The Ryu-Q Kan tour is a very unique experience. You climb down a long staircase to a cavernous underground holding area for flood water. During times of intense rain, the water is channeled here underground from across northern Tokyo, in order to prevent the flooding of some of the smaller rivers nearer to downtown (e.g. the Arakawa River). As the water is collected here, it is pumped into the Edogawa River, which is a larger river that can more easily handle the excess water. It is quite an engineering marvel, both in the architecture of the discharge channel and the mechanics of the pumping system. The tour guide gives an overview of the entire system at the meeting point in the main building. After the overview, there is a small walk over to the entrance to the stairs. Once underground, the guide gives further information on operation of the discharge channel and then you are free to wander and explore the channel. It is wet underground, so closed shoes are highly recommended. It is difficult to get here using public transportation, but it can be done. Ultimately, you need to end up at the Minami-Sakurai station after getting to Kasukabe. There is a bus from the station to the Ryu-Q Kan, but it doesn't run very often, especially on weekends. We ended up just walking, which was about 30 minutes each way. (BTW, there is an excellent organic soba restaurant, Soba Cafe Ryujin, just outside the station on the way. Highly recommended!) Overall, this is quite an adventure if you want to see northern Tokyo and explore a modern flood control system. The tours frequently sell out, so purchase your tickets in advance. They are offered on the website 30 days prior to the day of the tour.

The pass was very convenient especially when using the bus throughout Nikko. We didn't realize that the bus from the train station to our hotel (way up in the mountains) was an extremely winding road with numerous switch backs. We got used to it as we were in Nikko for three days.

Great space well looked after and nice staff, great mix of things to see and a nice place to get food & and drink !

If you are thinking of going to Nikko, I really recommend you buy the pass at their tourist information center in Asakusa, as they are very helpful, they will give the trains and buses timetables,trains transfers if any,etc. They will also offer, at an extra cost, the limited express train, even though the pass includes a roundtrip from Asakusa to Nikko on the local lines, I recommend getting the limited express so you can arrive early, specially if you are just doing a day pass. Having said that I also would recommend that you take the local trains atleast on the way back, yes, you have to do some transfers so, you do have to pay attetion at the station you are at and which is one is next, but all that information is given to you at the tourist information center. But the local train was a highlight to me, because on the way back, I was able to meet an sweet elderly couple, even with my limited japanese language, they would talk about a lot of things of Nikko, like how the train stations had other names or they were in different places,etc.

We reserved tickets online and got a confirmation code to pickup the tickets. We booked the 07:30 train. As the ticket office only opened at 07:20 we had to pick up tickets the day before. We had to wait half an hour to give an online code to get the tickets. There was a long queue for that and other Tobu employees in a limited express queue doing nothing. They didn't seem to even realize this was poor service. The railway itself is fine but if you value your time book JR.

I used Tobu line when I was in Japan.I used Tobu line on April 17th in order to visit Nikko.I am a Japanese and understand the language.If you don't understand Japanese and are going to Nikko from Tokyo.You should use "Limited Express Spacia".It is the best way to go to Nikko.But if you want to save money, you have to use "Local train".You need to check the timetable and transfer stations on the internet before you go.Please ask help some Japanese if you got lost.You just say" Nikko" to them.Hope you enjoy your ride on Tobu!

We took the limited express train from Tokyo Asakusa station to Nikko. We chose the two hour direct option but you can go cheaper by changing trains on route a few times. This takes about an extra 30 minutes. When we purchase our tickets we also bought the 4 day Nikko pass. This gives unlimited access to all the Tobu buses serving Nikko and the surrounding area and free access to some of the attractions. Well worth it but not enough that two of the attractions are only open from April to November.

