance is
available in English, Chinese and Korean if you do not
understand the procedures.
TOBU SKYTREE Line
Asakusa Station
Tobu Tourist Information
Center Asakusa
Revaty and TOKYO
SKYTREE
Discount Pass is also available for those who want to spend a plenty of time in Nikko
NIKKO ALL AREA PASS
4-day pass for unlimited train rides in the Nikko and Kinugawa area and
unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area and Okunikko area
Price : ¥4,520 (April to November)
Location of purchase : Asakusa Station or online
NIKKO CITY AREA PASS 2-day pass for unlimited train rides in the Nikko and Kinugawa area and
unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area
Price : ¥2,670
Location of purchase : Asakusa Station or online
11：00 AM Use the luggage service and purchase a free pass for the sightseeing bus
World Heritage bus
When you arrive at Tōbu Nikkō Station, we recommend you to use the
“empty-handed sightseeing service” available at the service counter on the
first floor of the station. Suitcases and other large luggage will be delivered to
accommodation facilities in the Nikko area. After you check in your luggage,
please purchase a “World Heritage Tour Ticket” (¥500) at the Tōbu Nikkō
Station Tourist Center. You can take the “World Heritage Bus” leaving Tōbu
Nikkō Station every 10 minutes, as many times as you want for the day, and go
around the World Heritage Shrines and Temples of Nikko. Choose either a
World Heritage Tour Ticket or Discount Pass depending on the number of
days you are staying. Please visit the following website for information on
how to ride the bus.
Tobu Bus website :
http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/pdf/nikko_en.pdf?201704
11:30 AM Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine
“Shrines and Temples of Nikko” which includes Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the World Heritage sites that
represent Japan. The shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, and its’
gorgeousness is breathtaking. As the repair work which was ongoing for approximately 4 years ended in March this
year, you can see the vividly revived Yomeimon Gate. Pillars of Nikko Toshogu Shrine are decorated with many
carvings. The “three monkeys” which express “see, hear or speak no evil” to teach the way of living is particularly
famous.
Exterior view of the Yomeimon Gate
Ceiling painting of the Yomeimon Gate
Facility name : Nikko Toshogu Shrine (website: http://www.toshogu.jp/english/)
Hours : 8:00AM-5:00PM (final entry at 4:30PM)
Admission fee : ¥1,300
Location : Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Tōbu Nikkō Line “Tōbu Nikkō Station” (Approx. 1 hour and 55 minutes from the TOBU SKYTREE
Line Asakusa Station) ～ Bus “Omotesando” (Approx. 10 minutes)
Asakusa
Station
Omotesando
Tōbu Nikkō Station
TOBU SKYTREE Line
(new limited express Revaty)
Approx. 1 hrs. 55 mins
Bus
Approx. 10 mins
*Nikko Toshogu Shrine is in area “②” on the map on page 8.
1:00 PM Enjoy the cuisine of Nikko
Enjoy the cuisine of Nikko after going around the World Heritage site.
Nikko offers plenty of dishes that represent Japan, such as soba noodles made
from delicious water flowing from the foothills of the mountains of Nikko and
yuba (bean-curd skin) which is a traditional food of Nikko made by boiling
soy milk made from soy beans. At “Nikko Yuba-maki ZEN” located near
Nikko Toshogu Shrine, you can enjoy the original “Nikko yuba-maki set”
which uses yuba (¥2,160).
Nikko Yuba-maki ZEN website : https://livejapan.com/en/spot/lj0002725/
魚要 HP より抜粋
Nikko yuba-maki set
2:00 PM Enjoy the nature of Nikko from the Tobu Bus after your meal
After eating lunch, go around nature-rich spots of Nikko. Beyond the World Heritage “Shrines and Temples of
Nikko” lies scenery full of nature with clean air and clear water. In addition to the World Heritage Bus, Tobu Bus
offers bus service in the Okunikko area where nature of Nikko can be enjoyed. If you purchase a free pass sold at the
Tōbu Nikkō Station Tourist Center, you can go on and off the bus traveling to the Okunikko area as many times as
you want. If you go on the bus headed for the Okunikko area using the free pass and through the Irohazaka Route
and its sharp curves, you will encounter Ryuzu Falls where Togoku-mitsuba-tsutsuji (Rhododendron wadanum) is in
full bloom from late May to early June, Lake Chuzenji, Mt. Nantai and a hiking course that travels through a large
marsh, allowing you to fully enjoy the nature of Japan all day long.
Ryuzu Falls
Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai
Hiking course of Odashirogahara
Free pass for the Okunikko area website : http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/
Nikko Kinugawa Travel Guide website : http://nikko-travel.jp/english/attract/nikko.html
6:15 PM Check in to the historical Nikko Kanaya Hotel
After enjoying a day of sightseeing, stay at the nostalgic Nikko Kanaya Hotel, the oldest resort hotel in Japan.
