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Mamada Jaga Maita

Mamada Jaga Maita

There is a strange festival which conveys faith in the dragon god called ""Mamada-no Jaga Maita (popularly known as the ""Snake Demon Festival"" that is designated as a national important intangible folk culture asset in Mamada. This event is held before the rice planting to pray to the gods and Buddha for moderate winds, as well as a bumper harvest and the elimination of plagues.   ""Jaga Maita, Jaga Maita, Jaga Maita of April 8!"" These yells echo around the town on the day of the event. This event features 15-meter dragon-head and snake-body animals decorated with fern leaves on the snake body made from bamboo and straw also paraded around the town.   The seven snakes of each district first gather at Mamada Hachimangu Shrine. The snake gathering and purification rites ceremony then takes place. After that, the water of Benten Pond is drunk to the heart's content of the participants before they go around the town again.   This festival was once held on April 8 in Japan's old calendar. However, because the bearers of the event are children of junior high school age and younger, it is now held on May 5 (Children's Day) when the schools are closed.

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Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum of Art (Batoh)

Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum of Art (Batoh)

A museum dedicated to the works of Hiroshige Utagawa, an Ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period. You can get a glimpse of Japanese culture of the 19th century through his original drawings and Hanga (woodblock prints). The entire museum is made of local cedar and washi (handcrafted paper) designed by the global architect, Kengo Kuma, with a concept of “the traditional and serene appearance that expresses the artistry and tradition of Hiroshige”. Many visitors also come here to study design.

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Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Utsunomiya

Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Utsunomiya

The hotel is located in a quiet countryside area just outside the city centre. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can spend a relaxing time while enjoying the natural scenery that is so typical of Japan. Next to the hotel is the roadside station "Utsunomiya Romantic-mura" where you can enjoy local products and local delicacies such as Utsunomiya Gyoza®, and enjoy shopping and dining. The roadside station also has a natural hot spring and a heated pool, so you can relax and refresh after your trip. Nearby tourist spots include the "Oya History Museum," with its underground temple-like space, and the "Wakayama Farm Bamboo Forest," with its vast bamboo forest as far as the eye can see. With easy access to Nikko, this hotel is the perfect base for sightseeing.

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Ryumon Folk Crafts Museum

Ryumon Folk Crafts Museum

The Ryumon Folk Crafts Museum is located near the Ryumon Falls, and the observation deck attached to the museum is the best place to see the magnificent view of the falls. In addition to displaying dragons, the museum also features animations of local folk tales and legends, and sells souvenirs from Nasukarasuyama City.   On the way to Ryumon Falls from the Ryumon Folk Crafts Museum, there is an excellent hiking trail, so you can follow it all the way to the bottom of the waterfall and experience the rapid flow of the waterfall from a close distance. The most famous feature of Ryumon Falls is the spectacle of the tram passing over the falls, and with the changes in the natural scenery during the four seasons, the composition of the tram and the waterfalls has become a famous location for photographers and railroad fans. The museum shares the estimated time when the train passes over the waterfall, so please come and take some rare and beautiful photos! *Please remember to stay safe when taking photos.  

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Yasaka Festival (Tenno Festival)

Yasaka Festival (Tenno Festival)

The Yasaka Festival, or more commonly as the Tenno Festival, is a festival held at Okoto Shrine where people go to pray for good health and to prevent the spread of illnesses during the summer.   Participants in the festival carry and parade a portable shrine called the “Great Tenno-sama,” which weighs approximately 1 ton.   Highlights of the festival include over ten stunning floats and mikoshi parading through the town, streets lined with stalls selling delicious food and unique crafts, and a grand gathering on the second night of the festival after 8PM. Here, all the mikoshi and floats come together for a spectacular display of traditional music and energetic performances.

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Takinoo Shrine

Takinoo Shrine

About a kilometer from Futarasan-jinja Shrine stands Takinoo-jinja Shrine, standing quietly amid the cedar trees. The atmospheric Takinoo-jinja is a popular place to pray for a successful marriage, pregnancy or birth, but people also come in search of more general luck. According to the legend, if you throw a coin through the small hole atop the torii gate at the entrance, you’ll be blessed with good fortune—but you only get three tries, so aim carefully."

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Nakagawa Aquatic Park

Nakagawa Aquatic Park

From the Nakagawa River, the best clear stream in the Kanto area, to rivers in the world (Amazon River), then to the Longing Sea (fish in coral reefs), are introduced in approx. 60 water tanks, in various sizes from small to large. The attraction of the river, which the sea does not have, is definitely the sunlight shining deep through the water. A large amount of sunlight is taken in at the aquatic park, recreating the scenic riverbed. As natural light shines through the water, the fish actively swim in the aquarium, which is an attractive part of this park which cannot be experienced at a marine aquarium. There are many interactive areas as well, including touching tanks where visitors can encounter crayfish and starfish directly."

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shiobara viva

shiobara viva

Your Guide, Ann who has traveled to 30 countries,leads a "Satoyama Experience of Healing and Smiles." Tour the mountains, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, and literary sites of Nasushiobara, experiencing the region's unique stories and natural beauty. Small group sizes ensure beginners and families can participate comfortably.Themes change seasonally, offering farming, Satoyama lunches, snack making, hot springs, and cultural experiences, allowing everyone to enjoy "time connecting people and nature."

