It Is a beautiful aquarium of fresh japanese river . They recreat the environment around the area, with the acquatic fauna of Japan. Please come to see it.

600 yen entry. It's a nice little aquarium with nice views. Reservations are required during the corona pandemic to limit people inside the aquarium. The surrounding area is really lovely to walk around as well

Learn and know all about fish in Tochigi area, good information displayed, alot of fish, some you can touch it. They have capibara also and local farmer market outside near parking area

Nice aquarium, reasonable price. Kids room with 2 changing tables, nursing room and a hot water tap to make baby bottles inside. Outside, huge park including a fishing pond and a splash pad zone.

Seeing different kinds of 🌊 creatures made me feel calm. My grandkids also did enjoy so much. The entrance fee is reasonable. I recommend this place to families with small kids who loves to see the small under water but amazing aquarium world 🌍 without going too far to enjoy.

It's a bit on the small side, but the exhibits are well-maintained and interesting. The real draw for this place is there Amazon River exhibit. It has a tunnel through the main tank and many vantage points from which to see the amazing fish of the region. Worth a stop!

So many beautiful things to see. Loved it

Absolutely disgraceful. This zoo is a heartbreaking example of outdated, unethical animal captivity. The elephant Miyako has been held in miserable conditions for over 50 years with no proper space, no enrichment, and no natural environment. Her enclosure is shockingly small and barren — this is nothing short of animal abuse, plain and simple. Many of the animals here are confined to tiny, inadequate cages that reflect zero regard for animal welfare. The leadership of this zoo should be ashamed. This facility needs to be investigated immediately. Do not support this cruelty.

This place has potential to be great but the lack of anything natural other that dirt and concrete and cages for the animals is very concerning. you can tell they are lonely and neglected in these small cages . No natural grass or forest area for them especially for the elephant and she's 50 years old ! The zoo need to retire them to a sanctuary where they can be free . The zoo will have the space to transform into an amusement park for family. Win win I see .

Cool playground for kids. The tigers and giraffe here are pretty beautiful, but the facilities here are pretty old and I think it should be upgraded. There is a pool here, but you need to pay for it even when you have already paid for the ticket to get into the zoo. We like the animals here, but this zoo is really old. Personal recommend: ★ ★ ★ Family-friendly: ★ ★ ★ Date for couples: ★ ★ ★ Parking lot: ◯ free Services/meals/products/design: ★ ★ ★ Period for stay: 2 hours Charge: adults 1,400 yen kids, free Baby room/accessible toilet: ◯ Cleanness: ★ ★

I came for the the Jet Coaster, but got upset by how small the animal enclosures are. The Amusement area is ok and the Jet Coaster is unique, but I would like to see bigger enclosures for all animals *Photos of the rides only for reference

Deeply Disappointed and Heartbroken by What I Saw I visited Mikayo the Elephant Zoo hoping to learn about and appreciate these beautiful animals, but I left feeling heartbroken. The elephant looked visibly distressed and confined to small, unnatural enclosures with little enrichment. It was painful to see such intelligent, social beings living in such poor conditions. There was little information provided about conservation or welfare efforts, and the overall atmosphere felt more like exploitation than education. Zoos have a responsibility to care for their animals and promote awareness — unfortunately, Utsunomiya Zoo failed to do either. I sincerely hope they take steps to improve Mikayo the elephants welfare, expand her habitat, and shift toward genuine conservation and ethical care. Until then, I can’t in good conscience recommend visiting.

It's small but suitable for small kids. Good chances to feed various animals. The chance to feed the hippo directly and actually touch it is something I haven't experienced anywhere else. The attached amusement park is really expensive and worth getting the pass if you have a couple of kids old enough to go on themselves .

It's an OK zoo. I really dislike the condition of the elephant, pigs, and some other animals. I believe that if there isn't enough space for the animals to move around then they don't belong at the zoo. This zoo doesn't have enough space for some animals and so they look depressed and are very unhappy. They even look a little sick from my perspective. I've been there twice. I went a second time because I wanted my infant son to see animals. I won't go back there to see animals. Maybe next time, just for amusement. The changing areas for babies are not sanitary enough. The facilities look very old and dirty. Other than those, you can have a nice time. Amusement Park, eating area, picnic, a few nice animals, pool and toys for kids. My favourite animal there is the giraffe. They look clean and healthy and have plenty of space to move around. You can feed them too.

Nice place for outdoor and indoor time pass. Onsen / aqua play space where swimsuit is allowed. Good number of of Shops/restaurants/cafe. Free parking as well.

It's a great place to enjoy local and fresh products, but most shops are closed in the evenings, which makes it less useful at that time.

The Village is a nice place for the locals , but not a tourist stop. The food was amazing but very little appealing outside of that. Maybe when Covid is over more will come back

Nothing is so unique but enjoyable enough for me. The restaurant on the left serves average food, and the shop on the right sells some food, plants, and souvenir goods of the Utsunomiya area. And what's more important is that the toilet is cleaner than other places like that in Japan.

Most places are closed in the evenings, so not useful. The one open restaurant is extremely average. Do your shopping early or plan to eat somewhere else is my recommendation.

Nice park to jog or have a picnic. Lots of open area, parking, publics fountains & bathrooms. Not located near a JR Station, so you'll need to take the bus or drive to get here.

a decent farmers market is located at one end of the property. The hiking/walking area is nice.

We visited Nasu Garden Outlet on a Saturday, and it wasn’t crowded, which was great! There was plenty of parking space, and we were able to park just a few steps from the entrance, making it super convenient. While there weren’t too many shop options, it still had all the well-known brands. Overall, it was a pretty decent experience!

This outlet is great for walking with your pet. I particularly think the Nike store is fantastic for anyone looking for good, cheap sneakers. There are many on the shelves compared to other Nike outlets. The photo posted of the La Boheme restaurant is wonderful, sophisticated atmosphere and very good food.

I love this outlet mall. Because it is one level only, it’s quite big. Prepare to walk for long distances. Besides that, lots of brands and products are available at a very reasonable price. Food selection is also good. To get here, the best option is still by car. If you are a visitor coming to this place can be quite tricky.

The atmosphere is relaxed, with many brands and food products to explore.

While this outlet mall is conveniently located near Nasushiobara Station, international travelers might find it somewhat lacking. The selection of luxury brands is very limited, and even popular brands like Nike have a restricted range on offer. However, the mall is extremely pet-friendly. You can dine with your pets on the terraces of restaurants, and they are allowed inside if you carry them. There’s also plenty of space for dogs to run around freely. That said, the quality and variety of the products might be a bit disappointing, especially if you’re used to shopping at outlets abroad. Overall, Nasu seems more suited for enjoying the great outdoors and local cuisine rather than for shopping.

Really big shopping garden with lot of famous branded outlets, you can find clothes, foods, vegetables and some sweets. also can find rare items for gift like blue berry honey. so it's good visit if you have a extra time like 1-2 hours. price is very reasonable for almost everything

I went there on a free shuttle bus from Nasushiobara station. If you want to get there, try to check it on thr website for the schedule. It snowed the day before I came (on 28th Dec) so snowed all the place. This time every brand is on big sales with many famous brands. Got nice stuffs for my holidays. They also have restaurants and convenience stores in case you are lost in the maze of shopping stores. :)

A small castle with free entry! The view from the top is good and the castle park is nice. There aren’t many tourists, it’s a nice quiet spot. The staff are friendly inside the castle, thank you for chatting to me

Just the 3-level turret house here but still quite an interesting place to get a view of the city. Also stamp inside, everything free to see other than the museum

One of the top 100 Japan castles. There are two castle stamps. One in the tea shop and one inside the castle. It’s free to visit inside.

The castle is free and worth a visit. It's a good reconstruction that unlike those castles rebuilt 40-50 years ago tries to look more authentic.

Visited as of November 2017. The castle is in renovation due to East-Japan Earthquake, so there are some minor inconveniences, like part of the attraction is inaccessible. But this place is beautiful, with a great view on a nice day :)

As of this day, April 7, 2025 the cherries here have started to change colors to green and the petals are falling incessantly. Hurry everyone.

