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Kanuma soba Nira soba

Kanuma soba Nira soba

Kanuma's native species of brown buckwheat has characteristically small seeds with a relatively thick, aroma-rich hull. Grown to full ripeness in Kanuma’s large, rainy forests, it has a profound flavor. Kanuma soba is prepared using locally-sourced water and buckwheat flour, giving it a unique sweetness and aroma that are popular among its fans. Soba is a staple food in Kanuma, and nira soba was born out of the local tradition of using nira (garlic chives) to both add volume to and spice up their soba.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nikko Waraku Odori

Nikko Waraku Odori

"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.

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Nikko Hanaichimonme

Nikko Hanaichimonme

This botanical garden is one of the largest north of the Kanto area. Its more than 13,000 square meter grounds blossom all year long with flowers representing around 600 varieties in some 8,000 planters. The garden also has a restaurant offering items such as its original begonia soft-serve ice cream. The flower-covered walls and ceilings of the restaurant create a space that has captured the imaginations of many of the park's visitors. ■Strawberry picking     Adult(Elementary School Students~) 4-6 years of age  mid-Dec. 〜Mar. 2,200yen 1,700 yen Apr.〜early May 2,000 yen 1,500 yen early May〜early Jun. 1,800 yen 1,300 yen "

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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.    

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Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine

Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine

The history of the Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine dates back 1,600 years when the shrine was dedicated to the founder of Utsunomiya,Toyoki-Irihiko-no-Mikoto. Most of the festivals held in the city are related to this historic shrine. Many people come to the shrine on special occasions such as New Year and Shichi-Go-San seasons. The illuminated gate and approach to the shrine are an incredible evening sight. The shrine is also home to some nationally important works of art.

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Tosho Onsen (Day-Use Hot Spring)

Tosho Onsen (Day-Use Hot Spring)

Tosho Onsen, located in Imaichi in Nikko City, is a popular day-use hot spring facility loved by both locals and visitors. The facility features an outdoor rotenburo designed like a Japanese garden, where you can enjoy a distant view of Mt. Nikko’s mountains. Indoor baths are equipped with handrails, ensuring a safe and relaxing soak for visitors of all ages. During the winter solstice, guests can experience a seasonal yuzu bath, said to promote circulation and keep the body warm. The spacious rest areas and on-site restaurant offer hearty local dishes such as charcoal-grilled chicken, making it an ideal spot to unwind both body and mind.

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nasu aroma Lab

nasu aroma Lab

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.

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Cottage Inn Restaurant & Bakery

Cottage Inn Restaurant & Bakery

Cottage Inn Restaurant & Bakery is a restaurant run by Kanaya Hotel Bakery, which is adjacent to the Kanaya Hotel History House. At the restaurant, you can enjoy a wide variety of combinations of bread from Kanaya Hotel Bakery and dishes prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients hand-picked by the chef. The popular Lunch Plate offers choices of Hamburger Stew Stuffed Bread, a hearty dish of oven-baked campagne bread stuffed with a hamburger steak cooked in a demiglace sauce topped with cheese, Sautéed Yume Pork with Ginger Sauce using the Yume Pork brand produced in Tochigi Prefecture, and Beef Stew, a year-round popular dish made with the chef’s original recipe. The restaurant also has the Kanaya Hotel Bakery Shop with a rich lineup of bread and sweets such as cookies.

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Kawamata Onsen

Kawamata Onsen

This Onsen rests alongside a verdant gorge carved out of rocks, where the roar of the Kinugawa River cuts through the stillness. Enjoy a splendid view of the gorge, beautiful mountains and great nature! Most of the inns located around the lake and along the valley have open-air baths (roten buro) and there are many scenic sites around the area. The Onsen welcomes many tourists during the seasons of fresh green foliage in mid-May, autumn colours in mid-October and “New Soba Festival” in November.

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Nikko-zan Rinno-ji Temple

Nikko-zan Rinno-ji Temple

The history of the Nikko-zan Rinno-Ji Temple started over 1250 years ago, when Shodo Shonin (Saint Shodo), who firstly served as the head priest of Nikko, founded the Shihonryuji Temple. Sanbutsudo Hall is one of the largest wooden architectures in Nikkosan, and houses Buddhist statues respectively symbolizing honchibutsu (original Buddhist divinity), of the holy three mountains in Nikko, such as Senju-Kannon (Kannon with a thousand arms: honchibutsu of Mt. Nantai), Amidanyorai (Amitabha Tathagata: honchibutsu of Mt. Nyoho), and Bato-Kannon (Kannon with a horse head: honchibutsu of Mt. Taro), are 8m tall.

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Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum

Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum

What is Yuki Tsumugi?Yuki Tsumugi is a traditional silk fabric originating from Oyama City in Tochigi Prefecture and Yuki City in Ibaraki Prefecture, with a history dating back to the Nara period. Once valued for its durability, it is now prized as a top-class handwoven silk for its light yet strong texture. Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft MuseumHonba Yuki Tsumugi is entirely handcrafted and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum is dedicated to promoting this traditional art and offers the following experiences: Craftsman Demonstrations: Watch up close as artisans spin silk threads and weave on looms. Hands-on Weaving Experience: Try your hand at weaving under staff guidance (advance reservation recommended). Kimono Experience: Select your favorite Yuki Tsumugi kimono pattern and stroll through the streets of Oyama (some accessories require an additional fee). Closed on Mondays and during the New Year holidays. Some activities require ID and advance booking.

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mekke Nikko Kyodo Center

mekke Nikko Kyodo Center

mekke is a base for “discovering” the charms of Nikko based on the theme of "feeling, connecting, and touring". Workshops that can only be experienced here, such as Nikko carving and deerskin leather crafting, are held from time to time. It also has a coworking space and community space, and is used as a place where tourists and local residents can easily connect with each other. Electric bicycles can be rented and baggage storage services are available, allowing visitors to tour Nikko in comfort. On the first floor, there is an exhibition space for Nikko's history and traditional performing arts, as well as a tourist information center, where you can freely pick up pamphlets to help you gather information for your trip. This is a new starting point for Nikko, where sightseeing, experience, and exchange are all connected in one place.

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Mt. Berry Oku-Nikko

Mt. Berry Oku-Nikko

Having a cool average temperature from summer to fall, Oku-nikko and Senjogahara have the perfect environment for growing sweet and tasty strawberries. Mt. Berry Oku-Nikko grows special strawberries using the blessing of grand nature, taking advantage of the climate, water, and soil, and carefully selected fertilizers. From July to October, they open their field for ‘Tenku no Kogen Ichigo’ picking. It’s an all-you-can-eat (although depending on the harvest situation) strawberry picking program featuring three breeds of strawberries: Natsuotome, the breed cultivated only in Tochigi Prefecture, Yotsuboshi, and Pechika Honoka, which made its debut in 2024. Taste the difference among Natsuotome having a good balance of sweetness and acidity, Yotsuboshi with strong sweetness and aroma, and Pechika Honoka boasting its top-class sweetness among all summer-fall strawberries. Since you need a reservation and they accept only a small number of people at a time, you can enjoy picking strawberries in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Hotel Hana-an

Hotel Hana-an

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.

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Kanahan Ryokan and Tochigi-Edo Cuisine

Kanahan Ryokan and Tochigi-Edo Cuisine

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.

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