Ashikaga local gift shop / tourist information center welcomes you with a warm heart of Japanese hospitality “Omotenashi”. Best place to start your discoveries during your stay here. ■Tourist Information Tourist Information of Ashikaga is provided here ■Gifts Local Gifts and Ashikaga Brand products offered here ■Rest Area Coffee and other beverages are sold here. Good for a short break time ■Bicycle Rental Availability: 18 Bikes（11 of them are assisted with motor） Available Time：AM9:00 to PM4:00 Return：Must return by PM5:00 Price： Conventional Bike　400 yen for the first 3 hours（100yen for every additional hour） One Day use　800yen Motor Assist Bike　600yen for the first 3 hours（200yen for every additional hour） One Day use 1200yen ※Must show one piece of government issue ID before rental ※Reservation not accepted"

Ashikaga Machinaka Yuugakukan was opened in March 2003 as a facility to familiarize， enjoy， and learn about the history， culture， and nature of Ashikaga. Remodeled in 2016， the facility has a rest area and conference rooms， and provides tourist information. There are take-out shops for drinks， soups and lunch that can be enjoyed inside the building.On the second floor， visitors can try on traditional clothing made of Ashikaga Meisen silk."

The Ashikaga Museum of Art was opened in April 1994， and is a relatively new museum. t is popular as a place where you can appreciate the fine arts in Japan and develop a wide range of arts and cultural activities， as well as a place where you can enjoy the works closely of artists who was born mainly in Ryomo area. This is an urban art museum that is rare in Japan， together with a residence."

It is said that over 3,000 students studied at the school during the disturbances of the 10-year civil war (Onin War) starting in the 15th century.   When the Catholic missionary Francis Xavier came to the country in 1549, he described it as “Japan’s largest and most famous school” in his correspondence. Ashikaga thus became widely known overseas as well.   Today buildings have been restored，and visitors can view classrooms in their original historic form and join a program reading The Analects of Confucius on Sundays.

Ashikaga City, the "Small Kyoto" of Tochigi Pref., tinted with fantasy colors   Most famous spots like Bannaji Temple, Ashikaga School and Ashikaga Orihime Shrine would set up lamps, making visitors feel like they are in a dreamy and mysterious world.   The site of Ashikaga School, the oldest school of Japan, would display Flower Hand Water and Wagasa (Traditional umbrella) Light Show produced by Ashikaga Flower Park, and dreamy bamboo lanterns will be displayed in the bamboo forest on the campus.   In the National Treasure “Bannaji Temple”, the lanterns are placed on the bell tower, the main hall, and the 550-year-old ginkgo tree, so that you can enjoy the lanterns while experiencing the historical atmosphere of the temple.   Ashikaga Orihime Shrine, known as a “Sacred Place for Lovers”, would display 90 Ashikaga Meisen lamps on their staircase. The gorgeous Meissen motifs are illuminated by the colorful lights.