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 : 8:30 Asaksua - 10:23 Tobu Nikko
Tobu Line (Tobu Ltd Express - all seat reserved train) is more common for Nikko, but we can take Shinkansen bullet train if you have JR-Pass, but half of ride would be normal train (seats cannot be secured with JR railways.)
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 meet-up, send-off in Tokyo
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 up to 4 people to maximize your experience.
- Please kindly make an inquiry only for my available days on my GWG calendar.
- I'm Tokyo based. My tours basically start/end in Tokyo. If you like to start/end outside Tokyo 23 wards, kindly cover my transportation fee from/to there. 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 as you like (up to 4 hours) : 40,000 JPY
・Full Day as you like (up to 8 hours) : 64,000 JPY
・Extra hour over 8hours : 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!
Stacy M.
Eastern Tokyo Highlights -Asakusa, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace
“A fun day full of memories!”
Kaori is the best! She is very knowledgable and provided historical and cultural information on our tour. We experienced much more than we would have on our own. We had delicious sushi at Tsukiji Market that she made reservations ahead of time for us. We were able to communicate with her before the tour to help customize what we might want more time to experience. This was such a great experience. We hope to visit Japan again soon and hope to fit in another tour with Kaori. We highly recommend hiring her for your tour!
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for the warmest feedback, Stacy-san! It was great honor to be your guide for your memorable trip in your life. Congratulations again! Was so happy to see both of you enjoyed lunch at my favorite sushi restaurant. It was also such fun that we found out our chef had his honeymoon trip to your county. What a coincidence! Surely love to take you to another exploration on your next trip, maybe to off-the-beaten area or day trips from Tokyo! Looking forward to hearing from you again!! Big hugs, Kaori
“Great Experience with a lovely person. ”
Kaori is a lovely guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. We would recommend her and would use her services again. We had a lovely time on our half day tour and enjoyed lunch at the end. Thanks so much Kaori.
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for taking your precious time to give me an excellent review, Sharmaine-san. We enjoyed strolling around local neighborhood with local lunch together in a beautiful calm winter day! Great you all loved food. I loved talking with all of you. Definitely love to see you again and have more time with you on your next visit! "Arigato" for choosing me as your guide! Big hugs, Kaori
Fred H.
Private Hakone - one day trip from Tokyo with Kaori
“Hakone and Tokyo with Kaori for four days”
We have never been to Japan before and we had a five day stopover in Tokyo on our way from Australia to USA. With so much possible to do, we decided to maximise our experience and minimise our stress by using the services of a guide. Kaori met us at our hotel each day and took us for some marvelous sightseeing and cultural experiences. Navigating the labyrinth which is the Tokyo subway was a breeze with her in the lead. We got to do all of things that we might have thought possible, and some. We had a very special and memorable time and I cannot recommend Kaori too highly. Fred and Helen Australia
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for taking time to give me an excellent review on me. Appreciated for choosing me as your guide for your whole stay in Tokyo 4 days. I’m delighted to hear you and Helen san had a great time without concerns together with me. Blessed with the autumn foliage, we enjoyed 3 days in Tokyo with a mixture of major to off-the-beaten, and a day trip to Hakone with Mt.Fuji view! Truly fantastic 4 days together while enjoying talking with both of you over lots of aspects each other. The best wishes for your long wonderful journey to the world!! Big hugs, Kaori Tokyo
$502/ per group