Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Nikko from Tokyo. Nikko is the perfect destination for those who want to escape busy Tokyo and enjoy great nature and historical beauty. Nikko is designated as Japan’s National Park as well as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. 2 hours north-east of Tokyo by train. Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine is what you cannot miss. Your tour can be customized depending on your interests. Do not miss tasting local food, too. Let’s enjoy the beauties of Nikko together!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Your Hotel (in Tokyo metropolitan area) - meet at the lobby
Meeting time might be changed depending on which area of Tokyo you stay.
Terminal Station in Tokyo - Fun express train ride to Nikko area (*reservation needed) enjoying the window views and sharing info about Nikko
We are to take one of the express train depending on which area of Tokyo we are to start;
1) Tobu express from Asakusa
2) JR Shinkansen, bullet train from Tokyo to Utsunomiya, and transfer to local JR line to Nikko
3) JR + Tobu combined direct express from Shinjuku
Nikko area
- Ride area bus passing Shinkyo bridge
Kegon Fall
- Enjoy grand view of the gigantic fall & beatiful Lake Chuzenji ( Ryuzu Fall - optional) *not recommended during mid-October due to traffic jam along Iroha-zaka slope road
Local lunch
- Soba noodle, Yuba (Tofu skin), etc.
Toshogu shrine
- the highlight of Nikko World Heritage Sites, lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of more than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest. It is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868.
【Highlights of Toshogu】90 minutes <architectural pieces> five story pagoda, storehouses, Yomeimon gate, Main shrine hall, Mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Three Monkeys, Imagined Elephants, Nimurineko (sleeping cat), etc.
***** depending on your interests, weather & traffic condition, we can focus on the World Heritage Sites and its neaby area instead of visiting upper lake area ******
option ① Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park - Enjoy beautiful Japanese architecturral pieces, crafts, and its garden
option ② Taiyu-in - part of Rinnoji temple, mausoleum of the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun (National Treasure)
option ③ Futarasan shrine - one of the World Heritage Sites where mountain deities of Nikko are enshrined
option ④ Rinnoji temple - Nikko's most important temple originally dates back to the 8th century A)Sanbutsu-do - hall housing three gold lacquered, wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon, and Bato-Kannon B) Shoyoen - a small Japanese garden, especially beutiful with autumn foliage typically in the first half of November
Shinkyo, the sacred bridge
- beautiful small vermilion colored legendary bridge over Daiya river
Path toward Nikko station
- walk back along the street lined up with traditional souvenir/craft shops or return by local bus
Nikko station
- train ride back to Tokyo
Terminal station in Tokyo (Asakusa, Tokyo, or Shinjuku)
- the end of the tour
Ending Point
At any place of your convenience in Tokyo
Want to personalize this tour?
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
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 pick-up (inside the metropolitan Tokyo area)
◆ transportation fee (you and the guide) *It differs depending which company line we take.
‐ Basically, we are to use puclic transportation. So, if you prefer hiring a private car, please contact in as much advance as possible for its availability and expences.
- Depending on where you stay in Tokyo, what kind of transportation pass you hold, the train we use will be different. Find the following list for your reference.
