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  • Suggested Itineraries
  • Southern Area

Two-day shopping experience – Ashikaga Flower Park and outlet stores.

Schedule

Day 1

Tokyo Station

  1. JR Tohoku Shinkansen (via Yamabiko for Nasu) 40-min ride to Oyama station
  2. 40-min ride by Ryomo line to JR Ashikaga Station
  3. JR Ashikaga Station → Walk (7 min)

Bannaji Temple

1

A Zen Buddhism temple rarely seen, a recognised National Treasure.

Built in the 12th century, the temple adopted the construction style of Zen Buddhism and is one of the best preserved in the country. The Hondo (main sanctuary) is designated as a National Treasure. Popular times to visit include during the cherry blossoms in spring, and when the city’s natural treasure, a 600-year old ginkgo nut tree turns yellow in autumn. The “Setsubun Armour Festival” at the temple is a unique event of the armoured warriors’ procession for the “Mamemaki” (bean-throwing ceremony).
 
  1. Walk

Lunch

2
  1. Walk

Ashikaga Orihime Shrine

3

A beautiful vermillion-lacquered shrine dedicated to the god of matchmaking

Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in June 2004, Ashikaga Orihime Shrine has long been worshipped as home to guardian deities of local industry and matchmaking.

The vermillion-lacquered shrine stands in beautiful contrast to the surrounding green forests. Located on the hillside, the shrine commands magnificent views of the city of Ashikaga and the Watarase River. On fine days,the view extends as far as the Kanto Plains and the Tokyo Skytree. The shrine is a starting point for a walking trail through the Prefectural Natural Park. The trail is popular for enjoying seasonal views and is suitable for children.

A large number of visitors come and enjoy music performances and local delicacies at the shrine during the grand spring festival in May and autumn festival in November. It has become a popular dating spot since being named a sacred place for lovers and one of the best night view locations in 2014.

  1. Walk (20min)
  2. JR Ashikaga Station
  3. Ryomo line (6 min)
  4. Ashikaga flower park Station
  5. Walk (3 min)

Ashikaga Flower Park

  • Time Required: 60 minutes
4

A breathtaking array of hanging wisterias and an exquisite flower garden for all four seasons.

This flower garden creates a full sense of the season and magnificence of nature with a wide range of plants and trees. The highlight of the park is the massive Japanese wisteria trellises in bloom from late April to mid-May. You will be totally stunned by four large wisteria vines and 80-metre tunnel of white wisterias,designated as a prefectural natural treasure. In the evening the illuminated wisterias bring dream-like scenes. The park also draws large crowds during the fall and winter months,when the “Bejeweled Flower Garden” is held. It is one of the Kanto area’s top three annual illumination events. The garden welcomes over a million tourists throughout the year.

  1. Walk (3min)
  2. Ashikaga flower park Station
  3. Sano Station
  4. Walk

Stay in Sano

5

Day 2

  1. Walk
  2. Sano Station
  3. Fixed route bus (20 min)

Sano Premium Outlets

6

Shop in an imaginary town of the U.S. east coast

The complex is a home of around 180 stores with renowned domestic and international brands. Enjoy shopping and dining in the wide-open space! Convenient direct bus services to Nasu-Shiobara station and Tokyo are available. The mall turns to a bejeweled wonderland illuminated with festive LED lights during the winter season.

  1. Fixed route bus (20 min)
  2. Sano Station
  3. Walk

Sano Ramen Noodles

7

The city of ramen noodles, the classic dish for everyone!

Home to one of Japan’s most famous local ramen noodles, Sano-city is in the south of Tochigi. Sano Ramen is made with water of the finest quality listed in the 100 best spring waters in Japan, and wheat especially suited for noodle-making. Beaten by a green bamboo stems, these noodles are aerated for good thermal conductivity. As a result, they are cooked in a second and maintain a chewy but smooth texture. The clear broth, having a taste of soy sauce and a rich flavour, is distinctive and never boring for its simplicity. Sano Ramen has admirers of all ages.

  1. Walk
  2. Sano Station
  3. Ryomo Line (30 min)
  4. Tochigi Station
  5. Walk (10 min)

Kura-no-Machi Tochigi

8

White-walled storehouses retain traces of this prosperous merchant city

Originally flourished as a post station in the 17th century, Tochigi city later developed into a merchant city on the banks of the Uzuma River. The river was an important trade route to and from Edo (Tokyo). The black merchant houses and white-walled storehouses can still be seen along the Uzuma River and on Kura-no-Machi Oh-dori (the main street). Go for a stroll and feel the classical atmosphere!

  1. Walk (10 min)
  2. Tochigi Station
  3. Ryomo line (10 min)
  4. Oyama station
  5. Walk (15 min)

Suga Shrine

9
This shrine was founded in 940 with the transfer and enshrinement of a division of the tutelary deity of Kyoto's Gion Shrine (now called Yasaka Shrine). 

Tokugawa Ieyasu prayed for victory at Suga Jinja Shrine before entering the battle at Sekigahara. His prayers were answered, and the Ieyasu became dedicated to worshipping at the shrine, even dedicating an Akamikoshi portable shrine.

It's Gion Matsuri festival held from July 14 to 21 each year are well known. On the third Sunday of July, 25 portable shrines including one massive one that weighs in at two tons are carried through the city.
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  1. Walk (15 min)

Yuki Tsumugi Kimono Dressing at the Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum

10

Experience wearing an authentic Yuki Tsumugi Kimono!

The Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum offers visitors the experience of wearing an elegant kimono made from the fine silk textile “Yuki Tsumugi”. The process of refining the traditional Yuki Tsumugi silk is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In order to allow people to fully appreciate the comfort of their garments the museum provides all-day kimono rental including kimono and obi with dressing assistance included free. Enjoy a day of rambling around the traditional streets of Oyama before returning your kimono by 6pm. Come and experience the light and warm texture of genuine Yuki Tsumugi!

  1. Promptly walk to Oyama station
  2. JR Tohoku Shinkansen (via Yamabiko for Nasu) 40-min ride

Tokyo Station

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