A full-day private driver from Tokyo to Karuizawa or Nikko costs on request (ECO sedan), ¥70,000 (Alphard) or ¥80,000 (Hiace) per vehicle, with tolls and parking included. See planning tips, overtime rules and per-person costs. Final quotes are confirmed by our team.
Karuizawa and Nikko are both popular day trips from Tokyo, but they lie in different directions, and relying on trains and buses can mean a lot of time spent on transfers and waiting. This guide explains how our full-day charter from Tokyo is priced, how to plan the day, and who it suits.
What each trip looks like
- Karuizawa (Nagano): known for Old Karuizawa Ginza, a large outlet mall and a woodland resort setting. Sights are spread out, so you still need onward transport after reaching the station.
- Nikko (Tochigi): known for Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji. The main sights are some distance apart.
Train and bus timetables, fares and seasonal changes for both areas should be checked with the operators. This article gives no figures for them:
- JR East: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/
- Tobu Railway: https://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/
- Karuizawa Tourism Association: https://karuizawa-kankokyokai.jp/
- Nikko Tourism Association: https://www.nikko-jp.org/english/
Full-day charter price
For a day starting and ending in Tokyo, Karuizawa · Nikko share one price band. Prices are in yen, per vehicle, and tolls and parking fees are included:
| Destination | ECO (5 seats) | Alphard (7 seats) | Hiace (10 seats) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karuizawa · Nikko | on request | ¥70,000 | ¥80,000 |
A Tokyo-based full-day charter covers 10 hours, with overtime of ¥3,000 per additional 30 minutes. Both destinations are a long drive from Tokyo, and the round trip takes a large share of the day. We suggest not over-filling the itinerary and telling us your planned start and return times when you book, so our team can advise whether to allow for overtime.
Cost per person
| Passengers | Suggested vehicle | Fare | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ECO | on request | on request |
| 4 | ECO | on request | on request |
| 6 | Alphard | ¥70,000 | about ¥11,667 |
| 10 | Hiace | ¥80,000 | ¥8,000 |
These figures exclude the night surcharge and add-ons. Count luggage as well as people: 4 pieces for the ECO, 6 for the Alphard and 9 for the Hiace. For vehicle differences, see the Alphard page.
Add-ons and extra rules
- Late-night hours: a flat ¥4,000 surcharge applies to service between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Extra stops: arranged on request, up to 3 per booking, for example a lunch or shopping stop on the way.
- Child seats available: child safety seats and booster seats can be provided.
- 24-hour service: early starts and late finishes can be arranged.
Who is a private driver best for?
- Three or more travellers, families or older relatives: once the fare is shared, the cost per person is close to train fares plus taxis, with no repeated transfers.
- Several sights in one day: you are not tied to timetables and decide how long to stay.
- Lots of luggage or shopping: bags and strollers stay in the car.
- One or two travellers on a tight budget: trains and buses are cheaper, and you can arrange transport only for the last leg.
Only need the airport leg?
If you only need to get from the airport to Karuizawa or Nikko, an airport transfer is simpler. See Haneda to Karuizawa · Nikko and Narita to Karuizawa · Nikko. For moving around Tokyo itself, see Haneda to central Tokyo.
What to prepare before booking
- Your date, pick-up point and drop-off point.
- Whether you want Karuizawa, Nikko or both.
- Number of passengers, pieces of luggage and whether children are travelling.
- Your preferred start and finish times.
Book a full-day charter
Send your request on the booking page and our team will confirm the vehicle and price for your itinerary. The prices above are for reference; all quotes are confirmed by our customer service team.
FAQ
- How much is a private driver from Tokyo to Karuizawa or Nikko for a day?
- For a full day starting and ending in Tokyo, Karuizawa and Nikko share one price band, charged per vehicle: on request for an ECO 5-seat sedan, ¥70,000 for an Alphard (7 seats) and ¥80,000 for a Hiace (10 seats). Tolls and parking are included. All quotes are confirmed by our customer service team.
- Can I visit both Karuizawa and Nikko in one day?
- The two are in different directions and the price list covers a single destination. If you would like to see both in one day, tell us when you book and our team will check feasibility and the price. Please do not assume the same rate applies.
- How long is a full-day charter, and how is overtime charged?
- A Tokyo-based full-day charter covers 10 hours. Overtime is ¥3,000 for every additional 30 minutes. Long-distance days can run late, so tell us your planned start and return times when you book.
- Is the price per person or per vehicle?
- Per vehicle, regardless of passenger numbers, as long as you stay within the vehicle's seats and luggage capacity: 4 pieces for the ECO, 6 for the Alphard and 9 for the Hiace.
- Can you provide child seats?
- Yes. Child safety seats and booster seats are available, up to 3 child seats and 2 booster seats per booking. Just note them when you book.