20 Parks in Tochigi worth your time

This large national park near Tokyo offers diverse landscapes, historical sites, and spiritual traditions.

What it is

• One of Japan's oldest national parks, designated in 1934.
• Site of UNESCO World Heritage buildings: Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Futarasan Shrine.
• Known for ties to the Japanese imperial family and foreign diplomats.

What to see

• Volcanoes, plateaus, lakes, and onsen (natural hot springs).
• UNESCO World Heritage buildings at Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Futarasan Shrine.
• Lake Chuzenji and Senjogahara Wetland for bird watching and plants.
• Former Italian and British embassy villas near Lake Chuzenji.
• Mt. Chausu, an active volcano, with ropeway and hiking views.
• Nasu Heisei no mori Forest with an arbor used by the imperial family.

When to go

• Spring and summer for azaleas, lilies, and wildflowers in Nasu/Shiobara.
• Autumn for crimson and golden foliage along the Hoki River ravine.
• June for the Heike Taisai festival with samurai parades and performances.
• Winter for the Kamakura Festival (Japanese igloos and mini-igloos).

Getting there

• Just two hours from Tokyo.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Nikkō National Park

Tochinoki Family Land is a free amusement park with classic rides, easily accessible for a fun hour.

What it is

• An amusement park in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Located within Tochigi Prefectural Comprehensive Sports Park.
• Opened on April 15, 1979.
• No admission fee to enter the park.

What to see

• A roller coaster, merry-go-round, and Ferris wheel.
• Roller coaster is 713 meters long, reaches 55-60 km/h.
• Roller coaster resembles the JR East E5 series Shinkansen.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays, except during holidays.
• Closed from December 29 to January 1.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Nishi-Kawada Station on Tobu Utsunomiya Line.
• Accessible by bus from JR Utsunomiya Station.

Official site

www.park-tochigi.com

Read more about Tochinoki Family Land

Senjusan Park offers family-friendly rides and seasonal blooms on a hill overlooking Kanuma City.

What it is

• A park operated by Kanuma City Tourism Association.
• Built on a small hill north of Kanuma City.
• Filming location for the 2007 movie "Koizora."

What to see

• Over 1,000 azaleas and 300 cherry trees.
• Electric train, spinning ride, and Ferris wheel.
• Ferris wheel is 17.5 meters high with 10 gondolas.
• Shop sells snacks, drinks, toys, and ride tickets.

When to go

• Senjusan Park Cherry Blossom Festival in April.
• Municipal outdoor pool operates in summer, July to August.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from JR Nikko Line Kanuma Station.

Read more about Senjusan park

A large park with an award-winning activity center, offering hiking and scenic views.

What it is

• A park in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Built for Utsunomiya City's 100th Anniversary Project.
• Opened on July 5, 1996.
• Served as a shelter after the 2011 earthquake.

What to see

• Utsunomiya City Adventure Activity Center.
• Hiking trails and a suspension bridge.
• Observation decks with rural landscape views.
• Views are one of the 100 Views of Utsunomiya.

When to go

• Adventure Activity Center closed Mondays.
• Adventure Activity Center closed during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Take Kanto Bus from JR Utsunomiya Station.

Read more about Utsunomiya Heisei Kinen Kodomo no Mori Park

See one of Honshu's largest moss phlox displays, planted by volunteers.

What it is

• A park in Ichikai Town, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Opened in 2006.
• Built on soil from digging Funa no Suisho Lake.
• Features extensive moss phlox plantings.

What to see

• 2.4 hectares of moss phlox.
• One of Honshu's largest volunteer-planted moss phlox areas.

When to go

• Shibazakura Festival is held annually.
• Festival runs from April to May.

Getting there

• 7.2 km from Karasuyama Station.
• About a 15-minute taxi ride from Karasuyama Station.
• 1 hour 15 minute walk from Kobana Station.
• Access by car from Route 294 Mukoda intersection.

Read more about Sibazakura Park

Explore a beautifully restored Italian Embassy villa, offering a glimpse into Nikko's international past.

What it is

• A park in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• An Italian Embassy Villa from 1928 to 1997.
• Restored and opened to the public as a park.
• One of many foreign embassy villas along Lake Chuzenji.

