Tochigi Full Day Tour
Joined 2024
Discover Utsunomiya, where delicious gyoza await! Begin in central Utsunomiya with a stroll down Orion Dori, the vibrant shopping street. Stop at Kirasse to taste a variety of gyoza or try local favorites Minmin and Masashi on Gyoza Street. Visit the Utsunomiya Castle Ruins, then explore the Marugame Stone Church and the revered Futaarayama Shrine.
Tour the awe-inspiring Oya Stone Mine and marvel at the Giant Kannon statue.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel (Tokyo)
Utsunomiya Core Course (4 hours)
Futaarayama Shrine – Historic Shinto shrine at the heart of Utsunomiya.
Orion Street – Covered shopping street with local boutiques and snack shops.
Gyoza Lunch – Try Utsunomiya’s famous dumplings at a local restaurant.
Utsunomiya Castle Ruins – Explore the reconstructed castle walls and grounds.
Marugame Church – A unique western-style church known for its striking brick architecture.
Option A: Utsunomiya Extension (4 hours)
Oya Stone Kannon – Giant Buddhist carving set in a dramatic stone cliff.
Oya History Museum (former Oya Mine) – Explore massive underground stone caverns.
Wakayama Bamboo Farm – Walk through a scenic bamboo grove away from the crowds.
Option B: Nikko Toshogu Extension (4 hours)
Nikko Toshogu Shrine – A UNESCO World Heritage site and final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Sacred Bridge (Shinkyo) – Beautiful vermillion bridge marking the entrance to the shrine complex.
Rinnoji Temple – The largest temple in Nikko, known for its grand structure and Buddhist artifacts.
Ending Point
Your Hotel (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
Tour Guiding
Japanese/English Interpreting
Hotel Pick up/Drop off within Tokyo 23wards
Your rail fare
Guides rail fare
(One way local line is roughly 2000yen from Tokyo or 4000yen by bullet train)
Tour Important Information
Important message from the supplier
DO NOT CONTACT ME FOR DRIVING SERVICES.
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Important Information – Please Read Before Inquiring
Please read before reaching out. Inquiries should be made with the intent to book a tour.
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Are the tours rail-based?
Yes—tours are primarily rail-based, especially within Tokyo. On the first day, I’ll help you learn the Tokyo rail system, assist with IC card setup, and explain how to navigate confidently.
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Can you book tickets for us?
I don’t handle advance reservations. Most people want to visit places like teamLab, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky, Studio Ghibli, or the Sumo Lunch in Tokyo. These must be booked separately on your own. I can include these as part of the tour day or drop you off there, but I can’t make bookings on your behalf due to liability issues and platform commission policies. Thanks for understanding.
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What about Mt. Fuji?
I don’t generally offer Mt. Fuji tours. Due to visibility issues and common misunderstandings about access and logistics, inquiries about Mt. Fuji often don’t lead to bookings. If you're interested, a group bus tour is usually the better option.
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 2024
About Tour Guide Grant A.
Hello! My name is Grant, and I’ve spent over a decade living and exploring Japan. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, I first came to Japan as a high school exchange student in Inuyama, a historic castle town in Aichi. My love for Japan began early—sparked by childhood games like Pokémon that were released in Japanese before English. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for Japanese language, culture, and history.
I hold an N2 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, a degree in Asian Studies from a Tokyo university, and I graduated from the Japan Visual Media Translation Academy. I’ve visited all 47 prefectures and explored a wide range of historical sites, shrines, and castles throughout the country. My background in Japanese history helps me provide context that brings depth and meaning to the places we visit—whether it's understanding a centuries-old temple in Kyoto, the story behind a castle ruin, or uncovering the historical layers of a Tokyo neighborhood.
If you’re planning to explore Tokyo, here are some tour options to consider:
One day in Tokyo? The Ginza Line Tour offers a great introduction to the city’s highlights.
Two days? Pair the East Tokyo Tour and West Tokyo Tour to get a well-rounded experience.
Interested in anime? The Anime Tour is flexible and can be tailored to match your specific interests.
For those looking to go beyond the city, I also offer day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, and other nearby destinations.
While most guests book Tokyo-based tours, I also guide in other regions—especially Kyoto, where I’ve visited every World Heritage Site. I regularly lead tours in Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Hikone, and other locations easily reached by rail. Multi-day and custom tours are available on request.
Full-Day Tour: 40,000 yen (8 hours)
Full-Day Tour Outside of Tokyo: 40,000 yen + transportation
Feel free to get in touch to plan a tour that fits your interests and travel plans.
Reviews
Javier M.
“A MUST have guide.”
With the limited time I've spent with Grant it sure was a blast! Having Grant as a guide for a day taking me to the most popular technological and otaku filled place in Tokyo was wide opening. While Grant may look a bit intimidatingly awkward, hes quite professional in his touring and guiding skills. He taught me how to properly use Japan's shinkansen and train stations when traveling to other places besides Tokyo. If you are in the fence on having Grant as a guide in japan ill say go for it! Hes been living in japan as a foreign exchange student since high-school, as well as having traveled to all of Japan's prefectures! As a side note he taught me the history and manufacturing process of making Japanese whiskey and scotch, in which he is quite knowledgeable on.
Sofiabennie V.
“Custom Tour in Tokyo”
We had a great day with Grant. When we came to Tokyo we had already been in Japan for more than 2 weeks and and were out of firm plans and tired of all the planning. We wanted to let someone else take the wheel and a less crowded experience. We contacted Grant who asked about our interests and then built a custom itinerary for us. He took us to the Lucky Cat temple, Showa Kinen park, for som great fried chicken and to Nakano Broadway. What's more we also had som great discussions on living abroad, languages, history and much more. He has a great knowledge of Japanese history and culture which gave a depth and perspective to our discussions. We warmly recommend Grant as a tour guide.
Simon R.
“Thank you Grant!”
We booked Grant for 2x days in Tokyo and had a wonderful time with Grant who was able to show us around easily and provided a good balance of fun and information for both us and our two young children; including the challenges of where to eat! Thank you Grant, you made our holiday in Japan a highlight and would definitely recommend anyone to book Grant.
$274/ per group
More tours by Grant A.
Ginza Line Tour
Explore Tokyo’s top sights on this adaptable Ginza Line tour with the 600 yen Metro day pass. Visit Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple and Kaminarimon Gate, then enjoy Ueno’s street food scene. Discover Ginza’s luxury vibe, including a whiskey experience, and dive into Shibuya with its famous Crossing, anime shops, and Nintendo Store. The tour blends highlights like Ueno food, Ginza whiskey, and Shibuya anime tours, offering flexibility to match your interests.
Eastern Tokyo Tour: Taito, Chuo, and Minato
Explore Eastern Tokyo with our tour, beginning at Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa, leading to Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori. Stroll along the Sumida River to admire the Asahi Beer Building. Relax in Ueno Park, delve into Akihabara’s tech scene, and visit Tsukiji Outer Market. Experience traditional Japan at Hamarikyu Park and Zojoji Temple, where you can see Tokyo Tower in the distance. The tour is optimized by proximity, ensuring a smooth and efficient exploration of this vibrant part of Tokyo.
Western Tokyo Tour: Shibuya and Shinjuku
Start in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, known for its vibrant nightlife and New Kabukicho Tower. Head to Harajuku's Takeshita Street for trendy shopping. Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine for a serene cultural experience. In Shibuya, explore Shibuya Parco's Nintendo Store and Pokemon Center, and visit the Parco Rooftop for city views. End with a stroll through Miyashita Park, enjoying its recreational facilities and green spaces.
Tokyo Anime Full-day Tour
The Tokyo anime tour covers anime across four iconic districts! Start in Akihabara, the electric heart of otaku culture, then head to Ikebukuro's Sunshine City for an array of anime shops. Discover rare gems at Nakano Broadway, a treasure trove of vintage collectibles. Finally, unleash your inner otaku in Shibuya with must-visit stops like the One Piece Store, Nintendo Store, Mandarake, and Animate. Experience the best anime attractions Tokyo has to offer on this unforgettable journey!
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Tokyo
Tokyo Private Tour
The Ueno area of Tokyo has many sightseeing spots, including the zoo, museums, and Ameyoko Shopping Street. We recommend strolling through the downtown area, visiting art museums, and eating and drinking in the unique atmosphere of Ueno. Your guide will contact you in advance to understand your interests and preferences so that you can visit only the places that interest you. We can recommend several potential sites, but let us know your preferences, and we will coordinate.
True Hakone Private Tour enjoying 3 popular spots
Hakone is an attractive destination for one-day tour because of its easy access from Tokyo, many hot-spring resorts, and abundant natural beauty including a view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi. And it's also been a sacred religious site of mountain worship since ancient time. In this tour, we’ll visit three must-see spots in Hakone: Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, and Hakone Open-Air Museum. They will be a wonderful memory for you in Japan.
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.
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.
