History / Culture / Tour Spots in Tochigi Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Shinkyo Bridge

4.0

917 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Kamihatsuishimachi

The Shinkyo Bridge is a beautiful bridge that hangs at the entrance into the mountains of Nikko, and is a structure which belongs to Futarasan Shrine. At the end of the Nara period, on the occasion of Shodo Shonin founding a temple, he sought divine assistance from gods and Buddhas as he was blocked from crossing the Daiya River. Thereupon, Jinja-ou (the God of the River) had appeared and released two snakes. Legend has it that mountain sedge sprouted from the backs of those two snakes and they turned into a bridge which is the Shinkyo Bridge. The bridge was built in its current vermillion-lacquered form in 1636. Thereafter, it was washed away by a flood, but it was rebuilt in 1904. It is an Important Cultural Property of Japan and it was also registered as a World Heritage site in 1999. The Shinkyo bridge is regarded as one of the three most eccentric bridges in Japan.

Nice spot to take pictures. You can pay to walk the bridge, but I didnt feel the need to. Better to take the pictures of the bridge.
Ohya History Museum

4.5

605 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Oyamachi 909

This museum is at the site of a former quarry in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. Apart from introducing guests to the history of Oya stone mining and its techniques, it displays tools used for hand excavation between Japan’s feudal era and the 1950s in its exhibition hall. At a depth of 30 meters, the quarry spans a vast 20 thousand square meters, producing a mysterious world like an underground temple or the inside of a pyramid. It is also used as a location for shooting films and television dramas, as well as a concert venue.

We decided to go here because it was very different from the normal touristy attractions. But let me tell you it didn’t disappoint the way it is set up is amazing. Lights set in such a way to enhance...
Futarasan Jinja Shrine

4.0

584 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2307

This shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko’s three most sacred mountains and highest peaks of the Nikko mountain range. Besides the main shrine is Chugushi at the shore of Lake Chuzenji, a rear shrine that stands at the summit of Mt. Nantai, and associated shrines Hongu Jinja and Takio Jinja Shrine. The establishment of Futarasan Jinja Shrine is said to have begun in 762 when Shodo Shonin built a small shrine as a Hongu Jinja shrine. Now the shrine is popular for its associations with good luck and the god of marriage. 11 buildings of the shaden (main shrine area) including the honden (main shrine) with its “yatsumune” style of construction and haiden (hall of worship) with its gabled, hipped roof have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. The lantern called “Bake-doro” in the shrine gardens is one highlight worth seeing.

世界遺産『日光の社寺』を構成する神社の一つ。山岳信仰の聖地の一つでもあり、日光三山を構成する『男体山』『女峰山』『太郎山』を御神体としている。一方で輪王寺には、これらの山を仏として見立てた仏像が三仏堂に安置されていることからも分かるように、日光の社寺と日光三山の関係性は切っても切れないことが分かる。二荒山神社の由来は諸説あり定かではない。一説には『男体山』と『女峰山』の二つの神が由来となっており...
Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2301

A shrine located in Sannai, Nikko City. It was founded in 1617 as a shrine dedicated to the Tosho Daigongen (Tokugawa Ieyasu). There are many buildings including eight National Treasures and 34 Important Cultural Properties in the shrine grounds as well as the beautifully adorned and richly colored carvings of the Three Wise Monkeys—Mizaru, Iwazaru and Kikazaru (see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil)—and the Nemuri-neko (sleepy cat) attributed to Hidari Jingoro. Nikko Toshogu is also registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko.
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

4.5

330 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Honchou 8-27

This is a Tochigi prefectural urban park which was landscaped in 1899 as a place of convalescence for Emperor Taisho. One part of the former Akasaka homestead of the Edo daimyo, Kishu Tokugawa was moved to its current location at the wealthy person’s villa which formerly existed here. Even after that, additional buildings were added but the overall harmony was retained. The building has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and it is possible to tour the interior of the building. You can enjoy the various scenery from season to season starting with the 400-year-old weeping cherry tree in the garden.

