Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour — Guide Akey

Title: What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Nikko Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

We met at a hotel in Mita. The guests had only just arrived in Tokyo the day before and had very little Japanese cash on hand, so they tried to withdraw money with a credit card at a convenience store in Asakusa, but it did not work. Since we could not afford to miss our departure time, we decided to withdraw cash in Nikko instead. In the vehicle, I handed them an itinerary, an overview of Japanese history, and reference material explaining the difference between the Emperor and the Shogun.

The travel agency had been slow to act and had not purchased the 9:30 departure limited express tickets I had specified. This meant that in Nikko we would need to charter a taxi to be able to visit Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and Toshogu Shrine, so I confirmed that plan and the lunch location in advance.

The guests were visiting from North America. Since Kegon Falls is less powerful compared with certain well-known waterfalls back home, I asked whether they would prefer to keep the original plan of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, or instead visit the Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. Their English-language guidebook introduced Tamozawa Memorial Park, so they preferred that option, and we decided on the spot to cancel the trip to Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls.

At the station, I had them withdraw 20,000 yen. Their transit card balance was insufficient, so I had them top it up. We went to Tamozawa Memorial Park and toured the interior of the former imperial villa, which they found very interesting and which took quite a while. After also viewing the outdoor garden, we took a taxi to a historic hotel in Nikko and enjoyed a course lunch. Because of some dietary preferences, they had the fish main dish.

They gave off a scholarly impression. To make the 20:00 seafood restaurant reservation in Shinagawa, the timing would not work, so during lunch I changed it to a 21:00 reservation for them. When settling the bill, a "surcharge 5%" appeared on the card payment. When one of the guests asked at the register what this was, the staff could not explain it and ended up phoning a supervisor. I pointed out to the supervisor that it is embarrassing for a hotel not to be able to explain a charge billed to guests. They apologized profusely, bowing deeply. It turned out that a 5% surcharge is added when foreign guests pay by card.

At that moment there was a brief panic when a wallet could not be found; after searching everywhere, it was finally located in a pouch worn at the waist. Cards, dollars, and yen were all mixed together, and there were separate cards and loose coins in the pockets as well, so I suggested keeping the Japanese yen needed in Japan, a minimum of cards and dollars, and items not needed in Japan in separate wallets for better organization.

Since this hotel has been used by many famous people, we looked at the many photographs of celebrities displayed there, including General Eisenhower, Einstein, the Wright brothers, Frank Lloyd Wright, and others. We took a taxi to Toshogu Shrine, toured it, then went to Futarasan Shrine, and took a bus to Tobu Nikko Station.

One of the guests wanted to buy whisky, so I asked at a souvenir shop for the location of a liquor store, and at the liquor store we found the rare Nikka "Taketsuru" whisky, which I recommended and which they purchased. The shopkeeper said in English, "Good whisky," noting that it is rarely available in the city and is sold without a premium, so many Japanese customers buy it. They were advised to drink it on the rocks. The cash they had exchanged came in handy here.

In the vehicle, I wrote out on paper the train routes for the following day to teamLab in Azabu Hills, Ginza, Asakusa, and Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. At the same time, I handed over a list of places to visit in Hakone. When exiting the ticket gate in Asakusa, one of the guests went through without tapping the card, so I asked a station attendant to correct it. Back home, tapping is only required on entry and not when exiting, but I explained that Japan is like another planet, and they were convinced.

Since they seemed anxious about returning to the hotel on their own, I did not part with them in Asakusa but accompanied them all the way to outside Mita Station. As a result, after dinner I did not get home until 22:20.

Click here for more details: Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Akey

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.