Greater Tokyo

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KANAYA KASHI HONPO

KANAYA KASHI HONPO

Kanaya Kashi Honpo is a gift shop and café operated by a long-established Japanese hotel. The product lineup includes cookies, based on an original recipe that combines Japanese and Western flavors, and baked confectionery such as pies. The signature Biscuit Series (Cookies) has three variations: Cheese Biscuits (Pastel), Sansho Pepper Biscuits (Loire), and Maple Caramel Biscuits. All of them are carefully made at a factory directly managed by the Kanaya Resorts group. The shop has a modern Japanese style café with the interior design emphasizing wood grains. During the lunch hours, you can casually enjoy the taste of hotel restaurants. Japanese-Style Beef Stew over Rice is a carefully crafted dish using miso and soy sauce produced in Tochigi and is the traditional menu item of the long-established Japanese-style hotel, Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel. Roast Beef Plate is a dish that generously uses sirloin beef, the signature ingredient used at Kinugawa Onsen Hotel. Kanaya Kashi Honpo is the perfect place for taking a break or buying souvenirs during a trip.

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Okabe Memorial Hall Kinrinso

Okabe Memorial Hall Kinrinso

Okabe Memorial Museum "Kinrinso" has a circular Japanese garden and is surrounded by a stone wall made of local Isoyama stone (no longer produced).   The building was constructed in the middle of the Meiji period by Kyushiro Okabe, who collected building materials over a period of many years and trained carpenters and joiners in Tokyo for three years. The two-story wooden structure is a fireproof storehouse.   The interior is characterized by the use of ebony, ebony, and ironwood for all the alcove sections. Many of the paintings, calligraphies, and antiques in the interior are by authors closely associated with the region.   It was used as a villa of the Okabe family until 1952, as a venue for entertaining related parties and for displaying draperies. After that, it was used as a kappo restaurant "Kinrinso" until June 1988. In August of the same year, the city rented the building and decided to preserve it as the Okabe Memorial Museum "Kinrinso" in order to pass it on to future generations as a historical and cultural heritage of 100 years of Moka City's modern era.   It was designated as Tochigi Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property (building) on January 14, 2000, and together with the buildings of the Bussan Kaikan and Cotton Studio (now Cotton Hall), was donated to Moka City by the Okabe family in January 2001.  

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Setsubun Armor Year-cross in Ashikaga

Setsubun Armor Year-cross in Ashikaga

What is Setsubun Armor Year-cross? Every year’s February 3 is “Setsubun” festival in Japan, symbolling the end of the winter. On this day, Ashikaga City holds “Armor Year-cross” event, over 200 people would dress as samurai to join the event. The parade walk to Bannaji Temple from Orihime Community Center. People celebrate their victory when they arrived at Bannaji Temple, and pray for city’s prosperity. History of Setsubun Armor Year-cross Back to the Kamakura period about 750 years ago, a powerful samurai called Ashikaga Yasuuji led 500 samurai to assemble at Bannaji Temple, the residence of Ashikaga Family, in order to honor their family. 120 years later, his descendant, Ashikaga Takauji, became the Shougun of Japan and created the Muromachi period. This event was closed in the late Edo and Meiji eras, but in 1915 (Taisho 4) it was restarted by a group of fiber workers. Ashikaga City has samurai armor and kimonos for visitors to try on.

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Bijin Benten (Akashi Benten, Itsukushima Shrine)

Bijin Benten (Akashi Benten, Itsukushima Shrine)

It was erected in Kansei 5 (1793), and before the Meiji Restoration (Meiji Ishin), it was known as the Akashi Benten Hokora. In the past, there was a pond where Kiyomizu (Pure water) springs in this village, and it is said that she worshiped as a god closely related to the water. "Bijin (Beautiful Woman) Benten" is an alter ego of Ichikishimahime, a Enshrined deities of Itsukushima Shrine. 【Issuing a "Bijin (Beautiful Woman) Certificate"! * Fee Charging】 "Bijin (Beautiful Woman) Certificate" is a charm that issued by Honjyo Itsukushima Shrine (Bijin Benten) that certifies "Beauty". "Beauty" for "Bijin Benten" protects and proves the "kindness of women's hearts" that all women have, not the beauty of appearance."

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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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Nikko Kirifuri Highland Ozasa Farm

Nikko Kirifuri Highland Ozasa Farm

This dairy farm, located inside Nikko National Park at an altitude of1,030 to 1,300 meters, Ozasa Farm offers a great view of the Kanto Plain. Animals and people living in the farm enjoy quiet, tranquil surroundings amidst great natural beauty. Visitors can not only interact with horses, goats and sheep, but also try to make ice cream and butter at their workshops. Other activities include horse riding and camping facilities at a nearby site."

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Okashi-no-Shiro Nasu Heartland

Okashi-no-Shiro Nasu Heartland

Okashi-no-Shiro Nasu Heartland (Sweets Castle Nasu Heartland) is a confectionery studio that produces baked goods and cakes using the finest ingredients. There is a tour space where visitors can see the confectionery production process up close. There are also other hands-on facilities such as crafts, strawberry picking, and hot spring bathing facilities.   <Nasu Kogen Ichigo no Mori Strawberry Picking Farm> From December to May every year, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberry picking for 30 minutes. The varieties are "Tochiotome" and "Tochiaika". (Selection required) Enjoy the sweet and juicy strawberries that are in season in winter to your heart's content.   <Nasu Hana to Taiken no Mori (Nasu Flower and Experience Forest)> In addition to being able to experience crafts such as making wreaths and herbariums, there are many other experiences available, such as a sweets-making experience that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, and a walking trail where you can enjoy forest bathing.   <Gensen Nasu Zan Reiwa no Yu (Source Hot Spring)> This is a day-trip bathing facility built in the style of a Japanese house. The spring water is a chloride hot spring, which is gentle on the skin and warms both the body and soul from the core.

