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Nikko UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Nikko UNESCO sites

From Tokyo: UNESCO Shrine and Nikko Scenic Spots Bus Tour

1. From Tokyo: UNESCO Shrine and Nikko Scenic Spots Bus Tour

See the Shinto shrines of Nikko on a guided tour from Tokyo. Admire the architecture and spiritual significance of these UNESCO Heritage Sites as well as the scenic views of Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, with a lunch also included. Start the tour from either Shinjuku or Shinagawa in downtown Tokyo. Relax on an air-conditioned bus and first to have about an hour for a delicious lunch in Nikko. After lunch, move on to the holy sites of the city, the UNESCO heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Futara-san Shrine. Toshogu Shrine is the final resting place of General Tokugawa Ieyasu. Be amazed by the masterpiece mixture of Japanese spirits with ancient Oriental building designs.  Learn the history of Futarasan Shrine which is dedicated to the deities of Nikko's 3 most sacred mountains, Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho, and Mount Taro. Admire the golden details of the main hall in the shrine, while being surrounded by stunning autumn colors. Climb up the thrilling 48 turns of the Irohazaka slope. Head to your first tour destination, the breathtaking Kegon Falls, at around 100 meters high. Follow the stream to the scenic Lake Chuzenji. During autumn, you can take pictures of the seasonal colors with the lake in the background. At the end of the tour return to Shinjuku.

Tokyo: Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall Tour

2. Tokyo: Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall Tour

After meeting at 7:50AM, your tour leader will greet you at the ground floor of the Shinjuku Subaru Building next to the Shinjuku JR Station west exit. At 8:00AM, you will depart from Shinjuku to Tochigi prefecture, where Nikko City is located. At around 10:30AM, you will travel to the first stop on your tour, the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. This shrine is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868, known as the Edo Period. You can appreciate the beauty of this shrine complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, whilst learning the interesting stories and legends of the buildings from your guide. After visiting the Nikko Toshogo Shrine, you will pass through the Iroha Slope. It is famous for its 48 sharp turns along its route, and is portrayed in the animation ”Initial D”. The road is very popular for its autumn leaves in the fall. At 12:30PM, you will arrive at the Kegon Waterfall. This almost 100-meter-tall waterfall is the most famous of Nikko's many beautiful waterfalls. It is even ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls, along with the Nachi Waterfall in the Wakayama Prefecture and the Fukuroda Waterfall in the Ibaraki Prefecture. At 2:00PM, your tour will be separated into two groups, you can choose according to your preference to either walk along Lake Chuzenji, or to experience the Nikko hot spring. Before finishing your tour, you will stop by the Onihei Edo service area, which is the most interesting service area with edo style design and traditional souvenirs. At 6:00PM, you will be dropped back at the Shinjuku Subaru Building, where your tour will end.

From Tokyo: Private Day Trip to Nikko

3. From Tokyo: Private Day Trip to Nikko

Meet your host in Tokyo and head to your destination on the Tobu Railway Limited Express. Travel to Nikkō and enjoy the small city nestled in the foothills of gigantic, snow-capped mountains north of Tokyo. Immerse yourself in centuries of Japanese culture and see two grand mausoleums and an array of Edo relics, adding to Nikkō’s rich history. Visit the Buddhist temple of Rinnō-ji and Toshogu Shrine, a 17th-century treasure with a stunning five-story pagoda, that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  You can take a trip up to the mountains, which are home to Nikkō National Park. It is one of Japan’s most spectacular protected areas, where Lake Chūzenji drains through Kegon Falls, a 97-meter natural marvel. 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. Once you leave the forests, before heading back to Tokyo, quiet the tummy rumblings at a local eatery, and crunch down on some yuba, or tofu skin, a local delicacy, and wash it all down with some locally-brewed sake. Important: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

From Tokyo: Nikko's Shrines & Lake Chuzenji Private Day Trip

4. From Tokyo: Nikko's Shrines & Lake Chuzenji Private Day Trip

Set off towards the Nikko area after being picked up at your hotel / your home. Your first tour destination is the breathtaking Kegon Falls, at about 97 meters high, which is one of the top three waterfalls in Japan. Follow the stream to the scenic Lake Chuzenji (Circumference 25km, Water depth 163m). During Autumn, you can take some stunning pictures of the seasonal colors with the lake in the background. After arriving at a sightseeing spot in Nikko such as Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine and Nikkozan Rinnoji, you will be exploring the place on your own. ※Zhensho Yashason is put on view to the public at special venue in Nikkozan Rinnoji Sanbutsudo from 4th Feb.2022 to 3rd Feb.2023 which is held once every 9 years. -------------------- 【COVID-19 Safety Measures】 ・Safety screen installed between driver's seat and passengers' seats in vehicles. ・Vehicles regularly sanitized. ・Vehicles regularly ventilated for fresh air circulation. ・Regular temperature checks for all drivers. ・Drivers wears a face mask. ・Drivers regularly sanitize/wash hands. ・Drivers have a hand sanitiser for passengers.

Other Sightseeing Options in Nikko

Want to discover all there is to do in Nikko? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Nikko

Overall rating

3.9 / 5

based on 52 reviews

The tour was perfect, the Spanish-speaking guide Gabriel took us to the best places in Nikko, picking us up at the hotel, and guiding us to see the best places, since we wanted to take advantage of the day because we will be in Japan for a few days. He customized the tour based on what we wanted, contacting us before and also during the tour. 100% recommendable!!!

This was a very good tour, well organized and the tour guide (I think Vicky?) was very good. She gave ample information and made sure all our questions were answered. This was a small group of about 12 people, we traveled in a comfortable mini bus and our driver was excellent.

I enjoyed this immensely! Takes all the thinking out of travelling to some key tourist spots in Nikko. Waterfall was extremely beautiful.

Driver Teng was very accommodating and friendly answered our request. Felt safe and enjoyed much of the trip to Nikko.

A breathtaking experience that we definitely don't want to miss.