Greater Tokyo

See & Do

reset
Yugyo willow Tree

Yugyo willow Tree

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."

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Ryuka falls

Ryuka falls

Ryuka Falls is a famous waterfall which flows and falls over 3 drops, and is both beautiful and imposing. There is a viewing platform close to the waterfall basin where visitors can feel the force of the waterfall. Even among the many waterfalls of Shiobara, said to be as many as 100, this fall ranks in the top 10 most famous. There is a promenade which makes for an easy to walk course, which is only a short distance and with very little height variation, making it easy for even for families to enjoy the walk together."

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual Grand Spring Festival

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual Grand Spring Festival

This traditional and sacred festival is the biggest one of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. On May 17, the Shrine holds the yabusame ritual in which you can see archers’ arts of piloting the horses and shooting arrows on horsebacks.   On May 18, the city has the procession called Hyakumono-Zoroe Sennin Gyoretsu, in which some 1,000 men dressed in samurai warrior outfits march to reproduce the scene where Ieyasu’s grave was being transferred from distant Mount Kunousan in Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
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.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Itamuro Dam Lake Canoe Experience Tour

Itamuro Dam Lake Canoe Experience Tour

Nature Planet's leisurely paddling style is the perfect way to refresh yourself after a long day.   Enjoy the time flowing slowly while freeing yourself from the stresses of everyday life.   This is a canoe touring for beginners that allows you to enjoy nature in each of the four seasons.   The canoes used for the tour are highly stable recreational kayaks (double-sided paddling type), and single boats (for one person) and tandem boats (for two or three people) are available.   The field is a dam lake with no current, so even first-time canoeists can participate safely.   Need to make a reservation ■Eligibility: Healthy people between 3 and 70 years old. ■Number of applicants: 2~30 people. ■What to bring and wear: ①Wear clothes that are easy to move in and can get wet (preferably synthetic fibers). Underwear that can get wet is also recommended. ②Shoes that can get wet (sneakers or sports sandals with a fixed heel) ※Sneakers or sports sandals with a fixed heel are not acceptable. ③Towel and change of clothes. ④Other things that are good to have: Drink (plastic bottle or something with a lid that can be closed), hat, rain wear (top and bottom separates), eyeglass band (eyeglass wearers should wear eyeglass bands), sunscreen  

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
Iwashita New Ginger Museum

Iwashita New Ginger Museum

A museum dedicated to Iwashita Young Ginger (pickled ginger), which is commonly eaten across Japan. The inside of the museum is a soft pink, matching the distinct color of the products. There are also plenty of playful photo spots at the museum for you to have fun and enjoy yourself, such as the "Ginger Jinja" (Ginger Shrine) that's said to give you good luck in love, and a giant, 5-meter tall young ginger "hat" that you can try on. There is also a museum shop and cafe, so the museum is great for buying souvenirs and having a light meal too.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Lake Ikari

Lake Ikari

Lake Ikari is a reservoir on the Ojikagawa River, downstream of Yunishigawa Dam.The lake's name, which means ""50 'ri' lake,"" is derived from the fact the lake is located 50 'ri' from Nihonbashi in Edo. During the fall foliage season from mid-October to early November, the lake and the fiery leaves of the trees on its shore create a beautiful contrast, attracting large numbers of visitors. Around May 5th each year, koinobori carp streamers can be seen ""swimming"" as they are flown from the top of Ikari Dam.""

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nikko Onsen

Nikko Onsen

The Onsen area spreads around two Shinto shrines (the Toshogu and the Futarasan-jinja) and a Buddhist temple (the Rinnoji) of Nikko. The source of hot spring was rediscovered in recent years at the place where Kobo Daishi, a famous Buddhist monk and skilled calligrapher of the 8th century, used to call it a “hot spring of a vision”. The clear hot spring water, which is more comfortable for people who do not like sulphur, helps stiff shoulders and nerve pain and promotes beautiful skin. It is perfectly located to visit the World Heritage sites, stroll around the Monzenmachi Street and take a relaxing soak afterward.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
HOTEL HIGASHINIHON UTSUNOMIYA

HOTEL HIGASHINIHON UTSUNOMIYA

Hotel Higashinihon Utsunomiya is designed with a British taste featuring a high and spacious atrium and stately and elegant space. The hotel has eight restaurants with a rich international flavor including a teppanyaki restaurant with Tochigi Wagyu as the main feature, a high-end traditional Japanese-style restaurant with a garden view, a Japanese restaurant serving food prepared with seasonal ingredients, and so on. The hotel welcomes guests with spacious rooms. Even a single room is 20m2, and there are also a wide variety of rooms ranging from twin rooms to royal suites, ensuring a relaxing stay.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI