6-Day Tokyo & Nikko Extension

This Japan Extension can only be booked in conjunction with one of our hikes or bike trips in Japan.

• Prices shown are “from” prices – contact us with your dates for an exact quote.
• The itinerary is designed for a minimum of 2 people.
• Pricing is based on 2 people travelling together – solo travellers, please get in touch for a personalised quote.

Arrive in Tokyo by flight or train, where you’ll be greeted by our local representative. From there, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and provided with all the details and vouchers needed for the days ahead.

After checking in and depending on your arrival time, you may be keen to begin exploring. Your hotel is set in an atmospheric, traditional part of the city, offering many fascinating sights and experiences just steps away.

There are plenty of excellent dining options near your hotel, ranging from casual street food stalls and cosy local eateries to fine-dining restaurants serving classic Edo-style cuisine. The area offers a vibrant blend of traditional flavours and modern culinary experiences. After dinner, you might enjoy a leisurely stroll to Sensoji Temple, beautifully illuminated at night. The temple grounds remain open, creating a serene atmosphere for an evening walk.

This morning, we recommend an early start with a visit to Sensō-ji Temple, just a short walk away. Arriving before the crowds allows you to fully appreciate the serene atmosphere of Tokyo’s oldest temple, originally completed in 645. Dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, Sensō-ji is one of the city’s most colorful and beloved Buddhist temples. The Main Hall opens from 6:00am, making it an ideal early-morning experience.

As you approach the temple, stroll along Nakamise-dori, a lively shopping street that has served pilgrims for centuries. Here you’ll find traditional snacks, crafts, and souvenirs – perfect for soaking up the atmosphere of old Edo.

Despite Tokyo’s immense size and energy, the city is mostly flat, making it easy to explore on foot. The train and subway network is also straightforward once you get the hang of it. For first-time visitors, the Hop-on Hop-off bus can be a relaxed way to sightsee at your own pace and take in some of the city’s key landmarks. You may wish to spend your day exploring one of Tokyo’s excellent museums, wandering through its beautiful parks, or discovering the unique character of its neighbourhoods.

Closer to your accommodation, a stroll along riverside Sumida Park is particularly rewarding, especially in cherry blossom season when the paths are framed by soft pink blooms. From here, cross the bridge to the Tokyo Skytree, an iconic landmark soaring 634 metres above the city – Japan’s tallest structure and, at the time of its completion, the tallest in the world. Its observation decks offer sweeping, unforgettable views across Tokyo. For those interested in history and culture, the nearby Edo-Tokyo Museum is also well worth a visit, with engaging exhibitions that bring the city’s past vividly to life.

For dinner, you’ll find plenty of options close to your accommodation. Perhaps try tempura at the long-established Daikokuya, sample monjayaki (a Tokyo specialty) at Tsukishima Monja Street, or enjoy a modern izakaya experience with small plates and sake at Hoppy Street, a lively lane popular with locals. If you feel like venturing further afield, the Shibuya or Shinjuku districts offer endless dining options, from Michelin-starred sushi to casual ramen counters.

Meals: B

After breakfast, make your way to Asakusa Station and board the train bound for Nikkō. The journey takes just under two hours and offers a scenic ride through the countryside, setting the tone for your day of exploration. Aim to arrive early so you can make the most of your time in this culturally rich and naturally beautiful destination.

Nikkō is famed for its breathtaking landscapes and its role as the gateway to a cluster of UNESCO World Heritage sites, most of which are nestled within the lush surrounds of Nikkō National Park. Here, centuries of history and spirituality are woven into the forests and mountains, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Japan.

Downtown Nikkō has a welcoming, tourist-friendly vibe, with a main street lined with restaurants, cafés and snack stands. You’ll find everything from freshly baked treats and custard puddings to the local specialty, yuba (tofu skin) gyoza. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a light lunch at a café or bakery before continuing to the heritage area.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the spiritual and cultural treasures of the region. Visit the serene Rinnō-ji Temple, with its centuries-old Buddhist halls and the historic Futarasan Shrine, deeply tied to the area’s Shinto traditions. The intricate architecture, vermilion gates, and towering cedar trees create an unforgettable backdrop, with many buildings dating back to the 17th century.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself with dinner at one of Nikkō’s excellent restaurants. Options range from refined kaiseki meals celebrating local, seasonal ingredients to more relaxed izakaya, where you can enjoy small plates and sake in a cosy setting

Meals: B

This morning, head straight to Tōshōgū Shrine for opening time to experience this magnificent site in the quieter part of the day. Built in the 17th century as the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shrine is one of Japan’s most lavishly decorated and spiritually significant landmarks. Its ornate wood carvings, vibrant lacquer and touches of gold leaf stand in striking contrast to the surrounding forest of towering cedars. Take your time exploring the expansive grounds, from the intricately carved Yomeimon Gate, often called the “Gate of the Setting Sun” for its dazzling detail, to the famous Three Wise Monkeys relief and the delicate Sleeping Cat, both rich in symbolism. Each hall and pagoda reveals a new layer of artistry and reverence, making it easy to see why the shrine is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After a morning immersed in history and culture, enjoy lunch in Nikkō town, where you can try local specialties such as yuba (tofu skin) dishes, handmade soba, or Japanese-style sweets.