Nice tiny castle in Nasu. You can go inside the castle for 3 levels walk for seeing the old historic building structures which specially for war! Of course it already renovated both inside and outside, but you can still see some of the historical remains like bullets holes. It is free entry and the castle wall is in specially put in waves and curve order which is not the same with traditional Japan castle.

These magnificent buildings are so exceptional that, allegedly, even the originals imitate them. The first half features well-known landmarks everyone recognizes, while the latter half showcases Japan's renowned architecture. With the right photography skills, you can capture images that truly feel like you're traveling there in person. It's extremely hot in summer, so you should be sure to take thorough precautions against heatstroke. There are cafes and rest areas along the way.

This little park is HUGE value for money- you get to learn about man-made structures from all around the world and across history, for such a small price! Definitely much bigger than I thought, there's lots to see and do! The attention to detail is lovely. Also, if you have a Nikko Pass, show it at the ticket gate to receive a huge discount!

We finally made it here! The place is made up of all the famous places in the world! There were tons from Japan tho. You can buy the ticket online as well for less hassle. We bought our ticket at Klook and change it for the physical ticket at Tourist Center. The place is not the large tho and you can tour the place at least for 2 hours. They also have some restaurant inside so you can also check them. The details of this miniature places were so amazing. Definitely worth seeing! It is recommended for adult and children. Overall, we rated it as 5 star for the experience!

We visited Tobu World Square in July 2025. The ticket price is 2800円, but if you have the Nikko Pass, you can get a discount of 1000円. It is expensive, but I think the price is worthwhile. It took us about 3 hours to visit the park, but we had to rush a little at the end through the Asia and traditional Japan sections. I learned that the ticket is all day, so you can visit in the morning and then come back after dark to see the illuminations. The park showcases famous places from around the world, including Japan, all at 1/25 scale, which makes it easy to compare them. There are over 140,000 miniature people, with some hidden famous characters or movie scenes. For me, the most stunning part of the exhibits are the roughly 20,000 bonsai trees which change with the seasons. If you visit in the summer, please note there is little tree cover, so bring an umbrella and other sun protection. There are taps to fill up a water bottle. There are coin lockers before and after the ticket gates. At the entrance of the exhibits there is a sphere which plays music with animatronic characters every 10, 30, and 50 minutes after the hour, it’s very cute. Some exhibits require a 100円 coin to play an optional animation. There are snack counters, small restaurants, and souvenir shops on site. I loved being able to buy foreign alcohol such as German beer or French cidre. It is very dog friendly with strollers that can be rented, places to wash your dog, or little podiums for photos. We don’t have a dog, but all the dogs made the experience even more fun!

Tobu World Square is an absolutely amazing place to visit in Japan! The detailed miniatures of famous landmarks from around the world are truly impressive and beautifully crafted. It's like traveling the globe in just a few hours. The park is clean, well-organized, and educational too. Perfect for families, tourists, or anyone who appreciates art, culture, and architecture. Highly recommend adding this to your Japan travel bucket list!

Tobu World Square is a theme park dedicated to miniature replicas of famous landmarks around the world, and in Japan. It was very cool seeing the New York skyline before 9/11, as well as many famous spots around Japan like the Kiyo Mizudera and Itsukushima Shrine. Entry for adults is 2800 yen. This is a great spot if you enjoy architecture, miniature models, traveling, history, photography, or famous landmarks. This theme park is easily accessible from Asakusa and Nikko. From Asakusa, you can take the Revaty or Spacia X limited express which stops at Tobu World Square Station. You can also get to Tobu World Square from Nikko by taking the Nikko Line to Shimo-Imaichi Station, then transferring to the Nikko Kinugawa Line. Very convenient For children, I think they will enjoy the various shops and restaurants, as well as the little displays. As an adult, I had a great time admiring the architecture. It was amusing seeing the Twin Towers, Tokyo Skytree, and Eiffel Tower right behind the London Bridge. You can get some really confusing and funny pictures. There are about 100 exhibits so plan to spend at least an hour and a half to three hours. This place closes at 5 PM on weekdays and 6PM on certain days. It is pretty off the beaten path, and you will likely not face large crowds if you come in the afternoon. When I went, I had almost the whole park to myself.

The number of miniature buildings was way beyond my expectations, there were so many of them. What surprised me even more was how well the miniatures blended with the surrounding mountain scenery. It made everything feel more immersive and almost realistic. A really pleasant surprise.

Convenient walk for our family. Large area for kids to run around and stretch their feet and lots of inexpensive items for kids to spend small pocket money on. We go every year just for the experience.

This place is amazing! We have an electric car and they have an EV Quick charger that they let you use for free until you have a full charge again.

Loved their wagyu on a stick 6pc. They're market has cheese, jerky, sweets and other stuff also

Great menu selection and reasonably priced and tastes great

you can buy many local products in reasonable price.

Tochigi wagyu is delicious

Good place to relax & rest

We visited Nikkō Tōshō-gū as part of a day tour from Tokyo, which was perfect since it’s a bit far and we wanted to avoid the hassle of trains and buses. The tour also included other highlights like the lake and the waterfall, making it a full and easy day. The temple itself is truly impressive , the gold decorations are stunning, and the architecture is breathtaking. The surrounding gardens and grounds are massive and beautifully maintained, perfect for exploring and taking photos. Overall, a must-visit if you’re in Nikkō. Going with a tour made the day stress-free and allowed us to enjoy the temple without rushing.

Nikkō Tōshō-gū is definitely worth a visit if you’re spending time in Nikkō, especially if you’re interested in history and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The shrine complex is well-maintained, and the buildings feature detailed woodwork and decorative elements that are interesting to see up close. The famous carvings, like the “Three Wise Monkeys,” are smaller than I expected but still nice to check out as part of the overall walk through the grounds. The atmosphere is generally calm, although it does get crowded during late mornings and early afternoons. The forest surroundings add a pleasant touch, and the shaded paths make the walk comfortable even on warmer days. There are several steps and some uneven areas, so wearing good shoes is helpful. The entrance fee for adults is ¥1,600, which feels a bit on the expensive side compared to many other shrines, but considering the amount of restoration and upkeep needed for a site of this age, it’s understandable. Expect to spend about one to two hours exploring at a relaxed pace. One thing to note is that some areas can feel a bit touristy, especially during peak season, but overall it’s still a nice cultural stop. If you go early in the morning, you’ll have a quieter experience and more time to look at the details without waiting behind groups. Overall, Nikkō Tōshō-gū is a solid cultural attraction with a good mix of history, nature, and craftsmanship. Not mind-blowing, but definitely a worthwhile stop in Nikkō.

Toshogu Shrine in Nikko is an incredibly calming and soothing place. The atmosphere feels peaceful from the moment you enter, and it’s easy to sit here for hours just relaxing and taking in the surroundings. The shrine grounds are quite large, giving you plenty of space to wander, explore, or simply enjoy the quiet beauty of the area. There is an entrance ticket, but once you step inside, you really feel the value of the visit. The detailed craftsmanship, historic charm, and serene environment make it a truly memorable experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a peaceful and meaningful spot to spend time.

Ornate, intricate temple complex. Order tickets at the train station in Nikko as lines are very long even in the off season. Temples are colorful and sizable! We spent about an hour and felt we had time to take it all in. Lot and lots of stairs to get to the upper mist temple area but plenty to see at the lower level.

This is a beautiful temple with many beautiful details and buildings. It has a rich history and is one of the most famous of its kind. However, it is terribly crowded and loud, and you have to stand in line to see most things - even mid November when we visited. Having lived in Japan we can only conclude that there are many just as beautiful temples and shrines that are far less crowded, for instance in northern Honshu or Kyushu. Still this is worth visiting.

A shrine that worships Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, as a god. World Heritage Site that represents Japan. Worth visiting once. The carvings and dazzling gold leaf decorations on the Yomeimon Gate were captivating. The iconic sculptures of the "Three Wise Monkeys" represented the proverb "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil" were located at the entrance area. The "Sleeping Cat" was the famous wooden carving by Hidari Jingoro that appears to be sleeping peacefully, located above the entrance to Ieyasu's tomb.

