It is said that Suga Shrine was built by a legendary samurai Fujiwara no Hidesato in A.D. 940, and moved to its present location during 1159~1160. The whole shrine is filled with a solemn and serene atmosphere.   In A.D. 1600, before the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu held the famous “Oyama Council” at Suga Shrine and prayed for the victory of the battle. After his victory and the establishment of the Edo Shogunate, Suga Shrine was greatly honored by the Shogunate. In 1658, staff members who had participated in the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, created a miniature version of the Akamikoshi in Toshogu Shrine, which became the pressure of Suga Shrine.   The most important festival of Suga Shrine is "Oyama Gion Festival", on July 14 to 21 every year, 25 mikoshi including one massive one that weighs in at 2 tons are carried through the city.   According to “Shimotsuke Province Choreography（下野国誌）” written in Edo period, Suga Shrine’s “Gion Festival” is the “best Gion Festival in Shimotsuke Province.”   "

Birth of Suga Shrine Suga Shrine was built by a legendary samurai Fujiwara no Hidesato, who prayed to Susanoo-no-Mikoto for victory over his enemies. To thank God for their bless, he brought the God from Gion Shrine (Yasaka Shrine) to Oyama and built the shrine.   The site of the legendary “Oyama Council”, witnessed the birth of the Tokugawa hegemony. It is said that before the Battle of Sekigahara in A.D 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu held the famous “Oyama Council” at Suga Shrine and prayed for the victory of the battle.   After Ieyasu’s victory and the establishment of the Edo Shogunate, Suga Shrine was greatly honored by the Shogunate. In 1658, staff members who had participated in the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, created a miniature version of the Akamikoshi in Toshogu Shrine, which became the pressure of Suga Shrine.   Today Suga Shrine’s Akamikoshi has been designated as a “Cultural Property by Tochigi Prefecture”.   Enjoy the Gion Festival in Tochigi! As a famous Gion Shrine, Suga Shrine is also called “Gozu Tenno Shrine”. Suga Shrine holds “Gion Festival” on July 14 to 21 every year, 25 mikoshi including one massive one that weighs in at 2 tons are carried through the city in “Mikoshi Wataru” on July 20.   According to “Shimotsuke Province Choreography（下野国誌）” written in Edo period, Suga Shrine’s “Gion Festival” is the “best Gion Festival in Shimotsuke Province.”

In late March, Japan's most famous variety of cherry blossom, Someiyoshino, will begin to bloom, coloring the city with its delicate pink flowers. But in Oyama City, the special local variety, Omoigawa-zakura, makes Oyama different. Omigawa-zakura were found in a garden at a local monastery about 70 years ago. Beacause the Omigawa bloom about a week after the Somei Yoshino, meaning visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms for almost a month. Get ready to experience the beauty of Oyama City this spring. Many events and light up held on every cherry bloom spots in Oyama during the cherry blooming. ◆Night cherry blooming spots ①Shiroyama Park（1-1 Shiroyama-cho, Oyama City） ②Mamada Hachiman Park（2330 Mamada, Oyama City） ③Sakura Avenue nearby Toyohogawa River（nearby Kami-ishitsuka, Oyama City） ④Omoigawa Onsen（1475 Kizawa, Oyama City）

You can not only see the famous cherry trees "Someiyoshino", but also a special cherry variety "Omoigawa" trees at Oyama City. Omoigawa blooms about one week after Someiyoshino. It means we can enjoy cherry blooming for about a month at Oyama.   Many events and light up held on every cherry bloom spots in Oyama during the cherry blooming. ◆Night cherry blooming spots ①Shiroyama Park（1-1 Shiroyama-cho, Oyama City） ②Mamada Hachiman Park（2330 Mamada, Oyama City） ③Sakura Avenue nearby Toyohogawa River（nearby Kami-ishitsuka, Oyama City） ④Omoigawa Onsen（1475 Kizawa, Oyama City）

The Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum offers visitors the experience of wearing an elegant kimono made from the fine silk textile “Yuki Tsumugi”. The process of refining the traditional Yuki Tsumugi silk is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In order to allow people to fully appreciate the comfort of their garments the museum provides all-day kimono rental including kimono and obi with dressing assistance included free. Come and experience the light and warm texture of genuine Yuki Tsumugi!