Hiking trails through autumn-leafed forests. Pearls of Shinto culture. Tradition-infused cuisine. This is Tochigi. Historically significant and visually impressive, it’s a prefecture that combines the rugged mountains of Honshu’s heartland with generous helpings of religious architecture. Nikkō, home to the Tōshō-gū complex, is one of its most famous cities; its host of ancient temples has led to it be being declared a World Heritage Site. The Nasu region is also hugely popular – its snow-bound culture is comprised of sake, skiing and long soaks in onsen. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an adventurer, a temple-hopper or an urban explorer, because Tochigi has it all.

Nikkō is the prefecture’s most popular tourist destination, and rightly so. The Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine is one of the most magnificent in Japan; this incredibly ornate Shinto complex is dedicated to the deified spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s most famous shōgun. Nikkō Futarasan Jinja, another Shinto shrine, is almost as famous. Its red-painted buildings are accessible via the stunning Sacred Bridge, a vermillion arch that spans the Daiya River. Nearby, Rinnō-ji, a Tendai Buddhist complex, features a number of elaborately-decorated halls. It’s still considered integral to Tendai ascetic training, so, if you’re interested in Buddhist teachings, this fascinating site is a must-do.

At the base of Mount Nasu lies the Nasu township, Tochigi’s snow capital. Its reputation as a tourist hotspot has seen the rise of family-friendly attractions like Nasu Highland Park, Nasu Animal Kingdom and Nasu Safari Park, so you don’t need to worry about the kids getting bored. If you’re adults with a taste for mountaineering, prepare to be rewarded – from the verdant Nikkō National Park to the smouldering slopes of Mount Chausu, there’s plenty of fresh-air locales to keep you busy. During winter, a nice routine is to hit the slopes on skis or a board, and then relax in one of the region’s many onsen.

Foodies, listen up – Tochigi’s capital city, Utsunomiya, has some of the best gyoza dumplings in Japan. Delicious cuisine isn’t the only reason to explore this attractive city, but it’s certainly a good one. Over two hundred speciality gyoza eateries offer these pan-fried delicacies, so visiting at least a couple is a great idea. Utsunomiya also has a nice selection of temples, parks and museums, making it perfect for an extended day-trip.

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