The Nikko Concierge Service assists foreign travelers in Nikko with English sightseeing information, guides, accommodations and tour reservations, and restaurant recommendations.
On November 10, 2017, a new travel concierge service, Nikko Concierge, opened at Tobu Nikko Station, in historic Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, less than two hours north of Tokyo on Tobu Railway.
The Nikko Concierge now makes it easier for foreign tourists traveling to Nikko to get around, immerse themselves in the local culture, and more fully enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage sites,
Nikko Toshogu Shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site (photo courtesy JNTO)
the unique mountain worship dating back thousands of years, and the abundant natural beauty.
Nikko National Park (photo courtesy JNTO)
English-speaking staff are deployed for sightseeing guidance from 8:20 am to 5 pm, seven days a week, 365 days-a-year. The service provides recommendations for sightseeing and activities in and around Nikko. “This way, tourists can discover Nikko more in-depth,” explains Hiroko Kawamura of the Inbound Strategy Department at Tobu Railway. “For example, in addition to just exploring Rinnoji Temple
Shoyoen Garden at Rinnoji Temple
and Toshogu Shrine, the concierge may suggest a special ‘prayer tour’ or ‘Zazen meditation’ or
Zazen meditation at Rinnoji Temple
kimono rental, so that they can explore the sites in traditional clothing.”
Exploring Nikko Edo-Mura in kimono
Other Nikko Concierge services include:
- Reservations for accommodation facilities and tours commencing at sites within the Nikko region.
Historic Nikko Kanaya Hotel - Recommendations for and directions to restaurants serving local cuisine specialties, such as yuba (tofu skin).
- Guidance for use of local trains and buses
- Multi-lingual guides for sightseeing around Nikko, for customers making reservations in advance.
Furthermore, Tobu Railway will gradually expand credit card acceptance at Tobu Nikko Station Tourist Center, making tourist purchases much more convenient.
The opening of the Nikko Concierge follows Tobu’s expansion of the Tobu Asakusa Information Center in October 2016 and the opening of the Tobu Ikebukuro Information Center in October 2017. Tobu will continue to develop and strengthen the tourism infrastructure in the Nikko area, corresponding to openings of the luxury hot spring inn “Fufu” (provisional name) in the fall of 2019 and the Ritz Carlton Nikko in the summer of 2020, when Japan will also host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To contact the Nikko Concierge directly, email: nikko-concierge@tobu.co.jp
For more information on Nikko and destinations serviced by the Tobu Railway Group, check out: TOBU JAPAN TRIP at: http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/.
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