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Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center

Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center

Founded by Ministry of Environment of Japan in1994, the Nikko Yumoto Visitor Center provides information on hiking trails and seasonal highlights, so visitors can enjoy the natural environment to the fullest.   Visitors to the center can also learn about local seasonal attractions, such as the autumn leaves that bloom in the Oku Nikko area, or the flowers that bloom in season. There is also an exhibition on the ecology of Oku Nikko, where you can learn more about the natural environment of Oku Nikko through a diorama of the terrain, videos, and seasonal events. In addition to learning more about the best time to explore each area, you can also take a break here too.   Visitor Center also offers guided bird-watching tours, animal exploration tours, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing tours, and occasionally hosts exhibitions on topics such as reducing the damage caused by deer farming, the history of Oku Nikko, and the culture of the local hot springs. Visitor Center's official website also recommends hiking routes, including the Nikko Shirane Mountain Route, the Yunokko Lake Route, and the Battlefield Plain Wetland Route.    

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Hana to Utsuwa no Harmony

Hana to Utsuwa no Harmony

“Hana to Utsuwa no Harmony” is an early summer event that started in 2001. The event takes place at 7 Yamate Seiyoukans in Yokohama. The theme of 2017 was “Motenashino Hana Monogatari (hospitalities and stories of flowers) -- 7 Chapters --”. Seven coordinators arranged the flowers and tablewares of each Seiyoukans differently. (Theme is different each year)This event is not only about the decorations but paid workshops, such as flower arrangements. This 9-day event usually starts on the first Saturday of June and ends on the second Sunday of June.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Tsumada Yakushi

Tsumada Yakushi

The temple enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, known as the Buddha who saves people from illness, injury, and other suffering. In particular, the dumplings served on the temple fair, also known as "omedama-san," are said to be beneficial for eye diseases. There are many cultural assets on the temple grounds, including the Yakushido Hall, camphor tree, and bronze bell. The current Yakushido was reconstructed in 1758, but the raigo-hashira (pillars that surround the kitchen) are the same as those used when the temple was rebuilt in 1584. It is written in the Shinpen Sagami-no-Kuni Fudoki Manuscript that the earlier building was destroyed by fire during the attack on Odawara Castle by the Takeda clan in 1569. The temple is open to the public once every 60 years on the Kanoetora anniversary of the opening of the main sanctuary. The next one will be in 2070.

Temples & Shrines Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Nasu Bettei KAI

Nasu Bettei KAI

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

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Mooka Railway SL Kyuroku (96) Kan

Mooka Railway SL Kyuroku (96) Kan

Known as the city of steam locomotives, the railway museum “Mooka Raiway SL Kyuroku (96) Kan” is located here in Mooka. The collection includes Japan’s only self-driving 9600 steam locomotive with a compressed air engine, along with a D51 steam locomotive and the old-style passenger train “Suhafu 4425”. The self-driving 9600 steam locomotive runs three times a day (at 10am, 12pm and 2:30pm) on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and visitors can ride in the guard’s van (300 yen per person).

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Enoshima Yacht Harbor

Enoshima Yacht Harbor

Enoshima Yacht Harbor opened for yachting events for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Since its opening, though being one of the few public yacht habors in Japan, it has contributed to the spreading of yacht activities. It is the venue for sailing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.While on Enoshima Island make sure to visit the Yacht Harbor Building to learn all about the Yachting World Cup, the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the upcomng 2020 Tokyo Olympics' yacht competition.

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
MATSUKAWAYA NASU KOGEN HOTEL

MATSUKAWAYA NASU KOGEN HOTEL

Located on a hilltop in Nasu Onsen, Matsukawaya Nasu Kogen Hotel offers stunning panoramic views of the majestic Nasu natural landscape and the pleasure of bathing in 100% natural hot spring water.   The hot springs are sourced from two different springs: "Shika no Yu," which has a history of over 1,380 years since its discovery, and "Oku no Sawa Gensen," a mild acidic hot spring that is gentle on the skin. There are also private baths made with local stone materials, allowing you to enjoy the hot springs in a private space.   Enjoy the changing scenery throughout the seasons: fresh green leaves in spring and summer, vibrant autumn foliage, and snow-covered landscapes in winter.   【About the Hot Spring】 Water color: ・Shika-no-Yu Gensen : Milky white ・Oku-no-Sawa Gensen : Clear Spring quality: ・Shika-no-Yu Gensen : Simple acidic sulfur hot spring ・Oku-no-Sawa Gensen : Simple sulfur hot spring Therapeutic effects: Neuralgia, rheumatism, gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological diseases, dermatological diseases, fatigue recovery, etc.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Suga Shrine

Suga Shrine

Birth of Suga Shrine Suga Shrine was built by a legendary samurai Fujiwara no Hidesato, who prayed to Susanoo-no-Mikoto for victory over his enemies. To thank God for their bless, he brought the God from Gion Shrine (Yasaka Shrine) to Oyama and built the shrine.   The site of the legendary “Oyama Council”, witnessed the birth of the Tokugawa hegemony. It is said that before the Battle of Sekigahara in A.D 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu held the famous “Oyama Council” at Suga Shrine and prayed for the victory of the battle.   After Ieyasu’s victory and the establishment of the Edo Shogunate, Suga Shrine was greatly honored by the Shogunate. In 1658, staff members who had participated in the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, created a miniature version of the Akamikoshi in Toshogu Shrine, which became the pressure of Suga Shrine.   Today Suga Shrine’s Akamikoshi has been designated as a “Cultural Property by Tochigi Prefecture”.   Enjoy the Gion Festival in Tochigi! As a famous Gion Shrine, Suga Shrine is also called “Gozu Tenno Shrine”. Suga Shrine holds “Gion Festival” on July 14 to 21 every year, 25 mikoshi including one massive one that weighs in at 2 tons are carried through the city in “Mikoshi Wataru” on July 20.   According to “Shimotsuke Province Choreography(下野国誌)” written in Edo period, Suga Shrine’s “Gion Festival” is the “best Gion Festival in Shimotsuke Province.”

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Tochigi Flower Center

Tochigi Flower Center

The Tochigi Flower Center is located at the base of Mt. Mikamosan Park. Come enjoy a variety of flowers in a large flower bed shaped like six flower petals as well as the largest greenhouse in the country. The center plans a variety of exhibitions based on the season and also offers horticultural advice. Their permanent exhibits include flowers, fruits, and plants of the tropics and subtropics as well as strange, bizarre, and rare plants from around the world such as welwitschia mirabilis. Events are held showing off seasonal flowers."

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Ryumon Falls

Ryumon Falls

Near by the Nasukarasuyama City, Ryumon Falls is a large-scale waterfall that it is about 20-meter-high and 65-meter-wide. Halfway down the fall are two vertical holes called Ogama ("Male Cauldron") and Megama ("Female Cauldron"). Ogama has a diameter of 4 meters and Megama 2 meters. Due to the angle of the photo, you can see JR Karasuyama Line’s train through pass the Ryumon Falls. The cherry blossoms in the spring, the maple leaves in the fall, and the snow in the winter, along with the passing trams, make for a miraculously beautiful photo! Right next to the Ryumon Furusato Mingeikan is a path where you can walk to get a close-up view of the Ryumon falls.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI