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Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo

Three Monkeys??

At Taiyu-in

Frozen Kegon Fall in winter

Big bites on the fish!

Stream to Lake Chuzenji

Ryuzu (Dragon Head) Fall

Shot from Tamozawa Imperia Villa

Imperial Villa garden

Shinkyo bridge

Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo

Day Trip

Joined 2018

Tomoko H.

4.95 / 5

(185 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Tokyo

English, Japanese (Native)

11 hours

Private tour (only you and Tomoko H.)

Up to 6 people

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!

07:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel

07:00 AM

Your Hotel (in Tokyo metropolitan area) - meet at the lobby

Meeting time might be changed depending on which area of Tokyo you stay.

07:30 AM

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

09:30 AM

Nikko area

- Ride area bus passing Shinkyo bridge

10:30 AM

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

12:00 PM

Local lunch

- Soba noodle, Yuba (Tofu skin), etc.

01:00 PM

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.

11:00 AM

***** 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

03:00 PM

Shinkyo, the sacred bridge

- beautiful small vermilion colored legendary bridge over Daiya river

03:30 PM

Path toward Nikko station

- walk back along the street lined up with traditional souvenir/craft shops or return by local bus

04:30 PM

Nikko station

- train ride back to Tokyo

06:30 PM

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?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

◆ guide fee

◆ hotel pick-up (inside the metropolitan Tokyo area)

What‘s not included

◆ 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

(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

Joined 2018

Tomoko H.

4.95 / 5

(185 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

Ana H.

5 / 5

Aug 25, 2025

Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo

Aug 25, 2025

Kamakura

9 hours 30 mins

“A wonderful day”

We are a group of 6, with 2 young adults. Tomoko was wonderful in every aspect. She made things more than just enjoyable for all of us, young and young at hearts. We visited shrines that were meaningful but not so crowded, made last minutes changes and enjoyed everything very much. I hope to meet her again sometime! All the best and thank you, Tomoko!

Tomoko H.

Thank you very much for your prompt review. It was an extremely hot day, but we enjoyed the cool breeze at the café next to the giant bell at Engakuji Temple, met Enma, the king of hell, drew a lucky fortune at Hachimangu Shrine, and walked a lot despite the heat. You are amazing walkers! The Great Buddha was waiting for us patiently under the blazing sun. At Hase-dera, we enjoyed the breathtaking views, and walked along Zaimokuza seashore. We also indulged in special chocolate, traditional Japanese sweets from a shop celebrating its 250th anniversary, and had a delightful dinner at a traditional Japanese-style room in Enoshima. Laughter really is contagious. It was a really fun day filled with laughter. I hope you keep having fun on your trip. I look forward to seeing you again in Osaka, and someday in Romania, Ana, Sorin, Sofia, Petru, Manuela, and Marius - Ne vedem, mulțumesc.

Haley F.

5 / 5

Aug 13, 2025

One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo

Aug 13, 2025

Tokyo

7 hours 30 mins

“Don't know what we would have done without her! ”

Hiring Tomoko was the best decision I made for my entire 17-day trip across Japan. I messaged several tour guides before messaging her, with a list of unique things I wanted to see in Tokyo off the beaten path and they did not want to do much else than their normal tours. I only had weeks to go before my arrival, and Tomoko worked very hard to get an itinerary that worked for us in a short time. Her communication was amazing. During our time with her, she helped me find FUGU (blow fish) which has been on my bucket list for 20 years. I had a request for live music and she took us to an unforgettable Shamisen performance in a small local restaurant. I requested to see some local artists, and we went to the neatest place which reminded me of Austin, Texas. We found a dog cafe for my boyfriend, played in the photo booths, got some amazing sushi, and so much more. We also saw the bigger attractions and really got a feel for the different neighborhoods in Japan. She is a perfect tour guide for any walk of life as she is very adaptable and organized. Thank you so much Tomoko. I wish I would have had you for the rest of my trip!

Tomoko H.

Thank you, Haley, for broadening my horizon and experience while having fun together. Sure, your initial list of things you wanted to do and places you wanted to go was enough to make my head spin. This may have been your first trip to Japan, but I could sense that your list included places that held memories for your father and grandfather, things you had been thinking about for decades, and consideration for your kind boyfriend who was accompanying you. If you didn't understand my schedule and my relationships with the local shops that are important to me, things might not have gone so smoothly. I appreciate your cooperation. I will never forget Jeremy's sparkling eyes and happy smile when we came across the Snoopy anniversary corner in Ginza.：） If there is one thing I regret, it is that I was distracted by an appointment with a friend and was not on the platform when the Narita Express arrived and you boarded. I was relieved that you'd safely caught your flight after the last adventure in Japan. I learned a lesson. It goes without saying, but “what is usual for you is not usual for others.” I look forward to seeing you again. Best wishes to you all, Haley, Jeremy, families, neighbors and doggies!

Dominic M.

5 / 5

Aug 11, 2025

Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo

Aug 11, 2025

Tokyo

11 hours

“Excellent summer day in Nikko!”

I highly recommend Tomoko to be your family's guide to Nikko (or anywhere else for that matter). She is a consummate professional and made sure to tailor our trip to our family's needs. Her knowledge on our temple venture to Nikko was quite impressive. She anticipated exactly where lines would be and ensured tickets were bought in advance to enter the temple on our trip and this alone saved us a lot of headache and waiting time. She was also just a lot of fun to hang out with! Book Tomoko and you will have a great day!

Tomoko H.

Dominic, thank you very much for your positive review. You clearly stated in your first message that you wanted to enjoy the nature of Nikko, the history of the Tokugawa shogunate, and, if possible, the cooler climate with your family, which made planning fun and concrete. It may have been a bit early in the morning, but I am glad you decided to proceed as planned, resting in the comfortable seats of the Spacia X. As we hoped, we were blessed with good weather and a cool climate, and it was enjoyable to stroll together among the many beautiful waterfalls, the lake, and Toshogu shrine. Thank you and hope to see you and your family again.