Japan’s Tochigi Prefecure is a popular tourist destination located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is easily accessible and makes an excellent getaway from the bustling city. Visitors come year-round to experience the region’s seasonal activities, events, and scenery. There are a number of things to do in Tochigi, from hiking at Lake Chuzenji to relaxing at Shiobara Onsen. The prefecture also is known for its shrines, temples, and rich cultural heritage.
1. Explore the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nikko is an easy day trip from Tokyo and a favorite getaway for city dwellers. This mountain town is not only a portal to nature, but it also is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Shrines and Temples of Nikko. The site consists of the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine, Nikko Futarasan Jinja shrine, and Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple, which contain a total of 103 religious buildings and structures, all built beautifully into the surrounding scenery. You can visit each site on foot.
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2. Take in the natural splendor of Lake Chuzenji
Lake Chuzenji is a picturesque mountain lake in Nikko National Park, just west of Nikko. It sits underneath volcanic Mount Nantai, which formed the lake when it erupted and blocked the Yukawa River 20,000 years ago. It is possible to hike around the 15.5-mile (25-kilometer) circumference of the lake, or you can take a sightseeing ferry from Lake Chuzenji Cruise Terminal along its eastern shore. There are two popular waterfalls in the area worth a visit as well — Kegon Falls in Chuzenji Onsen and Ryuzu Falls along the lake’s northern shore.
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3. Immerse yourself in nature in the Nasu Highlands
The Nasu Highlands is a mountainous area in the north of Tochigi that the imperial family has long favored as a summer escape. At the center of the area sits Mount Nasu, another of the prefecture’s volcanos. The mountain is a popular hiking destination, with scenic suspension bridges and waterfalls along its lower slopes and a ropeway that will take you up to the top. The Nasu Highlands is dotted by resorts and restaurants, and you can also catch sightseeing buses from the Yuai no Mori transit hub.
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4. Enjoy a relaxing stop at Shiobara Onsen
Shiobara Onsen is a wonderfully charming hot spring town located along Hoki River in a forested valley. The town is known for its wide variety of hot spring baths, which are fed by 11 different springs. There are more than 150 baths to choose from, each with distinct mineral compositions that result in different colors and water properties. Most baths at Shiobara Onsen are very affordable and open to the public, making this a great spot to try different types of hot spring baths and see which you like best.
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5. Walk through Four Seasons Bamboo Forest Wakayama Farm
Four Seasons Bamboo Forest Wakayama Farm is a 24-hectare bamboo farm in the north of Utsunomiya, the capital city of Tochigi Prefecture. The farm has been operated for more than 100 years by three generations of the same family. Visitors can enjoy the unique experience of walking through a magical bamboo grove, which has been the setting for numerous movies and commercials. You also can pick tasty bamboo shoots in the spring, as well as blueberries in the summer and chestnuts in the fall.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays (final admission is 30 minutes before closing)
Admission fees: 500 JPY (4.75 USD) for adults and 250 JPY (2.35 USD) for children
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6. See beautiful flowers at Ashikaga Flower Park
Ashikaga Flower Park is a seasonal garden located in the city of Ashikaga. The 10-hectare park features different botanical displays throughout the year but is most famous for its springtime wisteria blooms. A beloved flower in Japan, the wisteria reach their peak in Tochigi around the beginning of May. Ashikaga Flower Park houses more than 350 wisteria plants, including a 150-year-old wisteria tree that forms a stunning flower canopy. Walking through the colorful wisteria tunnel is a memorable experience as well.
Hours: Ashikaga Flower Park is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in Summer Season (normally from March through October) and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Winter Season (normally from November through February).
Admission fees: tickets range from 400 JPY (3.80 USD) to 1,900 JPY (18 USD) for adults and 200 JPY (1.90 USD) to 900 JPY (8.50 USD) for children, depending on the season and condition of the flowers.
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Photo credit: IG@lodeur_du_soleil
7. Go on a river tour with the Kuranomachi Pleasure Boat Agency
The Kuranomachi Pleasure Boat Agency operates boat tours on the Uzuma River in Tochigi City. During the fun and educational 20-minute tour, your guide will introduce you to the rich history of the area and even teach you a song! The river water is exceptionally clear, allowing you to see the koi swimming below. In the springtime, the boats travel under hundreds of carp streamers displayed along the river for the Uzuma no Koinobori Festival.
Hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last ride at 3:50 p.m.) March through November and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last ride at 2:50 p.m.) December through February
Ticket prices: 700 JPY (6.60 USD) for adults, 500 JPY (4.75 USD) for children and 100 JPY (1 USD) for pets (certain rules apply)
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8. Take a day trip to Mashiko Pottery Town
Mashiko is a southeastern Tochigi town renowned for its traditional pottery, which has been produced in the town since the Edo period. The pottery is celebrated for its rustic simplicity and visually appealing designs. Each piece is as practical as it is beautiful, attracting buyers from all around the world. Mashiko has numerous pottery studios and museums detailing its history, and you also can take a tour through the town on weekends and holidays.
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9. Try traditional weaving at Moka Momen Kaikan (Cotton Hall)
The city of Moka (Mo-Oka) is famous for a traditional handicraft — cotton weaving. Every step of the process of making Moka cotton, including the growing, dyeing, and weaving, is done entirely by hand. Come see the weaving process yourself at Moka Cotton Hall, which offers hands-on weaving and dying experiences as well. You also can find authentic Moka cotton products for sale at Moka Cotton Hall and at gift shops along the main downtown road.
Hours: open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Tuesday)
Admission price: free
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10. Tour the sake-aging cave at Shimazaki Sake Brewery
Visiting the Shimazaki Sake Brewery in the eastern Tochigi town of Nasukarasuyama is a great way to round out your visit to the prefecture. The brewery creates sake using high-quality local rice and clear spring water from Mount Nasu for a final product that has a distinctly sweet taste. Visitors can also take a tour of the brewery’s storage cave, which was originally constructed during World War II and is used to age around 100,000 bottles of sake at a time.
Hours: the brewery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; tours are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays from mid-March to mid-December.
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Discover more hotels & ryokans in Tochigi
Smile Hotel Utsunomiya Nishiguchi Ekimae
Smile Hotel Utsunomiya Higashiguchi
Nikko Park Lodge Tobu Station
