Greater Tokyo

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Nishinasuno Country Club

Nishinasuno Country Club

Nishinasuno Country Club is an 18-hole golf course designed by the globally renowned golf course architect, Robert Von Hagge, which effectively incorporates the beautiful landscape of Nishinasuno as its background. The course is like a piece of art created as if drawing a picture or writing a smooth melody on the 1.78 million square meters of land that spreads at the foot of the Nasu Mountain Range. If you always wanted to hit an iron shot on a bentgrass fairway and scrape off of a chunk of turf, this is the right course for you. With bentgrass, which is the highest-end grass, holes here are as beautiful as green carpets. Beginners can play comfortably here, but for championship-level players, the course requires higher-level golf techniques.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Michi-no-Eki Nikko Kaido Nikoniko Honjin

Michi-no-Eki Nikko Kaido Nikoniko Honjin

The roadside station “Michi-no-Eki Nikko Kaido Nikoniko Honjin” held a grand opening to the public on 27 April 2015. It is located at the junction of three highways known as the Nikko Cedar Avenue (Nikko-Kaido, Aizunishi-Kaido and Reiheishi-Kaido), in the city centre of Nikko. The roadside station is a hub for tourism and transportation that leads visitors to sights such as the UNESCO World Heritage “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” and one of Japan’s most popular hot spring towns, “Kinugawa and Kawaji Onsen”. Nikko’s official “Michi-no-Eki” is home to a commemorative museum to the famous local composer Toru Funamura as well as restaurants and shops offering original local products, locally produced vegetable and fruits. A wide range of events take place in the performance hall and open space throughout the year.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Okawa Mokkoujo (Japanese lacquer)

Okawa Mokkoujo (Japanese lacquer)

Odawara lacquerware is created using a technique passed down since the Muromachi period (1336-1573). The artist repeatedly rubs unrefined lacquer using a potter's wheel and combines the “kijironuri” and “irourushinuri” techniques, blending together to create handmade lacquerware which accentuates the beautiful wood grain of the natural materials. At Okawa Mokkoujo (wood turning and potter's workshop) we create various types of lacquerware, including trays and bowls, as well as polishing experiences for soup bowls, dish boxes, and balls. We also create one-of-a-kind patterns using water paper. Any items made can be taken home the same day and used at home. (Optional: apply lacquer to the item for a glossy finish. This takes around three weeks to complete and costs 1,500 yen, including shipping).

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Roadside Station Domannaka Tanuma

Roadside Station Domannaka Tanuma

“Domannaka” means “the center,” and the name Domannaka Tanuma comes from the fact that it is located roughly at the center of Japan. In the farmer’s market, fresh vegetables from local producers fill the shelf every morning. You can buy vegetables that are fresh, safe, and reliable. The rice shop offers carefully selected rice such as Koshihikari. There are also an authentic Chinese restaurant and a self-service Japanese and Western food restaurant. The self-service restaurant has a rich lineup of menu items including Sano Ramen noodles and deep-fried potatoes, which are both local foods of Sano City, and Yamizo soba made with water from the Yamizo Mountains in Tochigi Prefecture. Both restaurants are spacious and have over 100 seats so that you can relax and enjoy your meal. There are also shops offering a wide variety of sweets: a gelato stand offering products made with the blessings of nature, a pancake café featuring original pancakes, and a fruit sandwich stand. You can also buy custard pudding to take home with you. On the premises, there is a foot bath filled with onsen water that leaves your skin silky smooth and massage chairs that make you feel you are receiving a massage in zero gravity.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Kegon Falls

Kegon Falls

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.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
The Hibuse Festival at Ryogaku-in on Mount Akihasan

The Hibuse Festival at Ryogaku-in on Mount Akihasan

On December 6th the Yamabushi (ascetic monks) in their traditional clothing pray for peace and tranquility across the country. They carry out Yamabushi-Mondou, a Buddhist ceremony in which questions in relation to Buddhism are both asked and answered.After this, they participate in the Hiwatari (fire-crossing) Ceremony, which involves the monks walking over glowing embers and praying for sound health. Firefighters, workers of the thermal power generation industry, and people of other fire-related professions come to this shrine both to worship and buy ofuda (amulets).

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA