Originally flourished as a post station in the 17th century， Tochigi city later developed into a merchant city on the banks of the Uzuma River. The river was an important trade route to and from Edo (Tokyo). The black merchant houses and white-walled storehouses can still be seen along the Uzuma River and on Kura-no-Machi Oh-dori (the main street). Go for a stroll and feel the classical atmosphere!

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.

This park is famous for its beautiful view of the Tateishi coastline, where Mt. Fuji can also be seen in the distance. This scenery was captured by the famous Edo period artist Ando Hiroshige. Today, visitors enjoy walking along the shore, and admiring the view from the park.

Besides temple patrons and locals, many foreigners come to experience meditation here on the first Saturday of every month.*We are currently holding a Saturday night zazen meditation session via Zoom. For more information, please contact us by phone or Facebook (Soin Satoshi Fujio).

This park is located along the Hikiji River. In the spring, you can see a variety of flowers, including cherry blossoms, azaleas, and wisteria trellises. There is also a parking lot, so you can get out of your car and enjoy cherry blossom viewing right away!

The house that was created in the Edo period remains as it is and there are many materials such as agricultural tools that help us understand the life of the rural people back then. Free tours are available and various events are held such as the Bamboo Lantern Festival in September. It is the first cultural asset that was registered in Yokohama City.

Come experience sutra copying at Anrakuji Temple (2-6-1 Okada, Samukawa-cho) on the second Sunday of every month (From 15:00, closed May and August). We have several chairs available, so those who are not comfortable sitting on the floor are more than welcome to join in. Our temple is said to have been built during the Yoro period (710-794), and our main statue of Dainichi Nyorai is a Buddhist image dating back to the Heian period (794-1192). On the hill behind the main hall remains "Ojinzuka," a late 4th-century round backward-facing burial mound, of which you can climb to the top to view Mt. Fuji and be enveloped by the power of ancient prayer.

We are proud of our diverse menu, ranging from local Yokohama deep-fried vegetables and chicken dishes, to our popular original izakaya drinks and Japanese sake.

Located in the Okunikko area, Zen Resort Nikko is an outdoor activity-oriented commercial complex where you can enjoy dining at a restaurant and glamping. The restaurant serves beef hamburger steaks with a wonderful umami taste and texture achieved only because they are made of 100% Wagyu beef. You can also savor a dish featuring Itadakimasu, a brand of freshwater rainbow trout developed in Nikko. The dinner (reservation required) is prix fixe, so you can choose dishes of your preference for each course. Enjoy alcohol beverages and food in the slow flow of time. In addition to accommodation facilities for glamping and camping, Zen Resort Nikko offers a rich lineup of seasonal activities such as SUP for summer and snow activities in winter.

Nikko Momiji-za is a taishu engeki (popular theater) playhouse near Nikko Toshogu. It cherishes Japanese culture but at the same time pursues a new style of entertainment. Colorful and gorgeous costumes, a wide variety of plays, and tools and songs to add color to the play are some of the highlights. Momiji-za’s dance shows feature Japanese traditional folk music, enka songs, and pop songs, and at the same time incorporate the latest hit songs and music from overseas to entertain literally the general public from around the world. Taishu engeki is performing art created through the fusion of tradition and trends and everyone around the world will be sure to enjoy. Since there are evening shows too, why don’t you take a walk at night and drop by the playhouse after checking in at the hotel or after dinner?

At Mt. Kongo Zuihoji Temple in Furumine, the "Fire-Walking Sadhana Festival" is held on the last Sunday on May, for burning away afflictions, warding off bad luck, and praying for family safety. The ceremony begins with the sound of a shugenja (mountain ascetic) blowing a trumpet shell, followed by the performance of the axe, bow, and sword, and then the flames of the goma are extinguished.   While sutra chanting echoes, shugenjas and participants walk barefoot on the path, praying for protection from bad luck, safety in the home, and the fulfillment of various wishes.   After the ceremony, shugenjas would share tributes (like deserts, sake) with people, which means sharing happiness with each others.  

Sitting at an elevation of 1560 meters, Sakurazutsumi Park features Someiyoshino no Seiki cherry trees which blossom in spring. It’s a scenic viewpoint that even overlooks distant Nikko and the Nasu volcanic belt.

Enjoy 30 minutes of unlimited strawberry picking between December and May. These juicy strawberries are nourished with gentle sunlight and delicious water from Mt. Nasu. Pre-packaged strawberries are also available at “Okashi no Shiro” (The Sweets Castle).

The Pottery Fair have been held twice a year since 1966.Once in the spring during Japan’s Golden Week Holiday, and once in the fall around November 3rd. There are about 50 shops and as many as 550 tents set up selling pottery. There is a great variety of pottery sold from traditional Mashiko pottery, such as vases and pots to articles for daily use like cups and plates. The Pottery Fair provides a great chance to enjoy talking with young artists and local potters in the shops and tents. Besides pottery, freshly-harvested vegetables grown in Mashiko and some other speciality items from the region are big attractions of the fair. Every year about 600,000 people come to enjoy the fair.

Torinoko Sansho Shrine consists of a main hall, a worship hall, a tower gate, a Torii gate (at the prefectural border of Tochigi and Ibaraki) and the main shrine. The shrine is known for its lucky owl, a messenger from the god who brings good luck. The temple complex contains the nation’s largest statue of an owl, an owl post, an owl bell and an owl statue on which visitors pour water to wash their troubles away. Other notable sites include a miraculous turtle well that has never dried up and the building known as Gochiin where famous feudal lord Mitsukuni Tokugawa once stayed.

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 Mibu Highway Park at Michi-no-Eki Mibu is a roadside station connected to the Mibu PA (motorway rest area) and conveniently located between both the motorway and the local highway (route 71). Located in the centre of the local municipality， the “Mirai-kan” information centre at the Mibu Highway Park is a hub for tourism offering information， local products and fresh local vegetables. Along with the Mibu Highway Park， Michi-no-Eki Mibu has Tochigi Wanpaku Park and Mibu-machi Toy Museum within its vast 52.5-hectare grounds. A great place for a break or a whole family day out.