Nikko World Heritages - One day trip from Tokyo with Kaori
Joined 2019
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.
Itinerary
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.
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, 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.
Tour Important Information
・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.
Important message from the supplier
- Kindly make an inquiry only for my available days on my calendar.
- I do tours only for a private group (up to 4 people) to maximize each person's experience.
- 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.
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 2019
About Tour Guide Kaori S.
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 : 6,000 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!
Reviews
Teresa W.
“Fantastic wedding anniversary trip in Tokyo”
We had an amazing 6 day tour with Kaori. She is very knowledgeable and kind person. Every day was full of nice surprises and views and we learned a lot about Japanese people, enjoyed its foods, visited beautiful places, and immersed in the culture. We can't thank you Kaori enough for such a memorable experience. We will be back to visit other areas in the future. Kaori is the best!
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for taking time to give me an excellent review just after you back home, Teresa-san. Moreover, I appreciate your trust that you booked me for your whole trip this time. I’m so honored to be your guide on your anniversary trip. Congratulations again for your wedding anniversary. It was such a joy to guide a lovely couple like you and Mike-san. Also thank you for attaching beautiful photos here. Unforgettable memories! Can’t wait for your coming back to Japan for next adventure! Big hugs, Kaori
Henry H.
“Unforgettable Tokyo & Mt. Fuji Tour – Exceeded All Expectations!”
We had the pleasure of spending 1.5 days touring Tokyo and Mt. Fuji with Kaori-san and Ichiro-san—truly a highlight of our Japan trip! They were warm, flexible, and highly accommodating. Due to rainy weather in June, we rearranged our itinerary to visit Mt. Fuji on a clearer day, which gave us beautiful views and experiences we didn’t expect during the rainy season. Everything was effortless. We were picked up and dropped off quickly at each site—no need to figure out directions. While we could’ve managed on our own, it was a true luxury to simply relax and enjoy. With their spacious Toyota Alphard, we comfortably explored the Mt. Fuji region, including the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, Kawaguchi-ko Boat Cruise, Oishi Park, and Hana Terrace—all offering breathtaking views and charming shops. Kaori-san, who is from the area, shared her childhood stories, which added authenticity and depth. We enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring the local Hōtō noodles, a hearty miso-based dish with thick wheat noodles and vegetables. We then visited the peaceful Saiko Lake, explored the nearby Ice Cave, and ended at the stunning Shiraito Falls, a Japan Heritage Site known for its cascading streams and serene beauty. Good views, good food, and great company—what more could we ask for? Ichiro-san is a skilled photographer who captured beautiful family moments for us—memories we’ll always cherish. They even helped us with our luggage and drove us to a more convenient station to avoid transfers. I hold high expectations when I travel, and they exceeded them all. We began with a general plan, but they helped us see more, adding meaningful surprises along the way. My kids adored them for their warmth and kindness. We would 100% hire them again for our next trip to Japan and highly recommend them to anyone seeking an unforgettable, authentic, and seamless experience.
Kaori S.
Thank you so much for taking time to give a wonderful review with our memorable photos, Henry-san! It was truly a lovely day, couldn't have expected more than what we had - Mt.Fuji showing her face all day in rainy season. You gave us a good chance to visit Shiraito Falls, where my parents took me often in my childhood - which was Shizuoka prefecture side. I've always been loving the great nature of Mt.Fuji area. The wonderful time with a beautiful family like you made another memory on us. So happy to hear you liked Ichiro's photos. Beautiful indeed!! We can't wait to see you all again for another adventure. Tokyo and surroundings have a lot more to offer! Big hugs, Kaori
Jeff A.
“Amazing tour with Kaori”
Kaori made our day and was a wonderful tour guide to our large family of 6 (grandparents and kids). Kaori was very knowledgeable and helped us understand the sites we toured (like Senso-Ji). It was extremely hot while we toured and Kaori was so thoughtful to help us handle the heat, packing some extra supplies to help us stay cool. She also recommended an excellent restaurant which we ended up having an excellent dinner at. We’re so happy we were able to take this tour with Kaori.
Kaori S.
Thank you for taking your precious time to write the warmest review just on our tour day while you are still traveling, Jeff-san. So delighted to hear you loved dinner there! We had an unusual heat for this season, which should have been tough on you and your family. Your family's kindness and patience made our day!! Please pass my appreciation to your family too, especially cute girls! I hope the rest of your stay would be full of wonderful moments! Big hugs, Kaori
$514/ per group
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