The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem
The scenic & the sacred in Nikkō: Japan’s glittering gem

What you'll do

Journey to Nikkō, a small city in the mountains north of Tokyo. Your host will ensure you don’t miss the splendor of Toshogu Shrine, a 17th-century gem with a stunning five-story pagoda. Nearby, the Buddhist temple of Rinnō-ji stands proud as part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site, but don’t forget to visit the Taiyū-in Mausoleum next door, built to honor the third Tokugagwa shōgun.

You could also take a trip up to the mountains, where Lake Chūzenji drains through Kegon Falls, a 97m natural marvel. Once you leave the forests, quiet the tummy rumblings at a local eatery, where tofu skin and soba noodles are always on the menu, and wash it all down with some locally-brewed sake!

Where you’ll go

Nikkō is a city of extraordinary beauty, lying on the foothills of gigantic, snow-capped mountains, which are also home to Nikkō National Park, one of Japan’s most spectacular protected areas. With your host by your side, lace up and tackle some of its mesmerizing walking trails, some of which lead to hidden waterfalls and secret Shinto shrines.

In the city, you can immerse yourself in centuries of Japanese culture, with two grand mausoleums and an array of Edo relics adding to Nikkō’s rich history. Visit a restaurant recommended by your host and crunch down on some yoba, or tofu skin, a local delicacy, or find inner peace with the three giant Buddhas at Rinnō-ji, a temple that stood for more than 1200 years.

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 10 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Meet up with a local host in Tokyo and take the scenic train ride to the city of Nikkō.
  • Explore the historic Edo cultural and religious sites on foot, and take in some spectacular landscapes.
  • Visit the Toshogu Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Taiyu-in Temple and the Rinnoji Temple.
  • If you’re keen, visit a traditional sake brewery to see how its made. Yes, you can taste it, too!
  • Indulge in authentic Nikkō lunch at one of your host’s favorite spots, and sample some local delicacies.
  • See and walk the city’s National Park and explore some stunning waterfalls, mountains and lakes.

Things to know

What’s included

  • Private and personalized itinerary
  • 10 hours with a host
  • Return travel from Tokyo to Nikko on Tobu Railway Limited Express
  • Nikko Tourist Pass (bought in advance by host) includes free travel in Nikko and some tourist discounts/ entrance to some ticketed sites
  • Walking experience

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Tickets to any attractions other than those included in the pass
  • Transport costs other than those included in the experience
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    The guide (Steven) made the trip so much easier and wonderful. He was very sweet and friendly and helped me have a good time.

    May 2023

    Anfal W

    I had a great time with him he's very sweet and tried to let have a good time as much as he could. I use a wheelchair and he even helped pushing me around.

    May 2023

    Anfal W

    El tour fue perfecto el guía Gabriel que hablaba español nos llevó a los mejores sitios de Nikko, recogiéndonos en el hotel, y guiándonos para ver los mejores sitios, ya que queríamos aprovechar el día porque estaremos muy pocos días en Japón. Personalizó el tour en base a lo que queríamos, poniéndose en contacto con nosotros antes y también durante el tour. 100% recomendable!!! The tour was perfect the guide Gabriel who spoke Spanish took us to the best places in Nikko, picking us up at the hotel, and guiding us to see the best sites, since we wanted to take advantage of the day because we will be very few days in Japan. He customized the tour based on what we wanted, contacting us before and also during the tour. 100% recommended!!!

    December 2022

    Sergio C

    El tour fue perfecto el guía Gabriel que hablaba español nos llevó a los mejores sitios de Nikko, recogiéndonos en el hotel, y guiándonos para ver los mejores sitios, ya que queríamos aprovechar el día porque estaremos muy pocos días en Japón. Personalizó el tour en base a lo que queríamos, poniéndose en contacto con nosotros antes y también durante el tour. 100% recomendable!!! The tour was perfect the guide Gabriel who spoke Spanish took us to the best places in Nikko, picking us up at the hotel, and guiding us to see the best sites, since we wanted to take advantage of the day because we will be very few days in Japan. He customized the tour based on what we wanted, contacting us before and also during the tour. 100% recommended!!!

    December 2022

    Sergio C

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Tokyo. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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