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Private Nikko Full-Day Tour: Explore Historic Japan with a Government-Licensed Guide
5.0
106 Ratings
Nikko
Explore historic Japan with a government-licensed guide on a private full-day tour of Nikko. Customize your itinerary and make the most of your trip.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Nikko Tosho-gu - Discover why the saying goes, “Don’t say ‘magnificent’ until you’ve seen Nikko” by visiting the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, along with nearby shrines and temples. The most famous shrine among the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” a leading world heritage site in Japan, is where the great Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, who initiated the prosperous Edo Period, is enshrined. Most of the current shrine complex was rebuilt in the 17th century and includes 55 buildings, featuring 8 national treasures and 34 listed buildings. Highlights include lavish carvings that are lacquered and vibrantly colored, showcasing craftsmanship from across the country. Don’t miss the symbol of peace, the “Sleeping Cat,” and the “Three Monkeys” with their iconic “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” poses!
- Nikko National Park - Nikko National Park is one of Japan’s first designated National Parks. The park offers a wealth of natural beauty, from the pristine nature of the Oku-Nikko district to the marshlands registered under the Ramsar Convention, mountains like Mt. Nikko Shirane (the highest mountain north of Kanto), lakes, marshes, valleys, and waterfalls. Additionally, the park is rich in Onsen resources, natural gifts that provide hot springs. Enjoy the magnificent nature in the city of Nikko, where the National Park covers most of the area.
- Kegon Falls - Kegon Waterfall is the most famous among Nikko’s 48 waterfalls. Water from Lake Chuzenji plunges 97 meters straight down to the rocks below, creating a dynamic and artistic natural spectacle. A special elevator takes visitors to the basin, where the force and roar of the water can be experienced up close! The waterfall is impressive in any season, but it is particularly spectacular when surrounded by fresh green leaves in May, house martins in June, or the “12 falls” - small streams of the frozen waterfall clad in blue ice - during January and February.
- Lake Chuzenji - Lake Chuzenji is the largest lake in Tochigi, surrounded by 25 kilometers of stunning nature. The area was a popular summer resort for foreigners in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, and the villas of the French and Belgian embassies can still be found here. You can enjoy the lake’s seasonal beauty through walking trails around the water’s edge or by taking an excursion boat. The views are particularly spectacular during the cherry blossom or azalea blooms and when the autumn leaves are turning. The “Koyo-meguri” tour, which showcases autumn leaves reflecting on the lake, is highly recommended.
- Irohazaka Route - The Iroha Slope is a pair of winding roads connecting the lower elevations near Nikko to the higher elevations of the mountainous region. Featured in the popular anime Initial D, the route consists of 48 hairpin turns across the upslope and downslope roads, making it a prime spot for viewing autumn leaves. “Iroha” represents the first three syllables of the old Japanese alphabet, and each turn is named after one of these syllables, giving the route its name.
- Senjogahara Field - “Senjogahara” translates to battlefield, referring to a mythical battle where the gods of Mount Nantai and Mount Akagi fought over the neighboring lakes. The gods, taking the forms of a serpent and a centipede, intertwined repeatedly, creating this marshland. Today, the battlefield is a site of natural beauty, with various plants and fauna competing to charm visitors.
- Taiyu-in Temple Hall - Taiyuin is the mausoleum of the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, the grandson of Ieyasu. The lavish mausoleum complex resembles the nearby Toshogu Shrine in layout and architecture but was intentionally built more modestly out of Iemitsu’s deep respect for his grandfather. Taiyuin is Iemitsu’s posthumous name.
- Rinno-ji Temple - Rinnoji is Nikko’s most important temple, founded by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko in the 8th century. The temple’s main building, the Sanbutsudo, houses large, gold-lacquered wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon (the “Kannon with a thousand arms”), and Bato-Kannon (the “Kannon with a horse head”). These three deities are considered Buddhist manifestations of Nikko’s three mountain deities, enshrined at Futarasan Shrine. A decade-long renovation of the Sanbutsudo was completed in spring 2019.
- Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park - The Tamozawa Imperial Villa blends traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture across its 106 rooms. Erected in Nikko in 1899 using parts of a residence originally in Tokyo, the villa initially served as the Tokyo residence of a Tokugawa family branch and was later used temporarily as the Imperial Palace. In Nikko, it was expanded into a summer residence and retreat for the Imperial Family but fell into neglect after World War II. After extensive renovations, the villa was opened to the public in 2000.
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss - Kanmangafuchi Abyss was formed by an eruption of nearby Mount Nantai. This gorge near central Nikko is a few hundred meters long and can be enjoyed from a pleasant riverside walking trail. The abyss is also known for its row of about 70 stone statues of Jizo, a Bodhisattva who cares for the deceased. These statues are alternately called “Bake Jizo” (Ghost Jizo), “Narabi Jizo” (Jizo in a line), or “Hyaku Jizo” (100 Jizo). The statues overlook the river and the Nikko Botanical Garden, although there is no direct access between the garden and the abyss.
- Nikko Futarasan Shrine - Futarasan Shrine stands next to Toshogu in central Nikko. Founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko and founded nearby Rinnoji Temple, Futarasan Shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko’s three sacred mountains: Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho, and Mount Taro. Futarasan is another name for Mount Nantai, the most prominent of the three mountains. Most of the shrine grounds are free to enter, except for a small paid area to the left of the offering hall (haiden). This area features a small forested garden with additional halls, a spring, old sacred trees, and closer views of the main hall (honden) behind the offering hall. The Shinkyo Bridge, located one kilometer from the shrine grounds, also belongs to Futarasan Shrine.
- Nikko Botanical Garden - Owned and maintained by the prestigious University of Tokyo, the Nikko Botanical Garden is a branch of the university’s main research garden, Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo. Opened in 1902 for the collection and study of alpine plants, the garden is spacious and quiet, with a network of paths for pleasant walks and viewing various labeled trees, plants, and shrubs. The garden also offers a view into the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, although there is no direct connection between the garden and the abyss.
- Shinkyo Bridge - The Shinkyo Bridge stands at the entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples and technically belongs to Futarasan Shrine. Ranked as one of Japan’s three finest bridges, along with Iwakuni’s Kintaikyo and Saruhashi in Yamanashi Prefecture, the current Shinkyo was constructed in 1636. However, a bridge has marked this spot for much longer, though its exact origins are unclear. Until 1973, Shinkyo was off-limits to the general public. After extensive renovations in the late 1990s and early 2000s, visitors can now walk across the bridge and back for an entrance fee.
- Kirifuri Waterfall - Kirifuri Waterfall is an impressive 75-meter high, two-tiered waterfall located below the Kirifuri Highlands, a few kilometers northeast of Nikko’s temples and shrines. The elegant falls cascading down the mountain contrast beautifully with the surrounding foliage, which is lush and green in spring and summer and displays fiery shades of red, orange, and gold in autumn. The name Kirifuri means “falling mist,” referring to the fine mist created when the water crashes against the rocks at the bottom of the lower falls. The view may occasionally be obscured by mist or fog. While it used to be possible to hike down to the base of the waterfalls, the trail partially collapsed several years ago and has been closed since.
- Kanaya Hotel History House - The Kanaya Hotel History House is a historical building in Nikko that served as the predecessor of the celebrated Kanaya Hotel. Open to the public, the house offers a glimpse into the Nikko of centuries past. It stands next to a bakery that also sells admission tickets for the house. After Japan’s era of isolation ended, Nikko became a popular summer resort for foreign diplomats and business people. The Kanaya Hotel has been one of the premier hotels in the area for accommodating such guests and is now the oldest Western-style hotel in Japan. While the hotel is currently located one kilometer down the road on a hill above the Shinkyo Bridge, its history began at the Kanaya Hotel History House.
