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.

A beloved summer tradition in Oyama City, the “Omoigawa River Nagashi-bina” is held on the first Sunday of July each year. Dressed in yukata, adults and children gather along the banks of the Omoigawa River, holding paper dolls onto which they place their wishes before sending them to float downstream. These paper dolls, known as Shimotsuke Dolls, range from 10 cm to 40 cm in height and are crafted using the artistry and tradition of Shimotsuke shibori dyeing. The paper is twisted to create beautiful patterns, with each doll featuring a unique hairstyle and kimono design. A tanzaku (narrow paper strip) is attached so participants can write their wishes. The “Omoigawa River Nagashi-bina” is open to everyone. The first 50 participants wearing yukata will receive a “Nagashi-bina” doll as a gift.

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.

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)

"Shinonome Flower Festival" is held at Shinonome Park from late March to early April. The sight of approximately 250 cherry trees lined up along both banks of the Kurokawa River all blooming at once is spectacular.   From the Shinonome Sakura Bridge, which is located in the park and connects the east and west banks of the Kurokawa River, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of Mt. Nantai and blooming cherry trees. the Shinonome Sakuradai on both banks of the Kurokawa River is one of the 100 most scenic spots in Tochigi.   The nearby roadside rest stops, the Mibu Exchange Center "Miraikan", the Mibu Toy Museum, and the Toy Town Bandai Museum, also hold a variety of events in conjunction with the Shinonome Flower Festival.  

The Ohtaki Kasen Yuhodo is a strolling path that runs for approximately 1 kilometer from the Kinuiwabashi bridge at the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River down to the Kamitakikasen Park. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverbank as you listen to the gentle babbling of the Kinugawa River. The Otaki Park is located along the route， and on a clear day you can see all the way to Mt. Keichozan. A free parking lot is located at the foot of the Kinuiwabashi Bridge， allowing you to easily take a refreshing stroll in nature amidst beautiful surroundings."

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."

Yakushiji Hachimangu Shrine is also referred to as "Hachiman for warding off misfortune and disaster" and attracts a large number of worshippers.It was also known as the patron saint of the Genji and is known as a shrine where prayers are answered as Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and Minamoto no Yoshiie pracyed for victory in battle there. The shrine has long served as a patron saint for successive feudal lords and a center of faith for the people."

This day-trip hot spring is in Nasu County， Tochigi Prefecture. Along with an expansive indoor bath there's an open-air bath to enjoy while looking at the Nasu Mountain Range and listening to the Nakagawa River. The spring is a sodium - sulfate chloride spring and it is known to help with strokes. In addition to baths， Yushinkan has a large banquet hall and smaller halls， a relaxation corner， restaurant， snack corner and more.Do make sure to stop by for a visit."

This large gardening shop complex is located on 400，000 meters of hilly land known by locals as "Moroyama." Its shop offers flowering plants， as well as garden trees， and landscaping and gardening supplies， with a particular focus on satsuki azalea. Some of its many facilities include a plum grove， the Wild Bird Forest， a tourist strawberry farm， and a hilltop barbequing space. It is a great place to enjoy spending a day surrounded by flowers and trees."

Enjoy an idyllic， pastoral atmosphere at the spacious Kotoku Farm， which stretches over 30，000 square meters. In addition to watching the cows and horses graze， you can indulge in some of their famous ice cream or drink some farm-fresh milk. It also has a restaurant with popular steaks and burgers. There is a walkable path around the farm， so you can stroll and enjoy some pastoral views of cows grazing."

Lake Ikari is a reservoir on the Ojikagawa River， downstream of Yunishigawa Dam.The lake's name， which means ""50 'ri' lake，"" is derived from the fact the lake is located 50 'ri' from Nihonbashi in Edo. During the fall foliage season from mid-October to early November， the lake and the fiery leaves of the trees on its shore create a beautiful contrast， attracting large numbers of visitors. Around May 5th each year， koinobori carp streamers can be seen ""swimming"" as they are flown from the top of Ikari Dam.""

The residence of Sadajiro Kubo， an art critic connected with Moka City， has been given new form as a tourism center. There are a total of five buildings here， which include a Tourism Product Promotion Center and an Italian restaurant， in addition to historical buildings consisting of an Art Exhibition Hall built in 1923， a Tourism Town Development Center built in 1879， and the Kubo Memorial Hall built in 1907.

Mamada Kumihimo is a traditional Japanese cord created by hand braiding. The cords were used in the armour of Samurai warriors long ago. Today the silk woven cords have a wide range of uses such as bolo ties， obi-himo ties used to secure the obi of women’s kimonos and haori-himo ties in the men and women wear short coats over their kimonos. Try your hand at making your own strap with the vegetable-dyed， pure silk threads made from domestically grown cocoons at a traditional Mamada cord shop.

At the Calbee Factory in Utsunomiya, you can watch the manufacturing process of the famous Kappa Ebisen (shrimp flavoured crisps) and breakfast cereals through the factory’s glass windows. The staff also present information on the best ways to enjoy their cereals.

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.

These highlands， situated 1，200 metres above sea level， are a paradise of alpine plants and are well-known for the “Nikko Kisuge”. With 260，000 Nikko Kisuge blooming from late June to mid-July， the grasslands are carpeted in these bright yellow lilies. Walking paths through the fields are available. Enjoy azaleas in spring， autumn colours and skiing in winter! There are selections of restaurants， accommodations and leisure facilities to satisfy couples and families.

Jump in a rubber boat and work together with your fellow rafters to navigate the white water. Experience the natural surroundings in a way unknown to drivers or walkers. Follow the flow of the river， listen to streams and birds singing， dive into the water from the surrounding rocks， and fly down the rapids as if on a roller coaster， a variety of thrills are waiting for you! 0288-70-1181 (NAOC) 0288-77-2030 (Nikko Nasu Outdoor Service) 0288-77-4802 (eRafting)