A Day Trip in Nikko
Our Nikko tour takes you on a journey to a special place where old Japan meets beautiful nature. You'll explore the Nikko UNESCO World Heritage site, home to amazing temples and shrines. See the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine, known for its bright colors and detailed carvings – it's like an outdoor museum showing off Japan's rich history.
Nikko offers a memorable and enriching experience that stands out from other popular tourist spots in Japan. An unforgettable cultural and scenic adventure.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel in Tochigi area or Utsunomiya train station
- I will pick you up either at the hotel or train station - I will contact you on mobile. This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests! I can also pick you up at your hotel within the 23wards of Tokyo, please message me for details.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
This is the crown jewel of Nikko. It's the elaborately decorated mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Unlike the more austere temples often found in Japan, Toshogu is a riot of vibrant colors, intricate carvings (like the famous "Three Wise Monkeys" and "Sleeping Cat"), and gold leaf. It's an unparalleled example of Edo-period craftsmanship and a testament to the power and wealth of the shogunate.
Taiyuin shrine and Rinnoji temple
Taiyuin Shrine, built in 1653, serves as the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun. Its architecture blends simplicity with intricate details, reflecting the shogun's modesty and devotion.
Rinnoji Temple, founded in the 8th century, is one of Nikko's oldest temples. It houses significant Buddhist artifacts and offers a serene retreat amidst towering cedar trees. Both sites provide a glimpse into Japan's rich historical and spiritual heritage.
Shinkyo Bridge
This iconic vermilion-lacquered bridge serves as the sacred entrance to the shrine complex, offering stunning photo opportunities, especially with the surrounding nature.
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a mystical gorge located in the Nikko region of Japan, renowned for its ethereal beauty and eerie atmosphere. The area features a winding path along the Daiya River, lined with rows of stone statues known as "Jizo," which are believed to protect souls. The lush greenery, misty air, and serene yet haunting presence of the statues create a captivating experience, blending natural beauty with a sense of quiet reverence and mystery.
Ending Point
Your Hotel in Tochigi area or Utsunomiya train station
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Tour Guiding
Interpreting
Hotel Pick Up/Drop
A digital video album of your tour
Admissions cost: Toshogu 1800yen, other shrines 900yen roughly.
Your and Tour guide Transportation Cost.
Lunch Cost
Tour Important Information
* I can also pick you up at your hotel within the 23wards of Tokyo, please message me for details.
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Please message me for my available period before making any booking
Important message from the supplier
My schedule can be flexible, up to my deadline of works.
I can guide you in any area of Japan, please contact me in advance!
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
About Tour Guide Andy L.
Hello! I’m Your Friendly Guide to Japan’s Kanto Region
I’m based in the beautiful Tochigi Prefecture and absolutely love sharing Japan’s amazing culture, history, and hidden spots with visitors like you. Before doing tour guiding, I was a public school teacher, so I’m great at making stories come alive and helping you really connect with the places we visit.
I speak Japanese at an advanced level (N2), and I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Japan—from living a year in the peaceful town of Kamishihoro in Hokkaido to wandering the bustling streets of Tokyo. This means I can give you insider tips and deep insights that go beyond the usual tourist trails.
*What I Offer*
I mainly guide around the Kanto area, which includes Tokyo, Yokohama, Saitama, Ibaraki, Gunma, and of course, Tochigi. Here are some of the fun tours I can take you on:
- **Utsunomiya Cultural Immersion:** Spend a day discovering the unique charm and tasty eats of Utsunomiya.
- **Tokyo All-in-One:** Explore both East and West Tokyo in a single day for a full city experience.
- **Anime & Pop Culture Tours:** Tailor-made adventures based on your favorite shows, games, and characters.
- **Kanto Day Trips:** Visit iconic spots like Nikko’s stunning temples or Kamakura’s historic sites.
I also love guiding in other parts of Japan, especially Kyoto—I’ve seen every World Heritage Site there! Plus, I often run tours in Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Hikone, and more, all easy to reach by train.
*Customize Your Journey*
Every tour is flexible and designed just for you. To make your trip even more memorable, I’ll create a free, beautifully crafted photo album with music from your tour—perfect for sharing or keeping as a souvenir.
Ready to explore Japan in a fun, relaxed way with someone who’s passionate about showing you the real stories behind every place? Let’s chat and start planning your perfect adventure!
$256/ per group
More tours by Andy L.
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Initial D tour on Mountain Haruna Gunma
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The Hidden Gems of Anime and OTAKU culture Lovers Tour in Yokohama & Tokyo
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JDM - Japanese Domestic Market day trip in Yokohama & Tokyo
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JDM - Japanese Domestic Market day trip in Yokohama & Tokyo
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Utsunomiya Day Trip: Oya Stone & Gyoza dumpling Adventure !
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Tochigi
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Pottery Village Mashiko (Hamada Shoji's ware) Museum, Cafe and Laughing King of Hell Statue.
Today, Mashiko attracts many artists and entrepreneurs from various areas. Visitors can enjoy charming cafes that serve food in beautiful Mashiko ware, including cups and plates. Our visit included exploring museums, shops, and an indigo dye factory. We also stopped by Saimyoji Temple, where we saw a statue of the laughing King of Hell.
Pottery Village Mashiko (Hamada Shoji's ware) Museum, Cafe and Laughing King of Hell Statue.
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Nikko, trip to popular spots and the spot of odd sight
Nikko has been a well-known center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship since Toshogu was built in 1617 and Nikko National Park continues to offer scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls. However, there are still many unfamiliar places of odd sight in Nikko. One of them is Kanmangafuchi abyss. This trip is to visit not only popular sight-seeing spots but also spot of odd sight. If you follow the Daiya river, you will reach a small gorge called Kanmangafucchi Abyss.
Nikko, trip to popular spots and the spot of odd sight
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Nikko, "Must-see" spots in a day
The charm of Nikko is that one can enjoy both the natural beauty of its mountains, lakes and waterfalls-sacred places to mountain ascetics since 8th century-and the magnificent craftsmanship of the Toshogu constructed by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Nikko can be reached from the Tokyo by train in about two hours. The area is famed for its beautiful autumn colors. 103 buildings belonging to the Toshogu and Futarasan shrines and Rinno-ji temple were registered as UNESCO World Heritate site in 1999.
Nikko, "Must-see" spots in a day
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