The Villa is very well maintained and surprisingly large. Not as old as some in Japan but full of traditional architecture and styling. The gardens are beautifully maintained and well worth a wander...
Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine

4.0

280 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Utsunomiya-shi Baba Dori 1-1-1

This shrine to the 2,486-meter-high sacred mountain Mt. Futaara is also the tutelary shrine of Nikko. The temple's massive precinct covers some 3,400 hectares that includes the Nikko Mountains, which are part of Nikko National Park, as well as the Kegon Falls, the descending Irohazaka route, and Shinkyo Bridge, an important cultural asset.

This ancient shrine is in middle of city, and is pretty peaceful as well. Need to climb a few stairs to reach the top, isnt much of a problem for anyone with average health. The compound is also...
Seiji Fujishiro Museum, Nasu Highland

4.5

222 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Nasu-gun Nasumachi Yumoto 203

The museum is a theater-style museum that can be called the culmination of the work of Seiji Fujishiro, an artist of light and prayer, and where an objet d'art of a cat guides visitors through the lush garden that leads from the Nagaya-mon gate. A brick chapel with beautiful stained glass windows is also located in the garden.

I was moved by his great expressiveness. This museum was better than I expected. But, the explanation board is only in Japanese.
Oya-ji Temple (Oya Kannon)

4.0

197 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Oyamachi 1198

This Tendai Sect Buddhist temple in Oya Town, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi has been built surrounded by a cavern. Within the temple are 10 stone carvings of buddha carved directly into the cavern wall including Japan’s oldest statue of the goddess Kannon (the Oya thousand-armed Kannon). These historical artifacts have led the temple to have been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, even today the temple draws many visitors.

We have followed Kobo Daishi around Japan, so no wonder that we came here. The temple was founded by him and the thousand-armed Kannon is said to have been his work. In addition to this figure...
Soshuji Temple (Sanoyakuyoke-daishi)

3.5

142 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Sanoshi Kanaikamichou 2233

Sanoyakuyoke-daishi is the popular name of this Tendai Buddhist temple in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The name was made famous via TV commercials. A protective statue of the priest Ryogen is installed, so the temple has become associated with warding off misfortune. It’s one of the three main Tendai temples of the Kanto region for improving your luck, so every New Year’s Day people pour in for Hatsumode, the first prayers of the New Year.

佐野に行った帰りに立ち寄りました。次々に人が参拝にやってきます。おみくじの自動販売機があって子供たちも楽しんでひいていました。いつでも稼働している感じが賑やかでいいですねお祓いをしてもらっている人もいました。聞いているだけで心鎮まります。
Ashio Copper Mine

4.0

130 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Ashiomachitsudou 9-2

The Ashio Copper Mine in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture was once the mining capital of Japan. It supplied the nation’s copper industry for about 400 years until closure. A portion of the mine is open to visitors, and a trolley train lets you tour the inside and learn about the mining industry through the ages, the history of the mines, and the mining process.

The Ashio Copper Mine is a theme park where visitors can comprehensively learn about the Ashio Copper Mine, which was once one of the largest copper mines in Japan. There are many such facilities...
Honda Collection Hall

4.5

74 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi ken Haga-gun Mogi-cho Hayama 120-1

"The Honda Collection Hall is a museum of Honda products located within the Twin Ring Motegi racetrack, around 30 minutes' drive from the Mito-Kita Smart Interchange on the Joban Expressway. The main focus is on Honda's motorcycles and cars; the second floor exhibits present the history of Honda's commercial products, while the third floor charts the development of Honda's involvement in motor sport. The first floor has the ""ASIMO Super Live"" zone, where visitors can see a functioning ASIMO robot. Special exhibitions are held throughout the year, and the ""Pit Workshop,"" housed in a separate building, has a range of experience-type activities that visitors can enjoy, including vehicle assembly and part-changing activities."

