Tokyo: Tobu Asakusa Station & Rinnoji Taiyuin — Guide Seizo
November, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 09：00 Meet up @ Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara
- 10：00 Depart Tobu Asakusa Station (Spacia X No. 5)
- 11：47 Arrive Tobu Nikko Station
- 12：10 Lunch @ Asaya Rest House
- 13：00 Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple
- 13：45 Nikko Toshogu Shrine
- 15：00 Rinnoji Taiyuin
- 16：21 Depart Tobu Nikko Station (Liberty Kegon No. 42)
- 18：15 Arrive Tobu Asakusa Station
- 18：45 Disband @ Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 09:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara, and finished at 18:45. The day ran to 9 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Asaya Rest House at 12:10.
From there the group visited Tobu Asakusa Station (Spacia X No. 5) at 10:00, Tobu Nikko Station at 11:47, Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple at 13:00, Nikko Toshogu Shrine at 13:45, Rinnoji Taiyuin at 15:00, Tobu Nikko Station (Liberty Kegon No. 42) at 16:21 and Tobu Asakusa Station at 18:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Suehirocho to Asakusa by subway (180JPY); Tobu Asakusa to Tobu Nikko by train (3,340JPY); Tobu Nikko to Shinkyo by bus (220JPY); Nishisando Entrance to Tobu Nikko by bus (350JPY); Tobu Nikko to Tobu Asakusa by train (3,050JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho by subway (180JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 7,320JPY per person.
What Is a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rinnoji, Toshogu, and Taiyuin
The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. They had already toured Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Hida Takayama, and were scheduled to return home the next day. At Rinnoji Temple, the guests listened with great interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, and appeared deeply impressed by the large Buddhist statues in the Sanbutsudo Hall. At Toshogu Shrine, they enjoyed viewing the beautiful Yomeimon Gate, the carving of the three wise monkeys, and the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu. At Taiyuin, they listened with interest to explanations about the relationship between the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and the first shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. At Toshogu Shrine and Taiyuin, there were many stairs and climbing them was a little challenging, but since I responded to the guests' wishes, I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Suehirocho～Asakusa | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Tobu Asakusa～Tobu Nikko | 3,340JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Tobu Nikko～Shinkyo | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Nishisando Entrance～Tobu Nikko | 350JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Tobu Nikko～Tobu Asakusa | 3,050JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Suehirocho | 180JPY |
| Total | 7,320JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara at 09:00, and the tour finished at @ Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara at 18:45.
How long does the tour last?
About 9 hours and 45 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 18:45.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tobu Asakusa Station (Spacia X No. 5), Tobu Nikko Station, Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Taiyuin, Tobu Nikko Station (Liberty Kegon No. 42) and Tobu Asakusa Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 7,320JPY per person across 6 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Seizo is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
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