Tochigi Prefecture: World Heritage, History and Nature

Tochigi Prefecture offers a wide range of reasons to visit: Nikkō’s religious World Heritage site, a historic school, an underground quarry, hiking trails and regional specialties. To plan your stay, you can first consider whether culture, nature or culinary experiences should take priority.

Religious World Heritage and Scenery in Nikkō

The World Heritage site Shrines and Temples of Nikko comprises 103 religious buildings within two Shinto shrines and one Buddhist temple. The buildings are spread across three complexes that are easy to reach from one another on foot. Many date back to the 17th century and were arranged on mountain slopes to create different visual effects. The shrines and temples continue to be actively used for religious purposes.

For those who would like to explore the landscape as well as the buildings, the national park around Nikkō has hiking trails for people of all experience levels. This travel theme therefore offers both sightseeing and hiking, without requiring both interests to shape the same day’s itinerary.

Ashikaga Gakko: School, Collection and Ritual

Ashikaga Gakko is considered Japan’s oldest school and was founded in 1439. The school has been reconstructed in its Edo-period form and is open to visitors. On a visit, you can see how students learned at the time. The institution preserves more than 18,000 books and some of Japan’s oldest historical documents. This combines a look at the reconstructed place of learning with an extensive collection.

This site also hosts an annual event: the Shikiten ritual takes place at Ashikaga Gakko every year on November 23. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the latest event information in advance. Outside this date, the school offers its own cultural focus through its history and collection. Also check the latest opening hours before your visit.

Underground Heritage at the Oya History Museum

Parts of the disused Oya Quarry have been transformed into the underground Oya History Museum, which offers a unique way to explore the former quarry. The underground area covers more than 20,000 square meters, is 30 meters deep and reaches 60 meters below ground at its deepest point. These measurements give an idea of the scale of this former mining site.

The Oya History Museum is often used as a venue for concerts, theater performances, shows and Noh performances. If you would like to include a performance in your plans, check the latest schedule. Buses from Utsunomiya Station reach the museum in about 30 minutes; from the Shiryokaniriguchi stop, it is then a three-minute walk. Check the timetable if you plan to use this connection.

Other Perspectives: Ropeway and Regional Cuisine

The Nasu Ropeway connects its lower station with the ninth station of Mount Chausu in about four minutes. Operations may vary by season, so check in advance whether the ride will be running during your travel dates. The stated journey time provides a specific point of reference for planning, but does not replace checking the seasonal schedule.

The local cuisine also offers different ways to explore. Utsunomiya gyoza are available fried, deep-fried and steamed. Restaurants also vary the ingredients, dumpling size, dough texture and dipping sauce. So comparisons are not limited to the cooking method: the combinations can also differ from one restaurant to another. The prefecture also has strawberry farms where visitors can pick Tochigi strawberries themselves. This offers two different culinary experiences: a regional specialty and an activity centered on growing strawberries.

Discover more destinations: Nikkō, Oyama, Ashikaga, Kanuma, Nasu-Yumoto, Nasu, Mooka, Nasushiobara, Mashiko, Yaita, Tochigi, Ōtawara, Sano, Utsunomiya.

For the main travel overview: Japan.