Setsubun Season – Celebrating with “Oni” from Around the World to Pray for Good Fortune and Drive Away Evil The Kinugawa Onsen “Oni” Festival (Shōfuku Oni Matsuri) is a winter celebration that combines the “Oni” in Kinugawa’s name with Japan’s Setsubun traditions. Held annually from late January to late February, the entire Kinugawa Onsen area becomes a festive stage where people and “oni” dance together to bring good luck and ward off evil. With the theme “Demons of the World Gather in Kinugawa – Humans and Oni Join in Festive Exorcism,” the event is both a blessing ceremony and a lively, family-friendly celebration. One of the highlights is the “SL Shōfuku Oni Train,” where participants dressed as oni ride a steam locomotive and interact with adorable local mascot characters like “Kinuta,” “Kinu-chan,” and “Kawa-chan.” Visitors can also enjoy taiko drum performances, monkey shows, chainsaw wood carving, demon-themed food, cultural experiences, and stamp rally games. It’s one of Kinugawa’s most vibrant seasonal events during the Setsubun period.

The Usuzumi Zakura of Neo, the Jindaizakura of Yamataka, and the Miharu Takizakura are known as Japan’s Three Great Cherry Trees. These, along with the Ishiwari Zakura of Morioka, the Kosonju tree, and others, are all gathered at Tenpyo-no-Oka Park. From late March, when the Usuzumi Zakura begins to bloom, until late April, when the double cherry blossoms reach their peak, visitors can enjoy breathtaking cherry blossoms blooming throughout the park for an entire month. In addition to stalls run by local vendors, the festival features stage performances such as enka singing shows, appearances by manga characters, and rides on the “Shōnen Ressha” road train, making it a perfect spot for a family outing. The park also has a charming café called “10 Picnic Tables,” converted from an old farmhouse, offering a retro yet artsy atmosphere that contrasts with the main stage area. Visitors can enjoy delicious food while relaxing in a scenic, laid-back setting. Be sure to visit Tenpyo-no-Oka Park and experience the magic of cherry blossoms in full bloom.

One of Japan's top 100 urban parks, the famous azalea viewing place in Kanto City, North Kanto City, about 5,000 azaleas in full bloom here, and every year in May will be held “azalea festival”, swarming with many people.   From early April to mid-May (the peak season for cherry blossoms and azaleas), the park is illuminated at night, and the dreamlike flower scene makes people linger.   There are also lawn parks and amusement facilities in the park, which are suitable for family picnics. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Takahara and Mt. Nikko from the observatory in the park.  

Coffee House yukon is located about 4 minutes walk from Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel. It is a store directly managed by Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel, and it is attractive for its location overlooking Lake Chuzenji. You can enjoy dishes such as the Kanaya Hotel Hundred Year Rice Curry, recreated from the hotel's Taisho era recipe. It's recommended for lunch and tea time. Takeout menu is also available, perfect for accompanying your exploration of Oku-Nikko.

Originally built in the early Showa period, this traditional Japanese kura (storehouse) and barn were transformed into a warm and inviting guesthouse through extensive renovations in 2023, designed to comfortably accommodate up to two families (up to 8 guests). While preserving the nostalgic charm of the original architecture, we’ve thoughtfully modernized the facilities, adding two fully equipped bathrooms and kitchens to ensure a spacious and comfortable stay for our international guests. After relocating from Tokyo to embrace a sustainable lifestyle, we now cultivate organic, pesticide-free vegetables that we’re delighted to share with our guests. Set on a sprawling 2000-square-meter garden, the property invites you to enjoy open-air activities: play with our two friendly rescue dogs, explore the grounds, catch insects, or savor a barbecue amidst nature’s beauty. This is a space where modern comfort meets rustic tradition, offering a tranquil countryside retreat.

At Nasu Farm Village, you can spend some relaxing time with horses. It offers programs such as the Horse Trekking Program that even beginners can enjoy and the Horse Therapy Program to befriend a horse. Children and people who are still not quite ready to ride a horse can join this program with peace of mind. The restaurant offers the chef’s special lunch boxes featuring seasonal vegetables harvested on the farm. *Guidance for horseback riding is provided in Japanese. For safety reasons, you may only ride a horse if you understand Japanese or if you have an interpreter to explain the instructions for you.

The hotel stands quietly on the hill of a hot spring resort town against the backdrop of mountains that change colors each season. It is an eight-minute-walk from Kinugawa-onsen Station and features a superb Japanese garden. Enjoy the seasonal multi-course kaiseki meal and relax in five uniquely designed private open-air baths. Free yourself from daily stress and indulge yourself in slow and luxurious time. The hotel offers the Wellness Escape Plan for one group a day. To ensure high-quality time to rest, the plan includes a high-end air purifier in the guest room, morning activities with an instructor, and breakfast featuring tasty rice porridge that is gentle on the stomach and intestines. Why don’t you plan a trip to improve your health from the inside out with hot springs, activities, and meals? *Reservation for the Wellness Escape Plan is accepted only through the official hotel website. 【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.

