On March 27, 2025, Moka Igashira Onsen reopened after a full renovation under the popular nationwide hot spring brand “Ofuro Café,” rebranding itself as “Moka Igashira Onsen Ofuro Café Ichigo-no-Yu.” This new onsen facility is set to become a top destination for hot spring lovers in the Northern Kanto region. With warm Scandinavian-style wooden interiors, the facility offers both modern design and outstanding comfort. Visitors can relax in the hot springs and also enjoy a wide variety of unique services. The on-site restaurant serves mouthwatering dishes that are sure to leave you wanting more. For your next hot spring getaway in Japan, consider a visit to Moka City and experience this newly reimagined onsen retreat.

Visitors can enjoy the yuba making process， experience pulling up tofu skin， and tasting. *Japanese language only. Please come with an interpreter. *Approx. 30 minutes experience *Booking by Phone or FAX， 7 days before your visit niizuma@nikkoyuba.net

In 1985， Shojinzawa Spring Water was selected as one of “the 100 most exquisite and well-conserved water sources in Japan” by the Ministry of Environment. The spring is located on a hillside of Mount Takahara， surrounded by hundred-year-old primeval forests. The crystal clear water springs out at more than 10 locations and is around 11 degrees in temperature throughout the year， never freezing or running dry even in winter.

In the Monzen and Furumachi districts at the heart of Shiobara Onsen, bamboo lanterns line the main streets, casting a soft, dreamlike light that enhances the charm of the hot spring town at night. The lanterns installed along the bridge railings and pathways are handcrafted by local residents, with as many as 1,000 adorning the area. During the event period, they are lit from sunset until around 9:00 p.m., creating a retro, romantic atmosphere in the streets of Shiobara Onsen.

Hachimangu Shrine and the Samurai's Origin Nakamura Hachimangu Shrine is one of the eight shrines enshrining the god Hachiman in the Northern Kanto region. It is said that the Hachiman is is the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan warriors, so a legendary samurai called Minamoto no Yoshiie, the common ancestor of the shoguns of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Ashikaga Takauji, came here to pray for his victory.   After the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate by Yoritomo, he attacked the Fujiwara clan of Oshu, which was then in northeastern Japan. Nakamura Munemura, the lord of the Nakamura County, fallowed Yoritomo's army, was rewarded to be the lord of the Date County of Oshu. Munemura has been seen as the ancestor of Date Masamune. The birth of Yabusame ceremony In 1736, Date Yoshimura, the 5th Daimyo of  Sendai Domain, just ended his "Sankin-kotai (alternate attendance)" and prepared to go back to his domin. Before he arrived in Sendai, Yoshimura came here and donated his horse to the god. In order to commemorate this event, the Yabusame Ceremony is held every year at the Annual Grand Festival.   Archers dress in samurai's hunting attire and ride on horseback, then shot at the target on the left on their horses. The whole ceremony is accompained by the thumping sound of taiko, which makes the ceremony very energetic.

The museum holds rows of roughly 100 exhibits containing famous swords including important cultural properties and special precious swords， some of which are national treasures. Along with antique samurai items such as armor， tsuba (a sword guard) and a kago (palanquin) are hinawajyu (antique guns) and a meteor."

The Shirasagi Shrine enshrines Yamato Takeru， the son of the Emperor Keiko the 12th emperor of Japan who was enshrined in 783.During those ancient days， Yamato Takeru carried the sword Kusanagi and travelled throughout Japan， leading the country to peace. Legend says that as a result， his soul turned into a swan and he continues to protect peace still.The shrine is also home to Japan's largest votive picture at a width of 8m and a height of 4m， which is known a votive picture which grants wishes and bestows happiness."

This day spa is located in Kawaji Onsen District in Nikko City， Tochigi Prefecture. Its simple weakly alkaline hot springs have earned it the nickname Bihada no Yu for supposedly giving people beautiful skin. It is also said to help with conditions such as nerve and joint pain. The facility features indoor baths and mixed gender open-air baths. The spa， which offers great views of the scenery of the Ojika River， is patronized mostly by locals but also by many tourists."

An art museum in Utsunomiya City. Their collection brings together modern art， posters， and designer furniture that focus on the themes of Art and the Region， Art and Life， and Art and the Environment. They also display works of art from local Utsunomiya artists. The museum holds special exhibitions and art related workshops as well as nature viewing excursions into Utsunomiya's Cultural Forest."

This park in Mutsumi-cho， Utsunomiya City has a theme of "Water， Greenery， and Culture." It's arranged like a strolling garden and has a Western style sunken garden centered on a pond， as well as a Japanese garden. Their Green Consultation Center holds horticultural exhibits and other events. The Tochigi Prefectural Museum is also on the grounds. Astroll through Central Park in Utsunomiya reveals the beauty of each season. For example， in March and April camellias and tulips bloom; in June， find roses， hydrangea and wisteria; April to mid-June brings peonies; November， deciduous trees light up the park with red， yellow and orange."