Once you step into the hotel, you will feel a mystic atmosphere as if you had traveled back in time. After enjoying
the 140 years of time travel in the Kanaya Hotel, enjoy whiskey and cocktails while listening to jazz at a quiet bar in
the hotel.
Nikko Kanaya Hotel
Nikko Kanaya Hotel website: http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/lodging/nikko_kinugawa/20.html
[MAP of the Nikko area]
Day 2 Trip into history on the “Samurai Route”
9:23AM Leave Tōbu Nikkō Station
On Day 2, take the 9:23AM train for approximately 2 hours from Tōbu
Nikkō Station to Yunokami-Onsen Station. You will find a foot bath next to
the thatched station building. Be sure to stop by as you can go in for free
any time except for Wednesday mornings.
After using the foot bath, head for Ouchi-juku. If you take the
12:05PM bus “Saruyugo” leaving from Yunokami-Onsen Station for
Ouchi-juku, you will arrive in approximately 20 minutes.
Foot bath
■Bus schedule between April 21 (Fri.) and November 30 (Thu.), 2017
Bus stop
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
9:00AM
10:00AM
10:40AM
11:20AM
12:05PM
1:05PM
2:05PM
3:05PM
9:20AM
10:20AM
11:00AM
11:40AM
12:25PM
1:25PM
2:25PM
3:25PM
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
10:20AM
11:00AM
12:25PM
1:25PM
2:25PM
4:00PM
10:40AM
11:20AM
12:45PM
1:45PM
2:45PM
4:50PM
Leave from
Yunokami-Onsen
Station
Arrive at Ouchi-juku
Bus
Entrance
schedule
Bus stop
Leave from
Ouchi-juku Entrance
Arrive at
Yunokami-Onsen
Station
*The final bus leaving from Ouchi-juku Entrance will arrive at Yunokami-Onsen Station upon going around
Shimogo Town where Ouchi-juku is located.
12:25 PM Head to Ouchi-juku where you would feel like you have traveled back in
time to the Edo Period
Ouchi-juku is one of the post towns where townscape of the Edo Period is preserved. In the Edo Period, it served
the function as a passage connecting Aizu and Nikko and a post town for daimyo lords (powerful samurai that
directly served the shogun in the Edo Period) and travelers heading to Edo. With more than 30 thatched houses lined
up along the street today, Japanese landscape from the past spreads out in front of you. You will find restaurants and
souvenir shops in such houses. For lunch, please try the negi soba which you eat with green onion instead of
chopsticks. After you enjoy sightseeing and your meal, take the 2:25PM bus and return to Yunokami-Onsen Station.
Ouchi-juku and negi soba
Facility name : Ouchi-juku (website: http://ouchi-juku.com/index.php?English)
Location : Shimogo Town, Minami-Aizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
Aizu Railway “Yunokami-Onsen Station” (approx. 2 hours from Tōbu Nikkō Line Tōbu Nikkō Station)
～ Bus “Ouchi-juku Entrance” (approx. 20 minutes.)
Tōbu Nikkō
Station
Shimo-imaichi
Station
Tōbu Nikkō Line
Approx. 10 mins
Kinugawa-Onsen
Station
Tobu Kinugawa Line
(Limited Express “SPACIA”)
Approx. 20 mins
Yunokami-Onsen
Station
Tobu Kinugawa Line
(AIZU MOUNT EXPRESS)
Approx. 1 hrs. 25 mins
Ouchi-juku
Entrance
Bus
Approx. 20 mins
*Ouchi-juku is in area “③” on the map on page 8.
*YouTube video of fresh green scenery of Ouchi-juku website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmNXzit0DvY
3:45 PM Visit the impregnable “Tsurugajo Castle”
After returning to Yunokami-Onsen Station, take the 2:49PM train for
approximately 30 minutes to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. Take a taxi from
the station to Tsurugajo Castle. Tsurugajo Castle is where the Boshin War
fought between the new government forces who tried to create a new
country and the former Shogunate forces who tried to protect the Edo
Shogunate took place. Victory of the new government forces led to
modernization of Japan. Loyalty of Byakkotai who fought on the former
Shogunate side and their tragic story is well-known to this day in Japan.
Tsurugajo Castle
Facility name : Tsurugajo Castle (website: http://www.tsurugajo.com/language/eng/index.html)
Hours : 8:30AM-4:30PM
Admission fee : ¥410
Location : Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
・JR “Nishi-Wakamatsu Station” (Approx. 30 minutes from Aizu Railway Yunokami-Onsen
Station) ～ Taxi (Approx. 10 minutes)
Yunokami-Onsen
Station
Nishi-Wakamatsu
Station
Aizu Railway
Approx. 30 mins
Tsurugajo Castle
Taxi
Approx. 10 mins
*Tsurugajo Castle is in area “④” on the map on page 8.