Kinugawa Country Club, designed by the master golfer Torakichi Nakamura, opened in August 1959 in the scenic site along the clear waters of the Kinu River overlooking the Nikko Mountain Range. This course with a long history has been designed to allow all golfers, from beginners to advanced players, to have fun but at the same time play a round aggressively and strategically. At the clubhouse, you can enjoy the natural hot spring and tasty meals prepared with locally produced ingredients. Why don’t you spend a relaxing time while golfing with your family or friends at this golf course with tradition and a hot spring?

Rengetsu stands at the base of the untouched Shiobara Valley with its 30-meter drop. The sound of the stream, comfortable breeze, and panoramic views of the beautiful valley that changes with the season surround Rengetsu to create the finest, out-of-the-ordinary experience. All guest rooms come with a tub filled with natural hot spring water and a view of the beautiful valley. Take your time to fully relax and enjoy our famous “skin beautifying hot spring,” which has a wide variety of health benefits. Rengetsu also features an open-air hot spring bath surrounded by nature, a spacious large indoor bath, and three elaborate private open-air hot spring baths. For dinner, you will be served a kaiseki multi-course meal featuring various local foods and tastes. All these dishes are carefully prepared for your fullest satisfaction using seasonal ingredients that entertain both your eyes and taste buds. Rengetsu also offers the Golf Plan where you can enjoy your stay and golfing at a nearby golf course. 【About the hot spring】 Water color: clear Spring water type: chloride spring water Efficacy: alleviates nerve pains, rheumatism, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue Note: there are private open-air hot spring baths (first-come-first-served basis and no reservation needed)

This public hot spring facility in Kinugawa Park is popular with tourists and locals alike. It features men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor baths where visitors enjoy its soft alkaline water. It’s spacious and airy outdoor stone bath lets guests luxuriate while taking in bird song and the seasonal scenery. There is also a restaurant and a lounge for guests to unwind after the bath."

The Local History Exhibition and Reference Room displays valuable artifacts related to the history and culture of Kanuma City, including the carved floats that are the pride of Kanuma City. In the Carved Floats Exhibition Room, there are two carved floats on display which are used in the Kanuma Imamiya Shrine Festival Yatai Event. They are UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

This day-trip hot spring facility is located at the foot of Kawasaki Castle Ruins. Abundant hot water gushes from the spring, and guests can unwind in the spacious open-air and public baths. At the regular open-air bath, guests can also enjoy various seasonal bath variations, including the "iris leaves bath", "apple bath", and "lemon bath". There is a campsite and a mountain bike track on the premises, and fat bikes (bicyles with thick tires for mountain trails) are also available for rental. After an active day, visitors can relax in the hot spring.

Find fabulous goodies in a popular fashion district that is home to famous cafes, flower shops, jewelry and accessories shops, knitting shops, leather studios, and more.

This log cabin-style hotel stands amidst the Mizunara oak trees on the shores of Lake Chuzenji. All rooms have a balcony or wooden deck, allowing you to enjoy the natural surroundings of Lake Chuzenji while feeling the seasons. In the dining room, you can enjoy French cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, all while gazing at the Mizunara trees. The hot spring is also surrounded by beautiful nature in every season, and is a proud open-air bath called "Sora-buro." You can enjoy a fantastic atmosphere as you gaze upon the morning sun filtering through the trees and the star-filled sky at night. This is a hotel where you can luxuriously enjoy the charm of the natural surroundings of Nikko National Park. [About the hot spring] Water color: Milky white Spring quality: Sulfur spring Effective: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, bruises, chronic digestive diseases, poor circulation, fatigue recovery, etc.

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."

It is an operating open surface quarry of Oya stone. Next to the quarry are a stone processing plant， a stone waste dump and the mountain owner’s residence and office. You can see a flow of stone-quarrying here and make homemade pizzas in Oya stone， wood-fired pizza ovens. You can also take home a bag of Oya stone in an original KANEHON bag. Plus， there is an exclusive offer of Oya stone outlet items and Isseki series by Oya stone craftsman “Takumi” for tour guests only."

Hagurosan Jinja Shrine is a shrine built on the peak of the 458m high Mt. Hagurosan and provides a great view. To the side of the stone steps leading to the main shrine are the 450 year old “meoto sugi” or “married couple cedars” which are popular as trees which help build romantic relationships. The Bonten Festival is held at the shrine in November of each year. The scene of young people carrying the 17m bonten up the path to the shrine is overwhelming."