Asaya Hotel is an upper-mid-range hotel in the Nikko area, set between the luxury retreats at the top of the market and the simple business hotels near the stations. It suits travellers who want a comfortable night with decent facilities, a proper bed and a sense of place without paying for a full ryokan experience. As a base for visiting the shrines, the gorges and the lakes, it works well for couples, families and small groups who plan a day or two of sightseeing. Rates sit in the middle of the Nikko range, and they rise on weekends and during the autumn foliage season, so it is worth comparing dates and room types before you book.
Nikko is a compact destination in terms of the sights that matter. The World Heritage shrines and temples, including Toshogu, Futarasan and Rinnoji, sit together in a forested area a short bus ride from the stations. Beyond them are the Kanmangafuchi abyss, the Irohazaka road, Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, with onsen towns further afield.
Where you sleep determines how you divide these days, and a hotel in the Nikko area gives you a good middle position: far enough from the shrines to be calmer and cheaper than the closest options, close enough to reach them in a short bus or taxi ride.
Rooms in this price bracket are usually clean, spacious enough for two and fitted with the comforts you expect from a quality hotel, such as a private bathroom, good bedding and air conditioning. Some rooms may offer views of the surrounding hills, and the quietest are usually on higher floors.
Check the room types when you book, especially if you are travelling as a family, since twin, triple and larger rooms are not always available. Meals vary between room-only, breakfast and half-board rates, and in a town where restaurants close early, a rate with dinner can be worth considering.
Think about the season. Spring brings cherry blossoms in the lower town and snow melt in the mountains, summer is cool and green, autumn is the busiest and most expensive and winter is quiet with the chance of snow. In peak autumn weekends, hotels in this class sell out well ahead, and prices climb, so reserve early. In the cold months, check whether heating, hot water and transport run normally and allow extra time for buses, since snow can slow the roads up to the lakes.
This hotel suits travellers who want something better than the budget chains but do not need a luxury onsen retreat. It is less suited to visitors who want to be beside the water at Lake Chuzenji or to soak in a riverside onsen town, in which case consider the lakeside and Kinugawa hotels instead. Confirm check-in times, luggage arrangements and the way to reach the hotel from Nikko Station, and ask about parking if you plan to drive.
Why stay here
- ✓Nikko area location (check the map)
- ✓Comfortable mid-to-upper range rooms
- ✓Dining options (check meal plans)
- ✓Bus and taxi access to the shrines
- ✓Private bathroom in every room
- ✓Front desk and luggage storage
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Wi-Fi (check when you book)
Good questions
Is Asaya Hotel near the Nikko shrines?+
It is in the Nikko area. Check the map when you book for the distance to the stations and the shrines.
Is it good for families?+
It suits families who want a comfortable, mid-priced base. Check room types for family or triple rooms.
When is it busiest?+
Autumn foliage weekends and national holidays are the busiest and most expensive. Book early for those dates.
