Tochigi

Aug 24, 2014 - 1 min read

Otawara, Tochigi: Full of Surprises

Fun, culture and history in rural Japan

By Louise Archer

Community writer

Unganji Temple is a beautiful place, with peaceful and stunning gardens all year round. In the Edo period, haiku poet Basho also visited here during his long journey north

Yatai Festival in April: Fun, music and seriously competitive teams fighting it out in the streets of Otawara

Follow the trail of the Haiku master Matsuo Basho and his companion Sora as they came through this region in "The Narrow Road to the Interior"

Daoji is a Soto Zen temple that is more than 600 years old; it was established in 1404.  The thatched buildings are amazing and the statues and gardens are really interesting

Ajisai Matsuri: In July the annual Hydrangea Festival in the grounds of the ruins of the old 15th century Kurobane Castle, with the old moats filled with Hydrangea..

Kura Shino Hall or museum, dating back to the 1800s: This is a very cool spot with old pack saddles, farming equipment and other artifacts...and even a set of sandal ice skates (Geta skates)

Koshinji temple in downtown Otawara: It suffered some damage from 'the' earthquake but still a lovely place to visit.  I love the guy at the front gate with his hand up

Food...   The local food is beautiful, seasonal, fresh and traditional.  Eel, ayu caught nearby, local pork & beef, and beautiful local vegetables all make for wonderful local dining...

Yoichi Matsuri Festival in August: Celebrating our local hero Nasu no Yoichi -  personified by our mascot 'Yoichi kun' who appears at most local events - he even has his own Facebook page!

Harmony Hall: Local music center with many famous singers as well as local events.  Interesting designed building and surrounds

Walk the Poppo Dori: The old railway line that led from Nishinasuno to Kurobane to supply Tokyo with wood and produce has had the first few kilometers turned into a walking track.  Every season it is totally different

Otowara Shrine sits amid the trees across from the old castle ruins. There's a walkway across the road between them. It's a beautiful natural site

Nakagawa Aquatic Park: On the banks of the Nakagawa river, its focus is on freshwater fish, ecology and research. It also includes some rare Japanese fish

Onsen -  This area has some lovely onsen, especially along the Nakagawa river.  They are a few hundred yen to get in and have a nice long soak

Christmas illuminations all around the town, especially at Harmony Hall  are amazing each Christmas

Ōtawara is a city in northern Tochigi. The city has a population of around 80,000. It's essentially a rural community, with some large factories in the area. Although it is not traditionally known as a tourist area, I started off with 10 things to do in Otawara, but have ended up with way more and I have left things out. This area is full of interesting and historical things to visit and do. Ideally you need a car, because it is rural and so things are spread out, but it's so worth it.

So, please take a look at the photos for a list of great things to do in Otawara.

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Louise Archer

By Louise Archer

Community writer

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