Top 40 things to do in Tochigi according to TripAdvisor

Do you know the top places to see or things to do when visiting Tochigi? The following (according to TripAdvisor) should give you a pretty good idea of what to go see during your time there.

The top of your list would probably be the World Heritage site, Nikko Toshogu Shrine. It's a beautiful place year round. It's surrounded by the lush green trees in the spring and summer, the golden autumn leaves later in the year, and finally covered in a thin coating of snow in the winter. Only about 2 hours from Tokyo, it's a perfect place for a day trip.

Ashikaga Flower Park

This is Japan’s largest wisteria garden with more than 350 beautiful wisteria trees. Flowers such as roses and hydrangeas can be enjoyed all year round. It was even chosen by CNN as one of the Nine Dream Tourist Destinations in the World.

Toshogu Shrine

Toshogu enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Shogun who established the Edo Shogunate. There are many highlights including the extravagantly decorated Yomemon gate, and the decorative carvings known as the Sleeping Cat and the Three Wise Monkeys.

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura

It will take even an adult more than 1 hour to just walk around the grounds. It is an illusionary experience that will make you wonder if you have gotten lost in the world of movies. Transforming yourself into a person of the Edo era is the key to fully enjoying the theme park.

Oya History Museum

An underground quarry big enough to comfortably hold a baseball stadium. Within this amazing pit that makes you feel like you’re in a cathedral, concerts, movies, and TV shows have been filmed.

Nikko National Park

The park is so big that you enter it without even noticing. It is a magnificent natural park with over 2000 m of volcanic plains dotted with lakes, marshlands, and waterfalls.

Kegon Falls

The water falling down a long distance from a great height looks like it’s in slow motion. The intensity of the waterfall is quite hard to capture in a photograph, so go see it for yourself.

Nasu Animal Kingdom Tochigi Prefecture

The zoo’s concept is “direct interaction”. It allows visitors to feed lesser pandas and pet capybaras, something that cannot be experienced anywhere else. There are also indoor facilities so you don’t have to worry if it rains.

Futarasan Shrine

This temple that was built by Shodo Shoin, the first to priest to explore Mount Nikko. The temple worships Mount Nantai as a god and continues to keep guard over Mount Nikko.

Senjogahara

At an altitude of 1400 meters, Senjogahara is located within Nikko National Park. It was named Senjogahara (battlefield) from a legend of the gods coming to this place and fighting battles.

Taiyuinbyo

Taiyuinbyo is the grave of the third Shogun (military governor) of the Tokugawa dynasty, Iemitsu Tokugawa. He truly respected his grandfather, Ieyasu Tokugawa, and wrote in his will that he will “continue to serve Ieyasu even in death.”

Ryuzu Falls

The city of Nikko is located 600 meters above sea level, but Ryuzu Falls is at an even higher elevation. It is a waterfall that symbolizes the secluded Oku-Nikko region known as a summer resort area.

Yutaki Waterfall

There is an elegance to the water gliding out over the black rock surface. The bubbling water in harmony with the spring flowers and the autumn foliage is a sight so lovely you will never forget it.

Shinkyo Bridge

In the past, only important officials like the “shogun” (military commander) could cross over this bridge. The vermilion bridge among the green trees is a beautiful sight. It is ideal for this bridge to act as the entry point into the Nikko area.

Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

This is an Important Cultural Property of Japan located close to the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”. The building beautifully integrates the architectural techniques of the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho Eras.

Irohazaka

Irohazaka is a part of National Route 120 in Nikko of Tochigi Prefecture. It spans from Umagaeshi to the shores of Lake Chuzenji. In the middle of the route, there is an observation point famed for the wonderful view.

Lake Chuzenji

A lake created when the eruption of Mount Nantai 20,000 years ago dammed the area. It’s located within a national park at an altitude of 1200 m. It is also the largest highland lake in the world.

Kanmangafuchi Abyss

This is a place that was formed by the lava from the eruption of Mount Nantai. This lava formed ravine, a gift from the land, is a soothing walking course along the Daiya River.

Rinnoji

Founded by Shodo Shonin more than 1,200 years ago, the entire area of Nikko has served as a place for worship. Rinnoji is also known for its unique and intriguing ceremony called “Gohanshiki”. *The temple’s main hall, Sanbutsudo, is currently undergoing “the great repair of the Heisei period.” Until 2020, visitors will be able to have the unique and valuable experience of looking down into the main hall from above.

Nikko Yumoto Onsen

This is the No. 1 onsen area as designated by the country. The quiet and relaxing onsen town is a different world next to the hustle and bustle around the station. It’s also ideal as an activity place for Oku-Nikko.

Akechidaira

The amazing view of Oku-Nikko can be seen from Akechidaira. Located on the winding Irohazaka road, you can take a break from driving and enjoy the wonderful scenery from the large parking area.

Nasu Alpaca Farm

The alpaca is a popular animal with its soft fur, long eyelashes, and adorable eyes. Here you can feed them and even take a stroll with them. 400 of these alpacas reside on the large grounds of Japan’s first alpaca farm.

Ryuokyo Gorge

This gorge was created from the eruption of an undersea volcano 22 million years ago. It is a beautiful place with many different types of scenery, including waterfalls and marshes. It was selected as No. 5 of the nation’s Top 100 tourist destinations.

Nikko Botanical Garden

Grass, ponds and wetlands populate an area that spans over 100,000㎡, and there are even remnants of an Imperial villa in this forest-like site that runs along the streams of the Daiya River that flows from Kegon Falls.

Hangetsuyama

Hangetsuyama is a mountain located in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture with an altitude of 1753 meters. The observation deck on the mountain is famous for its splendid view of Oku-Nikko.

Kinugawa River Boat Cruise

Starting from Kinunuma Marsh in Nikko National Park, the Kinugawa merges with one of the largest rivers in Japan, the Tone River, which straddles the border area between Chiba and Tochigi Prefectures. On the Kinugawa River Boat Cruise, you can enjoy a trip down the Kinugawa River gorge.

Furumine Shrine

The shrine was established by the monk, Shodo Shonin, who first developed the Nikko area. It is a training ground for all monks in Nikko. In the grand “shaden” (main building), over 200 masks of “tengu” (long nosed goblin) are on display, and the Japanese garden and accommodations are also popular.

Tobu World Square

Consisting of 6 zones including Japan, the United States and Egypt, 102 buildings from 21 countries including 45 World Heritage sites are recreated. The night illumination is also popular.

Nasu Highlands

A hot springs village and an area of summer cottages spread out at the foot of the Nasu Mountains in the northern part of Tochigi Prefecture. Along with mountain climbing, there are also many tourist spots such as hot springs, farms, zoos, amusement parks, and ski resorts.

Chuzenji Temple

Chuzenji Temple is popular for its good luck in romantic fulfillment in areas such as matchmaking and prevention of affairs. Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park can be viewed from the temple.

Yunishigawa Onsen

Nikko is popular as a tourist destination lush in nature, blessed by mountains, rivers and lakes. In the middle of the nature of Nikko, you can relax at Yunishigawa Onsen.

Shika-no-Yu (Deer Baths)

One of the 7 hot springs in Nasu. It is the first “onsen” discovered in Tochigi Prefecture and is the 32nd oldest “onsen” in the country.

Twin Ring Motegi

The racetrack opened in 1997. Besides watching races, you can also try out the car of your dreams on the racetrack. Children can also try driving other vehicles at Mobi Park, one of the facilities in this nature surrounded area.

Ryuuka (Changing Dragon) Falls

This is the most famous waterfall among the 10 Major Waterfalls of Shiobara. It is 5 m wide and 60 m tall, flowing down 3 tiers. Its resemblance of a dragon climbing the bedrock towards the sky has given the waterfall its name.

Heiwa Kannon

This Buddha has been carved into the rock face in honor of the people who died during World War II. It is a statue of Kannon that took 6 years from 1948 to complete and rises to a height of 27m. After climbing up the stairs to the top of the statue, you can get a panoramic view of the town of Oya.

Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park

Utsunomiya Castle which had most of its structure burned down in a war has been partially restored to become a park for city residents to relax in. At the Seimeikan History and Culture Museum inside the park, there are exhibits related to the history of Utsunomiya. Another highlight is during the weekends when the area is all lit up.

Matsugamine Catholic Church

Matsugamine Catholic Church was established in 1888 by a priest representing the Paris Foreign Missions Society. The church possesses twin spires, an unusual feature in Japan, and has a design combining church architecture of the ancient and early Middle Ages and a Romanesque style. Oya stone was used to construct the interior and exterior walls, and it is said that the church is the largest surviving example of architecture using the stone.

Orion Street

Various establishments such as restaurants, clothing stores and CD shops can be found in this canopied arcade which stretches for 280m. There are also many down-home restaurants where you can sample the famous gyoza dumplings and Utsunomiya yakisoba. Orion Street is also popular for its jazz and cocktails so there are plenty of bars serving great drinks.

Utsunomiya Futarayama Shrine

Utsunomiya Futarayama Shrine is located on the top of Mt. Myojin in the center of Utsunomiya City. After being burned down several times, the shrine was reconstructed into his present form in 1877. Boasting an ancient history of about 1600 years, the shrine is closely tied to the lives of the residents through their prayers against misfortune and for academic success so many worshipers come to visit.

Ōya-ji Temple

The 4m-high Thousand-Armed Kannon carved into the rock is enshrined as the main object of worship and it along with 9 other Buddha figures carved into the rock face have been nationally designated both as Special Historic Sites and Important Cultural Properties. It’s been said that the Kannon was created by the Buddhist monk Kobo-Daishi but according to recent research, it shares many points in common with the stone Buddhas of Bamiyan so it is now thought that it may have actually been built by Afghan monks.

Oya Keikan Park

This area, which has been established as a park, is famous for its bare craggy rock wall from which high-quality Oya stone has been excavated. While admiring the view of the strangely-shaped rock, you can also enjoy a break and a stroll there.

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