Beautiful in the autumn. The ticket situation was a joke though. Six ticket vending machines and only three working, and not many languages to choose from so some people had to spend minutes trying to work it out. Not what I expected. The inside is also under construction/refurbishing, so it’ll be several years before we can see it without scaffolding.

It was our first time exploring the Kinugawa area, and we very much enjoyed our stop at Ryuokyo Station/Canyon. After you going down a long set of stairs, you come to the beautiful Nijimi Falls and a small shrine, and then you can continue down and across the bridge to the far side of the canyon. We followed the path to the right and enjoyed beautiful views of the canyon as we went, and after crossing the bridge again, we went to the left and circled back around to the cute little Ryuokyo Station.

The most beautiful mountain I’ve ever seen. The view was breathtaking and unforgettable. Standing there, surrounded by nature, I felt completely at peace. The fresh air, the sound of the wind, and the endless scenery made it one of the most memorable moments of my life.

This is my favorite forest hike in Japan. The longest option is roughly 6km so budget 2-3 hour walk. The views were breathtaking, fall colors full splendor. Recommend hiking shoes if you’re doing the full route

Ryuokyo Canyon is one of the most scenic river gorges in the region. Its name means “Dragon King Gorge” and comes from the twisting shapes of the Kinugawa River and the rocks that resemble a dragon’s movement. Formed over 22 million years by volcanic activity and erosion, the gorge reveals striking layers of andesite, green tuff, and rhyolite, each giving a different color and texture to the cliffs. A well-maintained nature trail follows the canyon, connecting several beautiful spots such as Nijimi Falls, Tategoto Falls, Gokoiwa (Five-Light Rock), Shiraiwa (White Rock), and Goryuo Shrine. The hike from Ryuokyo Station to Kawaji Onsen takes about 2–3 hours at an easy pace. Wooden bridges, moss-covered rocks, and the constant sound of the river make it a peaceful and deeply atmospheric walk through nature.

Descending several flight of slippery stairs to reach a scenic photo spot of the dynamic waterfall and beautiful valley and streams below

This is the trail along the Kinugawa (Kinu River). The trail was easy to walk and half of the trail was stunningly impressive. The trail could last from 1 hour to six hours according to your choice of walk. I took the longest one, but honestly the impressive part was only in the first half way, the other half was for the sake of walking.

It’s a wonderful place for getting away from your hectic daily life. Beautiful scenery and not so difficult walking trails. But no recommended for those who has bad knees because of the up and down trails. It took us 2 hours to complete the 1 hour walking trail. We spent time relaxing and taking photos. Car park is free. The are some nice restaurants at the entrance of the park.

Premium soft serve is truly a must-try! 100 yen to upgrade from original flavour. Saw horses, donkeys, sheep, goats and fishes today. Too cold for the cows to come out to roam in their pen, sad.. there was mini-golf section there too but the fishing-to-eat activity was more interesting 😁

A really nice experience to see a ranch, they have plenty of activities to spend the time with family and/or friends. Among those, feeding donkeys and horses, petting a rabbit, fishing, etc., They also have a small archery field where you can have the experience for only ¥700! Really worth trying! The dairy is excellent, and the ice cream is really delicious. You can also have lunch here! Pleasant place for a Saturday or Sunday

Dec 27, 2021 The farm is open to the public but most restaurants are closed and few animals can been seen from the outside. You can go there just to take some snow pics and buy souvenir. Their pudding is very famous and tasty. Recommended that you get one.

This place is a lot of fun. It’s free to enter and there’s lots to see and do. You do have to pay for each experience but if you wanted to, you could just walk around and not spend anything. Our toddler loved this place; he fished for trout, rode a horse and a donkey and ate some really great soft serve ice cream. Would definitely come back here!

Really good day out with plenty of activities to introduce your children to farm animals. Milk and ice-cream were great too!

Free visit with free parking .... Lot of diary product ... can’t stop having ... enjoy guys

Very peaceful and pacific farm where you can find a lot of animals if you come around this area and if you are looking for the place where you can get relaxed with the family this is the place highly recommendable to visit. Good destination for family excursion! And here they have a good produce of milk that you can buy in the souvenir shop.

The scenery was stunning. I visited at the end of October, traveling by rented car. The autumn leaves were changing color, which was absolutely beautiful. To view the falls, you must purchase a ticket before descending by elevator. The Kegon waterfall vista from the base is simply superb. They also have a souvenir shop there. Be aware that these falls are located in the mountains, quite a distance from the Shinkyō Bridge, so you should plan your time carefully to arrive before sunset. 🍁🍂🍃

Kegon Falls is an incredibly calming place—its powerful waterfall is truly mesmerizing. You can enjoy the view from the top, but if you’d like to experience it from below, there’s an elevator that takes you down about 100 floors (with a small ticket fee). The view from the bottom is absolutely beautiful. There are a few eateries around Kegon Falls where you can grab a bite. About 200 meters away is Lake Chuzenji, where you can enjoy swan boating or take a lake cruise. The scenery around the lake is stunning and definitely worth visiting.

We visited Kegon Waterfall on a weekday late afternoon, and it was a great experience. It wasn’t very crowded, so we could really take our time and enjoy the view. The scenery was stunning. The waterfall is incredibly powerful and surrounded by beautiful nature. Paying 600 yen for the elevator to see it from the base was absolutely worth it, as it gives you a completely different and much closer perspective. Definitely one of the highlights in the Nikko area!

Kegon waterfalls is so beautiful waterfall. I first came here in winter. The first time I saw it was very beautiful and peaceful. I really love this waterfall. And when I came this year in October 2025, it was beautiful in another way. I had the opportunity to take the elevator down to the lower level of the waterfall. I was even more surprised to find the waterfall more beautiful than when I saw it from above.

Kegon Falls is one of Japan’s most famous waterfalls. It stands about 97 meters high, with water flowing directly from Lake Chūzenji into the Ōshiri River. It is officially listed among Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls, together with Nachi and Fukuroda Falls. Discovered over 1,200 years ago by the Buddhist monk Shōdō Shōnin, the waterfall has long been a place of scenic and spiritual significance. Its name, Kegon, may be inspired by the Kegon Sutra (華厳経), one of the central Buddhist scriptures. An elevator (Kanbaku Elevator) can take visitors down to a lower observation deck near the base of the falls. Fee: about ¥600 (round trip) for adults, ¥400 for children.

Don't come as late as we did - know when the sun will set and come at least 3 hours earlier because it is better sight. The top observatory is free, but to go down 100 meters you have to go with an elevator which costs 600 yen per person - it is worth it. You can also see where the water falls on the ground and the other small waterfall. Keep in mind that you will spend some time watching and some time taking photos, so don't come in busy hours if that's possible. I would suggest you come with the earliest bus when there are not a lot of tourist. Doesn't matter if some shops won't be open so early, you can get the exact same suveniers elsewhere later.

The waterfalls is amazing. You have a platform from which you can see the waterfall from different heights there is another smaller waterfall opposite to the Kegon waterfall which is also beautiful. You can hear the sound of the falling water all around you. It is a very popular place and lots of schools visit there and takes group fotos.

One of the highlights of our Japan trip. Lake Chuzenji is gloriously beautiful - breathtaking. We enjoyed the sunrise and sunsets immensely. There's also the cruise which is part of the Nikko 4-Day Pass. A must experience!

Chuzenji is Japan’s highest natural lake, if you visit at autumn, color will be better. When I visited at end of sept, it was still surround by green.

A bit late with this review, but I wanted to share my experience at Chuzenji Lake for anyone planning a winter visit. I went in early February, and the winter atmosphere was fantastic—almost no people around. It wasn’t snowing that day, but it was very cold, around -5°C. Not many restaurants or cafés were open, but there were grilled Ayu fish sold —perfect for warming up while standing and eating. The snowy scenery around the lake was absolutely beautiful, and it was so relaxing to just enjoy the view. If you’re planning a winter trip here, take a look at the photos to get a sense of the atmosphere.

Lake Chūzenji is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Fall colors are not to be missed. Sightseeing boat ride 中禪寺湖乘船 takes one hour and makes four stops around the lake. Boat ride starts at 9 am every hour on the hour. Tickets can be purchased at the pier ticket office. Cost 1850 yen per person . We enjoyed the scenery on boat, nice and easy way to go around the lake.

