[Tochigi ]Not just Nikko! Sightseeing Spots by Area in Tochigi Prefecture
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2024-08-27
Tochigi is a natural tourist destination with easy access from Tokyo. Tochigi is famous for the Nikko area, including the World Heritage sites of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls, and is a popular spot for school excursions.
However, Tochigi Prefecture is home to some of the most famous places, such as "Ashikaga Flower Park ", which is famous for its large wisteria trellises.
Nature is so diverse, from early spring to late fall, that you can never experience it all in just one or two visits.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the standard spots in Tochigi Prefecture, which is full of such attractions, as well as to some of the more off-the-beaten-track spots that you may want to stop by.
This article will help you plan your trip to Tochigi Prefecture.
However, Tochigi Prefecture is home to some of the most famous places, such as "Ashikaga Flower Park ", which is famous for its large wisteria trellises.
Nature is so diverse, from early spring to late fall, that you can never experience it all in just one or two visits.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the standard spots in Tochigi Prefecture, which is full of such attractions, as well as to some of the more off-the-beaten-track spots that you may want to stop by.
This article will help you plan your trip to Tochigi Prefecture.
Author of this article
Table of Contents
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- 1-1.1-2.1-3.2.
- 2-1.2-2.3.4.
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Kinugawa Onsen Area
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Tobu World Square
Kinugawa Onsen is located in the upper reaches of the Kinugawa River in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, and is surrounded by rich nature. It is a historic hot spring founded in the Edo period. The Kinugawa Onsen area offers not only hot springs, but also World Heritage sites, scenic spots, leisure spots, and many other attractive sightseeing spots, where you can enjoy the seasonal changes!
Tobu World Square
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Inside the park
Tobu World Square, an outdoor theme park that opened in 1993 and offers a world travel experience, "Tobu World Square ".
It is a magical theme park where you can see the canal, Tokyo Sky Tree, and Tokyo Tower all at once.
The 48 buildings and other structures registered as World Heritage sites are reproduced at a scale of 1/25th of the real ones.
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▲Egypt Zone
The park is divided into six areas: 1) Japan Zone, 2) Contemporary Japan Zone, 3) America Zone, 4) Egypt Zone, 5) Europe Zone, and 6) Asia Zone.
Another attraction is the seasonal plants and illumination events.
Now that the new coronavirus has made it impossible to travel abroad easily, why not go to Kanto to see the world's most spectacular scenery?
"Facility Information "
Name: Tobu World Square
Address: 209-1 Ohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko-shi, Tochigi 321-2593
Phone number: 0288-77-1055 (reservation center)
Office hours: Summer (3/20-11/30) 9:00-17:00, Winter (12/1-3/19) 9:30-16:00
Regular holiday: No mid-year break
Admission: Same-day tickets: Adults 2,800 yen, Children 1,400 yen
Advance tickets: Adults 2,500 yen, Children 1,200 yen
URL: https://www.tobuws.co.jp//
Kinugawa Onsen Station
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Kinugawa Onsen Station around November 2020
In front of Kinugawa Onsen Station, there is a turntable of SL Taiki, a tourist information center, a free footbath, and a souvenir shop. You can soak in the footbath in the plaza in front of the station and plan your sightseeing tour, or take a soak before boarding the train for your return trip and recover from the fatigue of your journey.
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Scenery in front of Kinugawa Onsen Station
On SL/DL operation days, about four times a day, the SL Taiki enters the turntable of the SL at the plaza in front of Kinugawa Onsen Station, where anyone can see the SL up close.
Be sure to watch as it rotates and changes direction with the sound of the steam whistle.
The name of the station originated in the Edo period when it was called "Shimotaki Onsen "and "Taki no Yu ". When it was established, it was named "Shimotaki Station ", but the name was changed in 1927.
The Kinugawa River, which runs through deep mountains, is famous for its beautiful valleys.
Renowned as one of the leading hot spring resorts in the Kanto region, it was relocated to its current location in 1964.
"Facility Information "
Name: Kinugawa Onsen Station
Address: 1390 Ohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
Phone number: 0288-77-1151
Longwangxia
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View from Nijimi Bridge
The Ryuoukyo Gorge is a natural work of art that combines giant rocks and clear streams.
It is said that 22 million years ago, volcanic rocks erupted from undersea volcanic activity and were eroded by the flow of the Kinugawa River, resulting in the landscape we see today.
Also, "Ryuohkyo "was named in 1950 because the sight looks like a dragon slouching.
"Ryuoukyo "stretches approximately 3 km between Kawaji Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen.
From Kawaji Onsen, there is a well-maintained promenade with few ups and downs, about 7 km, which can be walked in 3 to 4 hours, and is recommended for those who want to enjoy hiking at a leisurely pace.
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▲Hongmibashi
"Facility Information "
Name: Dragon King Gorge
Address: 1357 Fujiwara, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
Access: A short walk from Ryuokyo Station on the Noiwa Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line
Nasu Area
One of the largest amusement parks in northern Kanto "Nasu Highland Park ".
With approximately 40 different types of attractions, this is a theme park where visitors can spend the entire day playing.
There are also a variety of indoor facilities, including the famous "eight coaster-type attractions called "and the relatively newly opened "VR Theater "and "XD Dark Ride ".
More than half of the attractions in the park can be enjoyed by children under 3 years old, and there are also many attractions that can be ridden with dogs, so the whole family can enjoy the park!
