Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo | Toshogu Shrine & Irohazaka Road & Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls Day Tour (Departing from Tokyo)

Ko was our guide today and he was fantastic! I got a message from him the night before, on WhatsApp, for our tour with a picture of his face which was incredibly helpful for the meeting place in the morning as there is a lot of guides in that area. He spoke very well english and we learned a lot about the temple and Nikko! he was very kind and informed us how long we had at each location and showed us where the free viewing area is for the waterfall. If you get Ko for your guide, you will not be disappointed! Nikko itself was super incredible and has been the highlight of our trip to Japan so far! I strongly recommend visiting!

We had a lovely day out exploring Nikko and it’s charms. The excursion was so well planned out with more than enough time to enjoy each location. Our guide’s English was not particularly great so we didn’t really get too much information but his managing skills running the times for the tour were spot on. The starting point of the day is about 2:30 hs away from Tokyo, there is a quick loo stop in a beautiful lake, then plenty of time for lunch by the waterfall and the jewel of the day is the Toshogu Temple.

Our day trip was wonderful. We departed from the meeting point on time and returned on time. It was a comfortable and safe journey. Our tour guide was very attentive and informative. We enjoyed it very much.

Amazing experience, tour guide is kind and helpful, advised us of cooler weather in Nikko and to dress warmly. It actually snowed that day. At the end of the tour, reminded us to have a warm bath to avoid getting sick. Nikko is beautiful, would highly recommend this day tour!

This tour was great. Ko, our Tour Guide was fantastic. He was very informative and professional. He spoke English very well and he showed us where we needed to go and ensured we knew the departure times. We had ample time at each sight which was great. it didn’t feel rushed. Our driver was also really good. We felt safe with his driving, especially going down the winding roads. We would definitely recommend this tour. It was well organised.

​"I had a wonderful time on the Nikko day trip today! The scenery was breathtaking and the itinerary was well-organized, but what truly made this experience 5-stars was the exceptional service from our guide/driver, Jeffrey. ​I accidentally left my power bank and AirPods on the bus when I departed at Shinjuku. I was so worried, but I managed to call Jeffrey and he was incredibly helpful. Even though his shift was likely ending, he kept my belongings safe and coordinated with me to meet at Tokyo Station since I had already gotten off. He waited for me there to ensure I got my items back safely. ​It’s rare to find someone so honest and willing to go the extra mile for a guest. Jeffrey truly saved my day! I highly recommend this tour—not just for the beautiful sights of Nikko, but for the peace of mind knowing you are in such kind and professional hands. Thank you so much, Jeffrey!"

Hello, Guide Kim Young-jun, thank you. I came on a trip from Korea and wanted to see Mount Fuji, so I took a day trip with you. Thanks to Guide Kim Young-jun's kind explanations and the consideration of the Korean and Chinese people, although I couldn't see Mount Fuji completely, I still got great photos at Oshino Hakkai thanks to your well-adjusted schedule. I went to Kamakura with GoGo yesterday, and I'm leaving for Nikko today. Guide Kim Young-jun, thank you again for giving me a happy time ^^

Prior to the trip, our tour leader, Mizki (Xiao Bo), confirmed the itinerary details via messaging apps and email. On the day of the trip, due to heavy rain, we couldn't ride the cable car, so we made a last-minute change to the Kegon Falls elevator to make up for this minor disappointment. Along the way, Mizki provided detailed explanations of the historical background and features of the attractions in both Chinese and English. Since the tour didn't include meals, she also recommended good local snacks to the group, making sure everyone had something to eat and drink to avoid getting hungry during the long drive. Our driver, Mr. Wang, was very kind and courteous, and his driving skills were excellent. As someone who has only traveled independently for over twenty years, this was my first time participating in a group day tour. Overall, it was a great travel experience, and I would consider this type of tour again in the future.

Our guide, Wang Zhe (Jeffrey), was fantastic! He alternated between Chinese and English while introducing us to Nikko's World Cultural Heritage sites: the "2 Shrines and 1 Temple," which includes Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple. Toshogu Shrine's entrance fee is ¥1600, and a combination ticket with the treasure hall is ¥2400; Suica cards are accepted. Although the ropeway was closed due to dense fog, he still took us to see it. It's a great place to see the autumn foliage. Be aware that Toshogu Shrine's "Sleeping Cat" carving and Kegon Falls have many steps. Futarasan Shrine (with the Daiyuinbyo Mausoleum behind it, which requires an entrance fee) and Rinno-ji Temple are free to view from the outside. If you're physically fit, you can see all three, but otherwise, we recommend prioritizing. The route between Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji (Kegon Falls is nearby; there's a free observation deck outside the falls, but the ¥600 elevator ticket, cash only, is more impressive) passes through the Irohazaka Winding Road, with 24 curves uphill and 24 curves downhill, corresponding to the number of kana characters in the Iroha poem. We were a group of 14, and I teamed up with other members on the spot. Everyone was very punctual, and we had a great time. Accommodation in Nikko and Kinugawa is expensive during the summer, so a day trip is more cost-effective than buying the Tobu Nikko Pass.

11 out of 10! Our tourguide Mizkin was an absolute superstar! She kept in touch from the night before the tour, texting helpful info and pin drops so we never lost the bus (or ourselves). Super upbeat, friendly, thoughtful, and full of knowledge—she made the day fun and easy. The bus was spotless, and the driver was excellent. The itinerary was perfectly paced with amazing stops—never rushed, never dull. Honestly, everything ran like clockwork, but with personality. Felt like a day out with the most organized (and coolest) friend ever. 11/10—if you get Mizkin as your guide, you’ve hit the jackpot!