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Jack M.

Tochigi Private Tour - This photo was taken in 2012 after the big earthquake. Our TOTAK members were asked to guide the individual overseas visitors handled by the biggest inbound operator. I am on the right hand side.

This photo was taken in 2012 after the big earthquake. Our TOTAK members were asked to guide the individual overseas visitors handled by the biggest inbound operator. I am on the right hand side.

Tochigi Private Tour - This is a typical Ryokan (Japanese Inn) dinner. My wife and I have never tried anglerfish cuisine before, so we decided to go to Ooarai in Ibaraki prefecture which is located next to Tochigi prefecture. We ordered separate dishes such as "liver of anglerfish" and deep fried. Deep fried goes well with beer and liver is really matched with dry sake.

This is a typical Ryokan (Japanese Inn) dinner. My wife and I have never tried anglerfish cuisine before, so we decided to go to Ooarai in Ibaraki prefecture which is located next to Tochigi prefecture. We ordered separate dishes such as "liver of anglerfish" and deep fried. Deep fried goes well with beer and liver is really matched with dry sake.

Tochigi Private Tour - We visited one of the three greatest waterfalls in Japan. Kegon waterfall in Nikko, Fukuroda waterfall in Ibaraki prefecture. and this waterfall. This is called Nachi waterfall in Wakayama prefecture.

We visited one of the three greatest waterfalls in Japan. Kegon waterfall in Nikko, Fukuroda waterfall in Ibaraki prefecture. and this waterfall. This is called Nachi waterfall in Wakayama prefecture.

With my wife, my mother and my sister.

Tochigi Private Tour - I used to work for Hotel Management Company. One day I came to Japan with my boss (GM), my client used to be invited to Kyoto and we enjoyed Maiko and traditional Japanese Inn.

I used to work for Hotel Management Company. One day I came to Japan with my boss (GM), my client used to be invited to Kyoto and we enjoyed Maiko and traditional Japanese Inn.

Tochigi Private Tour - One of my guests took this picture just after I started as a guide. this was taken in front of five story pagoda in Toshogu shrine.

One of my guests took this picture just after I started as a guide. this was taken in front of five story pagoda in Toshogu shrine.

I enjoyed chatting with Icelandic near Taiyuin Mausoleum in Nikko.

Stone Torii in Toshogu-Shrine. One of my tour members took this and sent this for me.

In front of five story pagoda in Toshogu-Shrine. My first time guiding to Kiwi and German.

In front of Tobu Nikko station. I explain where we are going from now on.

With Sochi Winter Olympic Games gold medalist. A couple years prior, his mother took this photo in Nikko.

Joined 2014

Jack M.

4.92 / 5

(87 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Tochigi (Living), Nikko

Languages

English

Response Time

10 hours on average

Availability Updated

About Tour Guide Jack M.

Hi there!! I am an English speaking tour guide based in Utsunomiya city near Nikko. Since I came back from Auckland, New Zealand I started my own business as an English Speaking Guide. I have been a guide for 6 years. My favorite things to do these days are 1. visit historical places in Tochigi prefecture, 2. find nice restaurants and bars in Utsunomiya 3. wear hats while I am working outside.

Important

If you want to enjoy Nikko, please think about staying Nikko or Utsunomiya, I will take you around the night tour if you stay in Utsunomiya.

Tours

All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!

Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)

After arriving at JR Utsunomiya station, your guide will take you to Nikko National Park and World Heritage Site. On the way to Nikko, we'll pass through an avenue lined with Japanese cedars. This avenue is recorded as the longest tree lined avenue in the Guinness Book of World Records. We will see Yunoko Lake in Yumoto area and also enjoy "Ashiyu" or foot bathing. We'll visit the Yutaki Waterfall, the Ryuzu Waterfall, and the Kegon Waterfall. Around Chuzenji Lake, we'll spend some time at the Italian Embassy Villa memorial park. Lunch will be at Chuzenji Lake or Sannai area. Our last visit will be the Toshogu-Shrine.

Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)

FROM$282/ per group

Nikko

8 hours

Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots)

Experience the most personalized guided tour in Nikko, where I will meet you at JR Utsunomiya station or Tobu Nikko station. We'll take the bus to Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. I will show you around both inside and in the garden. After the lunch break, we will go to Kanmangafuchi Gorge. Then we will walk to Toshogu Shrine and spend one and a half hours there. We will visit Rinnoji's Sanbutsudo Hall. On returning to Nikko station, we will stop at the Shinkyo Bridge.

Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots)

FROM$225/ per group

Pottery Village Mashiko (Hamada Shoji's ware) Museum, Cafe and Laughing King of Hell Statue.

Tochigi

6 hours

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.

FROM$250/ per group

Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland

Tochigi

8 hours

Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland

We go to Nasu by motorway and stop at Sesshoseki (Killing stone) and then to Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest. We walk there around a couple of hours and have lunch. There is no restaurant in that area so that you should buy your lunch at one of the covenience stores on the way to Nasu. After lunch if the weather permits we go to the ninth station of Chausudake mountain by ropeway. We enjoy spectacular scenery from there. Then dropping off at the visitor center to learn about Nasu. We pass through Nasu Imperial villa and we will drop by some souvenir shops if you like.

Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland

FROM$188/ per group

Nikko

8 hours

Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)

After arriving at JR Utsunomiya station, your guide will take you to Nikko National Park and World Heritage Site. On the way to Nikko, we'll pass through an avenue lined with Japanese cedars. This avenue is recorded as the longest tree lined avenue in the Guinness Book of World Records. We will see Yunoko Lake in Yumoto area and also enjoy "Ashiyu" or foot bathing. We'll visit the Yutaki Waterfall, the Ryuzu Waterfall, and the Kegon Waterfall. Around Chuzenji Lake, we'll spend some time at the Italian Embassy Villa memorial park. Lunch will be at Chuzenji Lake or Sannai area. Our last visit will be the Toshogu-Shrine.

Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)

FROM$282/ per group

Nikko

8 hours

Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots)

Experience the most personalized guided tour in Nikko, where I will meet you at JR Utsunomiya station or Tobu Nikko station. We'll take the bus to Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. I will show you around both inside and in the garden. After the lunch break, we will go to Kanmangafuchi Gorge. Then we will walk to Toshogu Shrine and spend one and a half hours there. We will visit Rinnoji's Sanbutsudo Hall. On returning to Nikko station, we will stop at the Shinkyo Bridge.

Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots)

FROM$225/ per group

Tochigi

6 hours

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.

FROM$250/ per group

Tochigi

8 hours

Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland

We go to Nasu by motorway and stop at Sesshoseki (Killing stone) and then to Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest. We walk there around a couple of hours and have lunch. There is no restaurant in that area so that you should buy your lunch at one of the covenience stores on the way to Nasu. After lunch if the weather permits we go to the ninth station of Chausudake mountain by ropeway. We enjoy spectacular scenery from there. Then dropping off at the visitor center to learn about Nasu. We pass through Nasu Imperial villa and we will drop by some souvenir shops if you like.

Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland

FROM$188/ per group

Reviews

Rhonda R.

5 / 5

Nov 2, 2026

Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots)

Nov 2, 2026

Nikko

8 hours

“Outstanding Day in Nikko with Jack!”

We had a wonderful experience exploring Nikko with Jack, and I cannot recommend him highly enough! He took care of absolutely everything. His organization, professionalism and attention to detail made the entire experience effortless and enjoyable. Jack made sure we saw all the important sights and experienced everything that makes Nikko such a special Dey. We never felt rushed or worried about the logistics of the day. He handled everything so smoothly that we were free to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery, remarkable historical sites and the experience of just being there. If you are considering a private guide for Nikko, you could not be in better hands than Jack. We recommend him without hesitation! P.S.-He speaks perfect English. Having lived in New Zealand for more than 20 years, his communication skills are outstanding. Conversation with him was completely natural and effortless, which is another reason to book his services.

Jack M.

Thank you for your nice comment. I really enjoyed the day with a beautiful lady and gentleman. Hope you will bring back lots of nice memories. Hack

Regina K.

5 / 5

Oct 29, 2026

Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)

Oct 29, 2026

Nikko

8 hours

“Amazing tour”

Jack was a wonderful guide, very attentive & patient. We had a great day in Nikko, mix of nature & temples. If you want to see all that Nikko has to offer, Jack is the way to go.

Jack M.

Thank you for your nice comment on me. I really like spending time with overseas guests. Nikko offers both nature and culture. Edo Wonderland is another attraction to visit. Please come back to Nikko. Jack

Les B.

5 / 5

Oct 11, 2026

Pottery Village Mashiko (Hamada Shoji's ware) Museum, Cafe and Laughing King of Hell Statue.

Oct 11, 2026

Tochigi

6 hours

“Enjoyable tour of Mashiko”

Jack picked us up at Utsonimiya and drove us to Mashiko to see the museum and Shoji Hamada’s house and collection. After lunch we visited several ceramics shops. Jack suggested a store that had exactly the kind of work we liked and which I don’t think we would have found otherwise. We had a very enjoyable day and Jack was a knowledgeable and helpful guide.

Jack M.

I had a good time with you, but I must tell you that you spent nearly two hours at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, the longest I have ever spent there. The store we visited was one of my favourites. I presume you enjoyed Bizen and Naoshima. Thank you for allowing me to visit Mashiko again. Jack