"Facility Information "
Name: Nasu Highland Park
Address：〒325-0398 Tochigi Prefecture, Nasu-gun, Nasu-cho, Takakubetsu 3375
Phone number: 0287-78-1150
Access: Approximately 70 minutes from Nasushiobara Station by Kanto Bus
Hours of operation: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
URL: https://www.nasuhai.co.jp/
Nasu Animal Kingdom
As if you were lost in the world of animals, you can freely interact with and feed capybaras and alpacas at "Nasu Animal Kingdom ".
This is a very popular tourist spot where you can feed your favorite animals, watch a powerful animal show, take a walk around the kingdom with dogs and rabbits that you can rent, and be healed by adorable animals.
Zoos are often thought of as facilities for families, but in fact, they are recommended spots where adults can also fully enjoy themselves!
"Facility Information "
Name: Nasu Animal Kingdom
Address：1042-1 Oshima, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, 〒329-3223
Access: "From the "ETC-only "entrance/exit located at the Nasu Kogen Service Area ", "Nasu Animal Kingdom "can be reached in about 15 minutes by private car. The gate is open 24 hours a day.
Hours of operation: Varies depending on the date and time. Please refer to the business day calendar on the official website.
（https://www.nasu-oukoku.com/info/businesshours/）
Nasu Safari Park
A hands-on safari park where visitors can get up close and personal with 700 animals of about 70 species, including white lions, and even feed them. There is also a safari walk and petting area. The night safari is also popular.
It is one of the best drive-through zoos in Japan where you can see powerful animals up close and personal, so be sure to visit.
"Facility Information "
Name: Nasu Safari Park
Address：3523 Takakubetsu, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi-ken
Access: 17 minutes from Kuroiso Station on the JR Utsunomiya Line by bus bound for Nasu Yumoto, 5 minutes walk from Nasu Safari Park Entrance bus stop.
Hours: 8:30-16:30 (closing at 17:00) *Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: from 8:00
Night Safari: 18:30 - 21:00 (closing at 22:00)
URL: https://www.nasusafari.com/
Utsunomiya Area
This museum is located at the site of a mining site in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
The museum's exhibition hall features materials on the history of Oyaishi mining, as well as tools and mining methods used for hand mining from the mid-Edo period to the mid-Showa period.
The underground mining site is 30 meters deep and covers a vast space of 20,000 square meters, creating a mysterious world that resembles the interior of an underground temple or pyramid.
"Facility Information "
Name: Otani Information Center
Address: 909 Otani-machi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 321-0345
If you are coming by car, please enter the phone number or the name of the facility "Oyasiryokan "when looking for us on the map or car navigation system.
Phone number: 028-652-1232
Access: From JR Utsunomiya Station, board a bus bound for Otani/Tateiwa at bus stop No. 6 at the west exit, and the ride will take about 30 minutes. From Tobu Utsunomiya Station, board a bus bound for Otani/Tateiwa at the Tobu Ekimae bus stop.
Hours of operation (April-November): 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
(December - March): 9:30 - 16:30 (last admission 16:00)
Nasushiobara Area
Located in the Itamuro district of Nasu Shiobara City, famous for its Itamuro Hot Springs, Otome no Taki Falls is a popular spot surrounded by the lush greenery of Nasu's nature.
A beautiful waterfall about 5 meters wide and 10+ meters in drop, located on the Sawana River flowing from Mt. Shirasasa, the waterfall can be seen in various expressions depending on the season and the amount of water. "Maiden Falls ".
This is a good point for those who want to refresh their minds and bodies with pure water and clean air.
It is also very famous as an Instagram-worthy spot, and has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially as a summer resort, so be sure to visit when you are in the Nasushiobara area.
"Facility Information "
Name: Otome Falls
Address：〒325-0011 Itamuro 703, Nasu-Shiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture
Parking: available "Maiden Falls Rest Area "Please use the free parking lot in front of (about 20 regular cars)
Trail: From the parking lot, descend the stairs for about 30 meters to the viewing platform, then descend another 30 meters to the river.
Nasu Garden Outlets
An outlet mall with a view of the Nasu Mountain Range. A commercial facility with approximately 140 stores, including not only world-class brands in fashion, sports, and outdoors, but also fresh vegetables from local producers, restaurants, and stores to enjoy with your dog, "Nasu Garden Outlets ".
By train, a free shuttle bus (8 minutes) is available from Nasushiobara Station (JR), so you can enjoy shopping without any trouble of access.
"Facility Information "
Name: Nasu Garden Outlets
Address: 184-7 Shionozaki, Nasushiobara, Tochigi 329-3122
Business hours: 10:00-19:00 *Varies depending on the season and day of the week.
Closed: One weekday in two days every year
Phone number: 0287-65-4999
Access: (1) 2 minutes by car from Kuroiso/Itamuro I.C.
(2)8 minutes by bus from the west exit of Nasushiobara Station (free of charge)
summary
Tochigi Prefecture has become a standard spot for school excursions, especially for those living in the Kanto region. While there are many popular spots such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Oku-Nikko, and Lake Chuzenji, there are also many other sightseeing spots in addition to Nikko, each with their own attractions.
In this article, we have divided the article into the Kinugawa Onsen area, Nasu area, and Utsunomiya area, but there are still many other attractive sightseeing spots that have not been fully introduced, such as Yudaki, Kakuseishi, and Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge. Please refer to this article to plan your trip to Tochigi and feel the charms of Tochigi that you have not yet discovered.
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