Things to do in Motegi Town - Nearby Tokyo Interview

#1: Michi-no-eki Motegi

The first place you need to see is Michi-no-eki Motegi (道の駅もてぎ). Michi-no-eki is very similar in function to a farmer’s market, and this one in Motegi actually the first Michi-no-eki that was opened in Tochigi Prefecture. Over a million visitors pass through its doors every year, a testament to its timeless popularity. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of fun activities. For starters, there is a busy produce market within the area. It offers locally-sourced, fresh fruits and vegetables that often sell out before noon.

Then, you have some restaurants to eat some delicious food. A go-to food for visitors and locals alike is yuzu shio ramen (ゆず塩ラーメン). This specific ramen has won the Michi-no-eki Gourmet Grand Prix (道の駅グルメグランプリ) three years in a row, due to its yuzu aroma and perfectly-balanced salt seasoning. And once you’ve finished eating the ramen, I highly recommend you end your meal with Otome milk ice cream (おとめミルクアイス). Using fresh tochi-otome strawberries, there’s nothing better to eat for a perfect dessert after a yuzu shio ramen meal.

Outside the area, you have public spaces such as Jukkoku Kasen Park (十石河川公園) and SL Park, where families can have a lot of fun together. Not only is there a flower garden along the river with seasonal flowers to see, but if you’re lucky enough, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the Moka Railway (真岡鉄道) steam locomotive coming down the railroad line as it blows its train whistle.

#2: Mobility Resort Motegi

Next, I’d like to introduce you to Mobility Resort Motegi (モビリティリゾートもてぎ). This theme park, consisting of seven different areas that you can enjoy all-day, is built in the middle of a forest around the concept of mobility. Within the motor sports area, there’s a world-renowned motorized sports facility that hosts racing circuits, which attracts many visitors from abroad. Of course you can watch the exciting races held there, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also a theme park within the resort area for people of all ages to enjoy throughout the day.

To be honest, you probably won’t have enough time in one day to experience everything it has to offer. Nonetheless, it’s the perfect place for families and their children. Lastly, the resort also has a hotel where you can relax and unwind during your stay. Take it easy at the theme park after watching a thrilling race on the circuit.

#3: Weir Fishing

One more recommendation I’d like to make is Ohse-kankou Yana, which I mentioned earlier. Here, you’ll get a chance to experience a traditional way of fishing in Japan. I can’t overemphasize how special it feels catching your own sweetfish and cooking it. Weir fishing, or “yana” (やな), is a type of fishing that involves building a structure made of wood and bamboo. Placing this structure parallel to a river, it catches the sweetfish by taking advantage of their natural instincts to swim against the current.

After you’ve caught the sweetfish, you can grill them on the spot over an “irori” (囲炉裏). An irori is a traditional Japanese fireplace that consists of a layer of charcoal spread out in a square-shape pit on the floor. The irori served as an indispensable household feature in pre-modern Japan, performing a wide range of functions from warming the house to cooking food.

Sweetfish that are cooked slowly over an irori have a nice crunch on the outside and a fluffy texture on the inside, allowing you to savor the unique taste of Japanese freshwater fish. And to draw out as much umami as possible from the fish, you also sprinkle a dash of salt on it. Foreign tourists are always surprised and delighted by this special experience.

Weir fishing for sweetfish is only open from July to October. But at any time of the year, you can always drop by the canteen to enjoy eating fresh fish caught from the river!