OVERVIEW

Home to Japans most lavishly decorated shrine, Nikko is a town situated at the entrance of Nikko National Park. Alongside your local guide you will begin your exploration of the Toshogu shrine Complex. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Ieyasu and two other of Japan's most influential historical personalities. Learn about these in more detail during this day-excursion on which your guide will share stories and introduce you to the charm of the town. Set within a forest and home to over a dozen shrines for which countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf were used to decorate the buildings in a way not seen elsewhere in Japan.

PROGRAM DETAILS

An early start today as you travel by train to the Nikko National Park located in Tochigi Prefecture (2hr).A certified English speaking guide, a local of Nikko will meet you at the station and take you on a walking tour of the Toshogu shrine complex.

Built as a mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled Japan for over 250 years, this lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of more than a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings in a beautiful forest setting and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your guide will introduce you the charms of Toshogu through interesting stories about the history and religions of Nikko, the birth of the shrine, the effort of maintenance and others.

After the tour finishes, you can continue sightseeing on your own in Nikko, or use your included bus pass to make the 50min journey by bus to Lake Chuzenji-ko, a scenic lake in the mountains above Nikko. It is located at the foot of Mount Nantai, Nikko's sacred volcano, whose eruption blocked the valley below, thereby creating Lake Chuzenji about 20,000 years ago.

You can make your way back to Tokyo at any time.

PRICING: in JPY per person

Rates are valid until 31 December 2012

Time:

9:30 - 12:30

Tour starts and finishes at Tobu Nikko station

Note:

Price may be discounted if you have a Japan Rail Pass

Our services include:

• Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
• English speaking instructor
• Entrance fees for mentioned visits
• Transport to/from Nikko

Our services do not include:

• Other meals than mentioned
• Other services than mentioned
• International and Domestic Flights
• Expenditure of a personal nature
• Travel insurance