Tochigi
Gold-leaf carvings hidden deep in cedar forests, a gorge of electric autumn colours, and Japan’s most over-the-top wisteria tunnel — Tochigi rewards those who look beyond Tokyo.
日光東照宮の金色の彫刻、霧降の滝、那須の高原、そして世界最大級のフジのトンネル。栃木は関東の秘宝が詰まった県です。
Tochigi Prefecture lies just north of Tokyo, anchored by Nikko — a UNESCO-listed complex of shrines and mausoleums that houses Tokugawa Ieyasu’s final resting place in a forest of 13,000-year-old cedar. The Kegon Falls thunder 97 metres into Lake Chuzenji, and the Ryuokyo and Kinugawa gorges blaze with autumn colour. Tochigi is also Japan’s largest strawberry-producing prefecture, and the Ashikaga Flower Park’s century-old wisteria is ranked among the world’s most beautiful trees.
日光の世界遺産・東照宮と中禅寺湖・華厳の滝、那須の自然と温泉、いちごの生産量日本一、足利フラワーパークの大藤。栃木は東京から新幹線で1時間の大自然の宝庫です。
Recommended Omiyage
おすすめおみやげ 5選
Tochiotome Strawberry Jam
Premium jam from Japan’s top strawberry variety — intensely fragrant and naturally sweet
栃木ブランドのとちおとめを贅沢に使ったとろっとしたジャム。
Nikko Yuba
Delicate fresh tofu skin — Nikko’s most celebrated culinary specialty, served sweet or savory
日光名物のふわっとした生湯葉。甘味としても惣菜としても楽しめる。
Utsunomiya Gyoza Set
Crispy pan-fried dumplings from Japan’s gyoza capital — take home a frozen souvenir pack
餃子の街・宇都宮名物のパリパリ焼き餃子の冷凍お土産セット。
Nikko Castella
Fluffy sponge cake with Nikko maple-leaf motif — baked to order in the old town
日光の老舗が焼くもみじ型のふんわりカステラ。
Mashiko Pottery
Rustic folk-craft ceramics from Mashiko — Japan’s most accessible living pottery tradition
益子の素朴な民芸陶器。GWと秋の陶器市が有名。
Must-Visit Spots
おすすめスポット 5選
Nikko Toshogu
Japan’s most opulently decorated shrine — 2.4 million sheets of gold leaf, 508 carvings
徳川家康を祀る、日本一豪華な装飾の世界遺産の社殿群。
Kegon Falls
Thundering 97-metre waterfall at the outlet of Lake Chuzenji — Japan’s most famous fall
中禅寺湖から流れ落ちる高さ97mの日本三名瀑のひとつ。
Ashikaga Flower Park
Home to a 150-year-old wisteria tree — National Geographic’s ‘most beautiful dreamlike place’
樹齢150年の大藤はナショナルジオグラフィックが世界の夢の場所に選出。
Lake Chuzenji
Volcanic crater lake at 1,269m altitude — stunning autumn foliage and mountain backdrop
日光・いろは坂を登った先にある高山湖。秋の紅葉が息をのむ美しさ。
Nasu Onsen
Family-friendly highland resort with 8 distinct hot-spring areas and outdoor activities
那須岳の麓に広がる温泉リゾート。ファミリーから大人まで楽しめる。
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil’ mean at Nikko?
The famous three monkeys (Sanzaru) carving at Toshogu’s Shinkyusha stable depicts the Confucian life code. It’s one of 508 carvings telling the story of a person’s life journey.
東照宮・神厩舎の三猿は「見ざる・言わざる・聞かざる」の教えを表す。508点の彫刻の中のひとつ。
When does Ashikaga wisteria bloom?
Late April to mid-May. The park opens for extended evening illuminations during peak season. Book tickets online in advance — it sells out weeks ahead.
4月下旬〜5月中旬が見頃。夜間ライトアップあり。チケットは数週間前に売り切れるので早めのオンライン購入を。
How do I get the Nikko pass?
The ‘Nikko All Area Pass’ (¥4,400, 2 days) from Tobu Railways covers return train from Asakusa to Nikko plus all local buses. Best value for day-trippers from Tokyo.
東武の「日光・鬼怒川エリアパス」（2日間4,400円〜）が浅草からの往復電車+現地バスをカバーして便利。
Travel Tip
Take the Tobu Limited Express ‘Revaty’ from Asakusa direct to Nikko (1 hr 45 min, ¥2,720) rather than JR — it arrives at Tobu Nikko Station, closer to the shrine complex, and costs less than JR with the Tobu pass.
