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.
- *Departure station depends on your hotel location. I'm happy to give you an advice for the best route for us.
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~ )
-
●Transportation fee
【Basic plan】by Tobu Express (2H) (depends on hotel location)
If from Asakusa to Tobu-nikko : 2,940 yen × 2 times = 5,880 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.
-
【For JR-pass holders】(2H)
Shinkansen : Free for you with JR-pass,
For guide : 5,590 yen ×2 times = 11,180 yen
-
【Shinkansen plan】(2H)
Between Tokyo and Nikko (you and guide) : 5,380 yen ×2 times = 10,760 yen
-
●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,+2H 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'm FULLY BOOKED on OCT 2025. Sorry for inconvenince.
- Private Group only for Up To 4 People.
- Kindly make an inquiry on my available days selectable.
- 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 : 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!
Rowena S.
“Customized Private Tour in Tokyo”
I had the pleasure of having Kaori-san as our tour guide, and it turned out to be a truly special experience. Rather than just a regular sightseeing tour, it became a supportive journey that helped us with important parts of our trip across Japan. She assisted us with practical matters such as finding the necessary vouchers, issuing Shinkansen bullet train tickets, and setting up our e-SIM card, which made our travels so much smoother. Beyond the practical support, we shared wonderful moments exploring Tokyo together. Highlights included visiting Tokyo Skytree and discovering the unique charm of Yanaka on a local walking tour. Kaori-san is a friendly, kind, and very informative guide. By the end of the day, it felt less like a guide–guest relationship and more like being with a friend. I’m very grateful for the time we spent together and sincerely wish her continued success in her career.
Kaori S.
Special thanks for your kind consideration to take your time to share feedback from your clients for my tour. As soon as we met each other in the morning, I found many practical challenges they were facing for their whole Japan trip ahead. I wanted to solve them as much as possible while I was with them. We felt like friends when we departed at the end of the day. I loved to be with them. Hope to see them again. Thank you for giving me such a beautiful encounter. I truly appreciate their warmest words on my success in my career. Being a guide is such a treasure. Much thanks always, Kaori
Pam M.
“Kaori is an excellent guide!!!”
Every aspect of our experience with Kaori was excellent!!! She corresponded responsively and frequently before our visit to help create a wonderful custom day. She persevered through several lotteries to get us sumo tickets for the day of our tour. She taught us how to use the tokyo immediately. And throughout our day she taught us about Japanese culture and customs. She recommended excellent restaurants for our lunch and dinner and suggested additional visits and restaurants for after our visit. Thank you Kaori!!!
Kaori S.
Thank you for giving an excellent review on me while you are still traveling, Pam-san. It was fortunate to win sumo tickets for us as it was getting harder these days! It was funny that Mark-san summarized our highlight as delicious (oishii!) sushi dinner after the match. He looked so happy to enjoy each sushi, which chef loved to see. Great that you are planning Japan trip No.2 already. Will be waiting for your contact early enough for Ghibli ticket next time! Enjoy the every moment of your dream trip! Big hugs, Kaori
Stanley H.
“My Fuji trip”
Outstanding. Kaori was an excellent guide. Friendly, knowledgeable exceptional. Had a wonderful time Highly recommend her!!!!!!
Kaori S.
Thank you so much (Arigatou gozaimasu) for giving me an excellent review just after we departed each other, Stanley-san. Though Mt.Fuji was too shy to show up, we had a wonderful day in a relaxed manner. I was so glad you mentioned us (me and my husband) as your new friends during our tour. We hope the rest of your stay is full of charming memories. Big hugs, Kaori
$515/ per group