Paint your Japan in full bloom Itineraries Immerse in the Colours of Tochigi
A flavourful, leisurely road trip Tochigi
About Tochigi
Beyond the UNESCO-listed Nikko, Tochigi is a rewarding destination with a variety of things to see and do. About just two hours north of Tokyo by train, the prefecture is within an easy day trip where you can discover the otherworldly underground attraction of Oya History Museum, savour dumplings in Japan's gyoza capital of Utsunomiya, and take in the magnificent sight of 350 blooming wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park.
Immerse in the Colours of TochigiAshikaga
10:00Oya History Museum
This one-of-a-kind museum is built inside a former stone quarry that was once mined for its soft yet durable Oya Stone. The extensive underground caverns are illuminated with various colours, and where art exhibitions, projection mapping, and various events are held periodically at. Bring a jacket – the average temperature is around 10ºC!
- Location
- 909 Oyamachi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
- Entry Fee
- 800 yen (adult); 400 yen (children up to 15 years old)
- Operating periods and hours
- April to November: 9am - 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm)
December to March: 9:30am - 4:30pm (last admission at 4pm)
12:00Kirasse, Utsunomiya
Utsunomiya City is famous for one thing: gyoza. There are over 300 gyoza stores in the city, and if you want to taste a variety of options, Kirasse is a place that has 5 gyoza brands gathered in.
- Location
- MEGA Don Quijote LAPARK Utsunomiya B1, 2-3-12 Babadori Utsunomiya-shi Tochigi
- Entry Fee
- 300 yen
- Opening Hours
- Weekdays
- 11am - 8.30pm (last order at 8pm)
- Weekends
- 11am - 9pm (last order at 8.30pm)
14:00Sano Premium Outlets®
Reminiscent of a quaint American east coast town, Sano Premium Outlets® houses about 180 stores, boasting renowned domestic and international brands. Take a break from shopping by hopping into the many restaurants and cafes located along the fashionable shopping streets.
- Location
- 2058 Koena-cho Sano-shi, Tochigi
- Operating hours
- 10am - 8pm (March - January)
10am - 7pm (Febrary)
17:00Ashikaga Flower Park
The park is famous for its blooms of purple and pink wisterias that resemble waterfalls of colours wherever you look – experience the magic by walking in the wisteria tunnels. Come at night for a truly enchanting sight when these blooms are illuminated and reflected in the ponds.
- Location
- 2058 Koena-cho Sano-shi, Tochigi
- Entry Fee
- 300 to 1,800 yen depending on season
- Operating hours
- 9am - 6pm (March - October)
7am - 9pm during Wisteria Festival period (mid-April to mid-May)
