Tochigi in One Day: Board bus & Toshogu Shrine — Guide Yumi

Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. Rain had been forecast due to the effects of a typhoon, but the weather changed and we were fortunate to avoid rain almost entirely. It finally began to rain after 3:00, so I changed the plan; we had intended to visit Kanmangafuchi Abyss, but decided against it due to the rain.

The guests had purchased limited express tickets for the Tobu Line, but because they boarded with Suica cards there was a shortfall in the fare, which took a little time at the ticket gate. The complicated fare system nearly put them in a bad mood, but they made it through the gate safely, shifted their mindset, and we managed to start the tour on a happy note.

I wanted to build the tour course while listening to their preferences and opinions as much as possible, so I checked several things with them, and they said they trusted me completely and that I could decide everything at my discretion. Even so, I explained the characteristics of each place and made decisions while watching their reactions. Everyone was very friendly and cheerful, and as they said, they trusted me, listening carefully to my explanations everywhere we went and enjoying themselves.

There were also many questions. For example, "What is the minimum wage in Japan?", "When do Japanese people wear kimono?", "What are '-dori' streets and 'chome'?", "Why is a geisha's skin painted so white?", and "How do you say in Japanese that you shouldn't overeat for your health?" and many other things, mostly unrelated to the places we visited — perhaps things they had been curious about for a long time and wanted to resolve all at once. At the time I couldn't explain some of them very clearly, so I followed up afterward via a messaging app.

Some of the guests do not eat meat or shellfish, so I took them to a restaurant that could accommodate vegetarian meals. It is a restaurant I often use because it has many menu options and is flexible in accommodating requests, but since it looks old and not stylish, I warned them in advance about what kind of place it was so they wouldn't be disappointed. They said they trusted me, so I took them there, and their expressions did indeed cloud over at first. However, the owner served some yuba as a complimentary dish and the food was delicious, so in the end they were pleased, which was a relief. After leaving, they said, "If we had come on our own, we would never have chosen this place based on its appearance," which I interpreted to mean they were glad they could discover it thanks to having a guide.

We arrived at Tobu-Nikko Station right on schedule, and I showed them a café where they could relax until their train, then we parted ways. They seemed very happy, which I was glad about.

Click here for more details: Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Yumi

Hello! My name is Yumi. The Nikko area, Nasu area, in Tochigi Prefecture, and Aizu and Shirakawa area in Fukushima prefecture, where I will be guiding you, are not only surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons but are also full of historical attractions. Nikko, in particular, is a great place to learn about the culture and history that has shaped Japan to this day. In order for you to truly enjoy your day, I am flexible to your wishes and will prepare your day to be a great day. Because I am a local guide, you will surely see some sights that are not in the guidebooks. Is local food one of your favorite parts of your trip? I am also a sushi-making instructor for foreigners, so food is one of my specialties. I am also a certified sake navigator. Why don’t you come and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with me?