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Musasabi Bridge

Musasabi Bridge

One of the most popular photo spots along the Ryuo Gorge hiking trail Musasabi Bridge is located along the mid-section of the Ryuo Gorge hiking trail in Nikko National Park, and is one of the suspension bridges connecting both sides of the gorge. The geology here belongs to “Hakuryu Gorge,” with the valley below the bridge formed of rhyolite. On both sides lies a well-preserved wetland ecosystem, where skunk cabbage blooms in spring, and in summer visitors can observe the rare forest green tree frog. Compared with Nijimi Bridge at the starting point, the area around Musasabi Bridge feels quieter and closer to nature. Standing on the bridge, away from the crowds, you can listen to the murmuring flow of the Kinugawa River and the rustling of leaves in the breeze—a perfect spot to calm your mind during the hike. Continuing upward from here, you can reach the Seiryu Gorge section, known for its unique rock formations, and enjoy many famous geological sights. It is a hiking journey that combines nature, geology, and tranquil moments.

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Kurobane Furusato Bussan Center Restaurant

Kurobane Furusato Bussan Center Restaurant

A traditional Japanese house built over 170 years ago has been relocated to the Kurobane Furusato Bussan Center. This building with a thatched roof houses Kurashi no Yakata and a restaurant. At the restaurant, ‘Oroshi Soba ― Yamizo Asagiri hand-picked soba ―’ is one of the popular menu items made with locally produced buckwheat flour. Adjacent to the restaurant is the Bussan Center. There, you can buy delicious vegetables produced by local farmers and steamed buns made with love. They also sell additive-free homemade miso called Ginjo Ichinen Miso. It is popular because miso soup made with this miso in the morning stays tasty until night.

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Nikkozan Yumoto Onsenji Temple “16-Character SHAKYO or SHABUTSU (Copying Buddha’s picture) Experience”

Nikkozan Yumoto Onsenji Temple “16-Character SHAKYO or SHABUTSU (Copying Buddha’s picture) Experience”

"Nikkozan Yumoto Onsenji Temple" is a branch temple of the world heritage site "Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple". Its history dates back to 788 when Shodo Shonin, the founder of mountain worship in Nikko, discovered a hot spring and enshrined Yakushirurikou-nyorai (the Buddha of healing) to alleviate suffering. Since the Meiji era, it has been known as a hot spring resort for common people seeking recovery and longevity.   While traditional sutra copying or Buddha tracing involves transcribing the entire sutra or drawing the entire image, Onsenji Temple offers original templates designed to be completed in approximately 15-20 minutes. For the Onsenji 16-character sutra copying, you will trace a section of the Yakushi Sutra written in light ink using a brush pen. For Buddhist image copying, you will trace the outline of a Buddha drawn in light ink using a brush pen.   Both practices allow individuals to connect with the Buddha, receiving their blessings and promoting mental and physical relaxation. The time spent engaging in sutra copying and Buddha tracing, fostering a deeper connection with the Buddha and oneself, is truly invaluable. As a token of your experience, participants who complete sutra copying or Buddha tracing and offer their work will receive a special temple stamp. Note: Brush pens are available for rental.   【About the Hot Spring】 Color of the hot spring water: Milky white Note: The source water is colorless, it turns milky white due to oxidation. * Be cautious as the colorless spring water is very hot. Quality of spring water: Sulfate and hydrogen carbonate hot spring. Therapeutic effects: Cuts, cold extremities, fatigue recovery, and more. Caution: Shampoo and body soap are not provided. Please bring your own if necessary.

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Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival

Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival

  Utsunomiya is famous throughout Japan for its gyoza, and so it’s only fitting that an annual festival to the fried dumplings would be held in the city. The Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival has been held at the beginning of November since 1999, with members of the Utsunomiya Gyoza Committee setting up stalls to sell their famous dumplings.   Visitors will be able to enjoy the subtle differences of dozens of dumplings as well as fill empty stomachs at a low cost: A three to five piece portion of gyōza, whether fried, boiled or steamed, will cost just 200 yen.   During the two days of festivities, visitors can also watch music bands and comedians at Miyajazz Inn, or see other live concerts at nearby venues.

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Mamada Hachimangu Shrine

Mamada Hachimangu Shrine

Mamada Hachimangu Shrine is said to have been founded as far back as nearly 1200 years ago during the years of the Tenpyo Era.On Children's Day on May 5 every year, the "Jya Matsuri" (Snake Festival), which is a Tochigi Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, is held and enjoyed by a great many people. In the spring cherry trees blossom and ceremonial sumo matches are held in September, as well as a variety of other events making the shrine very popular. The shrine's dohyo was also the filming location for “Thermae Romae II”."

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Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts

Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts

The Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1972 as one of the first public museums of modern and contemporary art in Japan. Kiyoshi KAWASAKI designed the museum architecture including the collection galleries built in 1981. This art museum's collection spans local and domestic artists as well as works from western Europe, and their 9,000-piece collection includes examples of paintings, woodblock prints, illustrations, photographs, and handicrafts. In the Meissen Porcelain Collection Room, around 100 works are displayed. The exhibits from the best collection of Meissen porcelain in Japan are rotated about 4 times annually."

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