[Recommended Train services between Tokyo area & Nikko area]
◆from Tokyo◆ appx. 12,000 yen / roundtrip / person
(From Tokyo) 0740 Tokyo >> (Shinkansen Yamabiko 125, bullet train to Utsunomiya and change to a local train, reservation recommended) >> 0928 JR Nikko
(To Tokyo) 1619 JR Nikko >> (local train to Utsunimiya, and change to Shinkansen Yamabiko 216) >> 1816 Tokyo
◆from Shinjuku◆ 8,160 yen / roundtrip / person
(From Tokyo) 0731 Shinjuku >> (direct express train, reservation needed) >> 0927 Tobu Nikko
(To Tokyo) 1638 Tobu Nikko >> (direct express train) >> 1835 Shinjuku
◆from Asakusa◆ 5,610 yen / roundtrip / person
(From Tokyo) (1) 0730 Asakusa >> (direct express train, reservation recommended) >> 0920 Tobu Nikko
(2) 0800 Asakusa >> (change at Imaichi) >> 0950 Tobu Nikko
(To Tokyo) (1) 1623 Tobu Nikko >> (direct express train) >> 1815 Asakusa
(2) 1723 Tobu Nikko >> 1915 Asakusa ** only in summer as in other seasons it gets dark earlier in Nikko area
[Local Transportation in Nikko area]
(A) Bus Pass for World Heritage area : 600 yen / person
(B) Bus Pass valid to Kegon Fall area : 2,300 yen / person
(C) Bus Pass valid to Ryuzu Fall area : 3,500 yen / person
(D) Taxi : it varys depending on the distance
◆ lunch
◆ entrance fee (per adult/child)
Toshogu - 1,600 yen, Rinnoji (package) - 1,000 yen, Tamozawa Imperial Villa Park - 600 yen, Kegon Fall Elevator - 600 yen
Tour Important Information
‐ Basically, we are to use puclic transportation. So, if you prefer hiring a private car, please contact in as much advance as possible for its availability and expences.*Kindly be reminded that, in Japan, guides are not allowed to drive their cars while guiding.
- Depending on where you stay in Tokyo, what kind of transportation pass you hold, the train we use will be different. Find the info about transportation described separately.
Week days are recommended
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 Tomoko H.
Hi everyone! Hearty welcome to Japan.
I’m Tomoko.
I am an English-speaking licensed tour guide, and a registered nurse as well.
“Fun Discovering Experience Walking like a Local!” – F-D-E-W-L!
That’s what I suggest.
【Experiences】
My work history is as follows.
1) high school teacher ---12 years
2) nurse--8 years + 2 years as operational manager for Kamakura city vaccination team (during COVID period)
3) tourism related jobs such as tour conducting, guiding, and backyard supporting---10 years
As a tour conductor, I’ve visited about 20 foreign countries (possibly yours?) as well as countless number of towns and villages in Japan.
I’ve enjoyed these jobs while being a mother.
Through these experiences with lots of people from different backgrounds, I've found it a great pleasure to share the joy of learning and experiencing something new!
【Guiding Areas】
<Basic> Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Fuji, Yokohama, Nikko, and other neighboring areas from Tokyo
I’m a specialist in Tokyo and Kamakura as I have lived and enjoyed walking a lot in those cities for decades. To be honest, even after all my years here, I still enjoy exploring like a tourist as Tokyo is such an enormous city with great diversity and is constantly changing.
Kamakura is a historical small city with nice beaches and hills and lots of hidden spots of beauty. Almost every time I go out, I feel I’m still making new discoveries. That’s why I cannot stop exploring.
I would take you to some neighboring areas like Hakone, Yokohama, Nikko, and Mt. Fuji area (Lake Kawaguchiko), etc.
<Based on Requests > *if my transportation & accommodation are covered
Nagoya, Kyoto, Nagano(Nagano city, Snow Monkey park, Kisoji trail, etc.), Hida (Takayama, Shirakawa-go), Kanazawa, Oita, Yamagata, Akita, etc.
My original family is from Nagoya, so I know their culture and even their language(dialect) well. Later in my life, I have lived in Oita, Kyushu(far south west of Tokyo) for nearly 10 years and traveled a lot in Kyushu. I love traveling Tohoku, the northern Japan area, too. I’ve planned and enjoyed visiting many of those local areas in the north, too. So, I could share those experiences with you even while having tours in Tokyo or online.
【Personality and others】
- I love meeting people, listening and talking to them.
- I'm friendly and caring, I hope:)
- I love nature and enjoy hiking and skiing.
- I love seasonal flowers and good local food.
- You will see a lot about Japanese culture, nature, and lifestyle with me.