Hands down to the most beautiful lake I’ve ever witnessed. We visited in the second week of Oct 2025 and I was totally mesmerised after arriving here. Trees had leaves which were in yellow, red and green. It was officially the place where we witnessed the first autumn with fall leaves. Although it was around 14 degrees there I forgot that it was cold by witnessing the surroundings.

A beautiful lake with charming paddle boats shaped like ducks available for rent—perfect for a relaxing sail around the water. The area is surrounded by cozy coffee shops, local restaurants, and souvenir stores, making it a lovely place to explore. It’s especially worth visiting during the autumn season, when the scenery becomes even more stunning with the fall colors.

Lake Chuzenji is absolutely peaceful and mesmerizing—I couldn’t stop staring at its beauty. There’s a scenic 25 km walking path around the lake’s entire perimeter, perfect for nature lovers. You can also enjoy the lake up close with a cruise ride, speed boat, or paddle boat, each giving a different charm of the surroundings. I highly recommend staying at least a full day in the lake area to truly soak in its magic. It feels like heaven on earth!

Very stunning falls it far from the bus stop. We walked over to the lake as well - stunning too! Thought about renting the touristy Swan shaped boats but didn’t. Were sad we didn’t go further to see a beautiful shrine in the forest. We saw it on the bus as we continued up the mountain. Busy even during the off season. Many food vendors and food gift shops here also. It’s not remote or requires any hiking. It’s 10 minute walk from the bus to the falls. You can take the elevator down (still have 4 flights of stairs to get there and a few more flights of SRL takes at the viewing platform) for a small fee, stunning and beautiful. Selfie shots abound but people move away quickly. Was beautiful but not very relaxing. The lines for the bus down form early. Don’t be in a rush here.

I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say visiting waterfalls is one of my favorite things to do when travelling, especially in Japan. There’s something magical and poetic about these cascading waters. So, when I say this waterfall is one of the most rewarding gems of its kind, I really mean it. Getting off from the public bus at stop 37(竜頭淹), it is just 3 mins from the bottom of the waterfall with a magnificent view from the tea house. It’s so close you can smell the waterfall. Then go uphill from the right side of the tea house and you will find a 20-min well-paved staircase that take you up to various viewpoints to continue your journey to connect with the falls, particularly pleasant when seeing the water running through fall foliage. There are some crowds at times, as it is very accessible and some tour buses include this spot, nevertheless, it is not Tokyo type of busy and you will always be able to suimase your way to the railing for an epic photo. I felt like every turn was a scene worthy of National Geographic feature. Very beautiful. Highly recommended on a clear day in fall.

Visited 23 October 2025: Stunning area! Worth hiking past the usual tourist crowd if you have the time, continuing up the river a bit is very peaceful and beautiful, it’s an easy hike. Autumn colours were at their peak according to the Tobu Information Centre.

Amazing hiking trail circuit around the Nikko national park area that will truely spin your senses to new heights. The picturesque Autumn landscape has a dream-like quality. Our family did a 15km trail that is well maintained! Remember to be a the lookout for small brown bears signposted everywhere!

Visited Ryuzu Cascades around noon on a weekday. It was a bit crowded, with some school groups visiting, but still easy to enjoy. The cascades were beautiful, especially with the surrounding foliage adding rich color to the scene. The viewing area is well maintained, and the sound of the water flowing through the rocks makes it very peaceful. Despite the crowd, it’s a lovely and scenic stop, especially during the autumn season.

It's 23 Oct 2025, the leaves are starting to change colour making the cascades more beautiful. If only we were here one or two weeks later, we could see more red leaves.

Really nice waterfall feature. Just allow maybe 30min viewing time. My tip is to park at the top of the waterfall and walk down. Easier cause the lower section parking is congested with long Q. Its called the Ryuzu Falls upside parking on Google maps

Very Nice

From here,into the deep forest road you can find nothing but trees, maybe bears and deers only

Peace and quiet time spent there and beautiful views.

Nothing special.

Nice place.....

(Translated by Google) July 2025 Local vegetables are sold in a tent outside. It was midsummer, so there was a large mizu mountain vegetable. The store sells a wide variety of soba noodles. There are also other local foods such as yubeshi, perilla products, and pouch-type juices made from peaches and red shiso, which is fun to see. Snacks, soba noodles, and yakitori are sold outside the store. I decided to buy yakitori, hoping for the name Aizu Jidori. I filled out my name and order on the order form in front of the store and purchased it. Gizzard, cartilage, negi-ma, and kawa. I decided to eat it hot on the spot, but everything was terribly salty...I'm a blood pressure manager, so I was shocked and couldn't taste the chicken. I'm not kidding, my blood pressure went up the next day...(crying). (Original) 2025年7月 地場野菜類は外のテントで販売。真夏なので山菜ものとしては大きく育ったミズがありました。 店内の物販では蕎麦の品揃えが充実。ほか、ゆべし、えごまの製品、桃や赤じそのパウチタイプのジュースなど、ご当地の食がしっかり揃っていて楽しいです。 飲食は店外で軽食、そば類、焼き鳥を販売。 会津地鶏の名に期待して焼き鳥を買うことに。店頭の注文票に名前と注文を記入して購入。砂肝、軟骨、ねぎま、かわ。 熱々をその場で食べることにしたけど、すべてがおそろしくしょっぱい…血圧管理している身には戦慄が走り、鶏の味はわかりませんでした。冗談じゃなく翌日の血圧は上がりました…(泣)。

(Translated by Google) Located on the border between Tochigi and Fukushima prefectures, this is a perfect place for a toilet break. The yakitori made with Aizu local chicken and pork cheeks from Wakakiya Foods, a food truck outside the store, were juicy and delicious. The shaved ice topped with Akatsuki peach juice from Tsuchikko Tajima Farm was also delicious. Other tasty drinks include amazake and red shiso juice. (Original) 栃木県と福島県の県境にあり、トイレ休憩に丁度良いところです。 店外のキッチンカー「わかきやフーズ」さんの会津地鶏を使った焼き鳥、豚のカシラがジューシーでとても美味しかったです。 もう一つの「土っ子たじまファーム」さんの桃ジュースあかつきを掛けたかき氷がバツグンに美味しかったです。この他、甘酒や赤しそジュースも美味しい。

Train station is about 8 minutes walking! At train station there are coin lockers cost about five hundreds en for large suitcases! If you only have 1000 notes, there’s an automatic exchange machine too ! The train station is non manned one! If you got on train you need to get a coupon from machine (整理券) pay at the exit station with money and you coupon together! View is nice and free

Tō-no-Hetsuri is a breathtaking scenic spot, especially stunning during the autumn foliage season. The unique rock formations along the river create a dramatic view, and when the leaves turn red and gold, the landscape feels almost magical. Highly recommended to visit in fall for the most beautiful scenery.

A very small scale tourist spot. Just a bridge with the cliff stones and a worship place. At the moment, the view was stunning with the fall foliage. Parkings were available on site. The closer to the bridge, the more expensive was the parking fee ranging from ¥100-300. I parked closest and paid the fee. The keeper gave me a receipt and alleged that full reimbursement for purchase in his shop. I did but later discovered it was a trick. Price of the product bought was marked up ¥300.

Peaceful area. Beware the shop owners will harass you to pay whatever they feel like for parking. Park up the hill it's a short walk and actually free. You have to pay for parking even if you use the public bathroom.

Unless you’re passing by / in the area, it’s not worth a special trip. Probably nicer once the autumn leaves are out. Takes about 10 minutes to walk around. On the day I visited there was a free car park at the railway crossing then literally a 1 minute walk away the next car park was charging 200 yen.

A nice stop but not some place to go out of your way to visit. Parking is 100yen

Spectacular view during autumn! Lots of maple trees here and must visit now🍁

One of the biggest resorts I’ve been to in Gunma! In my opinion, this is a mountain built for skiers, which I loved. Some of the runs are even groomed during the day to keep things clean. So many options for runs, and despite lots of cars in the parking lot, the mountain never felt crowded even on a national holiday. I want to go back soon! Also, be aware there is a bit of the walk between the parking lot and ski base area so be ready to trek!

One of the best places to ski in Japan. Less than 3 hours drive from Tokyo via Japan’s fast and efficient network of expressways and tunnels. Great experience with family.

Discover the magic of Oze Iwakura, a ski resort with over 50 years of excellence. Immerse yourself in pristine powder snow and explore diverse ski courses suitable for all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this prestigious resort promises an unforgettable winter adventure. Embrace the thrill of the slopes!

Great resort. Big enough to enjoy for a two day trip; good quality snow, family friendly. Efficient operations. Probably one of the best options within a three hour drive from Tokyo, and the roads are cleared of snow which means you don’t have to bother with chains for your tires!

Great ski resort. Lines not long all. Multiple different levels of difficulty. Has activities for children. Multiple places to eat with great selections for food. English friendly. Staff is very nice and will help you if needed. Reasonably priced for a good day and night when available.

Every year I ski here. Very good snow. A lot of ski runs.

Great resort. Really nice gradient on runs. Would be five star but getting there by train and bus is not easy. It is doable, but means you will only get half days in when traveling from Tokyo. I want to go again!

Visiting Ouchi-juku on a weekday was wonderful because there were few tourists, allowing for a peaceful experience. The famous observation deck offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire village, with its iconic thatched roofs and surrounding scenery. I also enjoyed trying the local specialty, negi soba—soba noodles eaten using a green onion stalk instead of chopsticks—which was a unique and delicious cultural experience. Overall, it’s a charming historic village with beautiful views and tasty traditional food.

A pleasant way to spend an hour. It's one main street with tourist shops and soba restaurants. Theres some small shrines and a photo spot up some step old steps. Always crowded on the weekend with a lot of tour buses. Some local crafts and produce. It can be quite cold. No entrance fee but there is a parking fee of ¥500.

Ouchijuku is one of the most charming and atmospheric historical towns I have visited in Japan. The entire street is lined with beautifully preserved thatched-roof houses, and walking through it feels like stepping back into the Edo period. The town has been carefully maintained and still carries the quiet charm of an old post station from the 1600s. There are small eateries, souvenir shops, and local crafts along the main path, and the surrounding scenery adds to the sense of stepping into a living museum. It is a great place to explore slowly and enjoy the history, culture, and traditional architecture of the Aizu region. A very memorable stop that is worth the visit.

11/25/23🍂🌨️🛖 Ōuchi-juku is a must-visit if you’re interested in Japan’s old-town charm. The preserved thatched-roof houses and historic atmosphere make it feel like you’ve stepped into the Edo period. There are plenty of shops selling local goods, crafts, and souvenirs, as well as restaurants—especially famous for their handmade soba noodles. The area is well set up for visitors, with a parking lot nearby and easy walking access to all the main spots. A great place to explore, take photos, and enjoy a traditional Japanese experience!

Interesting traditional thatched houses. A more modest place compared to Shirakawa-go. Just a single street and one museum house - 250 Yen entry for adults.

¥500 parking fee. Nice village to spend an afternoon with lots of shopping opportunities. Scallion soba was popular local food.

Been here during winter and autumn. Both provide excellent views and experiences. Famous for the numerous traditional thatched buildings

Walkway across Ozegahara in Oze National Park, Japan, Ozegahara, a sprawling area of marshes and moorland, is the green heart of Oze National Park. This large nature reserve spreads out over four prefectures in central Japan, and the Oze marshland in Gunma Prefecture is shadowed by Mount Shibutsu, seen in our image. Also featured are some of the park's sinuous wooden walkways stretching across waterlogged terrain. There are miles of these boardwalks, allowing for easy trekking around the park. They also shield much of the delicate ecosystem from too much foot-traffic—basically, they keep feet dry and plants untrammeled. The high-altitude park is home to a number of beautiful alpine flowers, including the Asian skunk cabbage, which blooms after the last snows melt, and is much prettier than its name might suggest.

20/Oct/2024

Beautiful walk in early August

Search Result Exactly Found What I Wanted.

(Translated by Google) I visited in late October. Ozegahara! The mountains are starting to change color, there is no wind, and there are few people in the best location! I was able to spend a very elegant time. I was quite worried because I had been seeing bears one after another in Ozegahara, but luckily I didn't encounter any! Also, I couldn't cross the Yoppi Bridge. There is a caution sign (Original) 10月下旬に訪れました。尾瀬ヶ原！山も色付きはじめ、風もなく、人も少ない最高のロケーション！とても優雅な時間を過ごすことが出来ました。尾瀬ヶ原でクマの出没が相次いでいたので、かなり不安でしたが、幸い出会うことはなかったです！あと、ヨッピ橋が渡れませんでした。注意看板あり

(Translated by Google) This was our first visit to Ozegahara as a couple, both over 70 years old, entering from Hatomachi Pass. It was a little windy so unfortunately we couldn't capture the reflection of Mt. Shibutsu and Mt. Hiuchi. But we were greeted by an abundance of flowers, including skunk cabbage, marsh marigolds and Japanese primrose. Anyway, under the blue sky we could see Mt. Shibutsu and Mt. Hiuchi, with its vast marshes and numerous ponds. We were greedy and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, visiting Yamanohana and the Research Sample Garden, Miharashi, TEPCO Hut and Ushikuyamanohana. However, perhaps due to the snow, the boardwalk was in such bad condition in some places that it felt dangerous. The porter group is raising funds through crowdfunding and is slowly repairing it, but it is not keeping up. We also saw foreign tourists, and it is unsafe. There also appear to be difficulties in management, so we felt that the maintenance system needs to be improved. (Original) 古希を過ぎた夫婦で初の尾瀬ヶ原、鳩待峠から入りました。 少し風が強く至仏・燧のリフレクションが撮れませんでした 残念。 しかしなんと言っても水芭蕉やリュウキンカ・ショウジョウバカマ等々沢山の花が迎えてくれました。 兎にも角にも青い空の下至仏山燧ヶ岳、広大な湿原に数々の池塘。　欲張って山の鼻&研究見本園〜見晴〜東電小屋〜牛首山の鼻と満喫しました。 ただ木道の荒れは雪の影響か、酷い場所があり危険を感じる程。　歩荷さんGrがクラウドファウンディングを募り、少しずつ改修中ですが追い付かない状態でした。　外国からの観光客も見受けられました、安全性に欠ける状態にあります。管理状況の難しさも有るようで、維持管理の体系改善は必要だと感じました。

(Translated by Google) Great view! (late August) Starting from Hatomachi Pass, you will descend through the forest for an hour, but after that the scenery opens up and you will feel a great sense of freedom! Beautiful scenery that you will never get tired of no matter how far you walk. It was even better because it was sunny. When it's sunny, the sun is quite hot. If it's sunny, you can wear short sleeves except in the evening or early morning. (Original) 素晴らしい景色！（8月下旬） 鳩待峠からははじめ1時間森の中を下りますが、その後風景がひらけて開放感抜群！ どれだけ歩いても飽きない美しい風景。 晴れていたのでなおさら良かったです。 晴れると日差しはそれなりに暑いです。晴れであれば、夕方以降や早朝以外は半袖で過ごせます。

A deeply moving and historically rich place. The Aizu Samurai Memorial honors the young warriors who chose to take their own lives out of unwavering loyalty to their lord. Surrounded by peaceful nature, the site invites quiet reflection and respect. You can truly feel the spirit of bushidō and the nobility of their sacrifice. Each stone and engraved name seems to whisper a forgotten story. A must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the soul of Japan and the silent dignity of those who gave everything.

Iimoriyama is a historic and deeply moving site in Aizu. The path up the hillside is peaceful, and once at the top you find the graves of the Byakkotai, young samurai who played a tragic role in the Boshin War. The atmosphere is solemn, yet the views of Aizu town below are beautiful. A visit here offers both quiet reflection and a chance to connect with Japan’s rich history.

