Book a Tour
Home  \  Destinations  \  Kanto  \  Tochigi

Tochigi

Home to Japan's most lavish shrine complex, picturesque mountain scenery and the country's gyoza capital

Overview of Tochigi

Located approximately 100 km north of Tokyo, Tochigi Prefecture is one of the Kanto region’s most rewarding destinations for travelers seeking a blend of history, nature and local cuisine. 

The prefecture’s crown jewel is Nikko, where the ornate Nikko Toshogu, a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, is surrounded by other noteworthy shrines and temples — the whole district designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond its gilded temples, Kegon Falls is one of Japan’s most striking waterfalls, dropping nearly 100 meters from Lake Chuzenji, while the lake itself offers boat rides and lakeside cafes.

Utsunomiya, the capital, is widely considered Japan’s gyoza capital, with dozens of specialist dumpling restaurants and a fierce rivalry with Hamamatsu for the title of top gyoza-consuming city. Kinugawa Onsen is a classic riverside hot spring resort, while Mashiko is a centuries-old pottery town. In spring, the wisteria tunnels of Ashikaga Flower Park draw crowds from across the country, and year-round, Tochigi ranks first in Japan for strawberry production — including the locally bred Tochiotome variety.

Getting to Tochigi

From Tokyo Station, the Tohoku Shinkansen reaches Utsunomiya in about 50 minutes. For Nikko, the most convenient option is the Tobu-Nikko Line from Tokyo’s Asakusa Station, with limited express trains reaching Tobu-Nikko Station in about two hours.

From JR Shinjuku Station, direct JR-Tobu limited express trains reach Tobu-Nikko in roughly 100 minutes. Travelers arriving by Shinkansen can also transfer to the JR Nikko Line from Utsunomiya (about 45 minutes).

The prefecture is served by several expressways, most notably the Tohoku Expressway, which connects Tokyo to Utsunomiya and points north.

Things to do in Tochigi

Relish in East-Meets-West Luxury at FUFU Nikko →