Experience Edo in TOCHIGI
Visited by...
Plan a trip to Tochigi
Enjoy EDO-Style Expereinces
Start by making Japanese sweets, then rent a Kimono for the day and let your volunteer guide point out the hidden gems of Tochigi. Don’t forget to blend your own incense and learn how to make Ed-style confectionary and Matcha.
Visit Edo-Period Museums
While in Tochigi city, visit Dashikaikan a museum displaying decorative antique floats, and Yokoyama Folk Museum which is a traditional Japanese house once used as a bank. Also check out Abuden Miso, a miso factory with more than a hundred year old history.
Enjoy EDO-Style Festivals
Tochigi Float Festival is a popular traditional Edo-style festival held every two years in November with beautifully decorated floats and taiko drummers.
Utamaro Festival will also take you back in time celebrating Kitagawa Utamaro.
Relax in Edo-style Cafes
Enjoy a relaxing coffee break in one of Tochigi city’s time-honored buildings. Each cafe is unique and has delicious desserts!
Learn about UTAMARO, Japan's leading Ukiyo-e artist
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) was one of the artists who caught Van Gogh’s attention and went on to become one of the most famous Ukiyo-e artists in Japan.
Edo-Style Experiences in Tochigi
Selection of popular pottery experiences in Tochigi city
Kanahan Ryokan
Cook Edo-style confectionary and matcha class
Google MapCook Edo-style confectionary and matcha class
Visit Kanahan, a historical inn in the center of Tochigi to learn how to make Edo-style confectionary and matcha.
Speak English
NO
Times
Thursdays and Saturdays from 3pm to 3:40pm
Price
2,740 yen
RAN TO TSUKI
Japanese Incense Blending Experience
Google MapJapanese Incense Blending Experience
Visit RAN TO TSUKI to blend your very own special Japanese incense.
Speak English
NO
Times
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:00am & 3:30pm
Price
1,530 yen
Lydie tells a small lie
Make your own earrings with Vintage Kimono fabric
Google MapMake your own earrings with Vintage Kimono fabric
Why not make a ‘one of a kind’ souvenir from Japan with vintage kimono fabric.
Speak English
Yes
Times
Workshops from 1:00pm & 4:00pm
*Closed on Mondays
Price
4,060 yen
Gondola boat ride
Take a Gondola boat ride down the river
Google MapTake a Gondola boat ride down the river
For a relaxed afternoon let a local boatsman take you up and down the river and sing traditional songs.
Speak English
No
Times
March to Nov :
10:00-15:50
Dec-Feb : 10:00-14:50
Dec-Feb : 10:00-14:50
Price
Adult : 1,000 yen
Children: 700 yen
Children: 700 yen
Yamamoto Sohonten
Japanese Wagashi Making
Google MapJapanese Wagashi Making
Experience Japanese culture through Wagashi making at Yamamoto Sohonten.
Speak English
No
Times
Please ask
Price
Please ask
Please contact Yamamoto Sohonten for Wagashi Making Experiences (Website, Google Map)
Kimono no tokoro Ichikawa
Japanese Kimono Experience
Japanese Kimono Experience
There are a couple of Kimono rental experiences in Tochigi city. Please contact the Tourism office for details.
Speak English
Yes / No
Please ask if you need English assistance.
Times
Please ask
Price
From 3,000 yen
Please contact the Tochigi Tochigi City Tourist Association (Website, Google Map)
Tochigi Volunteer Guides
Let a guide show you around Tochigi city
How to BookLet a guide show you around Tochigi city
Find out more about the Edo heritage and traditions of the city through a friendly volunteer guide.
Speak English
No
Times
9:00-16:00
*Guide time is 1-2 hours upon request.
Price
Free
*Minimum 10people (max 30)
*Minimum 10people (max 30)
Please contact the Tochigi Sightseeing Volunteer Guide through this webpage at least 2 weeks in advance.
Gondola boat ride
Take a Gondola boat ride down the river
Google MapTake a Gondola boat ride down the river
For a relaxed afternoon let a local boatsman take you up and down the river and sing traditional songs.
Speak English
No
Times
March to Nov :
10:00-15:50
Dec-Feb : 10:00-14:50
Dec-Feb : 10:00-14:50
Price
Adult : 1,000 yen
Children: 700 yen
Children: 700 yen
Yamamoto Sohonten
Japanese Wagashi Making
Google MapJapanese Wagashi Making
Experience Japanese culture through Wagashi making at Yamamoto Sohonten.
Speak English
No
Times
Please ask
Price
Please ask
Please contact Yamamoto Sohonten for Wagashi Making Experiences (Website, Google Map)
Must Visit Edo themed Museums
Selection of museums and galleries in Tochigi city
Visit a Edo period merchants house and Edo period bank.
Google MapYokoyama Folk Museum
Yokoyama Folk Museum is a mueseum which was a bank and Hemp wholesaler in the Edo period. You can see many things from that period and walk around it’s nice Japanese garden.
English Material
YES
Times
9:00-16:30
Closed on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday)
Price
Adults (over 15 years old) 300yen
Free for children under 15 years old.
See the Edo- period decorative festival floats.
Google MapDashikaikan
Dashikaikan is a museum which holds the DASHI (traditional Edo-style) festival floats. Visit this museum to learn about the local festival that started in 1874.
