Tokyo, Nikko & Aizu Railway Journey
Head north from Asakusa to Nikko, travel via the Yagan Railway to Ouchijuku and Aizu, and return to Tokyo via Koriyama.
Connect Nikko and Aizu into a one-way loop to avoid backtracking. Take the scenic valley route of the Tobu and Aizu Railways on the way there, and return via the Tohoku Shinkansen. Both regions are rich in Tokugawa and late-shogunate history, offering a fascinating contrast. Day 3 involves multiple transfers and a long travel time, so an early start is essential. To make things easier, you can swap the visit to Ouchijuku for an onsen stay.
Autumn foliage in Okunikko peaks in October, about two to three weeks earlier than in the lower town.
Day by day
Day 1 · Toshogu Shrine & Shinkyo Bridge
Nikko（Shinkyo Bridge、Nikko Toshogu Shrine、Taiyuin Mausoleum）
Take the Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa to Tobu-Nikko (approx. 2 hours). Take a bus or walk to the Shinkyo Bridge area.
Toshogu Shrine gets crowded in the afternoon; try to enter in the morning.
Stay: Around Nikko Station and Shinkyo Bridge
Day 2 · Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji
Nikko（Kegon Falls、Lake Chuzenji、Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park）
Take a bus from Tobu-Nikko Station up the mountain to Chuzenji Onsen (approx. 45 minutes). Return the same way in the evening.
The winding mountain roads experience severe traffic jams during the autumn foliage season; starting early is highly recommended.
Stay: Around Nikko Station and Shinkyo Bridge
Day 3 · Through the Valley Line to Ouchijuku
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku（To-no-Hetsuri、Ouchi-juku）
Transfer at Shimo-Imaichi to the Revaty service for Aizu-Tajima, transfer to the Aizu Railway for Yunokami, take a bus to Ouchijuku, and then head to Aizu.
Direct trains are limited; start early and make use of luggage storage.
Stay: Aizu-Wakamatsu Station / Nanokamachi
Day 4 · Tsuruga Castle & Mount Iimori to Tokyo
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku（Tsuruga Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle)、Mount Iimori (Byakkotai Graves)、Sazaedo）
Explore via the loop bus. In the afternoon, take the Banetsu West Line to Koriyama (approx. 1 hour), then transfer to the Shinkansen for Tokyo.