What has made you decide to come to Japan, by the way? Is it its scenic beauties, exotic culture, history, food, anime, or what else? Is it your business that has brought (or will bring) you here? Let me have a clue and customize your tour. I will make the best tour suggestion for you.
Why don’t you contact me now? I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you! Arigato-gozaimas!
Reviews
Carlos B.
“Tokyo highlights full day ”
Tomoko was amazing, very professional and knowledjable Guide. Very good english . Took us in public transportation ( subway ) but in a very efficient way we could not have done without get. Took us also to a very local restaurant- really what we were looking for !
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
Tomoko H.
Thank you for the wonderful day we spent together and for your kind review. It was a very hot day, but I’m glad we were able to energetically visit all the highlights you requested—starting with the Imperial Palace, where there’s almost nowhere to escape from the sun, and then moving on to the Skytree, Asakusa, and Meiji Shrine. The “monjayaki” might not have looked very appealing, but I was so happy that you enjoyed it and said, “It’s delicious!” Your children, who are so curious, asked me lots of questions about culture, history, people’s ways of thinking, and even Japanese foods popular among young people—things I don’t know much about (or don’t usually eat)—so while there were many times I couldn’t give them a proper answer, it was still a stimulating experience for me. Muito obrigado, Carlos, Margarida, Madalena, João, and António!!!
Haejin B.
“Hakone Highlights with Tomoko”
Tomoko is an excellent guide. Not only did she know how the navigate the buses, trains, cable cars, and ferniculars in Hakone so that our one after there was not wasted waiting for transportation, she helped us fix a major issue. We had bought the Hakone Free Pass, but for the wrong dates, so she got on the phone with the company and came to a solution which we would never have imagined. At the same time while was ushering us onto various forms of transportation. She was very knowledgeable about the museums and the history of Hakone. OVERALL EXCELLENT.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
Tomoko H.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Haejin. There were a few unexpected happenings, but it was a very fun and enjoyable day. In Hakone, depending on the weather, cable cars and sightseeing boats may be suspended, or unexpected crowds can make it take a long time to board cable cars or buses—there are always unexpected things happening , so I try to stay attentive. Hower, this time, things got a little more complicated due to a mistake by the staff at Shinjuku Station, but I’m glad it was resolved in the end, and I learned a valuable lesson from the experience:) Thank you again for your patience and your spirit to have fun.- Tomoko
Scott C.
“Personalized Full Day Tokyo Tour ”
Tomoko was an exceptional guide and truly made our day in Tokyo unforgettable. Even with steady rain, she transformed the day into one of the highlights of our trip. From peaceful shrines and beautiful architecture to bustling food stalls, fascinating history, and delicious local treats, every stop felt thoughtfully chosen. Her warmth, knowledge, and sense of fun made every moment enjoyable, and she showed us a side of Tokyo we never would have discovered on our own. We left with full stomachs, great memories, and a deep appreciation for the city. Getting to know her better over a wonderful meal at the end of the day was truly a special way to end the tour. We wholeheartedly recommend Tomoko to anyone looking for an authentic and memorable Tokyo experience. You’ll have a lovely time! Haiku for Tomoko: Clouds came for the show, Tomoko outshined the rain— Tokyo smiled back.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
Tomoko H.
Hi Scott, Thank you for the heartwarming review—and for the lovely 'Haiku', too. Reading it brings back memories of the fun day I spent with you and Jose. When we got out of the taxi at Sakuradamon Gate near the Imperial Palace, it suddenly started pouring, and I wasn’t sure what to do, but seeing Jose enjoying the rain even without an umbrella really cheered me up :) You carefully shared with me your preferences and schedule in advance, and we planned the day together. Even though it rained, we were able to improvise where to go and how to get there on the spot, based on your interests and how much time we had, so it turned out to be a really fun day. It was also a memorable experience to enjoy fried pufferfish and sushi while sipping sake at a spot beloved by locals. I look forward to seeing you again. Tomoko
$434/ per group
More tours by Tomoko H.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2918/85893.jpg)
One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
Recommended for those who want to make the best of your limited days in Tokyo! First, choose 1 or 2 places from the selection list in ‘Highlights,’ and let me know your requests. Then I will suggest the best itinerary especially for you. If you are thinking of touring around other areas starting from Tokyo or ending at Tokyo, I could assist your planning as a tour guide+consultant. Feel free to contact me.
