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Great Wisteria Festival, Lake Chuzenji & Ashikaga Flower Park in Nikko, Japan

Best things to do in Nikko Japan - Derek Souza - Rinnoji Temple v2

The World Heritage Site: The Shrines and Temples of Nikko - Rinnoji Temple.

I’m really excited to interview Derek Souza and Angus Miyaji of IACE Travel about Nikko, Japan. Their tips for the best things to do in Nikko are awesome because Derek is a Japan travel expert who’s been working in the travel industry since 2014, and Angus grew up in the Tochigi Prefecture. Together, they market the area on behalf of the local tourism board to attract overseas visitors.

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Best things to do in Nikko Japan - Derek Souza - Lake Chuzenji in Nikko

Lake Chuzenji in Nikko.

Nikko, Japan

We share a lot of resources and local suggestions in today’s podcast, but you should also check out Nikko Official Guide, the local visitor’s bureau. They are a wealth of information and can help you plan an itinerary based on your time, budget, and interests.

If you’d like to learn how to travel for free using airline miles and hotel points, check out my free 7-day email course.

Best things to do in Nikko Japan - Derek Souza - Wisteria Festival at Ashikaga Flower Park

Wisteria Festival at Ashikaga Flower Park.

Getting around Nikko

In order to get to Nikko, Derek says to fly into Tokyo International Airport (HND), and then take a bullet train to get to Nikko. Here is some information on how to get to Nikko once you arrive in Japan. Use our Expedia tool below to find flight, hotel, and rental car options.

Derek and Angus say that most areas within the Tochigi Prefecture are accessible by local train or the bullet train. The JR Shinkansen bullet train runs hourly from Tokyo most days. And the local train from Utsounomiya City is an excellent option to complete your journey.

Local buses by Tobu are very convenient when exploring Nikko. However, Derek says that some travelers may want to rent a car to explore at their own leisure. For the best rental car offers, visit Avis, Budget, or Hertz.

While Uber does exist in Japan it isn’t a form of transportation to rely on.

Best things to do in Nikko Japan - Derek Souza - Hot Springs Japanese Onsen

Hot Springs Japanese Onsen.

Places we talked about on the Nikko, Japan podcast

Here is a map of all of the places we talked about on the podcast episode with Derek Souza about Nikko, Japan. You can zoom into the map and click on each dot to explore the city.

  • Red dots = best places to eat in Nikko, Japan
  • Green dots = best things to do in Nikko, Japan
  • Yellow dots = best places to stay in Nikko, Japan

Who is Derek Souza?

Derek has spent the last 15 years of his life studying and working in and around Japan and Japanese culture. He has been working in the Japanese travel industry since the early 2010s and has visited countless unique locations all across Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

Best things to do in Nikko Japan - Derek Souza headshot

Who is Angus Miyaji?

Angus Miyaji is the founder of NearbyTokyo.com and Japan World Link Ltd. He helps visitors discover off-the-beaten-track destinations in the North Kanto regions (Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki & Saitama north of Tokyo). He regularly travels between Japan and abroad, promoting tourism as well as Japanese sake in the area.

Best things to do in Nikko Japan - Angus Miyaji photo

Click on the link below for more info on the Tochigi Prefecture:

You can learn more about the Tochigi Prefecture through its website and on social media on Facebook and Instagram.

We Travel There - Nikko Japan Derek Souza Angus Miyaji - podcast one sheet

Click here to download our one-page guide of Derek and Angus’ tips for Nikko.

Big thanks to today’s podcast partner – Bluffworks

This episode is brought to you, in part, by Bluffworks. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to have clothes that make me look good AND feel great. I wear Bluffworks jeans, slacks, dress shirts, and blazers because they’re wrinkle-free and are designed for the modern traveler. And if they get dirty, a quick spin in the washing machine and they’re good as new.

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Save 10% with promo code “LEE”

Go to WeTravelThere.com/bluffworks and use the promo code from the image below to save 10% off your order. There are many styles to fit your needs so you can stay wrinkle-free when you travel.

Stay tuned for our next episode

Best things to do on the Galapagos Islands Ecuador - Fernando DiezListen to the next episode when Fernando Diez of Quasar Expeditions shares the best things to do in the Galapagos Islands. In this episode, Fernando and I talk about snorkeling with penguins, relaxing on the white sand beaches of Espanola, and exploring the island of Genovesa, a collapsed caldera known as Bird Island. We hope you’ll join us when We Travel There.

What’s your favorite part of Nikko? Send us a Tweet, let us know in the comment section below, or continue the discussion in our Facebook group!

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To see which cities we’ve interviewed and scheduled, please visit WeTravelThere.com/map. If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please submit an application at WeTravelThere.com/guest.

Related episodes for Nikko

To learn more about destinations in Japan, check out the episodes below:

1 Comment

  1. Anonymous

    Hello,

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful information about the Great Wisteria Festival, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park in Nikko, Japan. These are truly some of the most breathtaking spots to visit, especially for nature and flower enthusiasts.

    For those who are inspired by this post and are considering traveling to Japan to experience these stunning locations firsthand, I have a recommendation. If you’re looking for Japan travel packages, consider our Tokyo Travel Bureau company. We specialize in planning effortless travel packages tailored to your comfort and specific needs.

    At Tokyo Travel Bureau, we understand the importance of a well-planned trip, and we take care of every detail to ensure a seamless travel experience. Whether it’s visiting the enchanting wisteria tunnels, enjoying the serene beauty of Lake Chuzenji, or exploring the vibrant Ashikaga Flower Park, we can create a customized itinerary that caters to your preferences and requirements.

    Let us help you make your trip to Japan an unforgettable experience. Reach out to us to learn more about our travel packages and how we can assist you in planning your perfect Japanese adventure.

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