Tamozawa Imperial Villa

Former Nikko residence of the Imperial Family

Recommended

3.7 (68)

#15 of 19 most visited in Nikko

Tamozawa Imperial Villa (田母沢御用邸, Tamozawa Goyōtei) blends traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture throughout its 106 rooms. The villa was erected in Nikko in 1899, using parts of a residence that originally stood in Tokyo.

Before being moved to Nikko, the building served as the Tokyo residence of a branch of the Tokugawa family and was later temporarily used as the Imperial Palace. In Nikko, it was enlarged into a summer residence for the Imperial Family, but suffered neglect after World War II. In the year 2000, the villa was opened to the public after extensive renovations.

In addition to the building's long line of illustrious occupants, Tamozawa Imperial Villa is one of the largest remaining wooden buildings in Japan. The interior of the villa is a curious mix of Japanese and Western styles. Many floors are carpeted, and elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceilings. Yet the villa's Japanese elements, such as sliding paper doors and tatami flooring are prominent as well.

Although still impressive in size and grandeur, Tamozawa Imperial Villa currently occupies only one third of its original area. It now functions as a museum and memorial park, and is well equipped with multilingual displays for visitors. The manicured Japanese style garden, that surrounds the villa, has several maple trees which offer autumn colors usually around late October and early November.

From JR or Tobu Nikko station, take a Tobu bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and get off at the Tamozawa bus stop. The bus ride takes 10 minutes and costs 350 yen one way. The villa can also be reached in about a 20 minute walk from Toshogu Shrine.

How to get to and around Nikko

Hours

April to October: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:00)
November to March: 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 15:45)

Closed

Tuesdays (or following day if Tuesday is a national holiday)
December 29 to January 1

Admission

600 yen

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Tamozawa Imperial Villa

Official website.

Japanese

Tamozawa Imperial Villa

Official website.

Read our Nikko Hotel Guide

Budget:

- B&B Izumi Nikko
  Budget-friendly
  
  B&B Izumi Nikko features mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Nikko, 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The 2-star bed and breakfast has river views and is 3.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station. Every room comes with a balcony. Certain units in the bed and breakfast have private entrance and are fitted with desk and outdoor furniture. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and slippers, the units at the bed and breakfast have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the bed and breakfast, all units have bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the bed and breakfast include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 121 km from B&B Izumi Nikko.
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- Stay Nikko Guesthouse
  Budget-friendly
  
  Featuring free WiFi, Stay Nikko Guesthouse offers accommodation in Nikko. Nikko Station on the Tobu and JR lines can be reached within a 13-minute walk. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this guest house is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Views of the mountains, river or garden are featured in certain rooms. Guests will find a microwave, toaster and kettle on site. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 20-minute stroll from Stay Nikko Guesthouse, while Kegon Falls is a 50-minute bus ride from the property.
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- Sanga Nikko
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located in Nikko, 2.1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Sanga Nikko provides rooms with free WiFi access. The property is set 10 km from Kegon Falls and 22 km from Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en. Nikko Station and Tobu-Nikko Station are within a 5-minute walk from the property. The property is equipped with two private bathrooms. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and fishing. A supermarket is situated within a 5-minute walk from the property. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Rinnoji Temple and Shinkyo Bridge. Futarasan Shrine is 2.2 km from the property, while Chuzenji Lake is 12 km away.
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- Midorian
  Budget-friendly
  
  Featuring a garden, Midorian is located within Nikko National Park. The property is around 1.5 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, 8 km from Kegon Falls and a 16-minute walk from Futarasan Shrine. The guest house features mountain views, a terrace, and free WiFi is available throughout the property. On-site parking is available free of charge. Guest rooms in the guest house are fitted with a kettle. A shared kitchen comes with a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. At Midorian, every room comes with a shared bathroom with a hair dryer. Cycling and hiking are among the activities that guests of the accommodation can find nearby. Rinnoji Temple is 1.6 km from Midorian.
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- Okunikko Guesthouse JUN
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located in Nikko and only 1.1 km from Kegon Falls, Okunikko Guesthouse JUN provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 1-star guest house features lake views and is 16 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km from the guest house, while Nikko Station is 18 km away. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 133 km from Okunikko Guesthouse JUN.
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- Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage
  Mid-range
  
  Homely rooms with mountain views, free Wi-Fi and a private bath await guests at Villa Revage, 350 metres from Nikko Botanical Garden. It is completely non-smoking, and free private parking is available on site. Rooms at Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage are heated and come with simple furnishings and art on the walls. An LCD satellite TV is included. Both a hairdryer and toiletries are provided. You can relax on the sun terrace, enjoy the garden or unwind in one of the private reservable baths. The hotel is 4 km from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station. Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is 800 metres away, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2 km away.
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- Nikko Guesthouse Sumica
  Budget-friendly
  
  Just a 3-minute walk from JR Nikko Train Station, Guesthouse Sumica offers beds in dormitory rooms, as well as Japanese-style private rooms. It features a shared kitchen and free tea and coffee. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the whole building. The Sumica Guesthouse is a 5-minute drive from the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine, and a 30-minute drive from both Lake Chuzenji-ko and historical theme park village Edo Wonderland (Nikko Edomura). JR Nikko Train Station is a 3-minute walk away. Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is a completely non-smoking hotel. It offers luggage storage, and it has a curfew at 23:00.
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- The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
  Luxury
  
  The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko features restaurants, fitness centre, a lobby lounge bar and shared lounge in Nikko situated by Lake Chuzenji and overlooking Mount Nantai. This 5-star hotel offers a concierge service and ticket service. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, hot spring baths for guests. At The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko all units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a hot tub, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, rooms at the hotel also offer a mountain view. A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. The onsite restaurants feature Japanese and Western-style cuisines. Guests can relax in the spa and wellness centre, including a hot spring bath, a sauna and a hot tub, or in the garden. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, and car hire is available at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Chuzenji Temple.
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- Asaya
  Luxury
  
  Boasting open-air natural spring baths that look out to the surrounding mountains, Asaya provides chic Japanese accommodation that displays flower arrangements throughout. A bus stop is located right in front of the property, and shuttle buses are available from Utsunomiya Train Station, an hour away, at an additional fee. Featuring a relaxing ambience, each room comes with a flat-screen TV, a telephone and a fridge. Asaya Hotel’s front desk is open 24 hours, and massages are available at an additional cost. Karaoke facilities and a gift shop are on site. Some of the hot spring baths can be reserved for private use for a fee. A tour to Edo Wonderland can be arranged upon request. The hotel is a 13-minute walk from Kinugawa Koen Train Station. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 40-minute drive away, and Edo Wonderland Nikko theme park is a 10-minute drive from the property. A buffet is served at one of the on-site restaurants. The dinner buffet serves about 80 various dishes ranging from Chinese, Japanese and Western meals, while the breakfast buffet provides about 60 variations, mainly Japanese and Western dishes.
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- Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko
  Mid-range
  
  Set in Nikko, 1.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is situated 2 km from Nikko Station. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.4 km from the accommodation, while Kegon Falls is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Ibaraki Airport, 119 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko.
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