The surrounding areas of Tokyo offer plenty of choice when it comes to day trips from the capital. Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama all have great places within 60-90 minutes travelling distance and Ibaraki prefecture (particularly Tsukuba city) is actually just 45 minutes from Akihabara. What to do though when you feel you’ve covered much of what those prefectures offer? The answer is Tochigi. Nikko is the most famous attraction and then there’s Kinugawa Onsen too. Main city Utsunomiya is famous for its gyoza dumplings but this list, in no particular order, is all about the less famous sights in the region.

1. Pyramid Onsen, Nasushiobara.

The green trees surrounding this building clearly shows you haven’t slipped into a portal and been transported to ancient (or even modern) Egypt. You can actually stay at this old-style hot spring as 30 rooms are available for guests. More details here

2. Oya Kannon & Oya History Museum, Utsunomiya.

It is very rare to find an inland town built on a mountain of stone as they are usually found on the coastlines and valleys of Japan caused by earthquakes or volcanoes. That’s not the case though for this Tochigi-town in the north-west of Utsunomiya which is the heart of Oya stone production quarried exclusively in this area. Two sights in one area as there’s the 27 metre high Heiwa Kannon Statue and a wonderful museum. More details here

3. Nasu War Museum, Nasu.

Teddy bears, cannabis, stained glass, classic cars, trick-art and toys are just a few eclectic examples of what can be seen in specialist museums in this popular getaway destination. There is also what is billed as the only war museum in Japan where the exhibits are  basically one man’s personal collection. More details here

4. Tobu World Square, Kinugawaonsen Ohara.

Japanese people seem to always laugh when I mention this place. They may not regard it too highly which is a shame as the work which has gone into these scaled down models of the original world wonders is incredible and deserves appreciation. More details here

5. Miroku Daikannon, Nasu.

A large 23 metre high pale mint green kannon statue made of copper. This was built by religious corporation Miracle Love because it is……wait for it…… “the land of geothermal energy for purification of the evil of mankind.” Nope, I’ve not got a clue either! More details here

6. Osaki Jinja Shrine, Mōka.

Ebisu; one of the seven lucky gods is the god of fishermen, love and economic fortune. This shrine was actually famous for a series of cases a few years back where the person praying for money here has then gone on to win some kind of lottery. The 20 metre high statue of Ebisu with a koi carp in one hand and his rod in the other is a quirky sight. More details here

7. Shin Meidaijingu Shrine, Nasu.

This gigantic golden god statue is hidden away and located a 20 minute walk away from the main street of Nasu! Go round the back of the statue and it’s possible to go inside where a lift goes up to a couple of floors. One displays some exhibits and the other is a video room with an outer door taking you to an altar and next to that is a small staircase that goes up to the top of that rock-face behind the golden figure. More details here

8. Nasu Mask Museum, Nasu.

This place has very much closed down as the owner was very old. Climb through the overgrowth and under a piece of rope and you can reach the entrance though! It’s not just masks but lots of tin lids have been used to make robots and other decorations. A very quirky sight which has just been left abandoned. More details here

9. Mōka Station, Mōka.

The station that looks like a train is a large 4-storey building and a little overwhelming for such a small city in the heart of a strawberry-producing region. The building includes an observation deck on the fourth floor and a local information centre on the ground floor. Preserved locomotives are exhibited both inside and outside the station, and on weekends the line operates a service for tourists using C11 and C12 class steam locomotives. More details here

10. Saimyoji, Mashiko.

A small complex featuring about half a dozen buildings (as well as all the usual temple fixtures and fittings such as stone lanterns, statues and so on) with the most prominent and symbolic one being the three storied pagoda which was built in the 16th century by Mashiko Iemune and it is a mix of Chinese (3rd floor) and Japanese (ground floor) styles. Enmado; the hall that was built in 1714 and then rebuilt in 1743 is an impressive sight with its simple wooden structure and thatched roof. More details here

Bonus: Tochigi Green Stadium, Utsunomiya.

It’s tradition to include a football stadium as the bonus for such listings posts as I’m always keen to promote live sport. There is a free shuttle bus from Utsunomiya station on match days. This is a rectangular shaped ground which is the home of J2 side Tochigi SC. More details here

Click here to read ‘TF Top 10……Alternative Sights In Saitama Prefecture’

Click here to read ‘A Day In Utsunomiya (Tochigi Prefecture)’

Click here to read ‘Top 10 Day Trips Beyond Kanagawa, Saitama & Chiba’

Click here to read ‘Tokyo Daytripper: An Abandoned Mask Museum, A Tiger Bus, A Santa Shop & A Cheese Garden!’