(Translated by Google) We were able to go to the place where the Byakkotai committed suicide, and see Tsuruga Castle in the distance, which is said to have been mistaken for the castle by the members at the time. We were also able to go inside the Sazaedo Hall, so I think there was a lot to see. (Original) 白虎隊が自刃した場所へ行け、当時隊員も見間違えたと言われる鶴ヶ城も遠くに見ることが出来ました。 さざえ堂も中に入れるので見るところは多いと思います。

(Translated by Google) It had been a long time since I last visited on a family trip 45 years ago. The number of steps from the main street was overwhelming, so thinking about work the day after, I paid 250 yen to take the escalator up. Despite it being a weekday, there were quite a lot of foreign visitors, and it was impressive to see them touring the area with serious expressions on their faces. Once again, I felt a pang of sadness at the tragedy of the Byakkotai. (Original) 家族旅行で45年前に来た以来久しぶりに訪れました。メイン通りからの階段の段数がハンパなく明後日からの仕事を考え250円を払ってエスカレーターで昇らせて戴きました。平日にも関わらず割と外国人も多く訪れており真剣な表情で巡っている姿が印象的でした。 改めて白虎隊の悲劇に胸が締め付けられる思いがしました。

(Translated by Google) I remember visiting on a school trip in junior high school, but now I'm in my mid-50s and this was my first visit in about 40 years. The more I think about the Byakkotai soldiers and learn about them, the more moving it becomes. Although it's a standard tourist destination, I feel it's one that you can't miss. (Original) 中学生の修学旅行で訪れた記憶がありますが、今や50代半ばで約40年ぶりの訪問でした。 白虎隊士に思いを馳せ、知れば知るほどとても感慨深いものがあります。 観光地の定番とはいえ、外すことの出来ない存在だと思いました。

(Translated by Google) The 700 yen one-day bus pass is very convenient. Mount Iimori is not high and can be reached by walking (free) or taking the pedestrian elevator (for a fee). The scenery is pleasant. (Original) 利用700円的一日巴七票十分方便，飯盛山不高可步行（免費）或坐行人電梯（收費），景色宜人。

(Translated by Google) To get to Iimoriyama, get off at the Iimoriyamashita sightseeing bus stop. We recommend the ¥700 adult one-day pass. If you're planning on visiting Tsuruga Castle, Sazaedo, and the samurai residences, we recommend purchasing a ticket set at the Aizu Bus Wakamatsu Station Information Center. ⚠️For those driving, there's free parking at Iimoriyamashita. Look for the bus stop and tourist information center at the entrance. There's a private parking lot right next to it, with no bar. Payment is by license plate, and it's ¥1,500 to enter. 😱‼️ Even if you enter by mistake and turn around, you'll still be charged, so be careful. 🙏 You'll be billed later. The final resting place of the Byakkotai. Click here to see the Sazaedo. The stairs are quite steep, so wear sneakers. If you're not so confident, use the moving walkway for ¥250. The ticket includes a ticket. Byakkotai goshuin stamps are also available at three locations. ① Ticket booth for the moving walkway ② Imori Branch, souvenir shop ③ Imori Main Branch I climbed the stairs with determination and gazed upon Tsuruga Castle. The red-tiled roof of Tsuruga Castle can be seen in the distance... Imagine the view the Byakkotai soldiers saw 😭 (Original) 飯盛山へは周遊バス「飯盛山下」下車 1日フリーパス大人700円がおすすめ 鶴ヶ城、さざえ堂、武家屋敷を回るなら 会津バス若松駅前案内所で🈹セットの購入が おすすめ ⚠️車の方に　飯盛山下に無料駐車場があります。入口にバス停と観光案内所があるのが目印 すぐ横に民間の🅿️があって　バー無し ナンバーで精算タイプ　入ると1500円😱‼️ 間違えて入って方向転換しても　料金発生するので気を付けて下さい🙏後で請求がやってきます。 白虎隊最期の地。さざえ堂の見学はこちら けっこう急勾配の階段です　スニーカーで 足腰に自身のない方は動く歩道で250円 周遊バスのチケットで🈹有り。 白虎隊の御朱印も3箇所に有ります。 ①動く歩道のチケット売場 ②飯盛分店　お土産屋さん ③飯盛本店 気合で階段を上り　鶴ヶ城を眺める 遥か遠くに見える赤瓦の鶴ヶ城… 白虎隊の隊士達が見た景色を想像すると😭

Date of enjoyment: 11/4/25 There’s a charge to go enter the temple but well worth it, the architecture and design is simply breath taking. This is an all wooden structure every step has a squeak in the wooden structure and the helix spiral separates the direction of heading so that people going up will not see the people heading down. The centre beam is also exposed and showing the amazing engineering that when wood is well used can withhold so much weight. Allow a good 45mins here as there is a souvenir shop to explore as well.

Sazae is turban shell in English. The building looks like it. We visited here as we heard the building has a very special style. It was fairly crowded. The entrance fee is 400 yen. It's worthwhile to go in to it. There's no steps but a gradual slope to the top. There are a dome covered with mysterious stickers. It's worth to visit.

Sazae Temple is a quiet and very unique temple in the Aizu area, and well worth a short visit if you are interested in history and architecture. The wooden hall was built in 1796 and features a rare double helix structure inside, with a spiral staircase that takes you up and around in a continuous loop. Walking through it feels unlike any other temple experience. The interior walls and ceilings are covered with name tags and wooden plaques left by pilgrims over the centuries. This gives the whole space a very personal and spiritual feeling, as if it is filled with stories, prayers, and memories from generations past. It is simple, but deeply atmospheric. The temple is surrounded by tall trees and close to a river, which adds to the sense of peace and seclusion. It is not a large or crowded site, which makes it a nice contrast to busier tourist spots. A very calming place to pause, reflect, and appreciate a different side of Japanese temple culture.

A great historical temple with plenty of charm. The old wooden beams and weathered walls tell stories of centuries past, making it feel like you’re walking through history itself. Perfect for anyone who loves a bit of ancient atmosphere!

It was quite different from other temples. Because people walk up one way, and one-way down, no crossing each other when walking on the staircase. There are quite a lot of school kids during werkdays. Be prepared to wait for a big group of students. There are no stamps to collect at this temple.

We paid 400JPY to enter and it was well worth it. Quick visit but amazing wooden architecture and construction. Lots of reading and viewing to do inside too. The up and down are seperate (e.g. one way) and surprised us.

Not a large structure, but really unique design and worth the visit. Entry cost Y400, and you can go up one side of the double-helix, cross over the center, and come down the other side.

I visited Tsuruga Castle early in the morning, and it was a wonderful experience. With the soft morning light shining from the front, the castle looked especially striking and made for beautiful photos without harsh shadows. The entire park area around the castle is very well maintained, with clean paths and lush greenery that make walking around pleasant and relaxing. There is a calm atmosphere at that time of day, allowing you to enjoy the scenery without crowds. It’s not only a historic landmark but also a peaceful place to start the day. Highly recommended for photography and a quiet stroll.

I heard this is the place that must be visited, so I did. The entrance fee is $520 including the entry to both the castle tower and the tea room. The view was great from the top floor of the castle. If you are a Japanese history buff, this should be interesting. There're well detailed documents about not only a tragedy about the youth squad who fought against the new Meiji government army but also the history of this area in general. They were quite educational. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great when I visited it...

It’s a rebuilt castle that only looks and feels like a castle from the outside. Inside it’s basically a museum that explains the history of the castle and of the region. Although the museum is very well done they could do much more in terms of having more English available on the walls. When we visited in the summer heat we did appreciate the air conditioning inside. If you’re looking for the authentic Japanese castle experience- this isn’t the one:

Most of the original castle no longer stands, but a lot of work has been done to restore it for visitors. The main keep is more of a museum about feudal life and the historical events around the Meiji Restoration. There is an outer tower that's part of the original castle and the ticket (Y520) also gives admission to the tea house/garden (you can pay extra to have tea and a snack there). The surrounding grounds are well maintained and it wasn't too crowded.

