Day trip

From Tokyo: UNESCO Shrine and Nikko Scenic Spots Bus Tour

4.1 / 5

59 reviews

Activity provider: VIP Japan Tours
Day trip

From Tokyo: UNESCO Shrine and Nikko Scenic Spots Bus Tour

Activity provider: VIP Japan Tours

From US$ 111.43 per person

Discover the heart of the Shinto religion at the Nikko UNESCO sites. Enhance your experience if you are lucky enough to travel in Autumn and see one of the best displays of Autumn colors near Tokyo.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 10 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Japanese

Experience

Itinerary
5.5 hours
  • Shinjuku

  • 1.5 hours
  • Nikko Toshogu (visit, guided tour)

  • 10 minutes
  • Nikko Castella Honpo (visit)

  • Irohazaka

  • Kegon Falls (visit, guided tour)

  • 10 minutes
  • Lake Chūzenji (visit)

  • 2.5 hours
  • Shinjuku

Meeting point
Main stop
Other stop
Transfer stop
Highlights
  • Recharge yourself at the spiritual spot of Kegon falls
  • Enjoy a delicious Japanese lunch with panoramic views of Lake Chuzenji
  • Visit the UNESCO holy sites of Mt Nikko, Toshogu Shrine and Futarasan Shrine
  • Take seasonal pictures of the breathtaking colors of Autumn leaves
Full description

See the Shinto shrines of Nikko on a guided tour from Tokyo. Admire the architecture and spiritual significance of these UNESCO Heritage Sites as well as the scenic views of Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, with a lunch also included.

Start the tour from either Shinjuku or Shinagawa in downtown Tokyo. Relax on an air-conditioned bus and first to have about an hour for a delicious lunch in Nikko.

After lunch, move on to the holy sites of the city, the UNESCO heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Futara-san Shrine. Toshogu Shrine is the final resting place of General Tokugawa Ieyasu. Be amazed by the masterpiece mixture of Japanese spirits with ancient Oriental building designs.  Learn the history of Futarasan Shrine which is dedicated to the deities of Nikko's 3 most sacred mountains, Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho, and Mount Taro. Admire the golden details of the main hall in the shrine, while being surrounded by stunning autumn colors. Climb up the thrilling 48 turns of the Irohazaka slope. Head to your first tour destination, the breathtaking Kegon Falls, at around 100 meters high.

Follow the stream to the scenic Lake Chuzenji. During autumn, you can take pictures of the seasonal colors with the lake in the background. At the end of the tour return to Shinjuku.

Includes
  • Live English speaking guide (except for the semi-private option)
  • Entrance fee to Toshogu
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges
  • Roundtrip bus fare
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card

Know before you go

  • Please wear comfortable walking shoes
  • The tour schedule may change due to traffic or weather conditions without prior notice
  • Depending on the number of participants, English and Chinese commentary might be given on the same bus
  • Please note that there won't be any guide joining the tour for customers who book the semi-private option (English-speaking driver only)
  • There is only one drop-off point at the end of the tour, Near Shinjuku Station (west exit). This is also the case for guests who chose the Ueno departure location
  • From January 1, 2020 onwards, the tour will follow this itinerary: 1. Toshogu Shrine; 2. Lunch; 3. Irohazaka; 4. Kegon Falls; 5. Chuuzenji Lake
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.1 /5

based on 59 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    3.8/5
  • Transportation
    4.5/5
  • Service
    4.3/5
  • Organization
    4.5/5

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Star rating:

After booking our trip online, we were sent an email on when the car would pick us up at our condo. We booked a private car and it was worth every penny. Our driver Chizihu (Luann) was a very polite, a good driver and would let us know at each stop how long we had and where she would be waiting for us. She even stopped in Nikko so we could get a coffee for the trip back. It was so nice not to be herded with a large group of people especially going up to Nikko during the Fall.

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March 29, 2023

Cette visite pourrait être plus courte. On passe trop de temps dans chaque endroit, surtout au bord du lac. Le restaurant est décevant. L’accompagnateur est très gentil et très serviable. Dommage que la visite du sanctuaire ne prévoit pas de guide. On fait la visite tout seul. La voiture de transport à Nikko est très confortable.

March 29, 2023

Valoro el tour de forma positiva por el fin y no por el medio, por los paisajes, calidad visual y sensorial que se respira en el santuario y eso, acompañado del lago que se suma a la visita, hacen que sea mágico y merezca visitar la zona. Está claro que el transporte es necesario para ir de un punto a otro. Eso sí, el acompañamiento del guía fue prácticamente nulo. Hacía más de animadora en el camino del autobús que de guía en las visitas. Sales de Nikko sin conocer con profundidad sus detalles. Una pena, la verdad.

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March 29, 2023

Product ID: 181199