Full Day Nikko Private Tour with Multilingual Chauffeur

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Chuzenji Temple (中禅寺, Chūzenji) stands on the eastern bank of Lake Chuzenjiko, which was named after the temple. Chuzenji's main object of worship is a six meter tall statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The statue is unique for being carved out of a tree which is still rooted into the ground today. The second story of the temple complex houses a rare assembly of all five Buddhist Deva Kings (Myo-o). The hall's ceiling sports a giant painting of a white dragon by the same artist who painted the "Crying Dragon" at Toshogu Shrine. The ceiling of the inner chamber is coffered and decorated with paintings of over a hundred flower varieties found around Nikko. From the veranda, visitors can enjoy beautiful views over Lake Chuzenjiko.

   1 h

2. Lake Chuzenji is the largest lake in Tochigi， framed by 25 kilometres of incredible nature. The area used to be a popular summer resort for foreigners in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The villas of French and Belgian embassies can still be found here. You can enjoy seasonal charms by the lake. Walking trails surround the water’s edge and there is an excursion boat available on the lake. The views from the lake are spectacular， particularly when the cherry blossoms or azaleas are blooming or when the autumn leaves are turning. The “Koyo-meguri” tour， enjoying autumn leaves reflecting on the lake， is highly recommended.

   1 h

3. The almost 100 meter tall Kegon Waterfall (華厳の滝, Kegon no taki) is the most famous of Nikko's waterfalls. It is even ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls, along with Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture.

   1 h

4. Akechidaira Plateau (明智平) is located near the top of the ascending Irohazaka Winding Road. At the plateau, there is a parking lot with a free observation area that offers nice views onto the Irohazaka and the valley below. During autumn, this becomes a popular autumn color spot as fall colors spread across the landscape.

   1 h

5. Toshogu Shrine (東照宮, Tōshōgū) is a magnificent memorial to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. Ieyasu is enshrined at Toshogu as the deity Tosho Daigongen, "Great Deity of the East Shining Light". Initially a relatively simple mausoleum, Toshogu was enlarged into the spectacular complex seen today by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu during the first half of the 17th century.

   1 h

6. obu World Square is a theme park in Kinugawa Onsen, which exhibits 1/25th scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world. The models include ancient monuments, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reproduced with great detail all the way down to cars, trains and people populating the sites, and with gardens that change with the seasons.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Tokyo

• Its from-price is 197% above the median of the 893 day trips we list in Tokyo.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 439 of 893.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Tokyo

Neon-lit districts, quiet shrines, superb food and distinct neighbourhoods make up Tokyo, a vast, orderly metropolis linked by punctual trains.

Every district feels like its own city. Shibuya's famous scramble crossing and Shinjuku's towers, bars and Golden Gai alleys pulse with energy, while Harajuku mixes youth fashion with the forested calm of the Meiji Jingu shrine. In Asakusa, the Sensō-ji temple and its market street keep an older Tokyo alive, and Ginza offers polished department stores and galleries.

Top-ranked sights in Tokyo: Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Temple), Tokyo Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu).

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