Nikko 3-Day Excursion

There’s a famous saying in Japan, “Don’t say kekkо̄ (splendid) until you’ve seen Nikkо̄.”

I’ll be your Nikko tour guide through its mountainous beauty and stunning complex of temples and shrines. Nearby Kinugawa Onsen is a hot spring said to be good for the skin, rheumatism, and other nervous system disorders… so bring ’em if you got ’em. Also, bring your best camera and lenses, this trip was planned with photographers in mind!

Nikko

Most people think of this as the final resting place of the first Tokugawa Shogun, but it’s so much more. You really need at least two days here – at least!

heritage tourism, history tourism; tombstone tourism; hiking; nature tourism; photography tourism, architecture tourism, art tourism; theme park tourism

TOUR SUMMARY
3 full days, 2 nights

We’ll take our cameras and overnight bags to Kura no Machi to visit a town foreign tourist rarely go to so we can experience Japan’s amazing kura architecture. Because today is a travel and photography day, we’ll check into our ryokan traditional Japanese-style inn and enjoy kaiseki ryori and onsen a natural, hot spring. After a good night’s sleep, we’ll explore Nikko’s famous shrines and temples — I’m an expert in this style of funerary architecture, so you’re in good hands. Then, we’re going to step back in time, by dressing up as members of the various classes in Edo Wonderland, a theme park that celebrates Japan’s colorful Edo Period culture. Next, we’ll enjoy dinner at a family-run restaurant that specializes in local cuisine. After several soaks in the hot springs and a good night’s sleep, we’re gonna hike up a sacred mountain to uncover all of Nikko’s secrets that foreigners rarely see. After that, I’ll return you safely to your next hotel in Tokyo or bring you to whatever train takes you to your next exciting destination.

Famous since the 1600’s, if you want to do Nikko you right, you need a passionate guide and a few days to really sink your teeth into this spiritual spot in the mountains of Japan.

  • Destinations
  • Edo Wonderland
    We’ll don Edo Period costumes, enjoy ninja shows, and learn about daily life in feudal Japan.
  • Hiking
    There’s a rarely traveled, ancient pilgrimage that walks around up and around the main religious complex.
  • Kura no Machi
    Rarely visited by foreigners, this town is famous for traditional storehouses and its preserved historic district.
  • Onsen
    Soak in a classic Japanese hot spring
  • Shrines & Temples of Nikko
    So many sites to see, but we’ll focus on Futara-san, Taiyu-in, and Tosho-gu, the grave of the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. See the famous Sleeping Cat and 3 Monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil).

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Starts at ¥70,000

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SUMMARY
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