Best Nikko Tours from Tokyo (Compared)
We compared 9 Nikko day tours from Tokyo on GetYourGuide and Viator. Group coach tours start from $78 per person and take the whole day; private tours with a car start from $316 per group and pick you up at your hotel. All of them visit Toshogu, and most add Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.
Prices, ratings and review counts as shown on the partner sites on October 25, 2026. Prices change with the date and currency; the partner page shows the final price before you pay.
All tours
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Private car with English-speaking driver, lakes and falls
Itinerary lists Akechidaira Ropeway, which Tobu says is closed until August 31, 2027
from $340 per group up to 6
Check availability on GetYourGuide
Private full day: shrines, Tamozawa villa and Kegon
from $475 per group up to 5
Check availability on GetYourGuide
Private guided day with Kanmangafuchi and Kegon
Itinerary lists Akechidaira Ropeway, which Tobu says is closed until August 31, 2027
from $322 per group up to 6
Check availability on GetYourGuidePrivate day with hotel pickup and a guide (up to 3)
from $316 per group up to 3
Check availability on GetYourGuidePrivate car day with hotel pickup and entry fees
from $520 per group up to 5
Check availability on ViatorPrivate guided day with a Lake Chuzenji boat ride
from $720 per group up to 5
Check availability on ViatorSide-by-side comparison
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| Tour | Type | Hours | Stops | Price | Rating | Free cancellation | Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach day trip: Toshogu, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji Best value | Group coach tour | 10.5 | Toshogu (ticket in some options), Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Shinkyo Bridge (from the coach) | from $78 | ★ 4.6 2,455 reviews | Yes | Ginza, central Tokyo | GetYourGuide |
| Coach tour with Toshogu ticket included Includes Kegon Falls | Group coach tour | 10.5 | Toshogu (entry ticket included), Shinkyo Bridge, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji | from $88 | ★ 4.5 1,570 reviews | Yes | Central Tokyo (meeting point depends on option) | GetYourGuide |
| Licensed-guide coach trip with Kegon elevator ticket Best for first-timers | Group coach tour | 10.5 | Toshogu (2 h, ticket included), Kegon Falls (elevator ticket included), Lake Chuzenji, optional temple-style lunch | from $117 | ★ 4.6 97 reviews | Yes | Shinjuku (west side) | Viator |
| Private car with English-speaking driver, lakes and falls Most flexible | Private tour | 10 | Toshogu, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu Falls | from $340 per group up to 6 | ★ 4.9 353 reviews | Yes | Hotel pickup in Tokyo's 23 wards | GetYourGuide |
| Private full day: shrines, Tamozawa villa and Kegon | Private tour | 10 | Toshogu, Rinno-ji, Shinkyo Bridge, Tamozawa Imperial Villa | from $475 per group up to 5 | ★ 4.9 467 reviews | Yes | Tokyo (private vehicle) | GetYourGuide |
| Private guided day with Kanmangafuchi and Kegon | Private tour | 10 | Toshogu, Shinkyo Bridge, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, Kegon Falls | from $322 per group up to 6 | ★ 4.8 331 reviews | Yes | Tokyo (private vehicle) | GetYourGuide |
| Private day with hotel pickup and a guide (up to 3) | Private tour | 11 | Toshogu, Kegon Falls | from $316 per group up to 3 | ★ 4.8 110 reviews | Yes | Tokyo hotel pickup | GetYourGuide |
| Private car day with hotel pickup and entry fees | Private tour | 9 | Toshogu, Shinkyo Bridge, Kegon Falls, lunch | from $520 per group up to 5 | ★ 4.4 47 reviews | Yes | Hotel pickup in Tokyo's 23 wards (8:15–8:30) | Viator |
| Private guided day with a Lake Chuzenji boat ride | Private tour | 11 | Shinkyo Bridge, Toshogu, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji boat trip | from $720 per group up to 5 | ★ 4.9 23 reviews | Yes | Hotel pickup in Tokyo's 23 wards | Viator |
Which tour is right for you?
| If you are… | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| On a budget | Coach day trip: Toshogu, Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji | Lowest price per person we found (from $78) and by far the most reviews. |
| Visiting Japan for the first time | Licensed-guide coach trip with Kegon elevator ticket | Licensed English-speaking guide, Toshogu ticket and the Kegon Falls elevator included. |
| Set on seeing the inside of Toshogu | Coach tour with Toshogu ticket included | The Toshogu entry ticket is part of the package. |
| A family or a group of 4–6 | Private car with English-speaking driver, lakes and falls | Price is per vehicle, hotel pickup, and you choose how long to stay at each stop. |
| Happy with trains and buses | No tour needed | Our train guide and itinerary cover a DIY day. |
Group coach or private car?
The 3 group tours here run on a fixed schedule: coaches leave central Tokyo in the morning and are back in the evening, and the coach ride takes about 2.5 hours each way according to the itineraries. A private car costs more in total, but the price covers the whole group, starts at your hotel and lets you change the order of stops. Split between four or five people, a private tour can cost less per person than you might expect.
Check the itinerary
Akechidaira Ropeway is suspended from January 16, 2026 to August 31, 2027 (may be extended). Two tours on this page still list it; ask the operator what replaces it.
How we chose these tours
- We looked through the Nikko day-trip listings from Tokyo on GetYourGuide and Viator (about two dozen on each) on October 25, 2026.
- We kept tours rated 4.3 or higher with at least 50 reviews. Private tours with fewer reviews are allowed if they are rated 4.3+, and we mark them “Newer listing”.
- We dropped listings that were no longer bookable and duplicates of the same tour sold on both sites.
- The result: 6 tours from GetYourGuide and 3 from Viator. No operator paid to be included, and the order is ours, not the partners'.
- Tour photos on this page are our own place photos, not the operators' photos.
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When to book
Autumn foliage season (late September – late October at Lake Chuzenji, late October – mid-November in town) is the busiest time, so book early for October and November weekends. Most tours here allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start; check the terms on the tour page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Nikko tour from Tokyo?
Group coach tours we compared start from $78 per person. Private tours with a car are priced per group, from $316 for up to 3 people.
How long is a Nikko day tour?
Between 9 and 11 hours, Tokyo and back, depending on the tour.
Do Nikko tours include Kegon Falls?
Most of the tours on this page stop at Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji as well as Toshogu. Check the stops listed on each card.
Is the Toshogu ticket included?
It depends on the tour and the option you choose. Some include it, others give you free time outside or let you buy it on the spot.
Are there private tours from Tokyo to Nikko?
Yes, 6 of the tours here are private, with hotel pickup in central Tokyo and a driver or guide for your group only.
Is a tour better than the train?
A tour is easier if you want Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji in one day or are short on time. The train is cheaper and more flexible if you mainly want the shrines.
Tour data last checked: October 25, 2026.