With the Nikko Mountain Range, the Nasu Mountain Range, and Mount Yamizo, Tochigi is a mountainous prefecture with many sources of fresh water. Pure water is said to be the "life of sake making," and many delicious sakes are created here.   We would love for visitors to Kinugawa Onsen to sample our excellent local sake. That's why, on weekends during the spring, Kinugawa and Kawaji Onsen Tourist Information Center will be holding a sake tasting event.   Please feel free to drop by for a quick drink after arriving in Kinugawa Onsen or while you wait for your train home. Don't miss this opportunity to savor local sake made with the utmost care by master brewers.   *Event period, time, and contents are subject to change without notice.

“Washi-no-Sato” is a Washi papermaking factory in the mountain village of Nasu-Karasuyama. Washi is traditional Japanese hand-made paper increasingly attracting the attention of people abroad. “Karasuyama Washi” has a history dating back 1，200 years in Tochigi. Come to our workshops to learn about the traditional craftsmanship and make your own sheet of Washi paper!

Roadside Station Mashiko(Michi-no-Eki Mashiko)  is a roadside station offering fresh local produce and local products and crafts at the “Mashiko-no-Marche” as well as reasonably-priced lunches with freshly picked vegetables at the “Mashiko-no-Gohan” restaurant. The information centre “Concierge” provides information on tourism， special exhibitions and workshops， along with advice on moving to the town and booking rental space. Please find more information on their website.

This Onsen town on the northern shore of Lake Chuzenji， situated 1,250 metres above sea level.The town is popular as a summer resort and as a place of scenic beauty for autumn leaves. Chuzenji Onsen is drawn from Nikko Yumoto Onsen, 12 kilometers away. At Yumoto Onsen the water is 78° C, but it cools down to a more comfortable temperature by the time it reaches Chuzenji Onsen.The town is close to the Kegon falls and offers beautiful seasonal scenery.

The Yamaage Festival is one of Japan's most unique festivals，a dazzling outdoor kabuki dance performance that has been carried on is the Karasuyama area since olden times.The festival was first held about 460 years ago by the ruler of Karasuyama Castle，Lord Suketane Nasu，to pray for peace over the land and dispel the plague that had been threatening his domain. The yama or "mountain" in the festival's name refers to the backdrops used in the performances.Handmade washi paper，a apecialty of the region，is pasted onto a bamboo frame and painted to look like mountains and waterfalls.Some of these "mountains" even reach 10 meters in height.Not only the dynamic kabuki and dances performed in front of these backdrops，but also the coordination and teamwork of the young male performers that form the heart of the festival are a sight to behold.In addition，it was enrolled in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December，2016.

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.

From popular sweets to outdoor activities — a delicious and relaxing stop on your hot spring tripKinugawa Okashino Shiro is a multi-purpose tourist facility that combines Japanese and Western sweets, cafés, and hands-on experiences. Inside, more than 30 varieties of handmade sweets are available, including seasonal fried bread, natural shaved ice, and other popular items, making it the perfect spot to buy souvenirs or enjoy sweet treats. The facility also includes “KINU COFFEE” café and “FUN GARDEN” outdoor space, where you can enjoy freshly grilled skewers, cakes, barbecues, and seasonal activities. Visitors can even take part in a dorayaki (red bean pancake) making workshop, adding an enjoyable hands-on element to the trip.

A fragrant gift from Nasu. “NASU NOTE” captures the memories of nature in scent. The whispering sounds of the Nasu forest, the scent of trees swaying in the wind. Each of these memories remains gently in our hearts. The branches and leaves of Yamizo cedar, which had previously been little used, and the plants nurtured by the rich nature of Nasu. The fresh, deep, and soothing woody notes of coniferous trees blend together, while the soft, sweet scent of freshly picked herbs spreads, and the carefully distilled citrus peel creates a calming aroma. This is a small experimental workshop where we create “natural scents” born from sustainable cycles, along with the experience of aromatic distilled water.   Experience Times 10:00-10:30 Aroma Craft Making 10:30-12:00 Aroma Distillation Experience and Aroma Craft Making 12:00-13:00 Distillery, Herb Garden, and Forest Bathing Guided Tour 14:00-14:30 Aroma Craft Making 14:30-16:00 Aromatic distillation experience and aroma craft making 16:00-17:00 Guided tour of the distillery, herb garden, and forest bathing area *Schedule as of July 2025.

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?

Located at the entrance to Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, Hotel Hana-an offers a serene retreat surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Lake Chuzenji, revered as a sacred place and beloved as a summer resort, transforms with the changing seasons. Designed with the concepts of "deep rest" and "quality time," our hotel provides a space where you can leisurely immerse yourself in the rich nature of Nikko. All rooms offer stunning seasonal views, while our cuisine features the freshest seasonal ingredients, and our hot springs boast different types of mineral-rich waters. Experience a truly relaxing stay that engages all your senses. In our rooms with private onsen, you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the comfort of your own space.   【About the Onsen】 Water color: 【Nikko Wanoshiro Onsen】 Clear 【Okunikko Yumoto Onsen】 Milky white Quality: 【Nikko Wanoshiro Onsen】 Simple alkaline spring 【Okunikko Yumoto Onsen】Sulfur spring Therapeutic effects: 【Nikko Wanoshiro Onsen】 Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, health promotion, sprains, strains, chronic digestive diseases, etc. 【Okunikko Yumoto Onsen】 Low back pain, stiff shoulders, muscle pain, neuralgia, skin diseases, diabetes, gynecological diseases, hypertension, fatigue recovery, etc.

