Nikko is a town of World Heritage Sites located at 2 hours train from Tokyo, surrounded by rich nature of Nikko National Park. World Heritages consist of 2 shrines and 1 temple(below). Nikko mountain has a long history as the sacred place of mountain worship for both Shinto and Buddhism. Here, not only taste the well-known elaborate architectures, but feel the history, culture and nature itself.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Tokyo 23 wards, or designated station.
Meeting *Departure depends on hotel location.
I can meet you at your hotel in Tokyo 23 wards, or designated station.
Take Tobu Express train (about 2H)
Basic : 8:00 Asakusa - 09:48 Tobu Nikko (or 8:30 Asaksua - 10:23 Tobu Nikko)
Tobu Line is more common for Nikko, but we can take Shinkansen bullet train if you have JR-Pass.
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About Tobu Express frequency
・From Asakusa, we have some choices for Tobu Express trains. (go and back)
・From Shinjuku hotel, we only have one available schedule for Direct express. We'll start 30min earlier if you stay in Shinjuku.
Go : 07:31 Shinjuku - 09:27 Tobu-Nikko
Back : 16:39 Tobu-Nikko - 18:36 Shinjuku
Nikko
Arriving Nikko. Walk to world herigate area in 20min or take a bus or taxi.
Shinkyo Bridge (Sacred Bridge)
A vermillion bridge at the entrance of Nikko mountain.
Rinno-ji Temple (Three Buddha Hall) - (UNESCO Heritages)
Housing amazing three golden large Buddha statues.
Shoyo-en Garden
You can appreciate beautiful strolling garden in Rinno-ji Temple, which designed by famous garden designer Kobori Enshu in Samurai period.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine - (UNESCO Heritages)
The most famous shrine in Nikko, enshrines the first Shogun of Edo.
・Yomei-mon Gate - well-known for its elaborate carvings. You never get bored to see!
・Enjoy famous carvings in Toshogu - Three Wise Monkeys, Sleeping Cat.
・Graveyard of the first Shogun of Edo can be visited if you have energy to climb up the stairs.
Futara-san Shrine - (UNESCOHeritages)
The oldest shrine in Nikko. Popular for good luck and success in love today.
Lunch
Taiyu-in Mausoleum
The third Shogun's Mausoleum. Its architecture is more modest than Toshogu Shrine to show his deep respect for his grandfather.
(option) Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa (*Closed on Tuesdays)
A former summer residence of Imperial Family. You can appreciate the finest Japanese style architecture used by Imperial Family.
(option) Kanmangafuchi Abyss hiking trail
Many Jizo-Statues along the riverside trail. Nice hiking to a row of about 70 stone statues of Jizo, Bodhisattva who care for the deceased. Off-the beaten, but not too far from world heritage sites area.
(+2H option) Kegon Falls - (Except autumn foliage season)
If interested in Kegon Falls, we need 1 hour extra. We go for Kegon Falls in the morning, back to World Heritage area in the afternoon. Be noted we might not be able to finish all temples depending on the time we spent for Kegon Falls.
*NOT possible during autumn foliage season due to heavy traffic jam even on weekdays. We need to stay in the area to enjoy foliage in Nikko.
Taka local bus or taxi
Back to Tobu Nikko station or JR station in Nikko.
Take Tobu Express train back to Tokyo (about 2H)
16:21 Tobu Nikko - Asakusa 18:15
16:38 Tobu Nikko - Shinjuku 18:35
Or later trains for Asakusa transfers possible. (If JR-pass, we take JR trains.)
Back to Tokyo
Ending time depends on your hotel location and train we take.
End of tour
At your hotel, or your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
Ending Point
At your hotel, or your choice in Tokyo 23 wards.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee, hotel pick-up, hotel drop-off
transportation fee (you and guide), food and drink (you and guide), entrance fee (you and guide)
World Heritage Pass : adult 600 yen, child 300 yen
( If Kegon Falls : Lake Chuzenji Pass 2,300 yen or taxi about 18,000yen~ )
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●Transportation fee
【Basic plan】by Tobu Express (2H) (depends on hotel location)
If from Asakusa to Tobu-nikko : 2,860 yen × 2 times = 5,720 yen
If from Shinjuku to Tobu-nikko : 4,080 yen× 2 times = 8,160 yen (7:31 Shinjuku - 09:27 Tobu Nikko) *More expensive because shared two company lines.
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【For JR-pass holders】(2H)
Shinkansen : Free for you with JR-pass,
For guide : 5,590 yen ×2 times = 11,180 yen
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【Shinkansen plan】(2H)
Between Tokyo and Nikko (you and guide) : 5,380 yen ×2 times = 10,760 yen
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●Admission
Toshogu Shrine:adult 1,600 yen, elementary& junior 450 yen
Rinnoji Temple Set Ticket (Sanbutudo & Taiyu-in & Shoyo-en Garden) : adult 1,000 yen, elementary& junior 500 yen
Futarasan Shrine’s garden area : adult 200 yen, elementary& junior 100 yen
(option)
If Tamozawa Imperial Villa : adult 600 yen, elementary& junior 300 yen
If Kegon Falls (Elevators : adult 570 yen, elementary 340 yen)
【Optional】Hired cars
I'm happy to work with hired car you arranged at your end.
・This tour includes 4H train ride for round trip from Tokyo. (If Kegon Falls,+1H option).
・Kegon Falls is NOT possible during autumn foliage season due to heavy traffic jam even on weekdays.
・Nikko's World Heritage sites are in mountainous area. No easy access like elevators. Wheelchair accessibility is not good.
・If someone in your group has difficulties with stairs, please let me know in advance. The spots we can visit will be limited.
・Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Sandals are not good here.
This tour is only available on Weekdays to escape from congestion in Nikko Toshogu.
- I do tours with a small private group up to 4 people.
- Please kindly make an inquiry for available days on my GWG calendar.
- My tours basically start/end in Tokyo. If you like to start/end outside Tokyo 23 wards, my transportation fee from/to there should be covered. Thank you for understanding.
Kon-ni-chi-wa. Hello! I'm Kaori, having lived in Tokyo for more than 20 years since I got married to a photographer who lives here. Originally from Shizuoka prefecture which has Mt.Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. I took 2 working-holiday-visa stays in my younger days. One is in Toronto, Canada, and another is Australia touring by motorcycle. One year respectively.
I love travel both international and domestic. That's why I love helping individual travelers rather than group tours, because I myself love travel freely. Love nature, gardens, trekking, greenery, also anime. My favorite is taking you to the off-the-beaten tracks where I love.
As a national government licensed guide, I've got deep knowledge of Japanese culture and history. I really enjoy talking about the way of life with people from different cultures. We see what you like and talk what you are interested in. That's my style. If you don't know what to want, I can help you with that.
I'm happy to make tailor-made tours only for you (up to 4 people) upon your request.
・Half Day (up to 4 hours) : 40,000 JPY
・Full Day (up to 8 hours) : 64,000 JPY
・Extra hour : 8,000 JPY/hour
I'm quite an outgoing person, ( but organized well! ), easy to get along with anybody, including small kids to teenagers. Can't wait to see you soon!
Christasteven R.
2 days Custom Tokyo tour for Christasteven san family
Customized
“Kaori was exceptional!”
We booked Kaori for our first two days in Tokyo. I gave her a general idea of the types of things we’d like to do and she put together an amazing itinerary. Kaori taught us about the customs, how to navigate the train system and picked some great restaurants for lunch. We would have been lost without Kaori, she gave us the confidence needed to navigate the rest of our trip. Kaori felt like family by the end of the two days and we were sad to say goodbye. Thank you, Kaori!
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for taking time to give the warmest review for me. Being said “felt like family” means more than anything to me. I always want to help my guests like my family, but of course with professional knowledge and skills! We had a truly lovely two days together. I was so happy to see each of you and your daughter found something nice for yourselves on shopping! Hope to see you again, also the rest of your family too on your next trip! Big Hugs, Kaori
Jorge R.
Nikko World Heritages - One day trip from Tokyo with Kaori
“Nikko world heritage site”
Kaori made our vacation so simple and fun. Her prepararon of our day and her knowledge of the area was priceless. We felt so well taken care of. I highly recommend her as a guide. AMAZING!!!!!
Kaori S.
Thank you VERY MUCH for giving an exceptional review on my tour, Jorge san. Blessed with the weather and autumn foliage, it was such a lovely day to appreciate amazing architectures of Nikko in great nature of Nikko mountains. Your photos AMAZED me! Honored and delighted to be a part of your family's travel. Hope to see you next time! Big hugs, Kaori
Jorge R.
Private Mt.Fuji -one day trip from Tokyo with Kaori
“Mt Fuji and surrounding areas”
I can't thank Kaori and her husband enough for everything they did for us. The tour was amazing!! They went above and beyond!!! We felt as though they were an extended part of our family. Everything about their service was exceptional.
Kaori S.
I can’t thank you enough for taking time to give us the warmest feedback to my husband and me just after we parted after a whole day tour. We felt the same way, as if we were a part of your family thanks to friendship each of your family member gave us. It was amazing day with Mt.Fuji + autumn leaves shining to sunlights. Wishing you happy and safe travels. Love to welcome anyone from your family or friends. Of course when you come back! Big hugs and thanks, Kaori and Ichiro
$493/ per group