Built in 1987， Mikaeri Suspension Bridge stretches 100 metres across and 30 metres over Shiobara Gorge. The bridge is known as the starting point of the Shiobara Gorge walking trail and has a charm unique from the magnificent neighbouring Momijidani Suspension Bridge. Cross the Mikaeri Suspension Bridge and walk a further 10 metres to the observation deck for incredible views of Mikaeri Falls.

This Roadside Rest Stops offering a farming and forest experience, dog park, hot spring, pool, and accommodation. Tochigi Prefecture has the largest production of two-rowed barley – an ingredient used to make beer. Romantic village's brewery has a full lineup of beers including staple original beers, the Mugitaro brand, and Gyoza Roman, a beer that pairs well with Gyoza .Be sure to try a freshly brewed one!

A historic Onsen town visited by many great Japanese writers， this unique Onsen-kyo boasts thermal spring water with a range of qualities and benefits. Select a hot spring depending on your physical condition or mood. There are also various nature trails along the mountain stream. Popular both as a summer resort and when the autumn leaves on display， why not take a stroll around the town with the local specialty “To-te-yaki” (something like a thick crepe) in hand?

This feature festival of Yunishikawa Onsen is held from late January to early March every year. Hundreds of small snow houses (mini-kamakura) are built and lighted up by candle lights. During the day enjoy sleighing. This illuminated snow-filled town is simply mesmerising.   Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Snow House Festival 2026 ■Dates:January 30st-March 1nd,2026   Venue1:Sawaguchi Riverside ■Lighting Dates:Only on Fridays, Saturdays,and Sundays during January 30st-March 1nd,2026 ■Lighting Hours:5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ■Admission:Free   Venue2:Heike-no-Sata Village ■Opening Hours:9:00 a.m. -9:00 p.m.(Last entry at 8:45 p.m.) ■Lighting Dates:January 30st - March 1nd ,2026 ■Lighting Hours:5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ■Admission:1-day ticket(9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.):510 yen for adults / 250 yen for elementary and junior high school students(re-entry possible on the day)   Venue3:Yunishigawa Mizu-no-Sato Snow Park ■Closed:Wednesdays *Open on 2/11 (Wednesday, national holiday), closed on 2/12 (Thurs) ■Opening Dates:January 30st - March 1nd ,2026 ■Business Hours:10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.(Last reception 2:00 p.m.) ■Admission:1,200 yen for adults,600 yen for children(including sledding fee and hot spring bathing fee at Mizu-no-Sato.The hot spring open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,last entrance 6:00 p.m.)

Yaita Onsen Makoto-no-Yu is a hot spring with abundance of top quality water flowing straight from the hot spring source. Every minute, approximately 370L of hot spring water gushes from 1,300m underground at a temperature of around 64℃. In addition to the selection of indoor and spacious outdoor baths, there is also a footbath, a restaurant, a cafe, barbecue facilities, and even a spot where you can make "onsen tamago", eggs boiled using hot spring water. The villas and newly opened mountain glamping facilities are the perfect place to escape the hectic fray of city life and relax in comfort while unwinding from the stresses of day-to-day life.

Jao Falls is a waterfall which runs into the Kinugawa River located alongside Prefectural Highway Route 23.The long， thin stream of water looks like a snake， hence the waterfall’s name (“ja” means serpent， and “o” is king). It's surrounded by forest， and the scenery is especially beautiful during spring with its young leaves and when the foliage turns colors in the fall."

This museum displays artefacts excavated from the adjoining sites such as the National Historic Site-designated Shimotsuke Kokubun-ji Temple Remains and Amadera Ruins， and the Tochigi Prefecture Historic Site-designated Maruzuka Kofun and Atagozuka Kofun. The artefacts on display range from the Kofun period to the Nara period. Many ancient burial mounds， temple and provincial office ruins， and other sites connected to the prefecture's history and culture can be found in the area around the museum. The museum presents the history of Shimotsuke City from a variety of viewpoints， including government administration and the lives of everyday people in the distant past， the relationship between the region and more central areas of Japan， and the development of civil engineering and construction technologies."

The Takase Kanko Yana is a weir on the fresh waters of the Ara River.Come try fresh sweetfish cuisine while looking at the clear waters of the nearby Nakagawa River. You can even try your hand at catching sweetfish with their Yana traps. Enjoy robata-yaki in the tatami rooms and food cooked directly in front of you. The restaurant is open from June to November each year in accordance with the sweetfish fishing season."