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!

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

Tochigi city is famous for its many Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shops， and Yamamoto Sohonten is the perfect place to try your hand at making your own Wagashi. The friendly Wagashi master gives you detailed instructions on making various pieces of Wagashi to celebrate the coming seasons. Enjoy these traditional seasonal delights!

The Meisui-no-Sato Nikko Okaki Factory produces rice crackers utilising Nikko’s clear spring water and domestically grown rice. Choose savoury delights for yourself or the perfect gifts for your loved ones from over 50 varieties of products available at the on-site shop. Sample the range of flavours on offer based on the special family-secret recipes and traditional handcraft skills. Some products are only available at the factory shop such as the freshly fried “Age-mochi Okaki” rice crackers. Try your hand at baking rice crackers or making your own hand-illustrated rice crackers， a memorable travel experience! Enjoy complimentary tea， coffee and soft drinks at the lounge. You can also place an order online or by phone or fax.

At the entrance of the Omocha-no-Machi Bandai Museum visitors are welcomed by a full-scale RX-78 Gundam bust (5.6 metres in height) and its pilot Amuro Ray. The museum’s collection includes a large selection of toys from home and abroad dating from the Edo period (1603-1867). Highlights are the world’s leading collection of Thomas Edison’s inventions and the old and rare steam car, the “Pendle Princess” (made in the U.K. in 1919). This is a great place to enjoy learning about the history of toys. Gundam fans shouldn’t miss the “Zaku’s Dream” and “White Base” exhibitions.

Accessible via a 2.5-hour drive from Tokyo or a free shuttle bus service operated from the Kinugawa Onsen station throughout the season. The ski resort is family-friendly and suitable for beginners. It provides a richly varied 11 trails to suit visitors of any ability level， from lower slopes for families and beginners， a child-friendly area for snow play to a cross course and a mogul run for experts.

This retarding basin with a 3，300ha of reed bed is one of the largest in Japan. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreation activities including water sports， cycling， fishing， fireworks show and sports events. The 11.5-kilometre trail by the Watarase River and forests is well worth walking. Watarase-yusuichi was recognised under the Ramsar Convention on July 3， 2012.

Utsunomiya city hosts the major cycle road race held every October. Top-class cyclists from around the world gather here to compete， the only chance to see the “Tour de France” cyclists in Japan! Oh-dori (main street) is closed off， and the sight of the criterium turning the streets into a racecourse is totally exhilarating.

A festival in order to in honor Heike Family The Taira Clan (also called Heike), one of the most powerful family in Heian period, dominated the imperal captain of Heian. However, after the death of their leader, Taira no Kiyomori, their rivals the Minamoto Clan (the Genji),which culminated in the Genpei War (1180-1185 AD). The five-year-long war concluded with a decisive Taira defeat in the naval Battle of Dan-no-Ura.   It is said many Heike family and their samurais ran away from Genji's army, and hided in Yunishigawa Onsen. In order to honor those samurai who fighting for the Heike family, people live in Yunishigawa Onsen hold the "Heike Taisai" every year.   Become a princess of Heike!  A traditional Yunishigawa festival held in early June, featuring Biwa (Japanese lute) performances, dances and theatrical plays. The highlight of the festival is the “Emaki Gyoretsu Procession”, where over 200 people dressed as heroic Samurais or elegant princesses parade through the town. Visitors can also apply to join the march.

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 tranquil Onsen-kyo nestled in the valley where the Kinugawa and Ojika Rivers meet. Since the 18th century when the spa was discovered， Kawaji has prospered as a post station and a therapeutic spa. The simple alkaline hot spring is an effective treatment for neuralgia， rheumatism and particularly for injuries. The nearby nature trail leading to the scenic “Ryuokyo gorge” offers a lovely way to take in the floral scents and the sounds of local streams.

With a length of 320 metres, this is the largest pier-less suspension bridge in Japan. Magnificent views of the Shiobara valley can be seen from the bridge. In autumn, the bridge commands enchanting views of the foliage reflected on the lake. Officially listed as a “Sacred Place for Lovers”, this is a romantic location perfect for marriage proposals.

A leisure facility covers 300，000 square metres surrounded by abundant nature around a lake. The interactive farm especially delight children through the experiences such as feeding lovely animals， riding horses and milking cows by hands. Other popular attractions are pleasure boats viewing Nasu mountain ranges and park itself from the lake， the Swiss railway running alongside the lake and the nation’s longest “Zip Line” where you zip along a wire over the lake. Refresh yourself with ice creams and daily products made with Jersey milk for a break!

Irohazaka is a pair of winding roads (ascending and descending) connecting Nikko-city and the mountainous Lake Chuzenji area. The roads are named after the 48 syllables of the Japanese alphabet (kana) as they contain 48 hairpin turns while rising and falling 440 metres in elevation. The best viewing spot is the Akechidaira observatory on the descending road. The picturesque landscape is known as the most beautiful place to celebrate autumn leaves in Nikko， and it is well worth putting up with the traffic on the roads at this popular time.

This is a mini theme park with a ""Showa Retro"" theme. Inside, you'll find thousands of retro items densely displayed, including classic enamel signs, old cigarette vending machines, and everyday household goods from the Showa era. The moment you step inside, you'll feel as if you've been transported back in time to the Showa era. Building No. 2 features exhibits of retro stationery and toys, and also has a shop selling dagashi. It's a place that transcends generations, offering a fun experience for young people who find the Showa style refreshingly new, and for older visitors who feel a deep sense of nostalgia. ※ ""Showa Retro"" is a term that refers to the culture, design, and atmosphere of Japan from the 1950s through the 1980s. It is characterized by a nostalgic and warm feeling. This aesthetic is popular across all generations, feeling new and fresh to younger people while evoking a sense of deep nostalgia for the older generation.

Koedo Tochigi, where Edo atmosphere still lingersDuring the Edo period, Tochigi City flourished as a lodging town along the Nikko Kaido highway and as a hub of river transport. Preserving much of its Edo-period charm, it is often referred to as “Koedo” (Little Edo), alongside Kawagoe and Sawara. A fusion of tradition and innovation – Tochigi Edo CuisineTo let visitors enjoy the unique taste of Edo-style dishes, experts have been researching recipes from the Edo period since 2015, adapting them by blending with local ingredients and techniques. The result is “Tochigi Edo Cuisine,” a modern yet traditional dining experience. On your next visit to Tochigi’s Kurano-machi (Warehouse District), in addition to sightseeing and enjoying a boat ride that recalls the Edo atmosphere, you can also savor Tochigi Edo Cuisine, offering a refined taste of history. For a list of restaurants serving Tochigi Edo Cuisine: https://tochigi-edo.jp/shop

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.