Tsurugajo Castle is beautiful and sits right in the middle of Aizuwakamatsu with a cute little park around it. We didn’t go inside as we’d heard the interior wasn’t as impressive as the outside. Compared to other castles like Osaka Castle, it’s a bit less striking, but still definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Fantastic recreation of a 14th century castle. The grounds are sort of maintained. The main yard where visitors & schools mainly go is well looked after, but the perimeter walls and parapets, not so much. Heaps of school groups on the day we visited. Five levels, no photographs permitted on level 1. Limited english translations on information cards, so google translate, a guide or do some research before you come. The history is primarily of the local area, from the appointment of the first ruling family all the way through to the Boshin war. After the souvenir store, don't exit, walk to the end of the corridor, take off your shoes and there is another segment, which in part talks about the reconstruction of the castle. No lift between floors, if you can't climb stairs then you can't visit the tower. But plenty of elderly were there, slowly making their way up. The views from the top are fantastic. Souvenir shops at the end has an extensive range of gifts, from ninja swords to handmade items from local craftsmen. Highly recommend a visit if your nearby. A good way to spend a couple of hours.

Tsurugajo Castle in Aizuwakamatsu is a beautifully restored samurai-era castle with deep historical significance. The iconic red-tile roof makes it stand out from other Japanese castles, and the interior museum offers great insights into the history of the Aizu region and the Boshin War. You can climb to the top floor for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. The grounds are well-maintained, with seasonal beauty—especially cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant colors in autumn. There’s also a nice gift shop and nearby tea house where you can enjoy matcha. A must-visit spot for history lovers and photographers!

Interesting train station with 462 steps! You can take a slow climbing of stairs and explore this unique station.

I took the train from Doai Station, famous for its deep underground platform and long staircases. Walking through the dimly lit tunnels and countless steps was quite an adventure. The station also has a special beer aging project, making it a unique spot for both train enthusiasts and travelers.

The deepest station in Japan, with 462 steps to reach the surface, and about 100m with about 30 steps to reach the entrance. All the steps are numbered with every 10 steps, the top is 462, you can see it on the left side. It takes about 10 minutes to climb up all these steps, so give a plenty of time or you’ll miss the train. There is no officer in this station. Moreover, the underground way is from Minakami station (Gunma) to Nagaoka station (Niigata). The way back from Nagaoka to Minakami is the platform on surface. Please beware of that or else you’ll miss the train and have to wait a long time for the next train, sometimes it’ll be nearly 3 hours between 2 trains. Please look the instructions carefully! There is no elevator or escalator in this station. Climbing up with heavy luggage is quite a pain. There are few wooden chairs in the middle for you to have a rest. There is a bus stop in front of the station.

I went there in August of 2023. I took a bus to Echigo Yuzawa and rode the local Jōetsu train south from there. The southbound platform is up on the surface and looks like your typical train station out in the boonies of Japan, but a journey of 486 steps into the depths of the mountain takes you down to the northbound platform. No matter how roasting hot it is up top, it’s chilly down there, and how glad I was that I brought a long-sleever and long sweatpants with me in my backpack. My feet were actually getting cold as well. Let me also warn you that the restroom down there is now closed. When nature called, I had to march back up all 486 up to the station building. (That restroom is open, thankfully.) There was still the waiting room downstairs, but all the “I was here” messages had been removed. There seem to be serious water issues in that room as well, since the ceiling was dripping wet. Speaking of which, while waiting on the platform, the conductor overhead was dripping water on me. The trains also don’t come very frequently. When the train finally came into view, however, it appeared as two tiny points of light far off in the distance. It looked almost eerie, though I knew it was a pair of headlamps. Were I to go back, I think I’d take the Shinkansen up to Echigo Yuzawa, as it’s not that much more expensive than the bus, and you don’t have to arrange weeks in advance.

I kind of missed the sign at the top of the stairs (not too fluent in Kanji yet) so I thought I had to get down again to get back to Minakami but the way back was the track on the surface. Missed the train and would be happy about a small translation at the sign at the top of the stairs before going down! Otherwise cool stop while it's hot outside and the cafe in the conductors office was nice

This old and spooky train station (on the Jōetsu JR train line) is fun and well deserved a visit. The platform for northbound (to Echigo-Yuzawa/Nagaoka) is 70m/230ft deep, ten mins to walk the 486 steps to the ticket gate. Hence carrying up luggages is not an easy task let alone the eerie.

By far the most unique railway station I’ve visited anywhere in the world. I arrived from Minakami so had to slog up the 486 steps to reach the surface. The cafe in the former ticket office is rather pricey but great for grabbing a bite while waiting for the train (services are pretty infrequent).

Great experience. On a clear day you can see many distant mountains. Wish I had come better prepared for a little hike but there was so much snow.

Hidden gem in Japan. Very nice and beautiful for a one day trip. Can go by using the Tokyo wide pass.

I came here on 10/21/23 to take photo of mountain Koyo. Because is not clear blue sky day I was lucky to see rainbow. The experience of sitting at cable car alone with colourful autumn leaves around was absolutely amazing !! Then rainbow did a magic touch to the whole landscape !! You can buy set ticket to go up to the top cost 3500yen including cable car and a lift . I was advice not to take lift since it is raining . At the 1319m top I saw many hikers , they told me 4 hours to hike to the top. My ticket cost 2000yen round trip . I should come back in summer to do the hike . If you like colourful autumn leaves 🍁 it is highly recommended. Only 2 hours from tokyo station, easy to do a day trip .

so many snow and freezing cold. but beautiful view

Essentially the ropeway bought and operated by Hoshino Resorts. Everything was fine but there’s no “wow effect” that we’re accustomed to with Hoshino group experiences, basically just a mountain ropeway with a few not so well maintained trails at the summit. Great to escape the tokyo heat though !

The toilet is Clean! The ropeway is huge and comfortable although a little bit hot in summer 👍

I came here in the early 2000s. The differences were the uniforms, politeness, and prices.

Night ski was fun. In Yuzawa, I prefer playing snowboard at this snow mountain. The ski track is pretty fun, but needed to go up high to the top. Beautiful view. The snow here isn’t powdery though. It’s quite hard. But overall, I had a good time here.

I would say this is the go-to-resort when you are in Yuzawa. Especially if you are advancing from a beginner to intermediate level. The runs here are diverse, fun and easily accessible. It feels like a neighborhood ski resort and perhaps that’s one of the many charms it has. The family and I enjoyed the various FnB venues it has and there’s sufficient signage (and maps) around to keep you informed. It is also relatively inexpensive and there are also options of different rentals to choose from. I think this is the best ski resort in the Yuzawa area.

Always a favourite, shuttle bus really easy to follow and get to & fro echigo-yuzawa, routes are fun, view is spectacular especially during sunset. Not a huge range of routes, but should keep you busy for a day or two. Loads of rental options. Lots of food options on the slopes Get your passes before hand via kkday e.g. to save quite abit.

I had mixed feelings for this ski resort, some staff were good but some were the worst among Japan in my eyes. It was especially bad when we took a shuttle to the guesthouse near the Hatsukaishi area. When we got off, the shuttle driver stopped us from leaving and said it's the wrong station. Despite being a foreigner, my Japanese level is well enough for all the communication to be in Japanese. I tried to show him the location of our accommodation by using Google map, the driver said "there are so many hotels around the area and I DON'T CARE where you stay" in a really rude way and refused to look at my phone. I was convinced by the driver, what else could you do if a local insisted that you are going the wrong way? So the 9 of us moved our baggage back onto the bus. Later we found out it's the wrong station the driver brought us to, I tried to ask the driver to take us back to the station we initially got off, which was just 5 mins drive away. And he refused to talk to me anymore by saying "I don't understand you" (but I had been talking to him in Japanese like for 5 mins). He just told us to talk to the staff inside the resort centre and ran away with the shuttle. The staff inside told us that we initially got off at the correct stop. And it took us almost another hour to get back to the right place for the waiting time of another shuttle etc. This happened on Jan 23, 2025. Have to say other shuttle drivers and the centre staff were good. But that particular shuttle driver was awful. There are some additional problems with the staff controlling the ski lift. I stayed mostly around the Hatsukaishi area. Most of the time when I or friends fell from the lift while getting off, unlike other Japanese ski resorts, almost all the staff was indifferent to stop or slow down the lift and it was really dangerous. They just made gestures or yelled at you to leave ASAP.

