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
- 07:00 Meet up @ Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku Premier
- 08:09 Depart Tobu Asakusa Station (Kegon No. 61)
- 10:16 Arrive Tobu-Nikko Station
- 10:40 Shinkyo Bridge
- 11:00 Rinnoji Temple
- 11:50 Toshogu Shrine
- 13:00 Lunch @ Hinomaru (soba restaurant)
- 13:50 Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
- 15:26 Depart Tobu-Nikko Station (Spacia X No. 62)
- 17:15 Arrive Asakusa Station
- 17:30 Disband @ Akihabara
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku Premier at 07:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 17:30. The day ran to 10 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Hinomaru (soba restaurant) at 13:00.
The itinerary covered Tobu Asakusa Station (Kegon No. 61) at 08:09, Tobu-Nikko Station at 10:16, Shinkyo Bridge at 10:40, Rinnoji Temple at 11:00, Toshogu Shrine at 11:50, Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park at 13:50, Tobu-Nikko Station (Spacia X No. 62) at 15:26 and Asakusa Station at 17:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nishi-Shinjuku to Asakusa by subway (260JPY); Asakusa to Tobu-Nikko (3,250JPY); Tobu-Nikko to Shinkyo Bridge by bus (220JPY); Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park by bus (350JPY); Tobu-Nikko to Asakusa (3,540JPY); Asakusa to Suehirocho (Tokyo) by subway (180JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 7,800JPY per person.
What Is a Private Nikko Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Rinnoji, Toshogu, and the Imperial Villa
The guests were visitors from North America, visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo, they planned to continue on to Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. At Rinnoji Temple, they seemed deeply impressed by the giant Buddhist statues in the Sanbutsudo Hall and the beautiful Japanese garden. At Toshogu Shrine, they showed great interest in the lavish decorations, such as the Three Wise Monkeys and the Yomeimon Gate. At the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, they appeared impressed by the luxurious rooms as they were when Emperor Taisho lived there, as well as by the beautiful garden. I accommodated the guests' requests as they wished, so 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 | Nishi-Shinjuku～Asakusa | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Asakusa～Tobu-Nikko | 3,250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Tobu-Nikko～Shinkyo Bridge / Tobu Bus | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park / Tobu Bus～Tobu-Nikko | 350JPY |
| Section 5 | Other | Tobu-Nikko～Asakusa | 3,540JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Asakusa～Suehirocho (Tokyo) | 180JPY |
| Total | 7,800JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku Premier at 07:00, and the tour finished at @ Akihabara at 17:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 10 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 07:00 to 17:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tobu Asakusa Station (Kegon No. 61), Tobu-Nikko Station, Shinkyo Bridge, Rinnoji Temple, Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, Tobu-Nikko Station (Spacia X No. 62) and Asakusa Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 7,800JPY 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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