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TERAYAMA KOSEN (Terayama Hot Spring)

TERAYAMA KOSEN (Terayama Hot Spring)

Toji-ba is a place where people stay for extended periods to undergo therapeutic treatments using hot spring baths. In Japan, this has long been cherished as a traditional method of promoting health and wellness. "Terayama Hot Spring" is said to have healing powers for various ailments. The high-quality spring water, rich in iron, is known as the "Miracle Bath" and comes highly recommended even by medical professionals. When consumed, it is effective in treating anemia, gastrointestinal diseases, and constipation. When used for bathing, it improves blood circulation, promoting detoxification and relieving various types of pain. Furthermore, the meals at the inn are prepared with the intention of "eating healthy and safe food to become energized," and they use organic vegetables grown without pesticides and local wild mountain vegetables. Please visit according to your travel style, whether it's a day trip or an overnight stay.   【About the Hot Spring】 Water color: Reddish brown (after heating) Quality: Ferruginous spring Therapeutic effects: Drinking: Anemia, gastrointestinal diseases, constipation, etc. Bathing: Neuralgia, rheumatism, gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological diseases, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, etc.

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Kawaji Dam

Kawaji Dam

This dam is located along Prefectural Route 23 in Kawaji, Kawajionsen, Nikko City. Completed in 1983, the dam was built along the Kinu River for purposes such as flood control and irrigation. It is the fourth tallest concrete arch dam in Japan. It is considerable force at the time of drainage. At the Kawaji dam museum close to the damsite, it displays the topography model around the dam, a dam model, a construction tool. It has a dining room, the tea room."

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Emperor’s Room Memorial Park

Emperor’s Room Memorial Park

Emperor’s Memorial Park is a recreation of the former Shiobara Imperial Villa which was used as a summer resort for the imperial family. The villa was originally owned by Michitsune Mishima, the Governor of Tochigi Prefecture at that time, and was later offered to the Imperial Household Ministry in 1904. It was visited by Imperial family members including Emperors Meiji, Taisho and Showa and Princes Chichibu, Takamatsu and Mikasa. During the World War II, Princesses of Emperor Showa evacuated from Tokyo to this villa. After the war the villa was transferred to the Ministry of Welfare. Today, the Tenno-no-ma room, which was relocated to the current location in 1981, is open to the public with its beautiful garden. In the building there are a variety of materials that show the life of the Imperial household such as their stationeries, documents and photographs along with furnishings."

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Kinugawa Onsen

Kinugawa Onsen

Discovered more than 300 years ago, these venerable Onsen were open only to monks and daimyo samurai visiting Nikko at that time. Since opening to the public in late 19th century, the hot springs have had many visitors and developed into a great spa resort. The hot spring water is smooth and gentle on the skin with a light alkalinity, and is thought to help nerve pain and stiff shoulders, relieve tiredness and promote good health. There srounded many theme parks or sightseeing spots, and good place for the base to go sightseeing in Nikko.

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Koyasan Shingonsyu Kofukuji Temple

Koyasan Shingonsyu Kofukuji Temple

Kofukuji Temple in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, is a historic temple founded in 1460. For many years, it has been a beloved place of tranquility for local residents. The temple offers a variety of experiences, including traditional temple activities such as sutra copying and goma fire rituals, as well as more modern offerings like yoga (reservations are required) and lotus flower crafting. Everyone is welcome to participate. Despite its long history, Kofuku-ji Temple offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for those interested in experiencing Japanese culture.  

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Tour of the Taishi Food Inc. Nikko Factory

Tour of the Taishi Food Inc. Nikko Factory

The Taishi Food Inc. Nikko plant is located close to the Daiya River and produces tofu and soybean-processed foods made with clear spring water and selected ingredients. Visitors are free to come inside the factory, look around and learn about the healthy and nutritious soybeans via displays and videos. Other attractions offered at the factory include a tofu-making experience and sampling freshly made tofu and fried tofu. [Tofu making workshop] Hours  (1)10:30am - 11:30am    (2)1:30pm - 2:30pm Fare    300yen/per person Booking  6 people to max. 50 people Please make a reservaion 7days in advance, by phone or fax.

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Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki (rice cracker) Factory

Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki (rice cracker) Factory

The Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki Factory produces rice crackers utilising Nikko’s clear spring water and domestically grown rice. Choose savoury delights for yourself or the perfect gifts for your loved ones from over 50 varieties of products available at the on-site shop. Sample the range of flavours on offer based on the special family-secret recipes and traditional handcraft skills. Some products are only available at the factory shop such as the freshly fried “Age-mochi Okaki” rice crackers. Try your hand at baking rice crackers or making your own hand-illustrated rice crackers, a memorable travel experience! Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks at the lounge. You can also place an order online or by phone or fax.

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Akechidaira Plateau

Akechidaira Plateau

Located near the top of (2nd) Irohazaka Slope, Akechidaira Plateau has sweeping views over a winding road and a dramatic mountain backdrop. This 3-minute long ropeway cable car ride takes you from the Akechidaira Plateau to an observation platform located at 1373m, offering superb panoramic views of the Nikko area, including Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Mt. Nantai, and the surrounding mountains in the distance. The vista is especially beautiful during the change of colors in the autumn, and during cherry blossom season. It is said this "Akechidaira" area, which offers the best view in all of Nikko, takes its name from Akechi Mitsuhide who assassinated Oda Nobunaga during the famous Honnoji Temple incident."

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