Budget
Daiyagawa Youth Hostel
A cosy and very friendly place which can be a bit narrow at times, but it's the obvious choice for budget travellers with ¥2730 for a bunk bed. The owner is very hearty and is happy to lend guide books and answer questions. Either walk about 10 minutes uphill on the main street or take the bus to the tourist information centre, from there take the first right and follow the road up the river for a few minutes. It's a bit tucked away and directly at the Daiyagawa river.
There are several campsites in Nikko, although only Narusawa +81 0288-54-3374 and Ogurayama +81 0288-54-2478 are open year-round; several others run from April to mid-November or July to August.
Midrange
Turtle Inn Nikko
About ten minutes to the temple area; includes a hot spa bath and internet access.
Nikko Inn
Traditional Japanese style accommodation located in a farm village, with a professed interest in helping "Japanese people rediscover Japan and foreigners experience Japanese culture." Pricing is complicated, but basically you pay ¥5000/person/night, plus a one-time "facility charge" of ¥3000-4500 depending on which cottage you stay in.
Annex Turtle Hotori-An
About fifteen minutes on foot from the ShinkyÅ bridge, in a quiet area near the Kanmangafuchi Abyss; includes a hot spring bath and internet access.
Nikko Park Lodge
This laid-back, friendly and unapologetic lodge is located about twenty minutes' walk from the town center, although the owner is happy to provide rides to and from the train stations and to the temple area in the morning. There are twin, double and four-person rooms at ¥3990 per person. English is spoken. The lounge has comfortable sofas and a warm stove for the winter. Although most of the rooms have showers, there are lovely Japanese-style hot baths on the first floor. Zen yoga classes are offered every morning at 7AM for ¥300. A simple breakfast is ¥395 and the vegan 'zen' dinner ¥1800, reservation required is recommended, but be prepared to spend a couple of hours waiting for your meal after the advertised starting time. Parking is available.
Ryokan Funamisou
A Japanese ryokan about fifteen minutes on foot from Kosagoe station which is about 30 minutes from Tobu Nikko Station by train. Includes public and private family room natural hot spring bath. Quiet and surrounded by nature along side the kinugawa river. Provide Japanese cuisine with seasonal, fresh ingredients. Friendly manager who speaks Italian. Popular among local Japanese and starting to attract overseas customers. Recommended for a local Japanese experience. English online reservation available.
Catnip Bed & Breakfast
This comfortable family-run B&B is a fair hike from the station but the 40 minute walk is beautiful and the owners promise you a free beer on arrival. Alternatively you can take the #6 bus or arrange to be picked up from the station. The rooms are spacious and charming, with shared bathrooms. A bargain at ¥5000 per adult or ¥4000 for children for the first night, there is a ¥1000 discount for each subsequent night and a hot breakfast is included in the price. The owners speak fantastic English.
Forest Inn Nikko Teddy Bear House
A place to rest your head for the night, and a private collection of teddy bears to peruse!
Top end
TÅkansÅ
A well-located ryokan used to English-speaking guests, the flip side is the large size and consequently impersonal service.
Senhime Monogatari
Modern ryokan with both traditional Japanese and Western Japanese rooms. Indoor and outdoor hot springs available 24 hours/day. Impeccable traditional Japanese dinners utilizing a multitude of fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Choice of Western or Japanese style breakfast. Very personal service, English spoken well. Every room has a beautiful view of the Otani River. Located about 1000 feet from TÅshÅgÅ« Shrine.
Nikko can be covered in a busy day trip from Tokyo, but it's also a good place to spend the night, especially in a traditional Japanese ryokan guesthouse. The shrines are quite atmospheric early in the morning and at dusk, when the tour buses are not around.