Honda is one of the most prolific brands in the automotive world, both for street vehicles and racing ones, so if you are into cars and motorbikes, you absolutely must visit this museum. The first...
Ashikaga Orihime Shrine

4.0

124 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Ashikaga-shi Nishinomiya Cho 3889

"This Shinto shrine is sung of in the ""Ashikaga Ondo,"" a song about the local area: ""If you come to Ashikaga / Look for Orihime's red shrine / Clatter-thump-thump / Clatter-thump / Ashikaga, town of pictures / Town of machinery."" Boasting history and traditions stretching back 1,300 years, the shrine is seen as the guardian shrine of the textile town of Ashikaga. The current main shrine building, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2017, was rebuilt in 1937 after its predecessor was destroyed in a fire in 1880. From the crimson-lacquered shrine, visitors can get a sweeping view of the Kanto Plain. In 2014, the shrine was designated a Lover's Sanctuary and was also selected for inclusion in the Japan Nightscape Heritage list."

この神社の名物は、２百十余段の参道階段。カップルで上ると別れるという変わった縁結びの神社。鍵に二人の名前を書き、神社につるし、鍵は持ち帰ることもできます。
Bannaji Temple

4.0

153 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Ashikagashi Ietomichou 2220

This Buddhist temple in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, was founded by Ashikaga Yoshikane in 1196. A Shingon sect Dainichi school temple the principle object of worship is Dainichi-Nyorai. The main hall was declared an Important Cultural Property in 1950 and was declared a National Treasure in 2013. The temple is a great place to see the sakura cherry blossoms in the spring and yellow gingko leaves in the fall.

Being an ancient samurai castle this is a true marvel of Japanese culture and heritage. Beautiful and tranquil.
Takino Jinja Shrine

4.5

118 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2310-1

Associated with Futarasan Jinja Shrine, this shrine is located approximately one kilometer from the main shrine. Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, the princess of Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, is enshrined here. The shrine is encompassed by a fence and is built in a quiet space amidst the trees where Tagorihime is said to have descended to earth. Sights to see include the Kodane-ishi, where visitors offer prayers for conception and easy childbirth, the Enmusubi-no-Sasa, and the Undameshi-no-torii, a stone torii gate where it is customary to try your luck tossing stones through the small hole near the top. Shiraito Falls located nearby is also a must-see.

We did the temples, shrines and the Imperial Villa, but this was the best thing we did in Nikko. The trail starts near the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge and proceeds up the mountain past the Toshogu Shrine...
Nikkosan Chuzen-ji Temple

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2578

This temple belonging to the Tendai sect located near Lake Chuzenji in Nikko City is a branch temple of Nikko Rinnoji Temple. It began when Shodo Shonin, the founder of the Nikkozan religious sites witnessed Senju-kannon (the thousand arm Kannon goddess) appearing on the lake and carved an image of the Kannon in a standing tree or “tachiki,” which became the principal object of worship at the temple. It is the eighteenth temple in the Bando pilgrimage circuit (comprised of 33 Kannon temples in the Kanto region). People worship the Tachiki Kannon in the hondo (main temple building) as the shoganjoju Buddha, which is believed to grant people’s requests of various kinds, and the mido hall which enshrines Hashiridaikokuten is often visited by people praying for safe childbirth, the return of runaway family members, and to prevent their partner from having an affair.

There is a very famous and historical big statue of Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with Thousand Arms, which is called Senju Kannon in Japan. This temple registered in UNESCO. When i went here, i was so...
Nasu Onsen Shrine

4.0

125 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Nasugunnasumachi Yumoto 182

"This shrine in Nasu County, Tochigi Prefecture enshrines Shinto deities including Onamuchi no Mikoto. It is famous for its historical ties to the samurai warrior Nasu no Yoichi and for being a so-called ""power spot (spiritual place with energy vortex)."" The shrine is also well-known for having number of items that supposedly grant prayers and wishes, such as the Yamato Sazareishi boulder, the Atago Fukushinsui spring, and the shrine's sacred tree. It is visited by many tourists sightseeing Nasu."