English Material
YES
Times
9:00-16:30
Closed on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday)
Price
Adults (over 15 years old) 500yen
Free for children under 15 years old.
Have a look at Tochigi's Ukiyo-e art collection.
Google MapTochigi Utamaro Museum
A small ukiyo-e museum tucked away on the main street. Staff are helpful and welcoming.
English Material
NO
Times
9:00-17:00
Price
FREE
Where to stay?
Selection of museums and galleries in Mashiko
Tochigi Grand Hotel
Offering western style bedrooms and traditional tatami style rooms with a ensuite onsen.
Tochigi Grand Hotel
Hotel website
Hotel Sunroute Tochigi
No frills budget guesthouse in a traditional Japanese house. Popular with potters and backpackers.
Hotel Sunroute Tochigi
Book Here
Holiday Home
Are you looking for an airbnb or a holiday home to rent with your friends and family?
Morino Garden
Book HereTravel Assistance
Hagiwara Kanko
Established in 1978, Hagiwara Kanko is a highly reputable local travel company offering original bus tours in the Tochigi area as well as tailor-made tours from Tokyo and international airports. (Wheelchair access busses are available)
Tochigi City Tourist Association
Tochigi City Tourist Association is located in the center of Tochigi city on the main road 10 mins walk from Tochigi station. Drop by and ask for local recommendations.
Local volunteer guides
The local volunteer guides offer walking tours in Tochigi in Japanese. (Why not book a tour if you have someone who speaks Japanese in your group)?
Enjoy Edo-Style Festivals
Enjoy Edo-style Festivals
Tochigi Utamaro Festival
とちぎ歌麿祭り
Held yearly this festival takes you back to when Tochigi was a thriving trade town and Kitagawa Utamaro the famous ukiyo-e artist is said to have worked here.
Dates
Mid October to Early November
More Information
Tochigi Float Festival
とちぎ秋まつり
This biannual festival is by far the best traditional festival in Tochigi city. Watch as the exquisitely carved floats decorated in gold and silver parade up and down the main street ot Tochigi city.
Dates
Mid November (every other month)
More information
Getting around Tochigi City
Tochigi is easy to get around
Walking
Most Edo period buildings and attractions including the Uzuma river are walking distance from city center. There are also many hiking trails near Mt. Ohira.
Bicycle
Visit Tochigi City Tourist Association where you can hire a bike for 400 yen a day.
Taxi
There are many taxi companies in Tochig city. Taxi’s are easy to find in front of Tochigi station or a call away from where you are staying.
Car Hire
There are several companies in Tochigi city that offer car hire.
Local Train
There are Direct Express trains (Tobu Line) that connect Tochigi station and Asakusa station in Tokyo. If you have a JR pass, you can take the JR Ryomo line to Oyama station and change for the Tohoku Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Tokyo.
Local Bus
Tochigi city has 12 local bus lines with a price of 200 yen per adult. (or a one-day pass for 400 yen). This includes bus routes to nearby Mt. Ohira.
Events in Tochigi City
- All
- 01 | JAN
- 02 | FEB
- 03 | MAR
- ACTIVE
- Ashikaga
- Daigo Town
- Daigo-Hitachi-Omiya Area
- EVENT
- FESTIVE
- HISTORY & CULTURE
- History & Cultural Museum
- Ibaraki Pref
- Itako
- Kashima Itako Area
- Mashiko
- Mito
- Mito Area
- Moka Mashiko Nakagawa Area
- NATURE
- Nikko Area
- Onsen - Hot spring
- PLACES
- SEASONAL-BEAUTY
- Tochigi Pref
- Tochigi-Ashikaga Area
- UNIQUE-EXPERENCE
- Yunishigawa
- in Ibaraki Pref
- in Tochigi Pref
How to get to Tochigi City
By Train
From Tokyo via Tobu Nikko Line (Tobu Line)
From Tokyo, the easiest way is to take the Tobu Line (Express train) from Asakkusa Station to Tochigi Station.
Check out the ‘Japan Transit Planner’ for train times to Tochigi City
Approx. 70 min
From Tokyo via JR Line
To use the JR Line, take the Tohoku Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Oyama Station and change to the JR Ryomo Line and get off at Tochigi Station.
Check out the ‘Japan Transit Planner’ for train times to Tochigi City
Approx. 70 min
From the Airport
From Narita Airport
Hire a car and take the Expressway to Tochigi Interchange.
(10 min drive from Tochigi IC)
Approx. 2h 20min
From Haneda Airport
Take the Train to JR Tochigi Station.
Approx. 2 hours
From Ibaraki Airport
Hire a car and take the Expressway to Tochigi Interchange.
(10 min drive from Tochigi IC)
Approx. 90 min
Maps and Guides of Tochigi City
English Guides
Tochigi City Travel Brochure
Discover Tochigi City Brochure
Contact
Tochigi City Tourist Association
Phone: +81 (0)282-25-2356
Fax: +81 (0)282-20-7373
Email: info@----
Location:
14-1 Yamatocho, Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture 328-0037
〒328-0037 栃木県栃木市倭町14-1
Open Times:
MON-FRI 08:30 – 17:15
SAT 08:30 – 17:00
SUN 08:30 – 17:15
*Please check for Bank Holidays
We look forward to seeing you in Tochigi
Traveling to Tochigi City soon?
Why not subscribe to the Nearby Tokyo newsletter?
Just pop your email address in the box below!
