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.

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.

Volcanic rocks， having been eroded by the flow of the Kinugawa River， produce a dynamic vista resembling a dragon wriggling around. You can see this 3-kilometre vista between Kawaji Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen. Many tourists come to see the stunning autumn leaves from late October to early November. The 7-kilometre nature trail leading to Kawaji Onsen is highly recommended for a nice walk.

A feature attraction of the Kinugawa River is the river cruises always popular with tourists. Glide along the river and enjoy the incredibly scenic valley. Depending on the season the 40-minute boat ride is a fun way to explore the memorable scenery of wild cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring， sounds of kingfishers and ayu fish swimming in summer or the red leaves of autumn.

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.

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.

The floats, intricately carved with flowers, birds, lions, and other designs, are well worth seeing. The climax of the festival can be said to be the Buttsuke (a musical ensemble) performance by nine floats with golden lanterns.

The hotel stands quietly on the hill of a hot spring resort town against the backdrop of mountains that change colors each season. It is an eight-minute-walk from Kinugawa-onsen Station and features a superb Japanese garden. Enjoy the seasonal multi-course kaiseki meal and relax in five uniquely designed private open-air baths. Free yourself from daily stress and indulge yourself in slow and luxurious time. The hotel offers the Wellness Escape Plan for one group a day. To ensure high-quality time to rest, the plan includes a high-end air purifier in the guest room, morning activities with an instructor, and breakfast featuring tasty rice porridge that is gentle on the stomach and intestines. Why don’t you plan a trip to improve your health from the inside out with hot springs, activities, and meals? *Reservation for the Wellness Escape Plan is accepted only through the official hotel website. 【About the hot spring】 Water color: clear Spring water type: simple alkaline spring water Efficacy: alleviates stiff shoulders, nerve pain, sprains, sore muscles, sleeplessness, etc.

Otawara City holds the “Yoichi Festival” on the first Friday and Saturday in August every year. This festival is in honor of Nasu Yoichi, the most famous archer in Japanese history. Highlights of the festival is the samurai parade. An actor/actress would cosplay Nasu Yoichi and lead the parade walk around downtown. You can see a traditional dance named “Yoichi Buyo” at night when you walk on street during the festival.

You can experience grabbing freshwater fish by hand in the clear waters of the Ojikagawa  rivers and Kinugawa Park.  The fish you catch can then be cooked for you and eaten at your ryokan.  

Isokawa Ryokuchi Park is a promenade built on a tree lined road along a natural riverbank， which allows visitors to get in touch with nature.The promenade is approx. 1.4km which takes about 30 minutes to walk， so even families with small children can easily enjoy the moderate length hike. There are arbors in 2 locations within the park where visitors can eat packed lunches they bring with them and have a "mini-hiking" experience."

* Nikko Soba Festival has been cancelled in 2020. At the Nikko Soba Festival， you can enjoy soba noodles made not only in Nikko—famous for its buckwheat production—but also in other parts of Japan. Be sure to visit the street stands selling utensils for making and eating soba alongside other specialty products from Nikko. Don’t miss the various traditional performances that accompany the noodles."

A huge willow tree standing amidst a tranquil， rural landscape. The renowned poet Saigyo spied willow while on a journey and wrote a haiku about standing in its shade on the side of the road amidst the pure waters flowing through the surrounding rice paddies. Later， the playwright Kanze Nobumitsu wrote a play based on this poem， making the willow famous. The famed poet Basho also wrote about this willow in his “Narrow Road to the Interior，” described its moving beauty. Monuments inscribed with poems by Saigyo， Basho， and Buson have been placed next to the tree."

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."

The relaxed pace of a Nature Planet tour is perfect for shaking off the stress of day-to-day life. Take it slow for a while and let your worries float away.

An ancient shrine rebuilt in the Nara era and included in the Engi-Shiki (set of ancient Japanese governmental regulations)， it is also a famous place in Kanto for the first shrine visit of the New Year (hatsumode). The main shrine building， which is a prefectural cultural property， is a masterwork of Genroku-era carpenter Sezaemon Sakurai and sculptor Entetsu Shimamura.

This steam locomotive, called “Taiju”, has been operating since August 2017. “Taiju” is also known as the other name of the Tokugawa Shogun, who is enshrined at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Tobu Railway, with its network from the Asakusa area in Tokyo to this Kinugawa Onsen area, was once called one of the biggest “kingdoms of steam locomotives”, as it used to operate as many as 85 steam locomotives mainly for forwarding freight. How about enjoying a ride on Taiju on the way to your sightseeing destination? All seats on the Taiju are reserved and can be purchased at Tobu Tourist Information Center Asakusa on the first floor of Asakusa Station, website,or Tobu Railway Line Stations. Shimoimaichi Station and Kinugawa Onsen Station are equipped with railway turntables where you can enjoy watching a dynamic steam locomotive in front of you!