Futaarayama Shrine Tour
Ward Off Bad Luck in Utsunomiya1
Escape the City and Relax at a Forest Campsite
Located in the outskirts of Utsunomiya and hidden just behind a few rows of trees is
Kyoyachaho, a beautiful restaurant offering amazing food, including vegan and vegetarian dishes through various experiences. Visitors can choose to either be catered to inside the stylish restaurant, sit on the terrace, or head over to the campsite to relax for the day.
Try Pottery With One of Utsunomiya’s Expert Artists!
30min bus ride from the center of Utsunomiya is Toyusha (Bus stop: Shiroyamachiku Shimin Center), a small pottery studio bursting with creativity and color, in their own words “creating pottery that coexists with nature”.
Making Traditional Japanese Miso
Located in the heart of Utsunomiya is Aogen Honten, a fermentation specialty store and cafe, with an adjacent classroom where locals can learn how to make their own homemade miso.
Try Ikebana With One of Utsunomiya’s Expert Artist!
Just a short 5 minute walk from the JR Utsunomiya Station, a friendly local by the name of Soga Takeuchi is prepared to share all of the knowledge of Ikebana with anyone willing to learn. She can pick you up from the station if you’re uncertain about navigating the area. Hospitality is at the core of her interactions, aiming to make her students comfortable and at ease for optimal creativity.
Visit the Futaarayama Shrine & Old Shinohara Family House
A quick 5-minute walk from the JR Station, the Old Shinohara Family House gives you a beautiful look into Japan’s recent past.
Take a Step Back in Time at Oya History Museum
Oya stone has a vast and varied history. Take a tour of the old mine, where you’ll find that history is written on the walls.
Connect to Japan’s Spiritual History at Ooyaji Temple
Ooyaji Temple is said to have been founded in 810 by the famous priest, Kukai (Kobo Daishi). Senju Kannon, a four-meter tall statue carved directly into the rock face, is the main statue associated with Ooyaji Temple.
Relax in the Bamboo Forest at Wakayama Farm
For three generations, the Wakayama family has grown and maintained this bamboo forest in the northern part of the Kanto Plain. Comparable to Arashiyama, Kyoto’s famous bamboo grove, Wakayama Farm offers a tranquil escape suitable for guests of all ages.