About the Byakkotai
The Byakkotai is a squad of 15 and 16-year-old boys gathered by the Aizu clan at the end of the Edo Period.
They fought in the Boshin War on the former Shogunate side to protect their homeland. When 20 boys who
fled from the fierce attacks of the new government forces arrived at Mt. Iimori, they saw the castle engulfed by
smoke and committed suicide believing the castle had surrendered. This tragedy is passed down to this day
and it is known as a famous historical story in Japan as it is portrayed in TV dramas.
4:45PM Souvenirs and confectioneries recommended for rests during your trip
Shop name: Tsurugajo Kaikan
Tsurugajo Kaikan, located north of Tsurugajo Castle, sells souvenirs and local sake of Aizu.
Aizu, which is also where rice is produced, offers various kinds of local sake. The delicate taste
with slight sweetness in smooth texture is popular among women. Choose your favorite sake by
trying out the samples and comparing each kind. You can also purchase the unique steamed millet
dumpling made with millet and sticky rice (¥97 for 1 piece) at Koike Kashiho which sells Japanese
confectioneries inside Tsurugajo Kaikan.
Address: 4-47 Oute-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima
Business hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Shop name: Nagatoya
Product name: Kagunokinomi
¥1,900 for 17 pieces
Nagatoya was established in 1848 during the Edo Period. Kagunokinomi which is made by
wrapping an entire Japanese walnut produced in Aizu with high-quality bean curd and covering
the surface with brown sugar is one of the recommended product. It was served at the Ise-Shima
Summit in 2016 when leaders of G7 countries gathered, and it was also chosen in the “Ultimate
World-Class Souvenir” contest. As it is located approximately 1km from Tsurugajo Castle, stop by
with a taxi on your way back.
Address: 2-10 Kawara-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima
Business hours: 9:00AM-5:30PM
Shop name: Taroan
Product name: Kitakata ramen pudding
¥432 for 1 cup
It looks like ramen, but it is a pudding cake. The soup is made with tea mousse, noodles are
made with marron cream, and roast pork is made with chocolate. It is a cake that makes you want
to post it on the SNS. Since there is a shop at the East Exit of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, your
schedule will go smoothly if you take a taxi from Tsurugajo Castle after your visit and get off in
front of Taroan (Aizu main store).
Address: 180-1 Byakko-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima
Business hours: 9:00AM-7:00PM
6:13PM To Tokyo from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
If you take the 6:13PM train from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Koriyama Station and take the Shinkansen from
Koriyama Station to Tokyo Station, you can return to Tokyo a little after 9:00PM. As you will have a plenty of time
to go sightseeing in Tokyo the next day, we recommend you the Samurai Route where you can trace the footsteps of
samurais.
Aizu-Wakamatsu
Station
JR Banetsu West Line
Approx. 1 hrs. 15 mins.
Koriyama
Station
Tokyo Station
Shinkansen
Approx. 1 hrs. 25 mins
[Recommended spots on the Samurai Route]
Tobu Railway is a major railway that covers the Kanto area from Tokyo. The re are many attractive
sightseeing spots along its lines, including the TOKYO SKYTREE, the world’s highest tower, Nikko
Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site where you can see the Yomeimon Gate which was vividly revived
after approximately 4 years of repair work, and Kawagoe where townscape with kura storehouses is
preserved. It is busy with excitement all year round.
Tobu Railway Group’s latest information
Tobu Group’s official SNS pages
■Facebook
“Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree Town, Nikko, Kawagoe & Ikebukuro:
Welcome to Tobu!”
English
http://www.facebook.com/tobugroup.en
Launch of Mynewsdesk
Tobu Railway has launched a newsroom
dedicated to Tobu Group in its corporate news
distribution platform Mynewsdesk. Here you
can download Tobu Group’s latest information
and images used in press releases.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/tobu-railway
■Instagram account: tobu_tokyo_gourmet
English
https://www.instagram.com/tobu_tokyo_gourmet/?hl=ja
Launch of “TOBU JAPAN TRIP”, a website filled with sightseeing information of the Tobu Group
“TOBU JAPAN TRIP” has been launched as a website useful for sightseeing, gathering information of group facilities, sightseeing spots, cuisine
and hotels along the Tobu Railway lines. It is available in English, Chinese (traditional/simplified), Thai and Korean.
http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/
ＴＯＢＵ ＦＲＥＥ Ｗｉ-Ｆｉ
TOBU FREE Wi-Fi
Some Tobu Group venues, including key Tobu Railway stations, TOKYO
SKYTREE TOWN, and Tobu World Square in the Nikko/Kinugawa area,
offer free and public wireless LAN service for foreigners visiting Japan.
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pdf/FreeWifi.pdf
Lonely Planet’s Nikko edition available
Lonely Planet, a guidebook compiling Nikko’s
tourist information, is available to the public.
http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/cp/discover_
nikko/