• 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,” a leading world heritage site in Japan, is where the great Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, who initiated the prosperous Edo Period, is enshrined. The current shrine complex, mostly rebuilt in the 17th century, includes 55 buildings, featuring 8 national treasures and 34 listed buildings. Highlights include lavish carvings, lacquered and vibrantly colored, showcasing craftsmanship from across the country. Be sure to see the “Sleeping Cat,” a symbol of peace, and the “Three Monkeys” with their “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” poses!

• Shinkyo Bridge - The Shinkyo Bridge (神橋, Shinkyō, “sacred bridge”) marks the entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples and is technically part of Futarasan Shrine. It is considered one of Japan’s top three bridges, alongside Iwakuni’s Kintaikyo and Saruhashi in Yamanashi Prefecture. The current Shinkyo was built in 1636, though a bridge has existed at this location for much longer, with unclear origins. Until 1973, Shinkyo was not accessible to the public. It underwent significant renovations in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and visitors can now cross the bridge for an entrance fee.

• Lake Chuzenji - Lake Chuzenji, the largest lake in Tochigi, is surrounded by 25 kilometers of stunning natural beauty. It was a popular summer retreat for foreigners from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, and the villas of the French and Belgian embassies remain. Visitors can enjoy the lake’s seasonal beauty, with walking trails around its edge and an excursion boat available. The views are particularly breathtaking during cherry blossom or azalea blooms and when the autumn leaves change color. The “Koyo-meguri” tour, which showcases autumn leaves reflecting on the lake, is highly recommended.

• 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, especially 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.

• Nikko National Park - Nikko National Park is one of Japan’s first designated National Parks. It offers a wealth of natural beauty, from the pristine nature of the Oku-Nikko district to the Ramsar Convention-registered marsh, mountains like Mt. Nikko Shirane, the highest in the Kanto region, lakes, marshes, valleys, and waterfalls. Additionally, the park is rich in Onsen resources, nature’s gifts. Enjoy the magnificent nature in Nikko, where the National Park covers most of the city.

• 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 seen as 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 - Tamozawa Imperial Villa (田母沢御用邸, Tamozawa Goyōtei) combines traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture across its 106 rooms. The villa was constructed in Nikko in 1899, using parts of a residence originally located in Tokyo. Before its relocation to Nikko, the building served as the Tokyo residence of a Tokugawa family branch and was later temporarily used 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. In 2000, the villa was opened to the public following extensive renovations.

• Senjogahara Field - “Senjogahara” translates to battlefield, referring to a mythical battleground where legends say the gods of Mount Nantai and Mount Akagi once fought to claim the neighboring lakes. Taking the forms of a serpent and centipede, they battled and intertwined, creating this marshland. Today, the battlefield is a competition of charms, as various plants and fauna inhabit the vast field, vying to enchant visitors.

• Kirifuri Waterfall - Kirifuri Waterfall (霧降の滝, Kirifuri no taki) is a stunning, 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,” after the fine mist created when the water crashes against the rocks at the lower falls. The view may occasionally be obscured by mist or fog in the valley. It was once possible to hike to the base of the waterfalls, but the trail partially collapsed several years ago and has been closed since.

• Nikko Futarasan Shrine - Futarasan Shrine (二荒山神社, Futarasan Jinja) is located next to Toshogu in central Nikko. Older than its more ornate neighbor, Futarasan Shrine was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko and also founded nearby Rinnoji Temple. The shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko’s three most sacred mountains: Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho, and Mount Taro. Futarasan is another name for Mount Nantai, the most prominent of the three mountains. The shrine grounds are mostly 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 - Nikko Botanical Garden (日光植物園, Nikko Shokubutsuen) is owned and maintained by the prestigious University of Tokyo. It is a branch of the university’s main research garden, Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo. The garden was established in 1902 to collect and study alpine plants. It is spacious and tranquil, with a substantial 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.

• Private transportation
• On-board WiFi
• Bottled water
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Entrance Fee to toshogu shrine 1300¥
• Entrance Fee to Shinko bridge 200 ¥
• Entrance Fee to imperial villa 350 ¥
• Entrance Fee to kagon fall 570 ¥

Explore the Allure of Nikko: Private Guided Tour from Tokyo

Set off on a customized adventure to Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural legacy. This private tour provides a unique chance to discover Nikko’s attractions at your leisure, with a skilled guide customizing the journey to suit your preferences.

Why Opt for This Tour?
• Personalized Experience: Benefit from the adaptability of a private guide and a schedule crafted just for you.
• Expert Knowledge: Gain insights into the history, myths, and culture of Nikko from an experienced local guide.
• Effortless Travel: Enjoy round-trip transport from Tokyo for a stress-free excursion.

This tour is ideal for those wanting a deeper connection with Japan’s history and natural beauty, all while relishing the ease and comfort of a private guide.

Reserve your spot now to make lasting memories in the captivating landscapes of Nikko!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.