自転車で仲間と温泉神社に到着しました。平安時代の法律書である延喜式に記載された温泉に関わる延喜式内社は、全国でもわずかに十社のみであり、この那須町の那須温泉神社がその一つだそうです。那須温泉神社の歴史は古く、その創建は今から約1400年前にまでさかのぼります。当時、狩野三郎行広という人物が狩で矢傷を負わせた白鹿を追って山中に入ると、白鹿が湧き出る温泉に浸かり傷を癒しているのを発見し...
Matsugamine Catholic Church

4.0

107 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Matsugamine 1-1-5

This church is located in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. Built from Oya-ishi stone, the church is known as being one of the largest Romanesque buildings still in existence. It has also been chosen as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government. Visitors can tour the church and its grounds. The church is not just visited by many tourists; it is also used as a venue for weddings and other events by locals.

This church is built with stones from the Oya Quarry. Othere than its stones relevance, the church is just like any other modern churches. The church is within a short walking distance from Tobu...
Nasu Teddy Bear Museum

4.0

58 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Nasugunnasumachi Takaku Hei 1185-4

This teddy bear museum is located in Takakuhei, Nasu Town. You’ll find a collection that includes “artist bears” based on artists from around the world, as well as antique bears and Teddy Edward, the teddy bear that has traveled the most around the world. There are also planned exhibitions. In addition, there’s a museum shop with a variety of teddy bear goods, as well as a tea room with teddy bear-themed menu items.

このぬいぐるみは最高です隣のトトロとコラボしたやつは最高すぎましたスタンプもできてお土産も買えるのですごく最高です
Utsunomiya Museum of Art

4.5

46 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Nagaokachou 1077

An art museum in Utsunomiya City. Their collection brings together modern art, posters, and designer furniture that focus on the themes of Art and the Region, Art and Life, and Art and the Environment. They also display works of art from local Utsunomiya artists. The museum holds special exhibitions and art related workshops as well as nature viewing excursions into Utsunomiya's Cultural Forest.

マグリットの「大家族」を見たくて訪れた。完全な抽象絵画は好きではないが、マグリットのように部分、部分はリアリズムなのに全体のテーマが謎めいている絵は何となく惹かれる。コレクション展では、ほかにも何点かいい作品があった。企画展の方は「リヒテンシュタインの至宝展」を開催していたが、こちらは肖像画や宗教画が多く、今ひとつ好きにはなれなかった。
Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art / Ceramic Art Messe Mashiko

4.0

57 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tochigi Pref. Hagagunmashikomachi Mashiko 3021

The Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art and Ceramic Art Messe Mashiko are located around 20 minutes' drive from the Sakuragawa-Chikusei Interchange of the Kita-Kanto Expressway, via the Tomobe Junction of the Joban Expressway. The Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art features works by the late Mr. Shoji Hamada, who was a designated Living National Treasure, as well as works by other ceramists associated with the town of Mashiko. On the same site, there are also the Sasajima Kihei Hall, which has permanent exhibitions of works by the printmaker Kihei Sasajima, who studied under Shiko Munakata, and the Mashiko Arts & Crafts Residence, which hosts artists-in-residence from all over the world as part of an international exchange program. Shoji Hamada's House, which has been designated as a Cultural Property by the town of Mashiko, includes a reconstruction of the climbing kiln that Mr. Hamada used.

This meseum is modern and is very nice and clean and very friendly to English visitor. The art that are on displays changes every 3 to 4 months so its always good to go back and visit to see what is...

Tochigi

Nikko / Kinu River / Lake Chuzenji Nasu Highland Utsunomiya Mashiko Ashikaga / Sano / Tochigi

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Tochigi Areas

Most visits to Tochigi revolve around Nikko, a small city home to the spectacular, lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine and Nikko National Park with its mountains, lakes, waterfalls, onsen, and wild monkeys. Neighboring Oku-Nikko is an extension of the fantastic scenery famous for its autumn leaves, while Tochigi’s capital, Utsunomiya, is the only place in the world where you can find oya stone beautifully exhibited in temples and the Oya History Museum.