Routes at a glance
Many of Tobu’s Nikko- and Kinugawa-bound limited expresses stop at Tochigi, so the town makes an easy stopover on the way to or from Nikko — about one hour further north.
From Oyama on the shinkansen line, the JR Ryomo Line reaches Tochigi in 11 minutes and continues to Sano and Ashikaga.
| Route | Time | Rough cost (one way) |
|---|---|---|
| Tobu limited express, Asakusa → Tochigi | about 1 hr 10 min | around ¥2,400 |
| Tobu express/ordinary via Minami-Kurihashi | about 1 hr 40 min | around ¥1,100 |
| Shinkansen Tokyo → Oyama + JR Ryomo Line | about 1 hr | around ¥4,200 |
| JR Utsunomiya Line to Oyama + Ryomo Line | about 1 hr 40 min | around ¥1,500 |
| Car via Tohoku Expressway (Tochigi IC) | about 1 hr 15 min | tolls + fuel |
Getting around
JR and Tobu share Tochigi station. Walk north along the main avenue or the riverside path to reach the old town in 10–15 minutes. The tourist office at the station rents bicycles, which are handy for Mount Ohira’s foot and the outlying storehouses. A loop bus also circles the centre.
