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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!WithGoGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

Tochigi prefecture (Nikko, Nasu, Mashiko and so on) and me.

Jack M.

by Jack M.

(62 reviews)
Last updated : Feb 17, 2021・1 min read

Things To Do

This is my fourth post regarding to Tochigi prefecture.  After I came back to Japan, I have been living in Utsunomiya city where my wife's hometown.  My mother in law who had been well taken care of by my wife passed away shortly before I came back.  My father in law had been in hospital and moved to a care house to reside.  Occasionally we had chance to go to verious places in Tochigi prefecture.  I am going to introduce places where I visited so far.  First of all, TOTAK, Association of Certified Tour Guide in Tochigi, organized the tour to Mashiko from Utsunomiya.  Mashiko is one of the most  popular pottery village in Japan because of Hamada Shoji introduced his works to England, USA and so on.

We invited ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) as a guinea pig.  We have non experienced certified guides.  To train these guides, we organized the tour to Mashiko.  We enjoyed the tea ceremony there.

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Jack M.

Jack M.

4.89 / 5
(62 reviews)
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Tours By Jack M.

Pottery Village Mashiko (Hamada Shoji's ware) Museum, Cafe and Laughing King of Hell Statue.cover image

Pottery Village Mashiko (Hamada Shoji's ware) Museum, Cafe and Laughing King of Hell Statue.

Tochigi
7 hours

We visit Mashiko village outskirt of Utsunomiya, capital of Tochigi prefecture. Making Mashiko famous is Hamada Shoji after he moved to Mashiko. Mashiko ware was for daily use ceramics like pots, plates as such. Therefore it was not really an art, initially but since Hamada Shoji settled in this village, ｐractical utility and artistic beauty combine to make us comfortable life. Now Mashiko village accept a lot of artists from other area. Actually not only artists but entrepreneurs. You can enjoy nice Cafes in Mashiko. You can enjoy cups, plates using Mashiko ware and food itself is superb. So we visit this town and see museums and shops and also indigo dye factory. In Saimyoji temple, we can see a laughing King of Hell statue.

FROM$194/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Jack M.
Jack M.
4.89 / 5
(62 reviews)
Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland cover image

Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest walk and Nasu Highland

Tochigi
8 hours

We go to Nasu by motorway and stop at Sesshoseki (Killing stone) and then to Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest. We walk there around a couple of hours and have lunch. There is no restaurant in that area so that you should buy your lunch at one of the covenience stores on the way to Nasu. After lunch if the weather permits we go to the ninth station of Chausudake mountain by ropeway. We enjoy spectacular scenery from there. Then dropping off at the visitor center to learn about Nasu. We pass through Nasu Imperial villa and we will drop by some souvenir shops if you like.

FROM$194/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Jack M.
Jack M.
4.89 / 5
(62 reviews)
Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots) for JR pass holderscover image

Nikko walking tour (The world heritage site and hidden treasure spots) for JR pass holders

Nikko
8 hours

This tour is the most valuable guided tour in Nikko. I will meet you at JR Utsunomiya station and we'll go to JR Nikko on the Nikko Line. On the way to Nikko, you will be informed well enough about the area to understand the general history of Nikko. After arriving at JR Nikko station, we'll take the bus to Shinkyo (sacred bridge), then we'll walk to Rinouji temple (Sambutsudo Hall) which is currently not worth paying the admission fee to look inside due to the renovations taking place. Passing through Sambutsudo Hall we'll then head for the Toshogu shrine. We can see the 5 story pagoda, stone torii, famous carving of three monkeys, sleeping cat, Karamon gate, the worship hall, and so on. Unfortunately Yomeimon gate is under also renovation so the gate will be covered up. Then we'll go to Futarasan shrine and Taiyuin Mausoleum. We'll have a light lunch at Hayashiya noodle and rice bowl restaurant. After lunch we walk to Kammangafuchi abbey where there are 100 stone images of Jizo which are covered by moss. Finally we'll walk up the hill and reach Tamozawa Imperial villa memorial park. You can get a feeling of what the imperial family was like. Then we'll take the bus to JR Nikko station and back to your destination via JR Utsunomiya. I will say goodbye to you there. I strongly believe you will be satisfied with the contents of this tour. Hope you are good walkers!

FROM$207/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Jack M.
Jack M.
4.89 / 5
(62 reviews)
Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)cover image

Greedy Nikko Tour (enjoy both historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls)

Nikko
8 hours

After arriving at JR Utsunomiya station, your guide will take you to Nikko National Park and World Heritage Site. On the way to Nikko, we'll pass through an avenue lined with Japanese cedars. This avenue is recorded as the longest tree lined avenue in the Guinness Book of World Records. We will see Yunoko Lake in Yumoto area and also enjoy "Ashiyu" or foot bathing. We'll visit the Yutaki Waterfall, the Ryuzu Waterfall, and the Kegon Waterfall. Around Chuzenji Lake, we'll spend some time at the Italian Embassy Villa memorial park. Lunch will be at Chuzenji Lake or Sannai area. Our last visit will be the Toshogu-Shrine.

FROM$291/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Jack M.
Jack M.
4.89 / 5
(62 reviews)

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