There are two major railroad ways to reach Nikko from Tokyo - the JR System and the Tobu System. Each has a multitude of trains, classes, prices. Much internet research and reviews of some others led me to choose the Tobu Railway system originating at the Asakusa station, Tokyo. Careful, there are two Asakusa stations. You desire the one where the Tokyo-Skytree line is located. It is closest to the banks of the Sumida River. I chose this railway line as it was convenient to reach the boarding area, didn't require a transfer of trains on the route, took just under 2 hours, and was cheaper. When one arrives at the Asakusa station there is a Tobu Tourist Information Center manned with personable people who speak English and who assist you in obtaining your tickets and explain everything in detail including departure times and the proper track from which to board. Also, they explained about the heavily discounted All-Area or World Heritage Nikko passes and other benefits that foreign visitors are able to take advantage of and save some money. My package included certain area entrances and unlimited bus service which I used through town, to the World Heritage Site Area, and up the mountain to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Hint: as the service people take some time with each customer, there is a waiting line. Allow yourself time and arrive very early if you are going to use their services - or you may not get your tickets on time and will miss your train. Of course, there are a number of trains. I took the 10 am train and arrived just short of noon at the Tobu-Nikko station. My train ride was comfortable, not at all crowded, and provided a great view of the attractive countryside. You won't miss where to get off as it is the end of the line. I returned via the same railroad line to the Asakusa station.

The pass include trains from Asakusa to Nikko and back and included also the ropeway (cable car) and lake cruise at Chuzenji (But the cruise is closed on winter from 1 Dec). Please note the train in the pass is NOT a direct train, need to change train like 2 times, but it was not difficult. To have a direct train, one need to top the fare at Asakusa Station, which I think it is not really necessary. The journey is only shorten by about 20 minutes compares to non-direct trains. But for ease of mind you may opt for upgrade to direct train. This was not specified in the pass during my booking.

We have used Tobu Railways for our trip to Nikko and Kawagoe from Asakusa and Ikebukuro stations respectively in Tokyo. In first case we bought discount pass in advance on the net which included return journey in reserved trains and bus pass in Nikko valid for two days. The website is very friendly to navigate. For Kawagoe we bought round trip discount pass at Ikebukuro station.Both the passes are available only to foreigners.Whilst the train to Nikko was immaculate ,the train for the return trip was rather old. The girls at the information kiosk in Asakusa were very friendly and spoke English and gave lot of information voluntarily. For Kawagoe be sure to take the rapid trains from Ikebukuro even if you find a slower train leaving earlier. Not only are the rapid trains are faster but they are more modern as well. The Tobu- Nikko Station in Nikko is cute and adequate. The Asakusa Station is attached to a shopping mall. Overall Tobu Railway serves foreigners very well.

Tobu railway operations are mainly between Tokyo city and its suburban areas. Also operates to regions of Saitama Prefecture from Tokyo. The primary stations in Tokyo being Asakusa and Oshiage. The main railway route runs from Asakusa to Nikko. There are local services , express services, limited express services operated across different sections. Limited express SPACIA and REVATY operated to Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen from Asakusa. The services are very efficient and pricing is relatively economical. A very convenient way to visit Nikko from Tokyo is using the limited express services operated by Tobu Railways. One can also visit the old town of Kawagoe from Tokyo using Tobu Railways.

Son has been reminisicing about the steam locomotive after he saw the poster for an upcoming movie(now in cinemas). Decide to spring a surprise for him, kept it as a secret but did mention that he will be taking a SL "Super Liner". Got up real early, boarded the Shinkansen to Utsonomiya station for transfer to JR Nikko line. Got off at Imaichi station and walked to TOBU Shimoimaichi station(15 min stroll). Was glad i reached there early(0800h), train crew were hard at work, son saw for the first time a working train turntable and was overjoyed, jumping up and down. Soon, SL Taiju came out of the shed and rested at the platforms. It was a short ride and enjoyable ride, many folks wave as we thundered to Kinugawa Onsen.

We rode the Tobu Railway many times to get to Skytree and to Omiya. Typical crowds (packed) when traveling during festival time.

We were visiting a gliding club outside of Tokyo, the easiest way to get there was using a Tobu train on the Nikko line. There are local and limited express trains, as well as pure express trains on the line. Stations are clean, staff are courteous and friendly, most speak good English. Use your Pasmo or Suica card. In our case we got onto a limited express train and then changed to a local train to reach the station at Fujioka. It's a great way to see the outside areas of Tokyo, and the scenery is gorgeous. The ride is comfortable and as we were riding on a weekend, there were plenty of seats. There are other Tobu lines in the city, we used the Tojo line to reach our hotel in Tokiwadai. Very handy.

Need transfer from Main Circle line ( Yamanote line ), need to use it for daytrip to yokohama and other nice and peaceful little town. Enjoyed it when I visit tready chic Jiyugakoka, slower and relaxing training.