This branch temple of Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple was founded in 784 by Shodo， the first head priest of Nikko. The wooden statue for which it’s named—which represents Kannon， the thousand-armed goddess of mercy—is said to have been carved by Shodo himself. The temple is also home to several historically significant Buddha statues. It is also the 18th stop on the 33 Kannon Temple Bando Pilgrimage route， so many pilgrims visit to see it."

Nasu is known as the largest volcanic zone in Japan. Several large eruptions in the past have claimed many victims here. The villagers in the neighboring area started to cleanse themselves to appease the anger of the mountain, visit Nasu Yuzen Shrine, light the fire of the Avici hell and worship this as gojinka (sacred fire). This then became established as an event to pray for a bumper harvest and sound health before long.   The Gojinka Festival features a parade from Nasu Yuzen Shrine to Sesshoseki by participants attired in white clothing with torches. A large torch (gojinka) is then lit to create a fantastic atmosphere.   While the gojinka burns, the folk entertainment of hakumen konmo kyubikitusne drums is presented at Sesshoseki - the site of the legend of kyubinokitusne (nine-tailed fox). The general public can also participate in the torch parade which involves a walk through the dark.

Experience the traditional wood-making craft of Kumiko in Kanuma. Kanuma Kumiko， designs made with strips of wood， is found in a traditional Japanese room. Because no nails are used in assembling the 1-5mm strips of wood which make up various designs， it requires traditional and very delicate skills. Visitors can try their hand at making coasters while learning about the techniques and designs of Kanuma Kumiko used mainly for Shoji (traditional Japanese screens and sliding doors) and interior furnitures.

The former Kibata elementary school is now open to the public as a traditional village offering a wide range of activities including farming experience， pottery classes and noodle， tofu and Konjac making workshops. The venue has a café as well as camping and barbeque areas.

Mount Kamakura towers 100 metres above the Nakagawa River and is 216 metres above sea level. The summit affords the most fantastic views in all of the Nakagawa Prefectural Natural Park.   The best viewing season is from late-October to mid-December when the area is blanketed with a layer of misty clouds, a phenomenon arising from the mixture of the cool mountain air and the warm waters of the Nakagawa River. During early and mid-November, when misty clouds glow in the morning sun, views of the autumn mountain foliage are mesmerising.   Come and see this renowned late-autumn scenery!

Kitsuregawa is a historic castle town and prospered as a post station on the Edo road. The Onsen is located along the rivers running through the town. The light-brown, salty, slightly alkaline water is one of the best in quality containing the three key elements of hot spring water: sulphur, salt and iron. Accessible in about 30 minutes from Utsunomiya, the prefectural capital, this is a popular Onsen for a day visit. You can also stop by the nation’s first roadside station with Onsen facilities inside.

One of the largest in mainland Japan, the park is known for its 280,000 beautiful Shibazakura in bloom from mid-April to May, covering an area of 1.8 hectares. A must-see is the panoramic view of the floral carpet from the observatory, where various shades of red, white, mauve and pink lawn cherry blossoms form beautiful patterns. You can taste handmade soba noodles at the restaurant in the park. Local vegetables and Shibazakura plants are available at the farmer's market.

Being 2，000 metres above sea level， this marsh is the nation’s highest wetland and is known for its abundant alpine plants. In the wetland where spring comes late， July is the best time to view the alpine plants blossoming one after another. The grass starts to turn yellow in late August and the leaves paint the entire wetland flaming red in mid-September. Plants and trees are lightly dusted with snow in November and you can see the arrival of migratory birds. Enjoy the diverse nature of each and every one of the seasons!

Home to a number of top international races including the Moto GP, Mobility Resort Motegi also offers a year-round automotive theme park. With minibikes for kids and karts for people of all ages, everyone can experience the thrill of motor racing. The complex also has a nature parks, where you can search for local wildlife or zipline (safely clipped in harnesses) through the trees! Camping sites and other accommodation are available nearby.

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.

From Confections to Crafts, the Best Selection of Tochigi’s Local Goods All in One PlaceThe Tochibiyori Store is a local specialty shop directly managed by the Tochigi Prefecture Tourism and Local Products Association. It is located on the 2nd floor of the JR Utsunomiya Station building, PASEO, within Tochigi Grand Marché. Conveniently situated right by the station, it is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and gifts before heading off. The store offers a wide range of Tochigi’s signature products, such as confectioneries made with fresh local fruits, including Tochigi strawberries, as well as yokan (sweet bean jelly), Nikko yuba (tofu skin), local sake, pickled vegetables, and more. Visitors can also find Mashiko ware pottery and other traditional crafts. Limited edition goods and popular local snacks are also available, making it easy to take home the “taste of Tochigi.”

