These limited express trains that will take you to Nikko and Kinugawa (known for its onsens) in about 2 hours, are very practical if you reside in the west of Tokyo as they leave from the Shinjuku and
Ikebukuro stations.
It consists
in a joint service of the JR line and the Tobu line, therefore if you hold
a Japan Rail Pass, you will only have to pay an additional fare, the journey from Kurihashi, where the JR line changes for the Tobu line (1560 yen). Note that
the JR East Pass covers the whole trip.
Beware: there are only 4 departures from Shinjuku (7:30 AM, 10:31 AM, 1:01 PM, 5:32 PM) and Ikebukuro (7:36 AM, 10:37 AM, 1:07 PM, 5:38 PM)- note that some trains have a connection in Shimo-
imaichi - and 4 trips back from Tobu-Nikko station per day ( 8:15 AM, 10:48 AM, 3:16 PM and 4:39 PM). For this
route you can also buy the 'Nikko Kinugawa Excursion ticket' for sale in the JR ticket offices and 'View Plaza'.