Private Tour

Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Nikko!

There are many reasons why Nikko is a must-see stop during your stay in Japan. Your private guide will help you efficiently enjoy a full-day tour of this historic, beautiful town.

Your guide will start your day with a morning pickup at Nikko Station (Tobu or JR). Nikko is one of Japan’s most stunning nature reserves, situated on the incredibly scenic―and hard to reach on your own―Romantic Road.

Let us know what special requests you have for the day and we will customize your itinerary in advance!

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

Note*2: If you are planning to travel from Tokyo to Nikko, please note that the travel time is over two hours.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nikko

Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list

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.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Nikko Tosho-gu

Understand why “Don’t say ‘magnificent’ until you’ve seen Nikko” visiting the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate and nearby shrines and temple. The most renowned shrine of “the Shrines and Temples of Nikko”-a Japan’s leading world heritage, is where Ieyasu Tokugawa, the great Shogun who started the flourishing Edo Period, is enshrined. Most of the shrine complex you see today was rebuilt in 17th century. The shrine contains 55 buildings including 8 national treasures and 34 listed buildings. The highlights are sumptuous carvings lacquered and richly coloured brilliantly, which you will gaze at craftsmanship assembled from all over the country. Do not miss the symbol of peace “Sleeping Cat”, and the “Three Monkeys” with the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” poses!

30 minutes • Admission Not Included

Kegon Falls

Kegon Waterfall is the most famous of Nikko’s 48 waterfalls. Water from Lake Chuzenji falls 97 metres straight down to the rocks below creating a dynamic and artistic work of nature. A special lift takes visitors to the basin where the force and roar of the water can be witnessed close up! Impressive in any season, the waterfall looks particularly spectacular when surrounded by the 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.

15 minutes • Admission Not Included

Options

Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Pickup included

Reviews

4.92

251 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

235

Excellent private tour
peter k,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Excellent tour with beautiful scenery made extra special with our knowledgeable guide Yoko. Would highly recommend.
Nikko - memorable with Yukiko
Socksthecat2017,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Yukiko made this such an amazing day. She got in touch with us weeks in advance, sussed out our interests, planed different itineraries which she sent us, including her own hand drawn maps. Thank you Yukiko Tsunoda, for making this such a memorable day. Thank you for being so thoughtful, flexible and so full of information- it felt at the end like we made a friend!
Great day in Nikko with great guide!!
Lori R,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
My husband and I were able to see so very much more than we could have ever done on our own. Yumi was beyond helpful and patient with our many questions. She ensured that everything went smoothly and that we were comfortable. We feel so fortunate that Yumi was our guide today and would highly recommend her!!!
Wonderful experience!!!
Jason N,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Ikuko (Karen) was excellent and we truly loved our time with her. She was very friendly, energetic and knowledgeable. We were able to do so much more during our time in Nikko because of her expertise. I would highly recommend her as a guide.
Good
U9068CIwillp,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The private tour with Yoshii was one of the greatest experiences of my life, the atmosphere was breathtaking. The 7 hours felt like 2, as Yoshii educated and guided us through the magnificent town of Nikko. I got to experience many locations accompanied with backstory. My subsequent questions were answered fully. It was well priced and the crowds weren't too bad. This is honestly best for everyone.
Amazing
Angela P,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Yoshii is a great guide. Very informative, a wealth of historic knowledge, we visited many shrines and a waterfall. I felt I could ask Yoshii anything about any of the places we went, even off topic questions were graced with a well detailed answer. Impressive street knowledge, highly recommend 👍
Private tour of Nikko
Journey714678,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour is highly recommended. It was made extra special with our wonderful guide YOKO. The scenery was beautiful and YOKO was able to explain the history of the area which made for a very interesting day.
Awesome day out with Yumi
N6723HErachelh,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Yumi was an excellent tour guide. She was very knowledgeable, warm and friendly. She ensured the day ran smoothly and we were able to avoid long queues. She was also really good at communicating with us ahead of the tour to ensure it was tailored to our interests and offered suggestions on things to do before and after the tour.
Fun day with Yoshii
rafaelalexiss2019,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing day with Yoshii! He gave us a brief history of Japan and connected it to the places we eventually visited throughout the day. He's super enthusiastic and made sure to maximize the time we had! Highly recommended!
Highly recommend Nikko with a guide
Celene V,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Yoshii, our guide, was very capable and we were able to see many sights, despite Nikko being somewhat crowded since the leaves in the higher elevations were starting to turn colors. We were able to visit the lake briefly and then see fall colors at the Ryuzu waterfalls. We were also able to visit the shrines and temples in the historical area and take pictures in front of the Shinkyo bridge. I know we would not have been able to do all of that on our own and I am so glad I booked this tour. Yoshii was very knowledgeable and taught us about the major historical periods in Japan and how they were experienced in Nikko.