What's Included
- Licensed Local Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
What's Not Included
- Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- Private transportation
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Additional Information
This value-packed journey is led by a government-certified, expert polyglot guide, making it an excellent and time-saving choice to discover Nikko!\n\nNikko is an essential destination during your Japanese travels, offering a full day’s experience of its historical and picturesque setting with the help of your own private guide.\n\nBegin your adventure with a convenient morning meeting at Nikko Station, served by both Tobu and JR lines. Nestled in Japan’s most beautiful natural landscapes, Nikko lies on the hard-to-navigate but breathtaking Romantic Road.\n\nFeel free to communicate any specific desires for the outing and we’ll tailor your schedule accordingly!\n\nNote*1: To personalize your journey, select your preferred attractions from a list provided in the tour details.\nNote*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter qualification, stipulating extensive knowledge of Japanese traditions and history, is accredited by the nation’s authorities.
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Location
Tōbu-nikkō Station
Your guide will be at the meeting point as per your request on foot. This special tour will be conducted with a public transportation.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(106 Ratings)
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1 star
Elaine_k
Apr 23, 2024
Good tour - Well paced flexible nice tour with good English Suitable for everyone able to help with restaurant recommendations
Review provided by Viator
Gail_n
Apr 19, 2024
SHE MADE OUR DAY!! - Ikuko, aka Karen, was a patient and knowledgeable Nikko guide. We had problems with the location of our lodging but Ikuko effortlessly changed our meeting location on very short notice. We thoroughly enjoyed her company as she shared her knowledge of the history of the historic sites.
Review provided by Viator
Niek_v
Apr 18, 2024
Best tour guide for Nikko! - The tour guide was very friendly and gave a lot of explanation. She made it a special day for us. She took our wishes into account and made sure that we could visit everything and more on the day itself. Her English was good and we had nice conversations with her. Karen is a very good tour guide that we would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_m
Apr 18, 2024
Excellent visit to Nikko with our guide yuki - Yuki really made our trip special. She was an excellent guide and really brought Nikko to life with historical information and stories. Her English is perfect and she has a skill to explain things clearly.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Yuki!!
Michelle and Steven Sloan
Review provided by Viator
Relax50318268809
Apr 16, 2024
Great Tour! - We visited Nikko in March 2024 with Yuki, our tour guide, and the experience was excellent. Both the Japan Guide Agency and Yuki communicated frequently prior to the tour and made sure we had a customized experience that fit our interests and time available. Yuki made sure we were dressed appropriately for the colder weather and for the walking we'd be doing during the tour. She was very friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. We had lunch at a great Udon restaurant she recommended and on the way back to Tokyo she also recommended getting dumplings at the train station (which we did). After the trip she even followed up with some pictures she took. I'd definitely recommend both the Japan Guide Agency and Yuki as a tour guide for this (or any other Japan tour).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigate776585
Apr 15, 2024
Private visit to Nikko with our great guide Yuki - Great visit to Nikko with our fantastic guide Yuki.
Yuki is extremely knowledgeable and competent and has the skill to clearly explain interesting facts about the sites and the history of Japan.
I would highly recommend here!
Michelle and Steven
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tali285
Apr 14, 2024
A wonderful day in beautiful Nikko, thank you Yoko. - We had a wonderful day with Yoko. She had plenty to tell, was very kind and interesting, and built the route based on our wishes and interests. Yoko also gave us good advice for the following days and helped us with some arrangements.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scott_t
Apr 11, 2024
Karen is the best! - Karen was absolutely wonderful! She was personable and knowledgeable and it felt like family was guiding us. She was open to any suggestions or anything we’d like to see. We cannot recommend her enough. What a great experience!
Review provided by Viator
T_m
Apr 22, 2024
Wonderful Day in Nikko - We enjoyed our trip to Nikko with Mato as our guide. Mato met us at the train station and handled all the arrangements for the day. First we visited the waterfall and the lake and later Mato arranged for a delicious lunch in a private setting. Finally, we spent the afternoon visiting the shrines. Everyone in our group enjoyed the day as in Nikko.
Review provided by Viator
Pari_c
Apr 18, 2024
Guide was the worst guide we had in Japan. - The guide was punctual that is the only thing I can say about her. We stopped the tour as she was unable to effectively communicate This was a ripoff and I would like to get a refund. Whenever she spoke she was searching for words. I can’t believe she passed the English proficiency exam. We have used guides in Takayama as well as shoeing us the heriovillages and Kanazawa and both guides were very good.
Review provided by Viator
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