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Okunasu Taishomura Sachinoyu Onsen

Okunasu Taishomura Sachinoyu Onsen

Loved by many women for its skin-beautifying and health-promoting effects, this hot spring inn even produces its own “Shutsuyoku Bijin” facial lotion made from fresh spring water. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Okunasu Taishomura Satinoyu Onsen restored its unique “Tsuna-no-Yu” bath in August 2014. This distinctive bathing style involves holding onto a rope tied to the beams of the bathhouse while standing in waist-deep water in a bath over one meter deep. Popular in the mid-1960s, it was believed to improve peripheral nerve function and promote blood circulation, attracting many visitors seeking relief from joint and nerve pain. The bath, paved with river stones, measures 4.3 meters long, 2.6 meters wide, and 1.25–1.4 meters deep. Hot spring water wells up from below, stimulating the soles of the feet and letting bathers fully enjoy the benefits of the high-quality spring water. Day-trip visitors can also try the Tsuna-no-Yu. It is available to men on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and to women on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Mt. Ohira Cherry Blossom Festival

Mt. Ohira Cherry Blossom Festival

Famous for its “Warehouse Town” scenery, Tochigi City hosts the Mt. Ohira Cherry Blossom Festival in early April. Located west of the city, Mt. Ohira is covered with about 4,000 cherry trees, forming a spectacular 2-kilometer-long tunnel of blossoms along the sightseeing road from the foot of the mountain. On the opposite side of the summit, the Kenshin-daira Observatory offers panoramic views of the Kanto Plain’s picturesque rural landscapes. On clear days, you can even see Tokyo Skytree and Mt. Fuji. Nearby eateries serve Mt. Ohira’s three famous specialties—rice dumplings, grilled chicken skewers, and rolled omelets—providing a feast for both the eyes and taste buds. At the foot of Mt. Ohira stands Taisan-ji, an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple. Its grounds are home to a 360-year-old weeping cherry tree, said to have been planted by the mother of Tokugawa Ietsuna, the fourth shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The weeping cherry season begins in late March. For details, please check the Tochigi City Tourism Association website.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Shiobara Onsen’s Taketori Monogatari, Illumination by Bamboo Lanterns

Shiobara Onsen’s Taketori Monogatari, Illumination by Bamboo Lanterns

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.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
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.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Oyama Fireworks

Oyama Fireworks

The Oyama Fireworks Festival, a beloved summer tradition in Oyama City, attracts a large number of visitors each year and is considered one of the largest fireworks events in the Kanto region. The launch site is located very close to the audience, allowing spectators to fully experience the intensity of the show. With over 20,000 fireworks—including large-scale displays, rapid-fire sequences, and waterfall-style fireworks—the event offers a truly breathtaking spectacle. The venue is just an 8-minute walk from JR Oyama Station on the Utsunomiya Line, making it highly convenient to access by train. Starting in 2025, to reduce the health risks posed by extreme summer heat and the potential for heavy seasonal rainfall, the festival will be rescheduled to autumn. While the 2025 event will be held on September 23, from 2026 onward it will take place on the first Saturday of October each year. We invite everyone to visit “Oyama: A City of Rural Harmony” and enjoy the dazzling fireworks show beneath the crisp autumn sky.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Hagurosan Shrine

Hagurosan Shrine

Hagurosan Jinja Shrine is a shrine built on the peak of the 458m high Mt. Hagurosan and provides a great view. To the side of the stone steps leading to the main shrine are the 450 year old “meoto sugi” or “married couple cedars” which are popular as trees which help build romantic relationships. The Bonten Festival is held at the shrine in November of each year. The scene of young people carrying the 17m bonten up the path to the shrine is overwhelming."

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Ryushun Falls

Ryushun Falls

The waterfall can be reached via a 10 minute walk from the Ryushun parking area on the left side of the road past the Saruiwa Tunnel on National Route 400. Just past the Ryushun no Tsuribashi suspension bridge, the falls are 15 meters tall. The falls’ name means “spring flowing,” said to be an allusion to the fact that the falls dry up for three months in winter and don’t start flowing again until spring. Although not a particularly strong waterfall, the sight of the waters quietly flowing over the bare rock wall is elegant and soothing. The area around where the Ryushun no Tsuribashi suspension bridge crosses Senryu Gorge is also quite beautiful and popular destination to walk."

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts

Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts

The Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1972 as one of the first public museums of modern and contemporary art in Japan. Kiyoshi KAWASAKI designed the museum architecture including the collection galleries built in 1981. This art museum's collection spans local and domestic artists as well as works from western Europe, and their 9,000-piece collection includes examples of paintings, woodblock prints, illustrations, photographs, and handicrafts. In the Meissen Porcelain Collection Room, around 100 works are displayed. The exhibits from the best collection of Meissen porcelain in Japan are rotated about 4 times annually."

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
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."

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI