Utsunomiya Gyoza is an important part of the culinary culture of Utsunomiya City. The city has over 300 Gyoza restaurants，and people enjoy queuing in front of their favourite restaurants. These eateries compete in creating unique recipes to be recognised as “one of the best” Gyoza in the city，with all sorts of ingredients and cooking methods. Go from one eatery to another like the locals do，and sample some of thier wide selection! You can even join Gyoza-making classes led by veteran lecturers. Gyoza-related goods are also popular as souvenirs.

This vast nature is a home of approximately 600 animals.The kingdom consists of two areas, an indoor facility called “Town” and a vast green landscape called “Farm”. Visitors love to touch everyone's favourite capybaras and alpacas. Various performances by birds and small animals are enjoyable. There are many dog-friendly areas and dog parks, so this is also a happy kingdom for dog lovers. Relax in the Onsen inside after playing a lot!

A leisure facility covers 300，000 square metres surrounded by abundant nature around a lake. The interactive farm especially delight children through the experiences such as feeding lovely animals， riding horses and milking cows by hands. Other popular attractions are pleasure boats viewing Nasu mountain ranges and park itself from the lake， the Swiss railway running alongside the lake and the nation’s longest “Zip Line” where you zip along a wire over the lake. Refresh yourself with ice creams and daily products made with Jersey milk for a break!

Mt. Chausu，located at the north end of Tochigi prefecture，is an active volcano and the main peak of the Nasu mountains. It stands 1,915 metres above sea level. Take the ropeway to the 9th station of Mt.Chausu for a spectacular view of fields of flowers and autumn leaves. If you are a big fan of trekking，try the routes from the top of the ropeway to the crater of Mt. Chausu. A wide range of walking trails are available suitable for beginners and families. The panoramic view of the Kanto Plain below from the top of Mt. Chausu is breathtaking.

Nasu Onsen-kyo is a spread out hot spring resort on the slopes of Mt. Nasudake，the main peak of the Nasu mountains. The origin of the Onsen-kyo is “Shikanoyu” discovered in the 7th century.The “Shikanoyu(deer spring)” was named after locals witnessed an injured deer completely heal after jumping into the steaming pool. It's been renowned for its healing powers ever since. Historic visitors include Yoritomo Minamoto，a great samurai of 12th century，and Basho Matsuo，a famous poet of 17th century. Onsen styles vary from modern hotels in the highland to traditional wooden baths where you can try bathing in more than one spot to feel the difference.

A historic Onsen town visited by many great Japanese writers， this unique Onsen-kyo boasts thermal spring water with a range of qualities and benefits. Select a hot spring depending on your physical condition or mood. There are also various nature trails along the mountain stream. Popular both as a summer resort and when the autumn leaves on display， why not take a stroll around the town with the local specialty “To-te-yaki” (something like a thick crepe) in hand?

This feature festival of Yunishikawa Onsen is held from late January to early March every year. Hundreds of small snow houses (mini-kamakura) are built and lighted up by candle lights. During the day enjoy sleighing. This illuminated snow-filled town is simply mesmerising.   Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Snow House Festival 2026 ■Dates:January 30st-March 1nd,2026   Venue1:Sawaguchi Riverside ■Lighting Dates:Only on Fridays, Saturdays,and Sundays during January 30st-March 1nd,2026 ■Lighting Hours:5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ■Admission:Free   Venue2:Heike-no-Sata Village ■Opening Hours:9:00 a.m. -9:00 p.m.(Last entry at 8:45 p.m.) ■Lighting Dates:January 30st - March 1nd ,2026 ■Lighting Hours:5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ■Admission:1-day ticket(9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.):510 yen for adults / 250 yen for elementary and junior high school students(re-entry possible on the day)   Venue3:Yunishigawa Mizu-no-Sato Snow Park ■Closed:Wednesdays *Open on 2/11 (Wednesday, national holiday), closed on 2/12 (Thurs) ■Opening Dates:January 30st - March 1nd ,2026 ■Business Hours:10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.(Last reception 2:00 p.m.) ■Admission:1,200 yen for adults,600 yen for children(including sledding fee and hot spring bathing fee at Mizu-no-Sato.The hot spring open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,last entrance 6:00 p.m.)

A feature attraction of the Kinugawa River is the river cruises always popular with tourists. Glide along the river and enjoy the incredibly scenic valley. Depending on the season the 40-minute boat ride is a fun way to explore the memorable scenery of wild cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring， sounds of kingfishers and ayu fish swimming in summer or the red leaves of autumn.

The theme is "Let's protect the world's ruins and architectural culture" This theme park exhibits UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage sites, including 48 registered properties, 22 buildings from 102 countries and regions. Elaborately reproduced on 1/25 scale. The buildings are decorated with exquisite carvings, reliefs, and glass inlays that are breathtakingly beautiful. In addition, the 20,000 plants that adorn the buildings change with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy different landscapes throughout the year. There are also signs next to the buildings in the park that indicate the “Shooting Spot”, so you can take great photos. You can also take pictures of buildings by lifting them or holding them up in a borrowed position, so that you can enjoy photography to the fullest.   New photo spot opens in Tobu World Square's America Zone! The popular America Zone in the park has been partially renovated, with new photo spots added. New photo spots recreate iconic American landscapes for an immersive experience. Now you can take a picture with the symbol of New York City, the Statue of Liberty, and Flatiron Building. You can enjoy a special photo that can only be taken at Tobu World Square by taking a photo from behind this magnificent statue with Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower exhibits in the background.

