Selected as one of the “Top 100 Urban Parks in Japan”， lgashira Park includes an expansive natural forest that encircles a pond. The forest is also home to many wild birds with beautiful calls， and is a peaceful place that takes on many different appearances according to the season， including spring flowers， fresh green foliage， autumn leaves， and blankets of snow.

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.

Cherry blossom viewing spots in Kinugawa Onsen, “Gokoku Shrine” and “Onsen Shrine” Located at the foot of the Kinugawa Cable Car, Gokoku Shrine and Onsen Shrine are one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kinugawa Onsen and Tochigi Prefecture. During the cherry blossom season, a week-long cherry blossom lighting event called “Kinugawa Mangekyo” is held. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the cherry blossoms are lit up, creating an otherworldly, beautiful scene that is sure to mesmerize. In addition to night lighting events, the venue also hosts mini concerts, cherry blossom banquets, and other events that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the world of nighttime cherry blossoms with their friends and family.   Convenient transportation During the event period, there are two main ways to get to the venue from Kinugawa Onsen's various lodging facilities. The first is to take the shuttle buses prepared by the event organizers (contact the official website for details on how and where to take them), while the second is to call a cab from your hotel and tell the taxi driver to “鬼怒川万華郷・定額タクシー利用 (Kinugawa Mangekyo, flat-rate cab use)”, and you will be able to go to the venue with a fixed fare of 1,000 yen.

This is a cherry blossom festival held from late March to early April every year. Various events are held in places around Mooka during this period. You can admire the cherry blossoms with cherry blossom viewing dumplings in one hand and appreciate the cherry trees lit up in the evening. Enjoy spring in Mooka when the city is colored with the color of cherry blossoms from ten thousand cherry trees. ☆

This is road lined with maple trees approximately 90 years old that were planted on approach to Oyama Gensui Graveyard. The best time to see the magnificent fall leaf tunnel is from mid to late November in a normal year. It is located about 5 minutes on foot from JR Nishi-Nasuno Station， so please stop by when you visit Shiobara.

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.

The silk textile known as “Ashikaga Meisen” was popular for contemporary colours and innovative patterns in the early 1900s. Dress up in an “Ashikaga Meisen” Kimono at the Ashikaga Machinaka Yugakukan and take a stroll through the stone-paved streets of the historic town. You can even enjoy coordinating Kimonos with modern accessories such as boots and hats in the local style. Come and have a unique and memorable experience!

Why not enjoy cycling through the historic town of Mashiko and its natural surroundings? The local railway journey to Mashiko passes through picturesque countryside. On arrival the town of Mashiko offers bike rental to tourists at several bike stations including Yoshimura Farm， Michi-no-Eki Mashiko and the Mashikoyaki Pottery Sales Centre. Mashiko station is also available for returns only. Hire a bike and explore the streets of the old town lined with cafes and art galleries. All the rental bikes are Pedelecs (electrically assisted pedal cycles) and perfect for cycling around this hilly town. Enjoy exploring the town’s narrow streets and find your hidden gems!

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.

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

“Washi-no-Sato” is a Washi papermaking factory in the mountain village of Nasu-Karasuyama. Washi is traditional Japanese hand-made paper increasingly attracting the attention of people abroad. “Karasuyama Washi” has a history dating back 1，200 years in Tochigi. Come to our workshops to learn about the traditional craftsmanship and make your own sheet of Washi paper!

Furumine Shrine was built to worship the legendary hero Yamato Takeru 1，300 years ago. The shrine is where the monk Shodo Shonin， founder of the temples in Nikko， was trained. The shrine is also known for the enshrined Tengu， a messenger from the gods who protects people from bad luck. People come here to pray for good luck， fire protection， safe voyage， rich harvests， traffic safety， business success and family health as the god is believed to make all these wishes come true.

Take a nostalgic boat trip beside the traditional storehouses lining the Uzuma River in just 20 minutes!

The history of the Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine dates back 1,600 years when the shrine was dedicated to the founder of Utsunomiya，Toyoki-Irihiko-no-Mikoto. Most of the festivals held in the city are related to this historic shrine. Many people come to the shrine on special occasions such as New Year and Shichi-Go-San seasons. The illuminated gate and approach to the shrine are an incredible evening sight. The shrine is also home to some nationally important works of art.

The History of Utsunomiya Castle Utsunomiya Castle is believed to have been originally built by the legendary Japanese warrior Fujiwara no Hidesato. During the medieval period, it served as the stronghold of the Utsunomiya clan for generations. After the Utsunomiya clan was stripped of its land by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Utsunomiya Castle became the residence of fudai daimyō (samurai families who had pledged loyalty to the Tokugawa clan before the Battle of Sekigahara) during the Edo period. The castle also played an important role as a key stopover point for Tokugawa shoguns traveling to Nikkō Tōshō-gū to pay their respects. In 1868, the castle was engulfed in the flames of war during the Boshin War, a conflict between the new Meiji government forces and the remnants of the Tokugawa shogunate. Most of the original structures were destroyed in the battle. Today, the castle ruins have been transformed into a historical park, with efforts focused on reconstructing parts of the Edo-period (1600–1867) main keep (Honmaru) to preserve its legacy. Utsunomiya’s Earliest and Most Famous Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot From March to April, Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park is adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms. The season begins in mid-to-late March with the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura, followed by Somei Yoshino, Shidare-zakura, and finally culminating in the Oyama-zakura in mid-April. For a full month, visitors can immerse themselves in a breathtaking sea of pink petals. During cherry blossom season, the park hosts the Utsunomiya Sakura Festival, featuring stage performances, local street food stalls, and festive activities in addition to stunning cherry blossoms. This makes it one of Utsunomiya’s most renowned hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots.

Located in the eastern area of Tochigi， this Onsen snuggles into a bend of the Naka River. The simple alkaline hot spring water promotes smooth skin， for which the Onsen is known as the “hot spring of beauty”. Most of the hot spring baths in the area face west， leading to another nickname of “the sunset Onsen-kyo” thanks to the great sunset views. You can also have a splendid view of mountains with wisps of white smoke.

Legend has it that Samurai refugees found these spring waters and settled down in the village to heal their wounds. Today a row of inns and local houses are located along the valley. In addition to the abundant hot spring water， you can also enjoy seasonal local cuisine served around a fireplace (irori)， including simply grilled wild ingredients such as freshwater fish， Sansai (wild vegetables)， venison， bear and other delicacies. Miso paste grilled on a spatula is also a local specialty. If you visit here in the winter， do not miss the fantastic “Yunishikawa-onsen KAMAKURA Snow House Festival” from late January to early March. About 800 small snow houses are illuminated from inside candles.

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!