A very nice place to ski for intermediate or above levels, not many ski-in ski-out hotel can choose

Very nice and beautiful ski resort nearby Gala Yuzawa station. There are so many free shuttle bus to take in every station. You can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo here. Very convenient for transportation. The ski course are so wonderful and huge. People here are not as many as in Gala. And restaurants serves great dishes. So come here and enjoy it!

It is very big ski resort and has many shops and hotels inside or along the line of ski lanes. The lough it self is modern but not as please as Gala. For advance skier is recommend because it more variety and good for tourists as they have many restuarants too.

We stayed three nights in January. The room is spacious but a bit old and required renovation. Dinner, bkf and lift pass are included. Food variety is limited (no sushi) but when considering the price, it is as expected. The major problem are the ski ground. There is insufficient signage to show direction, and you dont know what level of slope the liftchair will take you to. There are insufficient chairs for you to change boots. Three persons share one locker with only one key. Overall, the hotel is okay for the price charged but the ski facilities needs some improvement.

90% of the time spent on ski lifts than actually skiing. Not worth it. Our legs and knees hurt because none of the ski lifts have footrest like in Europe. If you’re gonna make people sit on ski lifts all day at least have footrest. Most of the ski lifts also don’t have safety bar. It’s a beautiful resort but it has the strangest layout where to get somewhere you need 2 even 3 connecting ski lifts. Worst part other than the non existent footrest is the fact that the ski lifts are extremely slow. Slowest ski lifts in the world. Better to ski somewhere else.

Too many ski lifts, felt like a lift resort than a ski resort. Should be renamed to Joetsu Mendokusai. Have to pay for parking and also not many food options even though there are tons of resting cabins.

I really liked this huge ski with fantastic view. But the signs were not good enough.

A good resort for beginners and strong intermediate skiers. Very old school. Lifts tend to be a bit slow, and the layout is quite annoying, with a long transition from the front part of the resort and the rather nice hinterland. Scenery is very pretty, the broad layout providing beautiful views. Showing its age but definitely worth a visit.

Nice ski resort with many slopes which are interconnected to the other resort too. They have night skiing too but only for 2 slopes.

I'm going to be honest. The resort itself is outdated and in need of a remodel. If that does not bother you, it is a nice stay. The buffets are okay. The snow itself was beautiful and the family had a great time sledding and skiing. The beginner hills kind of lead to advanced ones. Hard to learn if it's busy. Overall a fun trip.

Very interesting history and most amazing carving. Worth a look!

A nice temple in the mountains. Its collection of works of Ishikawa Uncho is very impressive. Highly recommend to stop in when you’re in the area.

We wanted to see the Kaisando created by Ishikawa Uncho, but The main hall also has several points of interest, and the wood inlays depicting leaves and other motifs applied by Uncho during repairs draw visitors back to their childhood. An elderly couple, who appeared to be well past sixty, searched for driftwood with eyes like children's. I expect Uncho is also happy in heaven too. Photography is prohibited inside Kaisando. So, please refer to the temple's website. But honestly, that website doesn't convey its overwhelming power. Both my wife and I were so stunned by its sheer power and intricate craftsmanship that we were not only speechless for a while, but couldn't even breathe or move. After viewing the Kaisando, we looked out into the courtyard. And discovered that the outside of the Kaisando was also decorated with sculptures. Photography is prohibited inside Kaisando, but you can get close to take pictures outside. Since it's not painted, it lacks vibrancy, but the increased sense of depth actually makes it feel more imposing. The expressions of the men, especially the monk in the background, are particularly vivid. The woman below seems somehow alluring, while the old man above appears drunk and in high spirits. As a characteristic of Uncho's style, he places supporting characters who seem to tease the protagonist beside or behind them, creating a unique sense of space. If you ever have the chance to come to this area, I highly recommend to visit Saifukuji Temple.

Amazing wood carvings and I am sure these are important treasures for the country ranging from old styles to newer lattice structures. 500 yen entry and the final last hut has the craziest (in a good way) interior I have seen in Japan. It's not a big exhibit and can be completed in 20 minutes even if you go slow.

I was glad we visited and the ceiling carvings were truly beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like them; it felt like the dragon was jumping out at me. There is a 10 minute description of what all the different scenes are, but it’s only in Japanese. I believe they had a QR code to scan for English guidance as well, but we didn’t use it. It doesn’t take long to go through this place, I think 20-30 minutes is plenty. And it seems most easily accessible by car. Entrance fee is 500 yen and goshuin are also 500 yen. There are no pictures allowed, which I completely understand, but I do wish that there was at least a postcard or something else available besides the 2000 yen book and a DVD. It would have been nice to have something more affordable and small for people who want to remember their visit by. The closest thing is that the goshuin price includes a small clear file with some of the ceiling carvings on the back, which was a nice touch.

Recommend to come here!!!! Entrance fee= 500 yen. Inside you can see very gorgeous roof from wood and picture of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” in Japanese style. At right side after entrance at second floor has cafe nice place to spend you time with original green tea with red bean snack.

The place is so solemn,very peaceful. The arts are so wonderful and very creative. Very interesting and artistic.

We went there last weekend ; it’s snow covered and offers a divine view! そり遊び　or sledding is also possible along with Ski. You can rent sledding boards ( or you can get your own). I have added a map too to show the courses the park offers. Ski for kids and for adults ; sledding for kids and adults are definitely possible! It’s a very clean park with an indoor kids space and a small restaurant. 😊Enjoy!!

Decided to drop by the park on route from Tokamachi to Niigata City. Glad we did it as Echigo hillside Park was a really beautiful and spacious park, you can easily spend half a day there. Many variants, including award winning roses. Caught a water show and was pleasantly surprised with sound track used.

It's a very nice and spacious park. June is when they have roses; the flowers they have change...I think last April-May it was tulips~~

I enjoyed it best in summer because my son loves the water play area, the bounce cloud, the childrens play area, the indoor play area..... Soooo much to do for children! And beautiful gardens too! We can spend the whole day and not get bored. We can take our own food or easily buy food there. Winter is fun too but not so much to do but it's nice to play in the snow and then go to the indoor play area.

It is very big park and I can see lot of people. Good place for kids and many children are playing in the lark. At this time april 2021 people can see hundreds of different Tulip flowers . Big parking space .Entry tickets are available for 1 or 2 or 3 days .I bought 2 days ticket which cost 500 Yen whereas one day ticket also almost same price 450Yen.I Plan to go again tomorrow. You can relax by spending time from 9.30 to 5pm.

Best park in the city. Big play ground & lots of stuffs for kids. Greenary all around. Bicycle ride is fun. Bungee trampoline is fun for kids. Entrance fee is minimal. Vehicle parking fee is also cheap. Highly recommended.

Great park if you coming from the JR station in nagaoka is the last stop of the line 6 bus ( there are 2 line 6 bosses one of each size of the station so ask on the turist information center or the driver) is the last stop and were you get off you get on the bus back

Absolutely Zen Castle thats free to visit and has amazing people that will offer mountains of info From roof tiles to intricate history its 100% worth a visit on a sunny day

Really nice free attraction. Unfortunately, most of the castle is no longer standing, and part of the original grounds is taken up by a Japan Self-Defense Force base, but it's still worth a visit. You can enter two towers and above the gatehouse, and there is a model and a few exhibits. Not a lot of English signage, but the parts that remain (or were rebuilt) are well maintained.

This is the famous castle in Niigata. Its a bit small compared to other castles in Japan but it is still nice thou. There is no entrance fee and the staff are really nice. You can see three separate mini castles when you go inside

A very nice but small piece of Japanese history that has been preserved very well over the years. It is one of the smaller castles located in Japan. I found it a little disappointing to see how some of the castle property is currently occupied by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. There is no fee for admission and the workers will give you a very informative tour of the castle grounds.

Nice scale of rebuilt castle ruins. The gate is close during the winter season though.

Beautiful and ancient. I arrived early in the morning so I couldn't get inside. but it's also great outside.

Just beautiful. There is more structure than the 'ruins' label suggests. This is a very beautiful and calm spot tui enjoy.