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Hotel MOKUREN

Hotel MOKUREN

Hotel MOKUREN is a traditional Japanese house turned into an accommodation. They take only one reservation at a time, so guests can exclusively use the two spacious Japanese style rooms during their stay while enjoying a view of the vast countryside. Feel the essence of Japan in a relaxing space and enjoy a farming experience in adjacent fields and in the traditional storehouse, as well as sightseeing in Nasunogahara. The hotel does not have a meal service, but the guest room includes a kitchen where you can cook harvested farm products. The storehouse has a cooking stove for preparing rice and BBQ equipment. There are also restaurants and diners near the hotel. The guest room has a shower, but if you wish to have a relaxing soak in a larger space, you can try a nearby onsen. You can also borrow bicycles.

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Itamuro Kenko no Yu Green Green

Itamuro Kenko no Yu Green Green

This day spa is located in Nasushiobara City. Its indoor baths leverage the vast amounts of hot spring water on hand while its open-air baths featuring transparent and colorless alkaline simple hot spring water are said to help with conditions such as nerve pain and muscle soreness. The Ami no Yu open-air baths, one of the spa's most notable features, allow bathers to soak in water deeper than their waists while holding on to ropes suspended from the rafters. The spa's different baths rotate between the two genders on a weekly basis."

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nikko Kaido Cedar Avenue

Nikko Kaido Cedar Avenue

The Suginamiki Cedar Avenue in Nikko is a 37 kilometer (22 mile) stretch of tree-lined road extending along the Aizu Nishi-Kaido Road, the Reiheishi-Kaido Road, and the Nikko-Kaido Road. Matsudaira Masatsuna, a loyal subject of Tokugawa Ieyasu, planted 50,000 cedar trees over a period of 20 years starting in 1625. The trees line the approach to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and on the 33rd anniversary of Ieyasu's death, Masatsuna donated the trees to the shrine in his honor. Cedar trees were chosen due to the ancient belief that the gods descend from the heavens down to Earth through cedar trees. Today, about 12,000 trees remain, and they are now protected. This truly magnificent tree-lined avenue was traversed by feudal lords in the Edo period roughly 400 years ago. Feel the history of the area as you retrace their footsteps.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Moka Romantic Hina Doll Display

Moka Romantic Hina Doll Display

March 3 is celebrated in Japan as Girls’ Day, when hina dolls dressed in luxurious kimono are displayed throughout the country. From early February until Girls’ Day, Moka City hosts the month-long “Moka Romantic Hina Doll Display.” At the Okabe Memorial Hall “Kinreisō,” a Tochigi Prefecture-designated cultural property, visitors can admire a spectacular 26-tier hina doll display—about 6 meters high—featuring imperial dolls and more. The exhibition also includes over 30 hanging hina decorations, a rare sight not to be missed. This season is also perfect for enjoying strawberry picking in the Moka area. Don’t forget to try Tochigi’s new strawberry variety, Tochiaika!  

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Boken Katsudo Center

Boken Katsudo Center

The Utsunomiya City Adventure Activity Center is a hands-on learning facility for children with little opportunity to come in contact with nature to develop creativity, teamwork and independence by learning about nature. The center has a full range of facilities including a spacious arena, an observation deck looking out on Mt. Nantai and the Nikko Mountains, wall climbing and an adventure area with a rope swing, a wooden bridge, a cave and more."

Oshu kaido Nikko kaido TOCHIGI
Onsen Torafugu (Japanese Pufferfish)

Onsen Torafugu (Japanese Pufferfish)

Torafugu are cultivated using onsen water that wells up in the town of Nakagawa. It is known that pufferfish raised in hot spring water have approximately 30% extra umami (fifth basic food taste) ingredients. The taste of these puffer fish is even richer than those produced in the sea. This means there is no doubt that you can savor a taste overflowing with luxury! You can try onsen torafugu in the onsen facilities and restaurants in the town. Please appreciate the taste of torafugu when you visit Nakagawa!

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Mashiko Gion Festival

Mashiko Gion Festival

Mashiko Gion Festival began in 1705, when an epidemic of infectious diseases killed many people and pests infested crops, people pray to Tenno for illnesses and harvest. Five towns take turns organizing the festival. The organizer sets up a mikoya and carries the mikoshi out of the shrine for the first day and last day of the festival. On the second day of the festival, a traditional event call “Sake Topping Festival(Omiki Cho-dai Shiki)” is held on organizer’s town. Male worshippers in formal kimonos drink hot sake under the scorching heat to pray for a good harvest and health. After the organizer side finished their drinks, 10 men from next organize town also need to challenge it. This festival is one of the “Top 3 Strange Festivals of Kanto Area”. Also, on the first night of the festival, people will set off Tezutsu-hanabi with majestic yells is breathtaking.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Shaved ice made with Nikko’s natural spring water

Shaved ice made with Nikko’s natural spring water

Nikko is home to 3 of the 5 ice houses or "Himuro" that currently exist in all of Japan. ("Hi" means "ice","muro" means "room".) The other ice houses are found in Chichibu and Karuizawa. Nikko’s natural water is frozen for 2 weeks and preserved in an ice room year round. The shaved ice is soft and won’t give you a headache even if you eat it quickly! Each shop in Nikko has its own shaved ice specialty. Try ujikintoki with maccha (powdered green tea),syrup and bean jam on top. Maybe strawberry or melon syrup is more your style? Why not try them all!

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
TOWA PURE COTTAGES

TOWA PURE COTTAGES

If you’re staying overnight in Nasu Highland (Tochigi Prefecture), stay at Nasu Highland TOWA PURE COTTAGES. Everything including fun, relaxation, and food is found amid the great outdoors of Nasu Highland at this cottage-style hotel where you can relax to your heart’s content. Each cottage has a fireplace made in Northern Europe and a rich variation of living rooms offering a comfortable setting with a spacious feel that promises an all-out resort lifestyle. Pet-friendly guest rooms allow you to sleep with your pets so you can spend the entire restful time with your furry friend. After experiencing the magnificent nature of Nasu, you can choose from a Western-style, Japanese-style, or barbecue dinner meticulously prepared with local ingredients by the chef. In addition, the large bath and open-air bath with natural, free-flowing hot spring water will gently envelop you in soft hot water for a full-body experience that soothes and promotes beautiful skin. As the official cottages for the neighboring Nasu Highland Park, there are a variety of perks, including being able to enjoy Nasu Forest Sky Athletic NOZARU, one of Japan’s largest adventure courses, as well as a dog run, tennis, karaoke, and glamping. The swaying of the trees and tranquil experience unique to a resort provide the ultimate in relaxation that can’t be experienced in the metropolis. Glamping is also available The word ‘glamping’ is a combination of the words ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping.’ The setting lets you fully enjoy the great outdoors even if you are new to outdoor activities such as camping. Not only is there a bed and sofa inside the tent, but a refrigerator, electric power, and other furnishings necessary for a comfortable experience are also included. Meals can be eaten at the hotel restaurant. Guests can choose from Japanese-style meals, Western-style meals, or a barbecue. The barbecue can be eaten out on the terrace, so you can enjoy the delicious food in comfort while immersed in the nature of Nasu. Don’t miss viewing the thrilling starry sky and fireflies in summer, experiences you could never have in the big city. Glamping can provide a unique hands-on experience that ordinary camping can’t, such as spending precious time with a special someone and creating family memories to look back on.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nichien Momiji Line

Nichien Momiji Line

This 1000-meter-high and 28 kilometer-long scenic route connects Kinugawa Onsen with Shiohara Onsen. It has many scenic spot with natural beauty to enjoy such as Taikooroshino Falls and Shirataki Falls. The views from the Fujimidai observatory are also excellent. The fall foliage is especially beautiful around mid-October to early November each year. The Kinugawa Onsen and Kawaji Onsen hot springs districts are also located nearby. A toll is required to access the road."

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Bike rental and cycling in Mashiko

Bike rental and cycling in Mashiko

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!

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI