Nikko
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s gilded mausoleum, ancient cedars and a vermilion bridge — Japan’s most ornate World Heritage site.
Destinations in Tochigi
Eleven places, grouped by area, each with its own tours, sights, transport, travel guide and seasons.
Tochigi divides naturally into four areas. The Nikko area in the north-west holds the famous shrines, the lake and the Kinugawa hot springs, all served by Tobu Railway. Nasu and Shiobara sit in the north-east along the Tohoku Shinkansen. Central Tochigi is the plain around Utsunomiya, and southern Tochigi — Ashikaga, Sano and Tochigi City — is the closest part to Tokyo.
Not sure where to start? Read the sample itineraries or compare areas on the home page.
Nikko area
World Heritage shrines, a mountain lake at 1,269 m, and the hot-spring valleys of the Kinugawa river.
Oku-Nikko
Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and high marshland above the Irohazaka hairpins — Nikko’s wild upper half.
Kinugawa & Kawaji Onsen
Riverside hot-spring hotels, a samurai-era theme park, miniature world wonders and a steam train in the valley next to Nikko.
Nasu & Shiobara
A volcanic highland of ropeways, farms and resort hotels, and an old onsen gorge of suspension bridges.
Nasu Highlands
An active volcano with a ropeway, ancient sulphur baths, forest walks and family attractions in the imperial family’s summer retreat.
Shiobara Onsen
A 1,200-year-old hot-spring valley of suspension bridges, waterfalls and autumn colour along the Hoki River.
Central Tochigi
The prefectural capital of gyoza and underground quarries, a pottery town, steam trains and a racing circuit.
Utsunomiya
Japan’s gyoza capital, with a vast underground stone quarry, a new tram line and a reputation for cocktails and jazz.
Mashiko
A working pottery town of kilns, galleries and craft cafés, made famous by the folk-craft potter Hamada Shoji.
Moka & Motegi
A weekend steam train through the rice fields, Japan’s top strawberry town and the home circuit of MotoGP in Japan.
Southern Tochigi
Wisteria and winter lights, a warehouse canal town, ramen and outlets — the closest corner to Tokyo.
Ashikaga
World-famous wisteria and winter illuminations at Ashikaga Flower Park, plus Japan’s oldest school and a moated samurai temple.
Tochigi City
A “little Edo” of black-walled storehouses along a willow-lined river, explored by pole boat — the town the prefecture is named after.
Sano
Outlet shopping, a famous bowl of ramen and a temple for warding off bad luck — an easy day trip 70 km from Tokyo.
Plan your trip
Shrines, waterfalls and hot springs, two hours from Tokyo
Nikko’s World Heritage shrines, Lake Chuzenji, Ashikaga’s wisteria and the Nasu highlands are all an easy trip from the capital. Compare tours and tickets and book in a couple of taps.