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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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Nomad57614070519
Jun 22, 2024
All Day Customized Nikko Tour - Ichi was amazing tour guide! He met all my wishes and then some with the customized itinerary! He answered our questions and explained the history of the Japanese religions in accordance to what we were visiting. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feelini2023
Jun 17, 2024
Unbelievable Japanese history and culture - What a wonderful day of history, culture and architecture. Yumi had us moving all day to get us to everything we wanted to see, very efficient. Her pre arrival communication gave us the chance to pre plan an awesome day. If you happen to luck out and have Yumi as your guide, you will not be disappointed. Arigato Yumi.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nelson_s
Jun 10, 2024
Amazing nature spots. and magnificent shrines and temples! - We hit all the spots listed in the tour, thanks to our awesome tour guide Koba! The waterfalls, the shrines, the temples, the gardens, the Shinkyo Bridge, etc., are so wonderful and breathtaking! Koba is very knowledgeable and very professional! We enjoyed our time in Nikko. The restaurant Koba brought us was amazing too!
Review provided by Viator
Keles2018
Jun 7, 2024
An amazing day in Nikko - Nikko is an amazing place. Our tour guide, Hit, did an excellent job showing us around. He is genuine and very knowledgeable. The whole day was packed with unforgettable experiences, including walking around the temple and shrine complex, a boat trip on Lake Chuzenji, and more. Highly recommend! We can't wait to go back to Nikko to explore more of its beauty.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kele_s
Jun 7, 2024
Amazing time in Nikko - Nikko is an amazing place. Our tour guide, Hit, did an excellent job showing us around. He is genuine and very knowledgeable. The whole day was packed with unforgettable experiences, including walking around the temple and shrine complex, a boat trip on Lake Chuzenji, and more. Highly recommend! We can't wait to go back to Nikko to explore more of its beauty.
Review provided by Viator
Samkusa123
Jun 5, 2024
Nikko is worth the visit - Nikko in June is absolutely gorgeous! Lush green landscape, gorgeous architecture, rich history, surrounded by nature, it is worth the visit!
Our guide Yumi Aoyama was the absolute best!!! So sweet, fun, and knowledgeable! She crafted the best itinerary for us and was super prepared with backup plans to allow for flexibility. Yumi has the best energy and was super fun to hangout with and talk to all day long! Best English conversation with a guide from our entire trip! It was like seeing an old friend again. She is a joy! In addition to her great personality, she was extremely knowledgeable about the sites we visited and answered all of our questions. She is an absolute joy and a wonderful guide!
Nikko was top of the list for destinations to visit during our trip and Yumi made the experience so memorable. Would love to come back!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scottwinky
Jun 5, 2024
Nature and history in Nikko - We went with Yumi Aoyama and she was the best guide! She took us all over Nikko from the world heritage site to the waterfalls. The tour was amazing! Yumi shared so many interesting points and was able to answer all our questions. Plus the sites themselves were beautiful. I would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marynoreenlf
Jun 4, 2024
A Magical Experience - If you're on the fence about whether to hire a guide in Nikko, do it! We had one day to experience the beauty and culture of this area (we took a morning train up from Tokyo and returned in the evening) and our guide, Yoko, helped us make the most of every minute! From the time we booked the tour, she communicated clearly, offered options, tailored the itinerary to reflect our preferences, met us at the train station and took us on a magical six-hour journey. (Ask about Monkey Magic!) What I appreciated most about her, however, was her willingness to share personal stories that helped us better understand the people, traditions and customs of Japan. Well worth the investment!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michee13
May 31, 2024
Perfect Day in Nikko - Yuki-san was an absolutely wonderful tour guide and she deserves more than 5 stars. Nikko is beautiful and we really enjoyed the day we spent with Yuki; it was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. The temples are shrines are magnificent, as was the abyss. Both looked like they were out of a magazine.
As a tour guide, Yuki was amazing. She answered our many, many questions, and was so patient and pleasant. She customized the tour to our specific requests (i.e. took us to an awesome sweets shop because we mentioned we like Japanese desserts, made sure we had great opportunities for pictures since i mentioned I like photography, etc.). We had extra time for a stop at a matcha shop overlooking a river and it was so nice to sit, chat, and just enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Yuki was also very communicative leading up to the tour, making sure that we knew where to meet and that we were good with the itinerary. She was very passionate about Nikko and you can tell how much she loves what she does.
Nikko is known for Yuba soba and boy was it good! It was one of my favorite meals I had while visiting Japan. When our tour ended, we chose to walk down the hill to the train station and visited some of the cute shops along the way.
Thank you Yuki for such a wonderful day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bonthawee
May 30, 2024
Best Experience in Japan - We have engaged many guides via Tripadvisor/Viator throughout our travel and this is probably the most well organize and thought-out experience.
If you are from a Western country then our guide, Yuki, can help sort you out to every last detail prior to your arrival to make sure everything goes to your perfect holiday plan. If you are from a more relaxed country like we do, then rest assure you will be well looked after throughout your trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