One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3505/88456.jpg)
Hakone Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
One-day fun excursion to Hakone from Tokyo. Hakone is a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. This tour covers the highlights of Hakone. You will enjoy its natural beauties, spectacular views of volcanic activity, a lovely museum with great masterpieces, historical sites, and fun vehicle rides. If weather permits, the view of Mt. Fuji is gorgeous! Fun excursion for both adults and children.
Hakone Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3501/85854.jpg)
Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Kamakura, a small, coastal city just one hour south of Tokyo. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments as well as beautiful beach and forestry hills. Refer to this model plan, and I will customize your tour based on your tastes and requests. Count on me, Kamakura specialist!
Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91708.jpg)
Kamakura Day Hike with Local Expert
Kamakura is a small, quiet, lovely town, one hour south of Tokyo. It was Japan's political center around the 13th century. This tour is especially recommended for nature lovers who seek a day-escape from busy Tokyo. It covers many hidden spots never visited in a large group tour. You will visit some famous spots like the Great Buddha as well. Kamakura is my hometown when I spent half of my life and I still often visitt to see my family. I'm sure you can enjoy the area just like locals do.
Kamakura Day Hike with Local Expert
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13463/b97b3be7-d6ba-4d7b-8aee-fdf80f463c4c.jpeg)
Enjoy the most magnificent views of Mt. Fuji around Lake Kawaguchiko area!
This is one day tour from Shinjuku Station to the area around Lake Kawaguchi. We take Fuji Panorama Ropeway to Mt. Tenjo to see Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. We visit Oshino Hakkai which is known for its crystal-clear spring water originated from the nearby Mount Fuji. Its eight ponds are formed from the filtered water of the mountain, creating a serene and picturesque environment.
Enjoy the most magnificent views of Mt. Fuji around Lake Kawaguchiko area!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/9602/46918.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/9989/3ef6e4a2-7d04-4976-a62d-5b2434da3681.jpg)
Kamakura One-day Walking Tour
1) Visit must-see spots of 3 or more in Kamakura. 2) Meet you up at hotel in Tokyo or at Yokohama area 3) By public transportation & on foot. 4) Destination are among Hase-temple/Great Buddha/Komachi St./ Hachiman-gu-Shrine and more if time allows. Lunch time is included. Restaurant is near along the Komachi-St or Wakamiya St. or around K-station 5) It wholly depends on guests whether spending enough time to spare for each spot or covering as many spots as possible.
Kamakura One-day Walking Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/38907/58d72764-9ac1-4067-a87b-896135b91784.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/10454/151087.jpg)
One day tour to Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
This is a trip to see the highest and most beautiful mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji and one of five lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi. Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano that last erupted from 1707 to 1708. At 3776m meters, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and its top and gentle slopes are surrounded by rich and unspoiled nature. The mountain attracts many climbers during summer, while in winter its snow-covered top and slope gleam pure white in the sun.
One day tour to Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/20633/77612.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3299/58482.jpg)
Wonderful Hakone to be left in your memorial album
Hakone is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations with easy access from Tokyo, attracting both of international and domestic visitors seeking a break from busy city life. There are many hot spring resort with numerous inns, restaurants and gift shops. You can enjoy the magnificent beauty of nature including breathtaking views of nearby Mt. Fuji. With this tour you will have wonderful experience to be left in your memorial album.
Wonderful Hakone to be left in your memorial album
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/7038/9d38e961-111e-46e9-8b51-c78b5f910bd7.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88474.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88488.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88482.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88483.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88481.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88487.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88479.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88480.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88485.jpg)