What to see

• The main residence, a registered cultural property.
• The sub-residence, a museum of summer resort history.
• Main residence interior: living room, terrace, bedroom.
• Furniture, bedding, and fireplaces on display.
• Cedar bark decorating the interior and exterior.

Getting there

• A 20-minute walk from Utagahama parking lot.

Official site

www.nikko-nsm.co.jp

Read more about Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park

Utsunomiya Zoo is a private zoo with an amusement park, offering animal encounters and seasonal fun.

What it is

• A private zoo in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Opened in 1981.
• Features an amusement park.
• Offers animal feeding experiences.

What to see

• Various animals, including tigers, lions, and elephants.
• A castle-like building, Utsunomiya Castle.
• Six distinct animal areas.
• A children's pool in summer.
• A fishing pond in winter.

When to go

• Open all year round.
• Children's pool operates in summer.
• Fishing pond operates in winter.

Getting there

• Accessible by car.
• Accessible by bus.

Official site

utsunomiya-zoo.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Utsunomiya Zoo

Nasu Highland Park is a large amusement park with many roller coasters, great for families.

What it is

• One of the largest amusement parks in Northern Kanto.
• Known for various coaster attractions.
• Over half of attractions are for children under three.
• Focuses on cosplay and Itasha contests since 2016.

What to see

• Seven types of roller coasters, the most in Kanto.
• Big Burn Coaster has a 75-degree first drop.
• F2 is a suspended coaster from 1995.
• SHINPI is an indoor coaster with an underground theme.

When to go

• Closed annually from mid-January to late February.

Official site

www.nasuhai.co.jp

Read more about Nasu Highland Park

Explore Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park to see a reconstructed castle and learn its history.

What it is

• A municipal urban park in Utsunomiya City.
• Opened in March 2007.
• Designated as a disaster evacuation and prevention park.
• Former site of Utsunomiya Castle, one of Kanto's Seven Famous Castles.

What to see

• Restored castle structures: Seimeidai and Fujimi Yagura.
• Reconstructed stone walls, earthworks, and moats.
• Seimeikan, a historical museum within the park.

When to go

• Attend the Utsunomiya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival.

Official site

www.city.utsunomiya.tochigi.jp

Read more about Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park

See 100+ world-famous landmarks in miniature at this unique theme park.

What it is

• A miniature theme park in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Reproduces world heritage sites and famous buildings.
• Opened on April 24, 1993.
• Cost 14 billion yen to construct.

What to see

• Over 100 structures from 21 countries and regions.
• All reproductions are at a 1/25 scale.
• Approximately 140,000 miniature figures.
• 47 World Heritage sites are featured.
• Park is divided into six zones.
• Tokyo Skytree model is approximately 26 meters tall.

Official site

www.tobuws.co.jp

Read more about Tobu World Square

Ashikaga Flower Park is a flower theme park, famous for its wisteria and illuminations.

What it is

• A flower theme park in Ashikaga City.
• Opened in April 1997.
• Originates from a wisteria planted in the 1920s.
• One of Ashikaga's three famous places.

What to see

• Four large wisteria trees transplanted in 1996.
• Wisteria trellises cover 2,000 square meters.
• Wisteria are a Tochigi Prefecture Natural Monument.
• Illuminations are a Japan Night View Heritage site.

When to go

• Wisteria festival from mid-April to mid-May.

Address

〒329-4216 栃木県足利市迫間町６０７ Map

Official site

www.ashikaga.co.jp

Read more about Ashikaga Flower Park

Explore a well-preserved imperial villa, offering a glimpse into Japan's royal past.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Nikko City.
• Originally built as a retreat for Emperor Taisho.
• Established in 1899 as a summer retreat.
• A rare, almost intact imperial villa.

What to see

• Buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties.
• Gardens developed for public viewing.
• Some buildings relocated from Akasaka Palace.
• 106 rooms and a large floor area.

Getting there

• About 1km upstream from Shinkyo Bridge.

Address

〒321-1434栃木県日光市本町8-27 Map

Official site

www.park-tochigi.com

Read more about Nikkō Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park

A large urban park with sports facilities and nature, good for families and sports enthusiasts.

What it is

• An urban park in Shioya Town, opened in 1985.
• It covers an area of about 17.1 hectares.

