Nikko World Heritages in private – One day trip from Tokyo

Nikko is a town of World Heritage Sites located at 2 hours train from Tokyo, surrounded by rich nature of Nikko National Park. World Heritages consist of 2 shrines and 1 temple(below). Nikko mountain has a long history as the sacred place of mountain worship for both Shinto and Buddhism. Here, not only taste the well-known elaborate architectures, but feel the history, culture and nature itself.

Basic  11h
 Option    
People


Start  08:00AM(07:00 for Shinjuku departure) 
Meeting point Your hotel or any preferred spot in Tokyo 23 wards
Ending point  Your hotel or any preferred spot in Tokyo 23 wards

Highlights

 

Basic spots visiting

Shinkyo Bridge (Sacred Bridge)

A vermillion bridge at the entrance of Nikko mountain. Only high ranked people of the society were allowed to pass this bridge in the Medieval time. 

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Enshrines the first Shogun of Tokugawa.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Admission : Adult 1,300JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 450JPY

Yomeimon Gate of Toshogu Shrine

 

Japan’s most elaborated gate. Known as Twilight Gate, people never get tired of watching it until it gets dark. 

Rinno-ji Temple

 Three Buddha Hall – housing amazing three golden large Buddha statues.

Rinno-ji Temple
Rinno-ji Temple (Sanbutudo & Taiyu-in Set Ticket) : Adult 1,000JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 500JPY

Three Buddhas (Sanbutsu)

Meet stunning Three Buddha statues in Main Hall of Rinnno-ji Temple. Note that taking photo is prohibited inside the hall. 

Shoyo-en Garden

A beautiful strolling garden in Rinno-ji Temple. Renowned autumn foliage viewing spot. Ticket includes Treasure House. 

Shoyo-en Garden : Adult 300JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 100JPY

Taiyu-in (The third Shogun’s Mausoleum)

Deep in the precinct, its architecture is more modest than Toshogu Shrine to show his respect for his grandfather, and much quieter. 

Worship Hall of Taiyu-in

Designated as a national treasure and is also known as Golden Hall, because it uses a lot of gold. Inside, you can see the Karashishi(Chinese Lion) drawn by Kano Tanyu, 140 dragon paintings on the ceiling, and the armor worn by the third Shogun, Iemitsu.

Futara-san Shrine

The oldest shrine in Nikko. Popular for good luck and success in love today.

Futarasan Shrine : Adult ¥200, Elementary& junior high school student ¥100

Local lunch

Nikko’s local specialty is “Yuba”, which is basically curdled soymilk. It can be explained as Tofu skin or bean curd sheet. Freshly made Yuba has a silky texture and popular as healthy food!  The photo is “Yuba special”, you can try different small dishes of Yuba.

One more spot to choose

【Option-1】Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa

A former summer residence of Imperial Family. You can enjoy the finest Japanese style architecture used by Imperial Family. (*Closed on Tuesdays)

Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa: Adult 600JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 300JPY

【Option-2】Kanmangafuchi Abyss hiking trail

A small gorge created by an eruption from Mt. Nantai around 7,000 years ago.  Impressive site with a beautiful gorge and many Jizo-Statues along the riverside trail. Recommended for nature lovers. 

【+1H Option】Kegon Falls

One of the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan with 97m in hight. Not available in autumn foliage season for one day trip from Tokyo due to heavy traffic congestions.

Sightseeing taxi (3H) is strongly recommended for Kegon Falls, as it is located away from temple area, 60min by bus or 40min taxi ride through a narrow curved road known as Nikko Iroha Slope. Public transportation is not good enough to do both falls and temples.

Sightseeing taxi (3H) : 20,280JPY (up to 4 passengers), 29,100JPY (up to 9 passengers) 
Kegon Falls Elevators to observatory: Adult 570JPY, Elementary School Student 340JPY

* I can customize the itinerary based on your request. Feel free to ask me any arrangement.

Notes

・This tour is basically a walking tour, using public transportation such as subways and trains. Please join with comfortable walking shoes.
・We can go for taxis upon your request at your expense, anytime if you wish.
・If someone in your group needs special care for long walking and stairs, let me know in advance.
・Please bring some cash in Japanese yen, since credit card is not accepted for vending machines and small shops/restaurants in Japan.

Expenses Not Included

・Transportation fee (you and guide)
・Food and drinks (you and guide)
・Entrance fee (you and guide)

Extra Hours

For Kegon Falls, 1H Extended. 

Major Cost (on tour day)

Pleas use “Quick Estimate” on the bottom of this page for your convenience.

【 Basic 】by Tobu Express (about 2H/one way)

Depends on your hotel location.

Estimate: 
If from Asakusa to Tobu-nikko : 2,860JPY × 2 times = 5,720JPY/adult, 2,860/child
If from Shinjuku to Tobu-nikko : 4,080JPY × 2 times = 8,160JPY/adult, 4,080/child (7:30 Shinjuku → 09:28 Tobu Nikko)
+World Heritage Bus Pass  : 500JPY/adult, 250JPY/child
Guide’s transportation fee : Sama as yours. 

【 Shinkansen Plan for JR-pass holders 】

JR-pass holders : No fee required for Shinaksen & regular JR trains.
World Heritage Bus Pass  : 500JPY/adult, 250JPY/child
Guide’s Shinkansen fare : 10,760JPY(round-trip) 

【 Shinkansen Plan Without JR-pass】

Without JR-pass : 5,380× 2 times = 10,760JPY/ adult, 5,380JPY/child
World Heritage Bus Pass  : 500JPY/adult, 250JPY/child
Guide’s transportation fee : Sama as yours. 

*Without JR-pass, Basic plan (using Tobu Express) is more reasonable. 

【 Hired Car Plan 】 from/to Tokyo (11H)

Hired car arrangement is available upon your request. Ask me availability, preferably at least 1 month prior to the tour.

・Note that it takes 2-3H for one way by car to Nikko.
・Weekends/holidays are not recommended by hired car due to congestion.


・Wagon(ALPHARD) up to 6 people including guide : 92,900 JPY
・Wagon(HIACE) up to 9 people including guide : 110,400 JPY

*Highway tolls, parking lot fees, admission fees are to be paid separately.
Estimated Highway tolls : about 5,000JPY (one way)×2 times=10,000JPY

I make a booking without extra charge, and you can pay the cost to driver at the end of tour day. Credit card is available on payment.

【 +1H Option 】 Kegon Falls

Sightseeing taxi (3H) : 20,280JPY (up to 4 passengers), 29,100JPY(up to 9 passengers) 
Kegon Falls : (Elevators : Adult 570JPY, Elementary School Student 340JPY)

Admission

Toshogu Shrine:Adult 1,300JPY , Elementary& junior high school student 450JPY 
Rinnoji Temple Set Ticket : Adult 1,000JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 500JPY
Shoyo-en Garden : Adult 300JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 100JPY
Futarasan Shrine : Adult 200JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 100JPY

(option)
Tamozawa Imperial Villa : Adult  600JPY, Elementary& junior high school student 300JPY