Tour Itinerary
- 8:30 Meeting place: Hotel, 3-17-1 Nishiasakusa,
- 9:00 Depart Tobu Asakusa Station
- (Tobu Nikko Line)
- 10:50 Arrive Tobu Nikko Station
- 11:05 Depart Tobu Nikko Station
- (Tobu Bus)
- 11:11 Arrive Nishisando Entrance
- Nikko Nikko Toshogu Shrine
- Rinnoji Temple
- Lunch: Nishisando Chaya
- Futarasan Shrine
- Taiyuin
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss
- Shinkyo Bridge
- 15:58 Depart Shinkyo Bridge
- (Tobu Bus)
- 16:03 Arrive Tobu Nikko Station
- 16:21 Depart Tobu Nikko Station
- (Tobu Nikko Line)
- 18:15 Arrive Tobu Asakusa Station
- 18:20 Dismissal: Tobu Asakusa Station
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour from Tokyo to Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America, traveling with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/). They had arrived in Japan a couple of days earlier, and the day before the tour they had explored the Asakusa area, Tokyo Skytree, and Ginza. They were on a trip to Japan lasting about a week and a half. From the next day they planned to travel to Hakone, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka, returning home from Kansai Airport via Haneda. One of the guests' relatives had long worked in the automotive industry, and it was on that relative's strong recommendation — "If you go to Japan, you must visit Nikko" — that the group decided to include Nikko in their itinerary. Two of the guests had nut allergies. It was a cloudy day, but we were not caught in any rain. We traveled to Nikko on the "Spacia" train and returned on the ordinary "Liberty Kegon." During the ride, I explained the history of Edo and Tokyo, Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa shogunate, the history of Nikko Toshogu, the period of national isolation, the Meiji Restoration, and the system of alternate attendance (sankin-kotai). After arriving at Tobu-Nikko Station, we took a bus to the West Approach entrance. From there, we leisurely visited Toshogu and Rinnoji. Along the way, there were many groups of elementary and junior high school students on their visits. The guests asked many questions, such as "What is the purpose of a torii gate?", "What kind of religion is Shinto? How does it differ from Buddhism?", and "Why is there a five-story pagoda at Toshogu as well?" There were also questions such as "What is goma, the fire ritual?" As for the "Three Wise Monkeys" and the "Sleeping Cat," they had read about them beforehand and were well acquainted with the stories. Since the guests mentioned they had not had breakfast that morning, we stopped for lunch at a teahouse near the West Approach bus stop. They enjoyed "katsu curry," "sansai soba," and other dishes. Afterward, we visited Futarasan Shrine and Taiyuin, and then walked to Kanmangafuchi Abyss. "The flow of the river is beautiful," and "I love walking along paths like this," they said, taking photos here and there while strolling slowly. We then walked to the Shinkyo Bridge. At the Shinkyo Bridge as well, the guests eagerly took photographs from various angles (photography being a favorite hobby of one of the guests). From the Shinkyo Bridge we took a bus to Tobu-Nikko Station. On the return journey, perhaps out of fatigue, everyone slept soundly. They shared comments such as "I was amazed by the crowds in Asakusa," "Everywhere in the city is clean and tidy, with no litter," "There are no homeless people," "The public toilets are clean and pleasant to use," and "I was surprised by how many people appeared to be office workers in suits and ties." After arriving at Tobu-Asakusa Station, we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Tobu Asakusa Station～Tobu Nikko Station | 3,340JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Tobu Nikko Station～Nishisando Entrance | 350JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shinkyo Bridge～Tobu Nikko Station | 350JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tobu Nikko Station～Tobu Asakusa Station | 3,050JPY |
| Total | 7,090JPY | ||
Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.