Edo is the former name of Tokyo used until the late 19th century. This theme park authentically recreates town life in the Edo period. The huge village consists of rows of merchant houses， a samurai mansion， a Ninja village and much more. The culture of the Edo period comes alive through the townspeople and events， you can even put on a costume and join in yourself! The cultural park offers a real experience of the life and culture of the Edo period via their seven theatres， museums on history and culture and even Edo-style restaurants.

Discovered more than 300 years ago， these venerable Onsen were open only to monks and daimyo samurai visiting Nikko at that time. Since opening to the public in late 19th century， the hot springs have had many visitors and developed into a great spa resort. The hot spring water is smooth and gentle on the skin with a light alkalinity， and is thought to help nerve pain and stiff shoulders， relieve tiredness and promote good health. There srounded many theme parks or sightseeing spots， and good place for the base to go sightseeing in Nikko.

Kegon Falls is the most famous of Nikko’s 48 waterfalls. Water from Lake Chuzenji falls 97 metres straight down to the rocks below creating a dynamic and artistic work of nature. A special lift takes visitors to the basin where the force and roar of the water can be witnessed close up! Kegon Falls offers stunning views every season. Deep green in early summer, red and yellow leaves in autumn. in winter, the water freezes as it drops creating beautiful ice shapes almost like beautiful pieces of art.

Lake Chuzenji is the largest lake in Tochigi， framed by 25 kilometres of incredible nature. The area used to be a popular summer resort for foreigners in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The villas of French and Belgian embassies can still be found here. You can enjoy seasonal charms by the lake. Walking trails surround the water’s edge and there is an excursion boat available on the lake. The views from the lake are spectacular， particularly when the cherry blossoms or azaleas are blooming or when the autumn leaves are turning. The “Koyo-meguri” tour， enjoying autumn leaves reflecting on the lake， is highly recommended.

Irohazaka is a pair of winding roads (ascending and descending) connecting Nikko-city and the mountainous Lake Chuzenji area. The roads are named after the 48 syllables of the Japanese alphabet (kana) as they contain 48 hairpin turns while rising and falling 440 metres in elevation. The best viewing spot is the Akechidaira observatory on the descending road. The picturesque landscape is known as the most beautiful place to celebrate autumn leaves in Nikko， and it is well worth putting up with the traffic on the roads at this popular time.

Senjogahara in the Nikko National Park is one of the nation’s most renowned marshland areas. You can enjoy a variety of nature trails， 350 kinds of wild plants， and many species of wild birds. The trails offer magnificent views of the marshland with Mt. Nantai in the background， and an array of natural panoramas. The neighbouring Odashirogahara consists of unique grass and marshlands. The famous Japanese white birch tree known as “the lady of Odashirogahara” can be found here.

The history of the Nikko-zan Rinno-Ji Temple started over 1250 years ago, when Shodo Shonin (Saint Shodo), who firstly served as the head priest of Nikko, founded the Shihonryuji Temple. Sanbutsudo Hall is one of the largest wooden architectures in Nikkosan, and houses Buddhist statues respectively symbolizing honchibutsu (original Buddhist divinity), of the holy three mountains in Nikko, such as Senju-Kannon (Kannon with a thousand arms: honchibutsu of Mt. Nantai), Amidanyorai (Amitabha Tathagata: honchibutsu of Mt. Nyoho), and Bato-Kannon (Kannon with a horse head: honchibutsu of Mt. Taro), are 8m tall.

History of Futarasan Shrine About 1,200 years ago, a famous monk Shodo Shonin found Shihonryu-ji Temple (belong to Rinno-ji Temple) and Futarasan Shrine (today’s “Hongu Shrine” belong to Futarasan Shrine). It symbolized the begin of the mountain beliefs of Mount Nantai. Since then, Futarasan Shrine was called “Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Shimotsuke Province” and became the center of faith in Nikko.   What makes Futarasan Shrine different? The main deity of Futarasan Shrine is Okuniushi, who is known for good luck and success in love. Many people come here to pray for the success of their interpersonal relationships.   The wooden vermillion bridge “Shinkyo” located at the entrance of Mount Nikko is belonging to the shrine, welcomes visitors to the world heritage site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”.   You can also visit the Oku-no-miya located at the summit of Mount Nantai and the Middle Shrine located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji, both are famous power spots in Nikko.   The shrine holds famous festival “Yayoi Festival” every April, you can see many beautiful mikoshi and enjoy traditional music during the event.   ※World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” includes Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Rinno-ji Temple and Nikko Futarasan Shrine.

The most renowned shrine of “the Shrines and Temples of Nikko”-a UNESCO world heritage site where Ieyasu Tokugawa, the great Shogun who started the Edo Period, is enshrined. Most of the shrine complex you see today was rebuilt in 17th century. The shrine contains 55 buildings including 8 national treasures and 34 listed buildings. The highlights are many colorful buildings which are richly decorated with gorgeous carvings. Do not miss the symbol of peace “Sleeping Cat”, and the “Three Monkeys” with the “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” poses!