In the afternoon, take the train north to Kinugawa Onsen, one of Tochigi Prefecture’s most renowned hot spring resorts with a history spanning more than 300 years. After checking into your traditional accommodation, stretch your legs with a short walk to the 140m Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge, where sweeping views of the Kinugawa River valley open before you. From here, follow the path toward Furukama Falls, a peaceful spot surrounded by lush greenery, before looping back past the Tateiwakinuhime Shrine and on to the Tateiwa Observatory for panoramic views of the onsen town nestled in the valley. Stroll into the village afterwards, where small cafés and bakeries tempt you with fresh treats and ice cream.

Back at your accommodation, slip into one of the soothing onsen baths and let the mineral-rich waters ease away the day’s adventures. In the evening, savour a beautifully presented kaiseki-style dinner made with fresh, seasonal ingredient – an experience as much about artistry and tradition as it is about flavour.

Meals: B, D

After breakfast at your accommodation, set out for a morning hike along the Ryuokyo Canyon Trail. It’s just a short train or bus ride to Ryuokyo Station and from there only a brief walk to the trailhead. The canyon, formed by an undersea volcanic eruption some 22 million years ago, has been sculpted over time into dramatic rock formations carved by the Kinugawa River. Stretching for about 6km, the trail is well-maintained, mostly flat and leads through striking scenery to the hot-spring town of Kawaji Onsen.

The name Ryuokyo means “Valley of the Dragon King,” bestowed in 1950 because the gorge’s winding course resembles a dragon ascending to the heavens. Along the trail, highlights include the Musasabi Suspension Bridge, the sweeping Taikan Grand Viewpoint and Goryuo Shrine at the base of Nijimi Falls, all framed by the gorge’s emerald waters and lush greenery.

From Kawaji Onsen, return to Kinugawa by train or bus and enjoy lunch in the village. In the afternoon, you might take the ropeway to the Mt. Maruyama Summit, just a four-minute ride offering 360-degree views of the Kinugawa Gorge, Mt. Tsukuba and beyond – especially stunning during the autumn foliage season. For something different, opt for a traditional riverboat ride in a flat-bottomed wooden boat along the quieter stretches of the Kinugawa River, a peaceful journey through pristine nature. Or, simply take the opportunity to relax in an open-air onsen bath, soaking up the mountain air. This evening, savour another beautifully prepared dinner, rounding out a day of exploration, fresh air and rejuvenation.

Meals: B, D

This morning, check out of your hotel at your leisure and take the train to Asakusa Station to continue your onward journey.

Meals: B

25kg of CO2-e per person per day

We pay for a monthly offset to cover the estimated emissions of our walkers for all trips with RAW Travel, which goes into local reforestation or biodiversity restoration. Explore the practical actions behind these estimated carbon offsets for your trip here, following a philosophy of ‘re-wilding the planet’ with native tree planting & Ocean plastic cleans ups.

A reasonable estimate for a hiker is 25kg of CO2-e per person per day, primarily due to hotels, onsens, meals. The act of walking itself is a form of sustainable travel, so the carbon footprint calculated here is a measure of the ancillary activities surrounding the walk, not the walking itself. The figures are estimates, not precise measurements for each route/trip, as it’s difficult to provide an exact number without detailed data on specific hotels, menus, and transfer routes which vary from person to person. This figure represents the operational footprint of the hike and its included services only. It does not include the flightsto Japan  needed to get to the start and finish of the walk.

An individual can significantly influence their footprint with the varied choices they make around food and drink at each meal. For instance, a diet rich in meat, imported goods and alcohol, will have a much higher impact than one focused on local, seasonal, and plant-based options. This daily stated figure is an average across all days of the pilgrimage, derived from the key consumption components listed below.

Carbon Footprint Breakdown

• 5 nights twin-share accommodation
• Daily meals (as listed in the itinerary)
• Meet & greet at Airport or Tokyo Station
• Private transfer from Airport or Tokyo Station to Tokyo Hotel
• 4-day All Area Nikkō Pass
• RAW Travel’s exclusive interactive navigation app
• Local and Australian emergency contacts
• Carbon offset for your trip and a native tree planted

• Single supplement – please ask for a quote
• Local train and bus tickets (except for those covered by the Nikkō All Area pass & day 1 arrival transfer)
• Luggage transfers (details will be provided)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Hotel City tax (paid locally)
• Entrance fees to local sites
• Expenses and items of a personal nature
• Flights
• Travel insurance