Itinerary

1. Meeting Points and Departure Times for Tokyo Sightseeing Tour

   • 8:00 Meeting point 1: Depart from JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Exit.
   • 8:30 Meeting point 2: Depart from Shinjuku West Exit from Sumitomo Mitsui Bank entrance.

2. Exploring the Magnificent Toshogu Shrine: A Journey Through History and Architecture

   • 10:40: Toshogu Shrine (120 minutes)
   • There are many Toshogu Shrines throughout Japan, the most famous of which is the Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, the headquarters of all Toshogu Shrine palaces.
   • Toshogu Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, the first shogunate of Japan. It was built in 1617.
   • After Tokugawa Ieyasu came to power, he used force to break through the warlords' territories and unified Japan.
   • After his death, he was revered as Edo.
   • The patron saint of the shogunate is Tosho Kamijun, so the shrine is called Toshogu Shrine.
   • Toshogu Shrine consists of 23 large and small temples, halls and cloisters.
   • It is located in the Nikko Mountains and is well-proportioned based on the mountains.
   • The architecture of Toshogu Shrine is exquisitely carved and magnificent.
   • The Japanese-style Mingyang Gate and the Chinese-style Tang Gate are its representative buildings.
   • Among the famous sculptures in Toshogu Shrine are the "Three Monkeys" (homophones in Japanese for "Don't Listen, Don't Talk, Don't See.") and "Sleeping Cat".
   • All buildings have been designated as Japan's national treasures and important cultural properties.
   • In December 1999, including Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" were registered as a World Heritage.
   • (Ticket fee 1,300 yen, self-pay)

3. Scenic Adventure: Exploring Iroha Mountain Trail and Akechidaira Ropeway

   • 14:00 Iroha Mountain Trail (non-stop tour, 5 minutes)

     • Iroha Mountain Trail is located in Nikko City.
     • The winding mountain roads inside are like the steep mountain roads in the movies.
     • There are 48 sharp turns in this section of the mountainous road, most 180-degree turns.
     • The steepness of the Iroha-Zaka Highway is second to none in Japan.
     • Surrounded by mountains, it is a great place to enjoy maple leaves.
     • It is also the only way to visit famous tourist attractions such as Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls.
     • Because it has many tricky sharp turns, it is regarded as one of Japan's most difficult mountain roads, attracting countless drifting enthusiasts to challenge it.

   • Akechidaira Ropeway and Observation Deck (about 60 minutes; the price includes the cable car)

     • The Akechidaira Ropeway is very popular among Nikko tours.
     • Take it to the observation deck at an altitude of 1373m, and you can enjoy the famous Nikko attractions Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, and Mount Nantai from the front.
     • As well as the panoramic view of the surrounding majestic mountains.
     • While the cable car is running, the spectacular scenery of Lake Chuzenji, Mt. Nantai, and Kegon Falls are presented to your eyes in sequence, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery.
     • In addition, you can also reach the first observation point in the Nikko - Akechipingira Observation Deck.
     • The viewing angle here is perfect, and the beautiful scenery is unobstructed.

4. Serene Beauty: Discovering Lake Chuzenji and the Majestic Kegon Falls

   • 15:20: Lake Chuzenji (about 60 minutes)

     • Lake Chuzenji has an area of 11.62 square kilometres, a circumference of 25 kilometres, and an altitude of 1,269 meters.
     • The lake is 163 meters deep.
     • Yukawa is the primary source of lake water; externally, it flows to Otani River through Kegon Falls.
     • Lake Chuzenji is a representative alpine lake in Japan.
     • The molten valley formed that erupted from Mount Nantai.
     • The lake water is crystal clear.

   • Kage on Falls (stay for 30 minutes)

     • The water from Lake Chuzenji flows down from a height of 700 meters to form the central part of the waterfall.
     • The waterfall starts from a height of 97 meters.
     • It rushes up and down the rock wall with significant momentum and has gorgeous shapes made by nature.
     • 12 small waterfalls are flowing from the rock gap in the middle section, called the Twelve Falls.
     • The flowing water creates a gorgeous landscape.
     • In winter, the small waterfalls of the Twelve Falls will freeze into green ice due to the cold weather, making Huayan Falls even more beautiful.
     • It is one of the "three famous waterfalls in Japan".

5. Homeward Bound: Return Journey from Nikko to Tokyo

   • 17:00: Start returning   (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours' drive)
   • 19:00: Arrive in Tokyo 
   • Passengers from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku will get off at the meeting point.