Licensed Guide Interpreters Now Introduced Via Concierge at Rail Station in Nikko, Japan

[Marian Goldberg]

Nikko's Toshogu Shrine

A small city in in the mountains some 2½ hours north of Tokyo, Nikko is best known as the site of Toshogu, the famed Shinto shrine established in 1617 as a lavish memorial for the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate (Edo Period). With a picturesque old town and myriad ecotourism and adventure options in the surrounding Nikko National Park (including lovely Lake Chuzenji, Japan's highest, and especially known for its autumn foliage and spring cherry blossom cruises)

Tobu Railway and Tobu Station Service, the main train service to this area, is now introducing licensed guide interpreters through the Nikko Concierge located in Tobu's Nikko Station tourist center. Beginning this past October 11 in collaboration with Tochigi Association of Certified Interpreters & Guides (TOTAK), this initiative aims to enhance services for international tourists visiting the Nikko area.

Nikko Concierge at Tobu Nikko Station

How Does It Work?

Upon request, Nikko Concierge will introduce licensed guide interpreters registered with TOTAK to international visitors.

The licensed guide interpreters are always learning about the attractions of Tochigi Prefecture. Through training and self-study, they are able act as guides, conveying the attraction of the Nikko area, including:

Rinno-ji Temple, founded in 766, one of the grand head temples of the Tendai sect of Buddhism

- The UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples.

Kegon Falls inside Nikko National Park

Mountain Buddhist

- The splendid natural beauty of Nikko National Park -- protected as a sacred place for mountain worship.

Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park (formerly imperial villas, now museums and accommodations) 

- Its history as an international retreat from Tokyo and vacation resort.

Making a Guide Request

To make a guide request, travelers should send applications by email to Nikko Concierge at [e-mail] at least five days before the requested date of service.  Guide services are available in Japanese, English and Chinese. The application and guide fees (varying by guide) can be found on the Tobu Japan Trip website.

Close-up of Nikko Concierge at Tobu Nikko Station

About Nikko Concierge

Nikko Concierge was established inside the Tobu Nikko Station Tourist Center in November 2017. English-speaking staff are permanently stationed there to help visitors.  In addition to guide referrals based upon advance request, services include: introduction of Nikko tourist destinations, attractions, and activities; Nikko area travel and itinerary planning; guidance in using Nikko-area trains and buses; information on local venue and transportation tickets and discount passes; restaurant recommendations and reservations; accommodation and tour reservations. The office is open seven days, year-round, 8:20 am to 5 pm.

Expanding the Guide Referral Initiative

It is hoped that the licensed guide referral initiatives in Nikko will spur demand for interpreting services throughout Tochigi Prefecture. The Tobu Group continues to revitalize this region served by its railway lines, further establishing the Nikko area as an international eco-resort and a year-round/short-stay resort where history, culture, tradition and nature exist side by side.

 

More About TOBU Railways

TOBU RAILWAY GROUP, LTD. is a major Japanese corporate conglomerate consisting of approximately 90 companies. Tobu Railways covers the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo, leading to numerous attractions, including Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree Town in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen, famous for its world heritage and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga area, known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe, where the atmosphere of the Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in numerous hotels, including the highly anticipated luxury properties: Nikko Fufu Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, both of which will open in 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympics.

Explore destinations around Tobu Railway Group at TOBU JAPAN TRIP.