I took off "transport" from the usual "Stay, Transport and Orientation" because we walked everywhere except to and fro the train station. We took a cab for that one because the hotel we booked were a little further from the train station and with bags and baggage plus hungry tummy, we were not thrill to navigate bus and a walk uphill in the dark. 

We had 2 nights stay in Tokanso 東観荘 in Nikko. After we reached Nikko, we got a taxi from JR Nikko station to Tokanso. According to the Tokanso Hotel's website, it cost about ¥1000. We paid ¥910 on the night that we travelled. 

According to Tokanso's own website, it refer itself as a hotel, so I would go with it. In actual fact, it feels a little more like a ryokan. After entering through the door, shoe storage place is on the left. They have allocated the specific rack for the guests with a name sign. Then comes the lounge, reception and souvenir shop. 




After a quick check in, we were brought to our room.



Behind the curtains were beautiful autumn leaves (see first picture). There were no bathroom attached but there was a small sink to brush teeth or wash hands behind that chair on the right (the one nearer to the window). Facilities included onsen (of course!) both indoor and outdoor onsen. The outdoor onsen looks out to the autumn leaves colour that makes one wanting to make haiku. We both did composed a haiku on the go though regretfully I did not jot it down though an onsen with beautiful autumn leaves in Nikko may jog the memory. ;)

Here's a scanned copy of  Nikko Walking Map taken from JR Nikko train station. 


This one I borrowed from Tokanso's  website.

Source: From Tokanso's website here

Tokanso is within walking distance to gardens and temple. The kind reception lady directed us to cut cross the car park to get to Shōyō-en Garden (逍遥園). From the garden, we continued to the shrine and other places.


Side note: A friend gave me a book, "How to find a date worth keeping... "