Nikko World Heritage Walking Tour from Tokyo with Lunch & Train
Description
Step out of Tokyo and into the sacred mountains of Nikko on this immersive 1-day walking tour. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nikko offers stunning shrines, temples, and natural scenery. Travel comfortably from Shinjuku by limited express train and explore with a National Government Licensed English Guide. Visit the iconic Nikko Toshogu Shrine, known for its intricate carvings such as the Sleeping Cat and Three Wise Monkeys. Then discover the tranquil Kanmangafuchi Abyss, a hidden gorge lined with approximately 70 mysterious Jizo statues. This tour includes a scenic walk of about 5 km [3.0 miles], combining culture, light activity, and nature. Choose from four lunch options: Japanese-style meal, Vegetarian, Indian Thali, or No Lunch, depending on your preference. Perfect for travelers seeking an authentic and enriching day trip beyond Tokyo.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Take the limited express train to Nikko from Shinjuku Staion. There may be a transfer. In general, the transfer from Shinjuku to Nikko will be a direct limited express train from JR Shinjuku Station to Tobu Nikko Station (also used for the return trip). However, due to timetable alterations or operation circumstances, the transportation to be used may be changed to JR Tohoku Shinkansen (reserved seat) + conventional line train, or a limited express train departing from/arriving at Tobu Asakusa Station + subway transfer, etc. In any case, the transportation/limited express fare for the transportation route is included in the tour booking charge, and the guide will also accompany the tour from departure from Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo until arrival at Shinjuku Station.
Take the route bus to the bus stop near Kanmangafuchi Abyss. If there are participants joining the tour round-trip from Tobu Nikko Station, the tour will meet at Tobu Nikko Station. Due to circumstances such as road congestion, etc., transfer may be on foot. Approx.3.0km.
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. In the winter season (around December to midMarch) 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, Hondo at Rinno-ji Temple, Taiyuuin Mausoleum at Rinno-ji Temple, Tamozawa Imperial Villa, Toshogu Museum, Kanaya Hotel History House, or Nikko Botanical Gardens instead.
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.
A registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sacred place with over 400 years of history is where Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, is enshrined. Enjoy seeing the traditional beauty of the main hall, as well as the sleeping cat and 3 monkey carvings.
Take the 2-hour limited express train from Tobu Nikko Station towards Shinjuku Station. The tour ends at Shinjuku Station around 6:30PM-7:45PM.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
- In general, the transfer from Shinjuku to Nikko will be a direct limited express train from JR Shinjuku Station to Tobu Nikko Station (also used for the return trip). However, due to timetable alterations or operation circumstances, the transportation to be used may be changed to JR Tohoku Shinkansen (reserved seat) + conventional line train, or a limited express train departing from/arriving at Tobu Asakusa Station + subway transfer, etc. In any case, the transportation/limited express fare for the transportation route is included in the tour booking charge, and the guide will also accompany the tour from departure from Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo until arrival at Shinjuku Station
- 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
- Audio service may not be used in case of a small number of participants
- Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with lunch. Please make a booking for children requiring lunch under the child rate
- [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 Lunch Tour] Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch
- [With Vegetarian Lunch Tour] 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 shoes with good traction and clothing easy to walk in as well as using a backpack are recommended. (A distance of about 5 km will be covered)
- 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
- Shoes must be removed in some areas in Toshogu Shrine. Please participate wearing shoes that are easy to put on and take off, and are comfortable to walk in
- This tour involves walking outdoors. Please take measures against heat or cold depending on the season. Summer: Temperatures can reach up to 35°C. Please bring items that protect from the heat such as sunglasses, hat, parasol, neck cooler, etc
- Winter: Temperatures may drop below freezing, and there may also be snowfall. Please participate wearing sufficient warm clothing and non-slip rubber shoes, etc
- 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
Reviews(63)
Our travel advisor booked this Nikko full day walking tour with Sunrise tours. Our guide Toshi was very friendly and organized. He did a great job explaining the history of the area and handled everything from train travel to lunch. The tour was well paced and delivered exactly what was promised. I would recommend this tour for anyone wants an active experience as opposed to spending half the day on a bus.
We had an amazing time on the Nikko Walking Tour. Our guide Ito was very sweet and informative about the places we visited. Thank you for an awesome day!
Very well organized experience. We had a fantastic time and glad that we were able to visit.
Our guide on the tour was excellent, I think his name was Nao. He had lived in USA before and hus knowledge of the English language and Japan was excellent. What seemed like it was going to be a boring tour , with Nao it was very entertaining. His local knowledge was very good through out the tour. If you are with him , you are in good hands. The tour was very entertaining and the tour very scenic and the shrine visited was very good. We were taken for an Indian Lunch which was part of the tour as we chose the Indian option. The restaurant was excellent, the food provided was better than spme restaurants in India. This was very pleasing.
I was the only person on the tour today and it was a fantastic day! The guide was ever knowledgeable and kind. It was like my own private tour and Nikko is absolutely stunning. Would definitely recommend this tour to everyone!
Shin san an informative and accommodating guide. He managed to keep the group together meet our needs and still keep to our timetable without fuss. Best lunch menu in Japan.
We had the best time with Nao as our guide! The walking tour was a good pace, plenty of time for drink and bathroom breaks, we never felt rushed. Nikko is a beautiful town surrounded by breathtaking forests with waterfalls, rivers and temples. And yes, its a lot of walking (it is a full day walking tour) but it was absolutely worth it in my opinion and I would 100% go again- I wish we had more time to spend there! The accompanying lunch was wonderful, they served fiddlehead ferns as a part of our meal, which was a lovely surprise as they were something I've only read about and had always wanted to try- I will never forget it! You can tell Nao enjoys what he does and shares lots of fun facts along the way, he's warm, kind and makes you feel safe- he'll always want to make sure you "don't get hurt"! ;)
A great day seeing the beauty Nikko has to offer, with our guide Nao, you couldn’t be in better hands. His knowledge and passion for details highlighting things you would otherwise miss noticing. So glad we got him. Thank you Nao it was a great days tour. We will return to stay longer in Nikko next time.
An amazing time in a beautiful place. Nikko is worth your time and the detour if you’re in Japan. Nao was a great guide with insightful comments/trivia. There is quite a bit of walking so keep that in mind
We really enjoyed this tour. Our guide Toshi, was very friendly and knowledgeable and looked after us very well. The train trip to Nikko and walking tour was a memorable experience, the shrines were beautiful and the Abyss was in a lovely forest setting near a small river with traditional Japanese memorials to deceased children, still beautifully looked after even though they are hundreds of years old. The traditional Japanese lunch was really good! Highly recommended.