Greater Tokyo

See & Do

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Furumine Shrine

Furumine Shrine

Furumine Shrine was built to worship the legendary hero Yamato Takeru 1,300 years ago. The shrine is where the monk Shodo Shonin, founder of the temples in Nikko, was trained. The shrine is also known for the enshrined Tengu, a messenger from the gods who protects people from bad luck. People come here to pray for good luck, fire protection, safe voyage, rich harvests, traffic safety, business success and family health as the god is believed to make all these wishes come true.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Itamuro Onsen

Itamuro Onsen

A peaceful Onsen resort in the mountain ravines located in the western Nasu mountains. The clear alkaline hot spring water is known for its health benefits and the Onsen was designated as a “National Health Spa” by the Ministry of the Environment in 1971. Nestling into a natural landscape and surrounded by a richly preserved environment, most visitors come here for in search of the renowned health effects. Long known as a rustic therapeutic spa, the Onsen maintains its distinctive atmosphere. The temperature of the source of spring water is from 38℃ to 45℃, and its lukewarm water is gentle to the body.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Kawaji Onsen

Kawaji Onsen

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.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Hunter Mountain Shiobara

Hunter Mountain Shiobara

A popular ski and snowboard resort with great accessibility from Tokyo. Well-equipped to cater for all levels, the resort boasts 12 trails including a full-scale 3km downhill, a half pipe and a slalom trail for the advanced, plus trails for beginners and children and a child-friendly area for sleighs and snow play. The resort also offers seasonal delights such as slopes of lilies in summer and coloured leaves in autumn that can each be viewed from the ropeway.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Hanazono sou

Hanazono sou

Hanazono sou is a farm stay operated by a farming family making rice for 15 generations in Hanazono, Ohtawara City. It is a lodging where guests can indulge themselves in the slow flow of time and the scenery of the vast countryside as well as the starry sky at night. For dinner, guests can cook for themselves in the shared kitchen or with the BBQ equipment. You can harvest chemical-free vegetables from the field and use them for dinner. They also serve home-grown rice freshly steamed on the rice-husk stove. After the meal, you are invited to enjoy Hanazono sou’s original Japanese sake for a relaxing time. In the morning, you will choose a Japanese or Western breakfast and cook it with the farm stay staff. The Japanese breakfast is freshly cooked rice on the rice-husk stove, miso soup with homemade miso, and a dish of seasonal vegetables. The Western breakfast is pancakes using homemade rice flour and soup featuring seasonal vegetables.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Sakuramachi Jinya Cherry Blossom Festival (Ten Thousand Cherry Blossom Festival in Mooka)

Sakuramachi Jinya Cherry Blossom Festival (Ten Thousand Cherry Blossom Festival in Mooka)

This is a cherry blossom festival held from late March to early April every year. Various events are held in places around Mooka during this period. You can admire the cherry blossoms with cherry blossom viewing dumplings in one hand and appreciate the cherry trees lit up in the evening. Enjoy spring in Mooka when the city is colored with the color of cherry blossoms from ten thousand cherry trees. ☆

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nasu Mukunone

Nasu Mukunone

Feel nature, savor memorable dishes, and enjoy the space of a luxurious and relaxing retreat at Mukunone. The grounds of Mukunone consist of three areas: AUBERGE featuring villa accommodation and a restaurant that serves dishes prepared with a wide variety of seasonal ingredients and specialty food of Nasu; B&B for a casual overnight stay and breakfast; and Mizuniwa featuring its one and only landscape designed by the architect Junya Ishigami. In this precious space, you can spend time connecting with magnificent nature and reflecting on yourself. 【About Mizuniwa】 Mizuniwa is a spectacular architectural and art piece created with the precise calculation and sensibility of the architect Junya Ishigami. It is a place with a picturesque landscape that makes you want to close your eyes and take deep breaths. Trees keep growing and the stream continues to flow. With these continuous changes, Mizuniwa is a forever unfinished beautiful landscape. *Mizuniwa is open to the public (reservation required).

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Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yume no Toki

Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yume no Toki

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.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Isoyama Shrine Hydrangea Festival

Isoyama Shrine Hydrangea Festival

Isoyama Shrine in Kanuma City is a historic shrine that received a Goshuin (red seal) from the Tokugawa Shogunate, and is now known as one of the best known hydrangea viewing spots in the northern Kanto region.   The shrine is also known as one of the best places for viewing hydrangeas in the northern Kanto region. The 2,500 hydrangeas of 28 varieties planted along the approach to the shrine and around the shrine pavilions are in full bloom, creating a wonderful contrast with the green of the cedar trees. During the festival, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., lanterns are lit, and the hydrangeas reflected in the pale light create an ethereal atmosphere.   A "Chinoawa" or "ring of thatch," which is said to bring good health to those who pass through it, will also be set up.

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Roadside Station Meiji no Mori Kuroiso

Roadside Station Meiji no Mori Kuroiso

Roadside Station Meiji no Mori/Kuroiso was opened as a roadside station when improvements were made to the Aoki Nasu Bettei second home on a 7.5-hectare lot. This roadside station is located on the side of the Kuroiso-Tajima Route (Prefectural Route 369), which runs through Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. It features farmer's market that offers fresh produce, local eggs, and dairy products,restaurant, a bakery, and more. It is located adjacent to the Former Aoki Family Nasu Villa. This villa that belonged to Aoki Shuzo is a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property."

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Heike Taisai (Grand Festival of Heike)

Heike Taisai (Grand Festival of Heike)

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.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI