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Nikko Private Car Tour: Delve into Japan's Cultural and Natural Wonders
4.0
2 Ratings
Nikko
Immerse yourself in the cultural and natural wonders of Nikko on a private car tour. Explore the lavishly decorated Toshogu shrine and discover the beauty of Nikko National Park’s forests, waterfalls, and lake.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Nikko Tosho-gu - Discover why the saying “Don’t say ‘magnificent’ until you’ve seen Nikko” holds true by visiting the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, along with nearby shrines and temples. This renowned shrine, part of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” world heritage site, enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, the great Shogun who initiated the prosperous Edo Period. Most of the current shrine complex was rebuilt in the 17th century and includes 55 buildings, featuring 8 national treasures and 34 listed structures. Highlights include lavishly lacquered and brilliantly colored carvings, 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!
- Shinkyo Bridge - The Shinkyo Bridge is the first structure visitors encounter before entering the area of Nikko’s shrines.
- Lake Chuzenji - Lake Chuzenji, the largest lake in Tochigi, is surrounded by 25 kilometers of stunning natural beauty. Once a popular summer resort for foreigners in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the area still houses the villas of the French and Belgian embassies. Enjoy the lake’s seasonal charms with walking trails around its edge and an excursion boat available for tours. The views are particularly spectacular during cherry blossom or azalea season, and when the autumn leaves are turning. The “Koyo-meguri” tour, which showcases the autumn leaves reflecting on the lake, is highly recommended.
- Nikko - Experience the intricate beauty of Toshogu Shrine’s carvings, the tranquility of Lake Chuzenji, and the majesty of Kegon Falls. Explore the sacred grounds of Futarasan Shrine and step back in time at Tamozawa Imperial Villa. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply seeking peace, Nikko offers enchanting experiences that will leave you with cherished memories. Embrace the harmonious blend of past and present in this charming destination.
- Kegon Falls - Kegon Waterfall is the most famous of 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 lift 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, particularly 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.
- Rinno-ji Temple - Rinnoji (輪王寺, Rinnōji) is Nikko’s most significant 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 (“Kannon with a thousand arms”), and Bato-Kannon (“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.
- Kirifuri Waterfall - Kirifuri Waterfall (霧降の滝, Kirifuri no taki) 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 covering the valley. 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 ever since.
What's Included
- Petrol and Gas
- English Speaking Driver
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Private transportation
- Highway Tolls
- Modern and Clean Vehicles
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Admission fee of kegon falls (3USD)
- Admission fee tamozawa imperial villa (less than 5 USD)
- Admission fee of shinkyo bridge (3USD)
- Entry ticket of tosho-go shrine(less than 5 USD)
Additional Information
Nikko is a quaint town at the gateway to Nikko National Park, renowned for Toshogu, the most extravagantly adorned shrine in Japan and the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the initiator of the Tokugawa dynasty.
Nikko offers a serene retreat, making it a quintessential destination in the Northern Kanto region. Famous for its scenic panorama, Nikko boasts lush forests, undulating terrain, stunning waterfalls, turbulent rivers, brooks, and a magnificent lake. This excursion would be appealing to those who appreciate both the natural world and cultural heritage.
Location
Nikko Tosho-gu
2301 Sannai,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Jsanchezve
Apr 25, 2024
Amazing day tour to Nikko - Ahsan, was absolutely fantastic. He was knowledgeable and friendly and made the entire day enjoyable. The tour itself was well-organized and allowed us to see all the best sights of Nikko, including Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Lake Chuzenji, and Flower Park.
Ahsan was a great driver and tour guide who went the extra mile to ensure we had a comfortable and enjoyable day. He was also very knowledgeable about the area and shared interesting facts and stories with us throughout the day. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great way to see Nikko!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y6yhqtb8qx
Jan 12, 2024
A bit disappointing - The van was very nice and comfortable. However, the driver didn’t find the address right away and we left more than 30 minutes late. He was not much of a guide, just a driver. He was going to make us skip the main tourist place, the Toshogu temples of Nikko. Afterwards he was in a hurry to go back, claiming much traffic which was not the case. The advertised 10 hours trip approximately, was cut to about 8 hours.
Review provided by Viator