Tracing the spiritual site founded by Kobo Daishi — listen to the murmurs of flowing water in the quiet forest Jakko Falls is located in Nikko City’s Chugawa area. With a height of about 50 meters and a width of 6 meters, it cascades down in seven tiers. The surrounding forest is lush, and the mountain trail offers a deeply serene atmosphere, earning its reputation as a hidden scenic spot known only to locals. The site was once home to the ancient Jakko-ji Temple, said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi in 820 AD. During the Meiji era, due to the government’s separation of Buddhism and Shintoism, the temple was converted into Jakko Shrine, and religious legends are still passed down today. Along the trail to the waterfall lies the massive Ikeishi Stone, shrouded in dense forest, adding a mystical aura to the site. From Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, it takes about a 20-minute walk to reach the falls, making it a perfect spot for hiking and enjoying seasonal scenery, especially during spring and autumn.

Surrounded by a lush green garden, the Nasu Stained Glass Museum is housed in a stone building modeled after a traditional Cotswold manor in England, exuding the charm of the English countryside. The museum is renowned for its collection of 19th-century antique stained glass. In its chapel, regular performances of antique music boxes and pipe organs are held. As you listen to the beautiful melodies and gaze at the gentle light streaming through the stained glass, you may feel as if you have stepped into a small European town. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on workshops to create their own unique stained glass crafts as memorable souvenirs. The museum features a café and gift shop offering traditional English tea and sweets, providing a relaxing space to unwind and savor the atmosphere.

The Oku-Nikko region is home to a compact collection of various environments, including waterfalls, lakes, rivers, marshes, wetlands, forests, and high mountains. The elevation ranges from approximately 1,200 meters near Lake Chuzenji to over 2,000 meters at Mount Nantai and Mount Nikko Shirane. As a result, you can enjoy a variety of plants, animals, and wild birds throughout the seasons on numerous hiking trails. Why not join a guide and explore the diverse landscapes of Oku-Nikko?

The hotel is located in Motegi, a small town rich in nature. It is surrounded by forest and does not receive city lights, so at night the sky is filled with stars. At the neighboring roadside station Motegi, they sell Yuzu Shio Ramen, which won the Grand Prix at Japan's roadside station gourmet competition, as well as freshly baked Baumkuchen. Also nearby is Mobility Resort Motegi, which offers a wide range of activities such as motorsports and athletics, making it the perfect base for car enthusiasts and families.

Sanraku, standing in serenity on the famous summer retreat, Nasu Highlands, is a long-established ryokan inn with a history of over 100 years. Its open-air baths feature the natural hot spring water flowing directly from the inn’s on-premise spring that produces as much as 800 liters per minute. This pure onsen water reaches the tubs without treatments such as heating, circulation, or filtering. Sanraku also has guest rooms with an open-air bath for you to enjoy a soak in privacy. For dinner, you will be treated to a multi-course kaiseki meal prepared with hand-picked seasonal ingredients. It features dishes that reproduce the four seasons of Japan and the earth's blessing. Guest rooms are furnished in Japanese style with a fusion of elegance and sophistication, and precious wood fills the room with a noble smell. You can also enjoy high-quality amenities with Japanese charm throughout the facility. 【About the hot spring】 Water color: clear Spring water type: simple spring water Efficacy: alleviates joint pain, sore muscles, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, sleeplessness, etc.

History of "Shimazaki Brewery" The Shimazaki Brewery's history began in Kaei 2 (1849), and have continued to brew sake for more than 170 years. Using of the highest-grade raw rice, natural spring water from the Nasu Mountains, which have made Shimazaki Sake one of Tochigi Prefecture's best-known sake brewing brands.   History of Cave Brewery The Cave Brewery was originally a cave dug for the establishment of an underground chariot factory at the end of World War II, but the war ended before production could begin. After decades of inactivity, the cave became a natural cellar for Shimazaki Brewery to mature sake.   Features of Cave Brewery As the cave is completely protected from the sun, the temperature inside is maintained at around 50°F all year round, so it is advisable to bring a thin jacket to keep warm even in summer.   Inside the cave, you can see a whole row of matured sake that extends deep into the cave. Those are purchased by the consumer, stored by the brewery, and then handed back to the consumer after 5~20 years to commemorate important moments such as the coming-of-age ceremony, the birthday of family, or housewarming, and it is very popular. Sake that has been matured for half a year is also sold as a New Year's gift.     ◇Opening Days: Weekend, Holiday, Japanese Golden Week, the Bon Festival  

Nasu Bettei KAI is a ten-guest-room hot spring inn on 6,600m2 of land surrounded by lush green forests. It is right near the Nasu Imperial Villa and stands at the foot of the Nasu Mountain Range in Nikko National Park. The interior, furnished using traditional Japanese materials, is functional and matches the modern lifestyle to provide comfort to guests. All guest rooms come with a tub filled with natural hot spring water from the local historic spring source, Omaru Hot Spring. Guests are invited to enjoy the bath anytime while feeling the season of Nasu. For dinner, you will be served a satoyama kaiseki multi-course meal, cooked to perfection to bring out the taste of ingredients such as Tochigi Wagyu raised on the land of Nasu, ayu fish harvested from the clear Naka River, and fresh farm products. Nasu Bettei KAI is a very special inn that maintains connections with the local history, culture, and personality. 【About the hot spring】 Water color: clear Spring water type: simple spring water Efficacy: beautifies skin, alleviates nerve pain, sensitivity to cold, sore muscles, fatigue, and so on