Spend three days
savoring the beauty of Nikko
and Lake Chuzenji in autumn
3 Days 2 Nights

Avoid getting stuck in traffic by traveling by helicopter from Tokyo Heliport to the Nikko and Lake Chuzenji area (approx. 50 min.).
From the air, relish the autumn colors of Okunikko around the Irohazaka Winding Road and other areas of stunning natural beauty.
At the Nikko Natural History Museum, which was revamped with cutting-edge digital technology in March 2023, join a privately guided tour and learn from a local expert about the history and nature of Okunikko.
Stay at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, a luxury hot spring hotel that has hosted G7 ministerial meetings and is the perfect place to unwind after a day of travel.

At 1,269 meters (4,163 feet) above sea level, Lake Chuzenji is one of Japan’s highest lakes. With a 25-kilometer (15.5 miles) circumference, the lake and its surrounding topography were created by the eruption of Mount Nantai, a majestic sacred mountain. There are numerous outdoor activities that take full advantage of Okunikko's iconic lake and mountains, as well as its natural beauty.
On a privately guided tour, enjoy e-bike cycling along the shore of Lake Chuzenji, surrounded by mountains, while visiting temples and shrines associated with the founding of Okunikko as the most sacred Shugendo site in eastern Japan.
In the afternoon, try your hand at Nikko's traditional Nikkobori woodcarving and experience a craft that has been practiced for generations. Nikkobori woodcarving is believed to have started as a pastime for craftsmen brought to Nikko to remodel the Nikko Toshogu shrine during the rule of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun. Enjoy the history and culture of Nikko by experiencing the skills of the past.
Ernest Mason Satow, a British diplomat who came to Japan in 1862, was fascinated by the Okunikko landscape and, in a guidebook he wrote, introduced it to the world. At the time, the concept of vacations and resorts did not exist in Japanese culture. Okunikko was a summer resort for Japan’s foreign residents. From the late 19th century to the start of the 20th century, embassies from various countries built holiday villas here, creating a summer destination for foreign dignitaries. The British and Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Parks on the shore of Lake Chuzenji eloquently recount the story of Okunikko at the time. At the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park, a nationally registered cultural property, enjoy an exclusive dinner that exemplifies the many delights of Tochigi Prefecture. The cuisine, which makes full use of locally sourced ingredients, is served on traditional Tochigi tableware from the likes of Mashiko, a town famous for its ceramics.

In Japan, Nikko is seen as a special place where history, culture and nature exist in harmony. This includes Nikko’s world heritage shrines and temples. Among these is the popular Nikko Toshogu, a shrine that maintains its splendor more than 400 years after it was founded.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate government, is enshrined at Nikko Toshogu, which is seen as the archetype of Nikko's many shrines and temples. As such, it has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of what can be seen today was rebuilt in the 17th century. There are 55 buildings within the shrine grounds, eight of which are national treasures and 34 that are important cultural properties. The highlight of a visit to Nikko Toshogu is to view the many colorful buildings and their magnificent carvings.
Learn about Nikko's history through its shrines and temples and discover the beauty in the architecture.
Afterwards, visit a brewery that uses Nikko’s pristine water to make delicious sake. Blessed with abundant water and high-quality sake rice, Tochigi Prefecture is one of Japan's leading sake producers.
After three days discovering the wonders of Nikko, return to Tokyo Heliport by helicopter (approx. 50 min.)

*Helicopter flights may be canceled in case of bad weather.
*Please contact us if you wish to stay for more than two nights and three days.
*Please contact us separately for questions pertaining to the itinerary.