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Nikko Half Day Tour
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Joined 2024
Experience the beauty of Nikko in a half-day tour. Visit the ornate Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive through the scenic Irohazaka road with its winding curves and mountain views. Stop at Kegon Falls, one of Japan’s top waterfalls, cascading 97 meters. End the tour at the peaceful Lake Chuzenji, nestled in the mountains, perfect for a relaxing stroll and photo spot.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Tobu Nikko Station, JR Nikko station, or Hotels in or around Nikko
- If you stay in or near Nikko, I will come to your hotel. If you are coming from Tokyo or other area on the day of the tour, I will come to the station either Tobu Nikko station or JR Nikko staion.
Nikko Tosyogu shrine, Rinnoji temple, and Futarasan shrine
Nikko’s most iconic historical site, the Toshogu Shrine, a lavishly decorated shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Marvel at the intricate wood carvings, including the famous “Three Wise Monkeys” and the sleeping cat (Nemuri-neko), and explore the grandeur of Yomeimon Gate.
Iroazaka winding road
Irohazaka is a scenic mountain road in Nikko with 48 sharp curves, each named after a character of the old Japanese alphabet. It connects central Nikko to the Oku-Nikko area, offering stunning views, especially in autumn when the leaves turn vibrant colors.
Lunch Break
Enjoy a delicious and healthy lunch featuring Yuba (湯波), a local specialty made from tofu skin. Nikko's yuba is known for its delicate texture and rich soybean flavor, often served in various styles such as yuba sashimi, yuba donburi (rice bowl), or yuba soba. Many traditional restaurants in the area offer beautifully prepared yuba dishes in a serene, Japanese-style setting, making for a perfect mid-day break during your sightseeing. Please note that the cost of lunch is not included in the tour price, and guests are kindly requested to pay for their own meals.
Kegon Fall
Kegon Falls is one of Japan’s most spectacular waterfalls, plunging 97 meters down a rugged cliffside from Lake Chuzenji. As one of the country's Three Great Waterfalls, it offers breathtaking views in all seasons—lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and a frozen cascade in winter. Visitors can admire the falls from an upper viewing platform or take an elevator down to the base for a closer look at its powerful flow. A must-visit natural wonder in Nikko!
Lake Chuzenji
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji is a serene and picturesque lake located at an altitude of 1,269 meters, making it Japan’s highest natural lake. Formed by volcanic activity, the lake offers stunning views year-round, with cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and a peaceful snow-covered landscape in winter. Visitors can enjoy boat cruises, lakeside walks, and visits to Chuzenji Temple, which features a unique statue of Kannon carved into a tree. It’s the perfect spot to relax and take in Nikko’s natural beauty. You can also enjoy lunch at the restaurants around the lake.
Senjogahara Marshland
Senjogahara Marshland is a vast, scenic wetland in Nikko, offering some of the best hiking trails in the region. Spanning about 400 hectares, it sits at an altitude of 1,400 meters and provides breathtaking views of Mt. Nantai and the surrounding mountains. The area is rich in wildlife, with diverse plant species and many birdwatching opportunities. A well-maintained hiking trail (about 6 km) takes visitors through the marsh, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers, especially in autumn, when the golden grasses create a stunning landscape.
Ending Point
Tobu Nikko Station, JR Nikko station, or Hotels in or around Nikko
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
*Guide fee
*Transportation type of car: Volvo V60, toll fees, and gasoline expenses.
*parking fee
*Lunch
*Entrance fees(Tosyogu shrine, Kegon fall )
*Drinks, street foods, souvenirs, and your personal expenses
*Traveler's insurance
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
*This tour is closed on Mondays.
This tour is closed on Mondays.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Keiichiro I.
Hello everyone, and welcome to North Kanto area, the land where tradition meets tranquility!
I am Keiichiro Izawa, your dedicated tour guide for today's adventure through this culturally rich and naturally stunning prefecture.
Born and raised right here in Ibaraki, I have developed a deep connection to its history, heritage, and hidden gems. With a background as an English teacher and translator, I'm here to ensure that every step of our journey is not just informative, but also enjoyable.
One of my passions lies in exploring historical sites such as shrines, temples, and castles, where the echoes of the past resonate through time. But don't worry, our exploration won't be limited to just the ancient wonders. I'm also a nature enthusiast, drawn to the majestic mountains and serene beaches that adorn our landscape.
And what's a trip without savoring the flavors of the local cuisine? I'll be your culinary guide, leading you to the best-hidden eateries where you can indulge in authentic dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.
So buckle up and get ready to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of North Kanto. Let's embark on a journey filled with history, nature, and delicious discoveries!
Reviews
Rachael M.
“Lovely day and tour by knowledgeable guide”
Keiichiro picked my partner and I up at our hotel in Nikko and took us on a very lovely tour through some of the main highlights in the Nikko national park. Our tour focused on seeing the nature and sites around Nikko that required a car to access. We asked Keiichiro to arrange it this way since we were staying within walking distance of the shrine and temple complex. We saw the main lake, embassy summer residencies, several waterfalls and went in a lovely hike through the marsh and forest area. We had a great day and I'd recommend Keiichiro to anyone looking for a personable guide who is knowledgable about Nikko and it's surroundings.
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Keiichiro I.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring the natural side of Nikko — the lakes, waterfalls, and hiking through the marshland are truly special experiences. It was a great pleasure spending the day with you both and sharing some of my favorite spots in Nikko. I really appreciate your kind words and recommendation, and I hope you will visit again in another season to see Nikko’s different beauty.
Alvina L.
“Amazing day with Keiichiro even with bad weather. ”
We booked the night before and he answered our booking very quickly. We didn’t pick anything for an itinerary and went with his plan for the day. We visited many nature spots and ended with seeing the shrine and temples at the end. He is incredibly kind and his English is great. We had an amazing time even if the weather wasn’t good. The car was comfortable and he pivoted plans to give us the best day. He was easy to converse with and was knowledgeable about the area. He gave many recommendations for the rest of our trip in Japan. Overall we really enjoyed his service.
Keiichiro I.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was truly a pleasure guiding you in Nikko, and I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour despite the weather. I really appreciate your kind words about my English and guiding — it means a lot to me. I hope the rest of your journey in Japan will be just as memorable, and please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime if you need travel advice or wish to explore more of Japan.
Elaine C.
“The best day of our trip”
We had the most wonderful day with Keiichiro-san. He communicated with us well before the tour so expectations were very clear. Keiichiro-san was waiting for us at Tobu-Nikko station with a gift of a local delicacy! So kind! He drove us to the various places we wanted to see- Jizo statues, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, the mountainous marshlands area (which he recommended), and of course the large Toshigi shrine complex. At each point he shared interesting insights and historical facts (in perfect English) , enabling us to understand both the history and culture. Keiichiro-san took us to a wonderful restaurant for lunch where we tasted the local yuba noodles specialty, which was delicious. Keiichiro-san was a wonderful guide and exceptionally patient - my daughter needs to linger everywhere to get the best photos and videos for instagram! and he took things at our relaxed pace. We were thrilled with this day - both the awe-inspiring natural landscapes and cultural heritage of Nikko, and also our kind, knowledgeable and patient guide.
Keiichiro I.
Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful review. I myself truly enjoyed guiding you both around Nikko, and it was a very fulfilling and joyful day for me as well. I am sincerely grateful for the time we shared together, and it was such a pleasure to see your interest in both the history and nature of Nikko. Thank you again, and I hope our paths will cross once more in the future.
$263/ per group
More tours by Keiichiro I.
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Discover Nikko: A Journey Through History and Nature
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South Ibaraki Tsukuba and Kashima tour
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