Kanahan Ryokan, located in the heart of Tochigi City, opened during the An'ei era (1772–1781). Currently, the oldest building in this inn is the one built in 1918 to accommodate officers when they came to Tochigi for large-scale army training at Tochigi Junior High School (currently Tochigi Senior High School). Kan'in-no-miya family (a branch of the Imperial Family) later stayed in this building, too. There are traditional Japanese storehouses and architecture here and there throughout the inn, allowing visitors to have a relaxing stay in the nostalgic atmosphere. The inn has guestrooms for small groups like couples, as well as rooms in an annex perfect for accommodating large groups for a long stay. Experience the atmosphere of the Edo period through the old townscape and Tochi-Edo cuisine. Tochi-Edo cuisine consists of original dishes inspired by local meals and dishes from the Edo period reproduced using copies of recipes. Culinary creativity brings out the flavor of each ingredient to give a delightful surprise to those who are accustomed to the modern taste.

Ashikaga local gift shop / tourist information center welcomes you with a warm heart of Japanese hospitality “Omotenashi”. Best place to start your discoveries during your stay here. ■Tourist Information Tourist Information of Ashikaga is provided here ■Gifts Local Gifts and Ashikaga Brand products offered here ■Rest Area Coffee and other beverages are sold here. Good for a short break time ■Bicycle Rental Availability: 18 Bikes（11 of them are assisted with motor） Available Time：AM9:00 to PM4:00 Return：Must return by PM5:00 Price： Conventional Bike　400 yen for the first 3 hours（100yen for every additional hour） One Day use　800yen Motor Assist Bike　600yen for the first 3 hours（200yen for every additional hour） One Day use 1200yen ※Must show one piece of government issue ID before rental ※Reservation not accepted"

"Nikko Waraku Odori" (folk dance) started in 1913 to commemorate the visit of their Majesties: the Taisho Emperor and Empress to the Nikko Copper Refinery, which was known as the predecessor of the present Nikko Works of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.   It was the very first time that the Emperor visited a private plant. "Nikko Waraku Odori" started at the celebration after the visit. The plant workers were filled with so much emotion, that they started dancing spontaneously after carrying out such an important mission of welcoming their Majesties.   Since then, this folk dance has been loved by people in Tochigi for over 100 years.

This Shinto Ritual is held in June 1st every year in Sengen Mountain (“Otoko Sengen” and ”Onna Sengen”). It is said that if you bring a baby born during last 1 year and pay visit to the shrine on this mountain and red stamp is put on the baby’s forehead, the baby will grow up in good health without illness. This Shinto ritual has begun more than 400 years ago and has been designated as an important cultual prpperty of Ashikaga City. Boy visit Otoko Sengen (Higher Mountain) and Girl visit Onna Sengen (Lower Mountain) If you can not pay visit to the shrine due to illness, etc., red seal will be stamp on the baby’s underwear.

This pool complex features a 200-meter-long lazy river， two kiddy pools， a 25-meter practice pool， and four types of water slide. It is open every day from the third Saturday of July to August 31. The well-equipped complex features， a shop， a parking lot， and other facilities and sees large crowds in the summer."

Shoji Hamada was a potter and living national treasure. This memorial hall in Mashiko Town， Haga County， Tochigi Prefecture showcases his pottery collection. The facility consists of Hamada’s residence and a portion of his workshop. An exhibition hall， studio， his climbing kiln， and a seasonal flower garden are all open to the public."

The Nasu Teddy Bear Museum exhibits teddy bears created by 100 artists from all over the world in order to further cultivate teddy bear culture. The museum building is modeled after a British manor house. You’ll find a collection that includes “artist bears” based on artists from around the world, as well as antique bears and Teddy Edward, the teddy bear that has traveled the most around the world. There are also planned exhibitions. The teddy bear museum features the works of Studio Ghibli into the museum as well as famous teddy bears. One of the museum highlights is the full-sized Cat Bus from My Neighbor Totoro. Unlike the Ghibli Museum that can only accommodate small children on the cat bus, even adult tourists can hop on and take pictures of this iconic bus. In addition, there’s a museum shop with a variety of teddy bear goods, as well as a tea room with teddy bear-themed menu items."

Ashikaga Fireworks Festival  that is climax of the Ashikaga Summer Festival is a traditional event that began in 1896. It is known as the "500,000 people's evening cool" because it proud Kanto's largest scale and is crowded with so many spectator from all Kanto area. Over 25,000 fireworks such as "Shakudama", "Shikake" fireworks are fired and Great Niagara and Star Mine are launched.