With its explosion of cherry blossoms in spring and incredible fall foliage in the cooler months, Tochigi Prefecture invites exploration of its great outdoors in every season. A quick bullet train north of Tokyo lands you in the heart of one of Japan’s most luscious prefectures and invites an escape away from the sounds and crowds of the bigger cities. Embark on outdoor activities in Tochigi and experience everything from cycling and snowshoeing to stand-up paddleboarding and river rafting.
Nature Adventure Outdoor Club (NAOC) Activity Center In Kinugawa
Nestled in the foothills of Nikko National Park and in the heart of Kinugawa Onsen, the Nature Adventure Outdoor Club (NAOC) promises thrilling outdoor activities in lush surroundings. From rafting to canyoning, mountain-biking to stand-up paddleboarding, NAOC ensures memorable experiences for your group while enjoying the sights of Tochigi Prefecture. Don’t let the picturesque surroundings lull you into relaxation, however, as fun-filled treks, fresh-water dips, and even winter cycling excursions abound. NAOC welcomes families and children of every age and offers tailored day-trips appropriate for all age groups. Work parties and staff-strengthening outings also are invited to participate in the many activities offered at NAOC. Outdoor activities include rafting, canyoning, family canyoning, cycling, fishing, snow trekking and airboarding, just to name a few.
How to get to NAOC
NAOC is accessible by car following Nikko Utsunomiya Toll Road Imaichi IC National Route 121. If your party wishes to take the train, take the Tobu-Kinugawa Line and get off at Kinugawa Onsen Station. Note that you will need to make further transportation reservations with NAOC from the station.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Address: 871-2 Kinugawaonsentaki, Nikko
Admission: varies by activity
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RIDE Experience
A rolling countryside steeped in history, the Nasu region welcomes cyclists to meander through its pristine beauty with its “Nasu Satoyama Farm Ride,” a guided cycling tour around the beautiful countryside of Nasu. Bring a water bottle and work up an appetite for your farm-fresh lunch, made with vegetables you will harvest with your own hands. No experience is necessary on the “Forest Gravel Ride,” as oversized tires take cyclists of every age sturdily alongside streams and rice fields alike. A break with hot coffee from your guide ensures an extra boost for your leisurely ride back. Half-day and full-day tours are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
How to get to RIDE Experience
Once you take a JR Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station, you will arrive at RIDE Experience in 90 minutes. Get off the Tohoku Shinkansen at Nasushiobara Station, and take a free shuttle bus to Nasu Garden Outlet. The tour desk of RIDE Experience is inside Nasu Garden Outlet.
Address: 184-7 Shionozaki, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi (inside Nasu Garden Outlet)
Fees: this tour with RIDE Experience includes all equipment and insurance at a cost of 12,000 JPY (112.20 USD).
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Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Pristine lakes invite outdoor activities in Tochigi Prefecture, and stand-up paddleboarding is a favorite for both locals and visitors. Lake Chuzenji, with its crystal clear waters and incredible altitude, offers an unforgettable paddleboarding experience through Sup! Sup! Nikko. Tours take guests around Lake Chuzenji and by surrounding attractions like Chuzen-ji Temple, the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park and Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park. Paddleboarders also have the opportunity to explore the many attractions and nature trails around the lake on foot.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Fees: equipment sets range from 6,500 JPY (60 USD) for beginners to 7,500 JPY (69 USD) for advanced paddleboarders. Tour fees vary according to packages.
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Rafting
Tochigi Prefecture is water-rich and adventure-ready, and water rafting tours are readily available. Some of the best rafting experiences can be had in Nikko National Park and in the Nasu region, where waterfalls and tributaries are around every corner. Rafting tours are available through several agencies, and tourists of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join the fun! Prices range according to tour company but generally average about 6,000 JPY (56 USD). Rafting adventures can last a few hours or all day.
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Snowshoeing
Known for its brisk and bright winters, Tochigi Prefecture is a picturesque wonderland during snowy months, so it makes sense that snowshoeing in the mountains is a popular pastime. Some of the most popular snowshoeing trails edge through Nikko National Park, and travelers will find even more family-friendly trails at Mt. Jeans Nasu ski resort, which offers showshoeing treks through the beautiful Nasu Plateau. Treks take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily during winter. Tourists wanting to book a tour should contact the ski resort.
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Shugendo Path Training
Like so much of Japan, Shugendo, or path training, is a blending of culture and tradition that is practiced closely alongside Buddhism. Defined as ‘the path of training and testing’, Shugendo teaches that enlightenment is tied to the physical path that those practicing Shugendo take; a rigorous route through Tochigi Prefecture‘s mountainous regions and icy waterfalls allows for such testing of the body and mind to take place. Important Japanese cultural practices such as Noh theater and the traditional tea ceremony stem from Shugendo. Those new to path training can begin to understand the draw of these ascetic practices when surrounded by the quiet beauty of Japan.
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Discover hotels & places to stay near outdoor activities in Tochigi
Hotel Select Inn Utsunomiya
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
Hatago Nagomi Hot Spring Hotel
