Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Akey
October, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- The scheduled meeting place and time set for 11:00 went significantly off track. 12:14 Tobu Shimoimaichi ~ 12:21 Tobu Nikko Station. 12:45 Tobu Nikko Station ~ 14:00 Chuzenji Onsen, lunch, 14:30 Kegon Falls elevator
- 15:30 Chuzenji Lakefront bus stop ~ 16:10 Nishi-Sando ~ 16:20 Toshogu ~ Nishi-Sando 17:20 ~ Tobu Nikko 17:40. Dismissal.
Title: What Is a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Toshogu and Kegon Falls
The tour began with a plan to meet at an inn in Imaichi at 11:00. Based on our exchanges, the guests said they would come by JR, so I was asked to wait on the platform of JR Imaichi Station, and I walked there from Shimo-Imaichi Station on the Tobu Line. However, I received word that they would not be staying at the inn after all, and that they had boarded a local JR train and would be significantly delayed. I advised them to transfer to an express train, but it turned out they were able to board a Tobu Railway limited express at a station where the JR and Tobu lines connect. I hurried back by taxi to Shimo-Imaichi and, since they were on that same limited express train, we arranged to meet in Nikko instead. In the end, there was a delay of one hour and twelve minutes. During the wait I revised the itinerary at a tea shop, but that revised plan could not be used either. For the time being we went to Kegon Falls, and after lunch we got off at Nishi-Sando. It was a Sunday in high season, so there was traffic congestion and some loss of time, but we still tried to make it to Toshogu Shrine. One of the guests was unable to walk any further, so I had that person wait while I guided the other to Toshogu Shrine. There was heavy traffic. The situation was completely different from what had originally been discussed, and because the arrangements for the trip to Nikko had been made only the day before, it had not been possible to purchase limited express tickets in advance. The guests mentioned that they would visit Japan again and stay overnight in Nikko. As a souvenir, I gave them some Nikko sweets.
Click here for more details: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Tobu Shimoimaichi Station (Limited Express)～Tobu Nikko Station | 700JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Tobu Nikko Station～Chuzenji Onsen-mae | 1,250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Chuzenji Onsen-mae～Nishi-Sando Entrance | 1,150JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Nishi-Sando Entrance～Tobu Nikko Station | 220JPY |
| Total | 3,320JPY | ||
Hello, new friends! I’m Akio Yasui. I was born in Kyoto City and graduated from Doshisha University in Kyoto and moved to Tokyo for working. I used to work for international companies as a marketing advertising specialist. I have been to fourty five different countries until now and been to all prefectures in Japan.
I have deep knowledge of both traditional and modern culture of Japan based on my experience in Kyoto, Tokyo and their surrounding areas such as Kamakura, Nikko, Nara, Osaka. I can design exclusive and the optinum itineray for you and guide you not only to ordinary tour courses but also casual or hidden locations. My task is making you enjoy Japan and like our culture and people. Let me guide you any where you want to visit and enjoy Japan together.
Mar 30, 2026
851murraya
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Good time in Hakone
Akey did a great job setting the…
Mar 30, 2026
851murraya
Tripadvisor review: Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Good time in Hakone
Akey did a great job setting the itinerary and providing all the logistical details. He was also
very knowledgeable about the history of the places we visited. His English was easy to
understand.
Oct 11, 2025
S
Stephen_M
Incredible day in Hakone
Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr Akey showed me an amazing…
Oct 11, 2025
S
Stephen_M
Incredible day in Hakone
Viator review: Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr Akey showed me an amazing time in Hakone. He planned out a very detailed itinerary based completely on my interests. The hot spring onsen was just what I needed to relax after long travel and a day of walking around the day before. I was hesitant to do the ropeway due to my fear of heights, but am so glad I went. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and I was lucky enough to have a clear enough day to get some incredible views of Mt Fuji. Highly recommend.
May 4, 2025
AliS7090
Great experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Akito, our private tour leader, was a fabulous…
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AliS7090
Great experience
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide from Yokohama
Akito, our private tour leader, was a fabulous person who was kind and had a deep knowledge of ancient and modern Japanese history. He took us on a fun adventure around the bustling Tokoyo, showing us both the posh and modern and local treasures. You should be prepared to walk a lot 🙂
Mar 30, 2025
Mark_B
You can tailor make this…
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You can tailor make this to anything…
Mar 30, 2025
Mark_B
You can tailor make this…
Viator review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
You can tailor make this to anything you want and the guide delivered exactly what we asked for, along with some extras and very good commentary to explain it all. Only thing is be prepared to travel on subway which can take some time, so make sure what you want to see is geographically close to maximise your sight-seeing.