What to see

• Tennis courts: omni and clay.
• Multi-purpose athletic field for baseball, softball, track and field.
• Chibikko Hiroba has five large wooden play equipment.
• Shioya Town Sumo Dojo, built in 2012.
• A river flows through the park.
• Fireflies inhabit the river area.

Getting there

• The nearest stop is a bus stop.

Read more about Shioya Town General Park

Roadside station with farm, hot spring, and local beer, great for families.

What it is

• A roadside station on National Route 293.
• Opened in 1996, renewed as a roadside station in 2012.
• Offers agricultural product harvesting experiences.
• Admission is free, with over 1,000 free parking spaces.

What to see

• On-site hot spring facility.
• Farm facility and product sales facility.
• Large lawn area for events and sports.
• Hotel opened next to it in 2020.

When to go

• Any time, as admission is free.

Address

新里町丙254 Map

Official site

www.romanticmura.com

Read more about Roadside station Utsunomiya romantic-Mura

Tochigi Sports Park is a large sports complex, notable for hosting national sports festivals.

What it is

• A general sports park.
• Opened in March 1952.
• Managed by Tochigi Sports Association and Park Welfare Association.
• Built on a former winter runway site.

What to see

• Kanseki Stadium Tochigi, a track and field stadium.
• Nikkann Arena Tochigi, an indoor sports facility.
• Yuukei Budokan, a martial arts hall.
• Baseball fields and gymnasiums.

When to go

• The 77th National Sports Festival will be held in 2022.

Official site

tochigi-park.com

Read more about Tochigi Sports Park

A historic botanical garden in Nikko for alpine and cold-region plant research.

What it is

• A branch garden of Koishikawa Botanical Garden.
• Established in 1902 for research and education.
• Focuses on alpine and cold-region plants.
• Initial land acquired from Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

What to see

• Former Matsudaira family villa serves as the office.
• Experimental building rebuilt after a 1967 fire.
• Covers an area of 106,980 square meters.

When to go

• Open from April 15th to November 30th.

Official site

www.bg.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Read more about Nikko Botanical Garden

Nasu Safari Park offers close encounters with diverse animals, including rare white lions, for an engaging experience.

What it is

• A safari park in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Opened in 1980.
• Home to approximately 700 animals.

What to see

• Animals including white lions, tigers, hippos, and zebras.

When to go

• Weekday hours are 8:30 to 17:00.
• Night Safari operates from 18:30 to 22:00.

Getting there

• Bus from Kuroiso Station takes about 17 minutes.
• About 15 minutes from Nasu Interchange by car.

Official site

www.nasusafari.com

Read more about Nasu Safari Park

Ōbi Park is a city park in Utsunomiya, known for its unique shell slide and windmill.

What it is

• An urban park in Utsunomiya City.
• Developed with national government subsidies.
• Opened in 1960, originally named Nishihara Park.
• Sometimes called 'Kaigara Park' for its shell slide.

What to see

• A shell-shaped slide.
• A windmill monument.

Getting there

• Take Kanto Bus from JR Utsunomiya Station.
• Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Art's second parking lot is adjacent.

Official site

www.city.utsunomiya.tochigi.jp

Read more about Ōbi Park

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura is a theme park recreating Edo-period Japan, offering unique cultural immersion.

What it is

• A theme park in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.
• Recreates Edo period townscapes.
• Opened on April 23, 1986.
• Total area is 495,000 square meters.

What to see

• Edo period townscapes.
• Attractions like the Grand Ninja Theater.
• Nyannage cat character.
• Open set for historical drama filming.

Getting there

• 15 minutes by bus from Kinugawa-Onsen Station.

Official site

edowonderland.net

Read more about Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura

Tochigi Central Park is a large urban park with gardens, a museum, and a restored historic building.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Utsunomiya City.
• Developed from 1977, opened October 1982.
• Adopted as one of 11 commemorative parks.

What to see

• A Japanese garden and a sunken garden.
• Central plaza and a commemorative plaza.
• Large pond named Showa Oike.
• Monument named "Song of Sunlight."
• Tochigi Prefectural Museum.
• Restored old Utsunomiya Chamber of Commerce building.

Official site

t-chuokoen.jp

Read more about Tochigi Central Park