The silk textile known as “Ashikaga Meisen” was popular for contemporary colours and innovative patterns in the early 1900s. Dress up in an “Ashikaga Meisen” Kimono at the Ashikaga Machinaka Yugakukan and take a stroll through the stone-paved streets of the historic town. You can even enjoy coordinating Kimonos with modern accessories such as boots and hats in the local style. Come and have a unique and memorable experience!

Dress up in Samurai armour at the Ashikaga Machinaka Yugakukan and enjoy strolling around the neighbouring historic area that is home to the National Historic Site of Ashikaga School and the National Treasure， Banna-ji Temple. Stride along the atmospheric stone-paved streets dressed as a brave Samurai!

Why not enjoy cycling through the historic town of Mashiko and its natural surroundings? The local railway journey to Mashiko passes through picturesque countryside. On arrival the town of Mashiko offers bike rental to tourists at several bike stations including Yoshimura Farm， Michi-no-Eki Mashiko and the Mashikoyaki Pottery Sales Centre. Mashiko station is also available for returns only. Hire a bike and explore the streets of the old town lined with cafes and art galleries. All the rental bikes are Pedelecs (electrically assisted pedal cycles) and perfect for cycling around this hilly town. Enjoy exploring the town’s narrow streets and find your hidden gems!

The town of Shimotsuke offers bike rental to tourists (adults and children over 13 years old) at Ishibashi station， Jichiidai station and Koganei station. Head for the Tempyo-no-Oka Park by bike and explore the historic sites located in the park. Or extend your journey a little further to the Michi-no-Eki Shimotsuke and enjoy shopping for local products!

The town of Nogi is a popular tourist spot thanks to its beautiful flowers and the Nogi-machi Brick Kiln. The town hosts a summer “Sunflower Festival” in late July. Visitors can enjoy walking through 4.3 hectares of fields where two hundred thousand sunflowers are in full bloom.

Come and take a look at the manufacturing process of familiar sweets such as “Chocoball” and “Angel Pie”. The factory tour is popular so reservations are essential!

The Taishi Food Inc. Nikko plant is located close to the Daiya River and produces tofu and soybean-processed foods made with clear spring water and selected ingredients. Visitors are free to come inside the factory， look around and learn about the healthy and nutritious soybeans via displays and videos. Other attractions offered at the factory include a tofu-making experience and sampling freshly made tofu and fried tofu. [Tofu making workshop] Hours  (1)10:30am - 11:30am    (2)1:30pm - 2:30pm Fare    300yen/per person Booking  6 people to max. 50 people Please make a reservaion 7days in advance， by phone or fax.

Why not rent an old-fashioned kimono and stroll around the World Heritage sites of Nikko? Dressing in the kimono takes approx. 10 min. and costs 3,800 yen (tax incl.) for one day. Savor an ambience that is extraordinary.

The Miya Cycle Station is a cycling terminal under the management of the city of Utsunomiya. The terminal offers rental cycles including hybrid bikes， road bikes and Mini Velo (small wheeled) bikes as well as information for tourists. The facilities include free toilets in the rest area and shower rooms and lockers (subject to reasonable charges). The terminal also holds a variety of events for cyclists such as seminars on sports cycling.

The Nissan Motor Tochigi Plant is an integrated production factory managing the whole process of automobile manufacturing from the casting of iron and aluminium to mechanical assembly. Models produced at the factory are mainly full-size luxury cars and sports cars such as the Nissan Cima and Nissan GT-R. The factory tour includes a company overview video and a guide to the automotive assembly line.

Mooka Momen Cotton has a long history from Japan’s early modern period to the present day. These hand-woven cotton fabrics are especially fascinating for their unique texture. Pick them up and feel their special quality. Visitors can observe the weaving process at the Mooka Momen Kaikan (no reservation required). Hands-on weaving and dyeing experiences are available with prior reservations.

The Nikko Woodcarving Village Craft Centre offers demonstrations of making Nikko Geta sandals and Nikko-style woodcarving. Visitors can try their hand at the traditional Nikko-style woodcarving by tracing designs on everyday items such as trays， hand mirrors and small plates.

Visitors can enjoy the yuba making process， experience pulling up tofu skin， and tasting. *Japanese language only. Please come with an interpreter. *Approx. 30 minutes experience *Booking by Phone or FAX， 7 days before your visit niizuma@nikkoyuba.net

Tochigi city is famous for its many Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shops， and Yamamoto Sohonten is the perfect place to try your hand at making your own Wagashi. The friendly Wagashi master gives you detailed instructions on making various pieces of Wagashi to celebrate the coming seasons. Enjoy these traditional seasonal delights!

At the Calbee Factory in Utsunomiya, you can watch the manufacturing process of the famous Kappa Ebisen (shrimp flavoured crisps) and breakfast cereals through the factory’s glass windows. The staff also present information on the best ways to enjoy their cereals.

“Washi-no-Sato” is a Washi papermaking factory in the mountain village of Nasu-Karasuyama. Washi is traditional Japanese hand-made paper increasingly attracting the attention of people abroad. “Karasuyama Washi” has a history dating back 1，200 years in Tochigi. Come to our workshops to learn about the traditional craftsmanship and make your own sheet of Washi paper!

The Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki Factory produces rice crackers utilising Nikko’s clear spring water and domestically grown rice. Choose savoury delights for yourself or the perfect gifts for your loved ones from over 50 varieties of products available at the on-site shop. Sample the range of flavours on offer based on the special family-secret recipes and traditional handcraft skills. Some products are only available at the factory shop such as the freshly fried “Age-mochi Okaki” rice crackers. Try your hand at baking rice crackers or making your own hand-illustrated rice crackers， a memorable travel experience! Enjoy complimentary tea， coffee and soft drinks at the lounge. You can also place an order online or by phone or fax.

Oshiraji Falls are known as the “falls of illusion”. Oshiraji is the term for unbaked white ceramics. From the tourist information centre “Yama-no-Eki Takahara”， drive 5 minutes in the direction of Nasu-Shiobara and then take the footpath for another 5 minutes. You will find a crystal clear blue pool created by the falls. The view is a breath-taking harmonisation of the mysterious blue of the water in combination with the green mountains and sunlight filtering down through the trees. Come here in the wet season for a splendid view of the waterfall. Please note that mobile phone service can be limited in the area. The ground can be slippery in some places， please wear appropriate shoes.