Greater Tokyo

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Daichuji Temple

Daichuji Temple

Daichuji Temple is a temple which is famous as the place where Uesugi Kenshin and Hojyo Ujiyasu made peace in 1568. This famous Buddhist temple's main gate is a rare example of ancient temple architecture. The grounds also include seven legendary "wonders": A hearth kept constantly lit to ward away a ghost; a set of stairs whose use is prohibited because they are said to bring bad luck; the "rootless" wisteria which grew from a cane; a well which is said to make the sound of horse hooves and neighing; a haunted toilet; a mountain to the east of the temple from which the sound of a wooden clapper can be heard by the head priest when danger threatens the temple; and a room where it is said that if you sleep in it, you will awaken lying in the opposite direction you fell asleep in. The history of the temple goes far beyond this however as it was originally built more than 800 years ago. The temple had the confidence of Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Edo period, and until the end of the Edo period was in a position of command as first among 3 leading temple at the head of the Soto sect. The temple is also home to a 200m path to the temple which is lined with hydrangeas and is spoken of in the Seven Wonders of the World and is also one of the "Tochigi Top 100 Scenic Places"."

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Ashikaga Orihime Shrine

Ashikaga Orihime Shrine

Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in June 2004, Ashikaga Orihime Shrine has long been worshipped as home to guardian deities of local industry and matchmaking.   The vermillion-lacquered shrine stands in beautiful contrast to the surrounding green forests. Located on the hillside, the shrine commands magnificent views of the city of Ashikaga and the Watarase River. On fine days,the view extends as far as the Kanto Plains and the Tokyo Skytree. The shrine is a starting point for a walking trail through the Prefectural Natural Park. The trail is popular for enjoying seasonal views and is suitable for children.   A large number of visitors come and enjoy music performances and local delicacies at the shrine during the grand spring festival in May and autumn festival in November. It has become a popular dating spot since being named a sacred place for lovers and one of the best night view locations in 2014.

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Nasu Senbonmatsu Ranch

Nasu Senbonmatsu Ranch

Nasu Senbonmatsu Ranch, located in Nasushiobara City, is a vast ranch with abundant nature. Visitors to the ranch can enjoy activities such as interacting with animals, cycling, horseback riding, and delicious meals made with locally produced products. The dairy products made from the high quality milk produced by the farm's careful attention to soil and grass cultivation are all excellent, and make excellent souvenirs. Visitors can also enjoy strawberry picking in winter and spring, and blueberry picking in summer.

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Nasu Kogen Rindo Lake Family Ranch

Nasu Kogen Rindo Lake Family Ranch

A leisure facility covers 300,000 square metres surrounded by abundant nature around a lake. The interactive farm especially delight children through the experiences such as feeding lovely animals, riding horses and milking cows by hands. Other popular attractions are pleasure boats viewing Nasu mountain ranges and park itself from the lake, the Swiss railway running alongside the lake and the nation’s longest “Zip Line” where you zip along a wire over the lake. Refresh yourself with ice creams and daily products made with Jersey milk for a break!

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Oku-Nikko Nature Guide Tour (Oku-Nikko Guest House JUN)

Oku-Nikko Nature Guide Tour (Oku-Nikko Guest House JUN)

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?

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Koundo Main Store

Koundo Main Store

Although officially founded in 1868, the name of this venerable confectionary shop can be found in documents from the late Edo period. Its most famous offering is its Koin Monaka. These monaka (bean jam-filled wafer cakes) feature a motif inspired by the ancient official seals (Koin) of the Ashikaga Clan. Other popular items include its Koin Senbei (rice crackers), Takauji Senbei and Takauji (Dorayaki, bean jam filled pancake) , the latter of which was inspired by the character of the Ashikaga Takauji, the first Ashikaga shogun. Another popular item is their Monaka Gokko, which allows you to enjoy the classic flavor of monaka in a casual "make it yourself" style."

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Sanbonmatsu Chaya

Sanbonmatsu Chaya

For over 100 years since its foundation, Sanbonmatsu Chaya has been a rest area for people who travel to, from, and through Oku-nikko. Please drop by for a rest during your trip. The restaurant serves homemade dishes using a lot of local ingredients, and the souvenir shop has a line up of items that you can buy only at Sanbonmatsu Chaya! They also offer a dessert making workshop (from around August through October): You will first harvest strawberries at Mt. Berry Okunikko in Senjogahara and then make sweets at Sanbonmatsu Chaya. You can make a reservation a week before, but they recommend you do so as early as possible. If there is a vacancy, you can even reserve your spot on the same day. Please enjoy making a dessert you like!

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Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji is the largest lake in Tochigi, framed by 25 kilometres of incredible nature. The area used to be a popular summer resort for foreigners in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The villas of French and Belgian embassies can still be found here. You can enjoy seasonal charms by the lake. Walking trails surround the water’s edge and there is an excursion boat available on the lake. The views from the lake are spectacular, particularly when the cherry blossoms or azaleas are blooming or when the autumn leaves are turning. The “Koyo-meguri” tour, enjoying autumn leaves reflecting on the lake, is highly recommended.

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Wakayama Farm – Bamboo Winter Lights

Wakayama Farm – Bamboo Winter Lights

Step into a world of light and shadowsEvery winter evening, Wakayama Farm in Utsunomiya transforms into a fantastical landscape adorned with glowing illuminations for the seasonal event Bamboo Winter Lights. This farm, which offers experiences in every season, becomes even more enchanting in winter evenings, when the entire bamboo grove is bathed in dreamlike lights, guiding visitors into a world like something out of a fairytale. As night falls, the lush green bamboo grove glows warmly, with bamboo lanterns and lights illuminating the paths. The scene, accompanied by music, blends nature and art to create a mystical atmosphere that is both inspiring and deeply moving. The event is perfect not only for couples but also for families, and it’s a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. The fusion of new illuminations and the timeless bamboo forest creates a captivating spectacle, making this one of the best seasonal nighttime attractions. On crisp winter nights, a stroll through Wakayama Farm’s bamboo grove offers a romantic and unforgettable experience, where the quiet beauty of bamboo meets the brilliance of light.

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NIKKO KANAYA HOTEL

NIKKO KANAYA HOTEL

Opened in 1873, this is Japan's oldest resort hotel and has been visited by many famous people, including Albert Einstein, Charles Lindbergh, and Helen Keller. While the exterior is Western-style, the interior incorporates Japanese furnishings and architectural styles throughout, creating a mysteriously nostalgic and gentle atmosphere. The unique guest rooms, which have been used by many famous people, create an extraordinary moment as if you have traveled back in time. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, and serves dishes that combine tradition and innovation. The hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the World Heritage Site, “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”, including Nikko Toshogu Shrine, making it an ideal hotel for early morning sightseeing to avoid the crowds.

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Nikko Senhime Monogatari

Nikko Senhime Monogatari

At Nikko Senhime Monogatari, you can enjoy the view of Nikko’s nature from the guest rooms. The view is spectacular: mountains turn light green in spring, cool breezes sweep across the river in summer, an explosion of yellow and red creates a beautiful mountain view in fall, and the view of the mountains and river as if covered by a snow-white wedding dress brings you peace of mind in winter. Guest rooms are designed with a taste of traditional Japanese beauty. There are Japanese-style twin rooms with a bath that is half open-air and half indoor, from which you can enjoy a view that changes with the season. (Baths in guest rooms are not hot spring baths). The communal baths use Nikko hot spring water from this area. Nikko hot spring water is clear, alkaline, and gentle on the skin, alleviates stiff shoulders and nerve pain, and beautifies skin. It is the perfect hot spring to heal the body after a day of enjoying walking around Nikko. 【About the hot spring】 Water color: clear Spring water type: simple alkaline spring water Efficacy: alleviates stiff shoulders, nerve pain, sprains, sore muscles, sleeplessness, etc.

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