World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Embark on a captivating 5km journey through Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage site and sacred hub of Japanese mountain worship, where you'll explore majestic shrines and temples with a licensed English-speaking guide, marvel at intricate Edo-period carvings and grand structures of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, discover the hidden gem of Kanmangafuchi Abyss with its mysterious Jizo statues, choose from four lunch options (Standard Japanese-style menu, Vegetarian, Indian Thali, or No Lunch), quench your thirst with Japan's finest spring water, and experience the perfect blend of tradition and modernity through carefully preserved streetscapes, all while enjoying detailed audio explanations in this intimate small-group adventure through Japan's spiritual and historical heart.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

This plan departs from Tobu Nikko Station, and does not include transportation from other areas

The order of the tour itinerary is subject to change due to road conditions, events, ceremonies, or other reasons. In addition, there may be times when the entire itinerary will be on foot (total approx. 7.0 km)

Public transportation will be used to move around on this tour. Please note that seating is not guaranteed

In the winter season [around December to mid-March] and during inclement weather, etc. when it may be difficult to ensure road safety to Kanmangafuchi Abyss, the tour will be guided to Futarasan Shrine, Taiyuuin Mausoleum at Rinno-ji Temple, Tamozawa Imperial Villa, Toshogu Museum, Kanaya Hotel History House, or Nikko Botanical Gardens instead

If the tour is shared with customers joining round-trip from Shinjuku, the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter may be taking the train from Tokyo to the meeting location. In this case, customers may have to wait until around 11:35am

Customers who are late for the departure time 11:40am due to their own circumstances will have their reservations canceled

If there are customers joining the tour round-trip from Shinjuku, the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter will head to Tobu Nikko Station. For those heading to the station area, please confirm with the interpreter guide how to get back

While congestion is expected at the location, an audio service with which explanations from the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter can be heard will be available

Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with lunch. For children requiring lunch, please book the child rate with lunch option

[No Lunch Tour] Lunch is not included on this tour. Please prepare lunch in advance on your own. Cafes and restaurants near the rest area can be very crowded. Preparing this prior to departure is recommended

[With Standard or Vegetarian Lunch Tour] Enjoy our Japanese-style lunch. For a vegetarian meal, please book the vegetarian lunch option. Please note that same-day changes cannot be made.

[With Indian Thali Lunch Tour] A double curry set will be served. (Butter chicken masala, coconut curry, naan, rice, salad, lassi, dessert.) For those who would like vegetarian curry or Muslim-friendly curry, please inform the guide during the meet-up in the morning on the day. For those who prefer a standard menu meal or a vegetarian meal, please book the corresponding plan instead. Same-day changes cannot be made. Allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc. are not available

As there are slopes and stairs in areas around Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kanmangafuchi Abyss, wearing comfortable shoes as well as using a backpack are recommended. Walking distance during the tour is about 5km [3miles]

Shoes must be removed in some areas in Toshogu Shrine. Please participate wearing shoes that are easy to put on and take off

As there are land leeches from April to November, please be sure to keep your legs covered. We recommend wearing thick socks that cover the ankles and bringing bug spray

Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter

Lunch - only if you select Standard, Vegetarian or Indian Thali Lunch option

Audio guide service

Admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour

Admission to Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Fees other than those listed in Includes

What To Expect

Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a small gorge formed by an eruption of Mt. Nantai. There is a row of approximately 70 stone statues of Jizo (a Bodhisattva who is the protector of children) along the river, and legend says they mysteriously change in number each time they are counted. A botanical garden lies on the opposite side of the Jizo statues, where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the season.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Nikko

Select from 4 lunch options: Japanese, Vegetarian, Indian Thali, or No Lunch to suit your preferences when booking. [Standard Lunch] A Japanese-style meal with meat and fish will be served. [Vegetarian Lunch] A Japanese-style vegetarian meal will be served. [Indian Thali] A double curry set will be served. Butter chicken masala, coconut curry, naan, rice, salad, lassi, dessert. For those who would like vegetarian curry or Muslim-friendly curry, please inform the guide during the meet-up in the morning on the day. [No Lunch] Lunch is not included on this tour. Please prepare lunch in advance on your own. Cafes and restaurants near the rest area can be very crowded. Preparing this prior to departure is recommended. [Important Notice] Same-day changes in lunch options cannot be made. Muslim-friendly meals, allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc. are not available.

50 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Tour with Indian Thali Lunch

Lunch: Indian Thali Lunch will be served. Please note that same-day changes cannot be made.
Not available: Allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc.

Tour with Vegetarian Lunch

Lunch: A vegetarian meal will be served. Please note that same-day changes cannot be made.
Not available: Muslim-friendly meals, allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc.

Tour with Standard Lunch

Lunch: A Japanese-style meal with meat and fish will be served. For vegetarian meal, book separate option. No same-day changes.
Not available: Muslim-friendly meals, allergy-friendly meals, gluten-free meals, etc.

Tour with No Lunch

Lunch is not included: Preparing lunch prior to departure is recommended. Cafes and restaurants near the rest area can be very crowded.

Reviews

4.00

3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Best Sanctuary. Mandatory to go
Sergio O,
May 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It must certainly be the most majestic temple there is. Definitely a mandatory stop in Japan. From its gold finishes and golden sparkles, the architecture of this place leaves you open-mouthed. It costs you about 207 steps to climb to the grave... but it's worth it.
Extraordinary experience!!!
210palmtree,
Mar 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We complete the tour today. They were about eight travelers in our group. The tour was absolutely fantastic !!!! The first part of the tour was about experiencing nature and sightseeing. The second part of the tour was historical as spiritual in nature. The balance between the two was outstanding. We had a great lunch around noon time. Our tour guide ATSUKO ANN INUZUKA was absolutely OUTSTANDING !!!!! That no words to describe how professional, kind, pleasant, alert and engaging she was!!!! Due to her, our tour was enjoyed by everybody in the group!! Ann should be highly commended for the job she did today !!!!! Thank you so very much.
NIKKO tour
D6198GRmandyd,
Sep 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
We went for a trip to Nikko. We had to depart at 8 50 but we left at 9 30. We were made to walk to train station to catch a train which took 2.5 hours to arrive to Nikko. The tour guide slept on the train. To note that there is express train which was not booked by operator. We went for some walking, got lunch, saw shrine...probably took around 2.5 hours in all. We did not have a private bus in nikko and were made to use normal overcrowded buses with no place to sit. We went back to train for another 2.5 hours to Tokyo. Totally not worth it. Travelling for 5 hours for a 1 hour visit to a shrine. Would have preferred to see the lake and waterfalls instead of having lunch and the Buddhas along the walk.