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Custom Private Cycling Tours with “Ride Experience”

Custom Private Cycling Tours with “Ride Experience”

Ride Experience's cycling tours are guided by local Nasu cyclists. As such, they are familiar with the local food, accommodations, and people, and offer cycling tours that provide an authentic experience unique to Japan and the region. Themes, areas, schedules, routes, and distances traveled can be arranged to meet your specific needs and expectations to create a special private cycling tour. English-speaking guides as well as professional mechanics will accompany you on the tours, so you can feel confident that you are in good hands. Come and experience an experience of a lifetime, only here and only at Ride Experience.

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Kanuma Autumn Festival

Kanuma Autumn Festival

The Kanuma Autumn Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event, will be held in Kanuma, Japan, in grand style, bringing the tradition and elegance of the Edo Period festivals to the present day. The “Yatai Event of Kanuma Imamiya Shrine Festival,” the core of this festival, was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in February 2003, and was also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 1, 2016 as one of the “Yama, Hoko, Yatai Event”.   For two days, 26 gorgeous yatai, which are also called “moving Yangmyongmon,” will parade through the streets of Kanuma in a heroic manner.   On the first day of the festival, “Nuriikomi” begins around noon, when 26 yatai pass through the torii gate and enter the precincts of Imamiya Shrine. At around 5:00 p.m., all the yatai will light lanterns and return to their respective neighborhoods with a musical accompaniment.   On the second day, after the “Citizens' Parade” of “marching bands” and “Mikoshi” in the morning, “Yatai Aligned Pulling (Yatai Parade)” will be held around 2:00 p.m., in which 26 yatai will simultaneously drive along the Kominehara Palace Road (commonly called “Festival Road”).   The highlight of the festival is a musical performance called “Buttsuke” in which three to seven yatai perform at a junction. The music of the festival is a spectacular sight to behold, and the sounds of the heroic “Buttsuke” music will echo through the night on both days of the festival.

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Utamaro Festival

Utamaro Festival

Held in early October each year, the Utamaro Festival celebrates the legacy of Kitagawa Utamaro, a renowned ukiyo-e artist of the mid-Edo period who had close ties to Tochigi City. Many of his works were created here, and the city, with its well-preserved Edo-period architecture, is often called “Little Edo.” The festival’s highlight is the Utamaro Dōchū parade, where performers dressed in gorgeous kimono proceed slowly along Kuranomachi Ōdōri Street, recreating the elegance of the Edo era. The festivities also feature music performances, fireworks, street illuminations, and a handmade market, immersing the entire town in a joyful celebration of culture and tradition. Notably, Kitagawa Utamaro will also be featured in the 2025 NHK Taiga drama Unbound, bringing renewed attention and respect to this ukiyo-e master. Visiting the Utamaro Festival offers a rare opportunity to experience the fusion of historical culture and modern creativity. Strolling through the lantern-lit streets of Kuranomachi, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the parade and illuminations while discovering the timeless charm of Japanese traditional arts—an unforgettable highlight of any autumn trip.

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Tempyo Flower Festival

Tempyo Flower Festival

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.

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KINUGAWA ONSEN HOTEL

KINUGAWA ONSEN HOTEL

The Kinugawa Onsen Hotel in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, is a long-established hot spring inn founded in 1931, with roots in Japan's oldest hotel. With the concept of “Yui-tabi” (bonding), we support memorable trips that deepen the bonds between family members and loved ones. Enjoy a buffet-style meal and choose from a variety of rooms to suit your preferences, and enjoy a relaxing hot spring trip to your heart's content.   【About the Hot Springs】 Kinugawa Onsen is renowned for its healing waters, often referred to as “wounds heal by the river, burns heal by the waterfall” (now known as Kinugawa Onsen). The alkaline simple spring water is known for its skin-soothing properties, making it gentle on children and those with sensitive skin. In addition to the large public bath, private baths (reservation required) are also available. Water color: Clear Water type: Simple hot spring Benefits: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, paralysis, joint stiffness, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, cold hands and feet, post-illness recovery, fatigue recovery, and overall health improvement.  

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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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Nagaoka Hyakuana Tomb Group

Nagaoka Hyakuana Tomb Group

Nagaoka Hyakuana Tomb Group was built at first half of the 7th centry, and it was designated as a prefectual histric site.   It is said to be mass tomb like a family  tomb, hollowed out like a beehive on a hillside made of tuff. It is said that Hyakuana (one hundred hole ), but actually it has 52 holes. The various kinds of Kannon statues that were later carved into each horizontal tomb are said to have been created by the famous monk Kobo Daishi.

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Mashiko Gion Festival

Mashiko Gion Festival

Mashiko Gion Festival began in 1705, when an epidemic of infectious diseases killed many people and pests infested crops, people pray to Tenno for illnesses and harvest. Five towns take turns organizing the festival. The organizer sets up a mikoya and carries the mikoshi out of the shrine for the first day and last day of the festival. On the second day of the festival, a traditional event call “Sake Topping Festival(Omiki Cho-dai Shiki)” is held on organizer’s town. Male worshippers in formal kimonos drink hot sake under the scorching heat to pray for a good harvest and health. After the organizer side finished their drinks, 10 men from next organize town also need to challenge it. This festival is one of the “Top 3 Strange Festivals of Kanto Area”. Also, on the first night of the festival, people will set off Tezutsu-hanabi with majestic yells is breathtaking.

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Kanuma City Local History Exhibition and Reference Room-Kanuma Yatai Carved Floats Show Room-

Kanuma City Local History Exhibition and Reference Room-Kanuma Yatai Carved Floats Show Room-

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.

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Yamanoeki Takahara

Yamanoeki Takahara

The Mountain Station Takahara facility is located in an excellent spot to start exploring Happogahara and Mt. Takahara. It is visited by a wide variety of people, including those who have come to do serious mountain hiking, those who enjoy casual nature walks, and those who have come to visit the nearby mystical waterfall, Oshiraji Falls.   Visitors can also use the facility as a hub for enjoying seasonal activities thoughout the year, such as strolling through the azaleas in the spring, visiting waterfalls in the summer, viewing autumn foliage in the autumn, and snowshoe hiking in the winter.   The facility's restaurant offers Yaita's local specialty, "apple curry" and ever-popular soft-serve ice cream. From late April to mid-November, visitors can enjoy Oshiraji ramen and Oshiraji soft-serve ice cream themed on the clear blue of the Oshiraji Falls, made with local Yaita City ingredients and local specialty products.   The campsite, which celebrated its grand opening in 2023, is located at an altitude of 1,049m, where the air is clear all year round. On clear days, visitors can enjoy camping under the starry sky with Milky Way.

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