For a 2-day, 1-night trip to Tochigi, we recommend combining Utsunomiya and Nasu, where you can experience “Tochigi as it is today” — not just its history or hot springs. On Day 1, enjoy Utsunomiya’s LRT, the Oya History Museum, and its famous gyoza. On Day 2, head to Nasu to experience contemporary art, highland cafés, and peaceful farm scenery, creating a well-balanced and satisfying trip.
Day 1: Exploring “New Utsunomiya” and an Extraordinary Underground Space
Day 1 is all about enjoying Utsunomiya, one of the best sightseeing areas in Tochigi to feel the region’s recent changes. Start with the urban scenery shaped by the LRT, then spend the afternoon exploring the vast underground world of the Oya History Museum. Even within the same city, you can enjoy a striking shift in atmosphere and scenery.
10:30 Experience the LRT Line
First, pay attention to the Utsunomiya Light Rail. This new public transportation system is changing the cityscape itself, with modern-looking trains and stations that let you feel the fresh side of Utsunomiya. It is rare for transportation to become part of the sightseeing experience, but in Utsunomiya, the LRT is a great gateway to sensing the city’s new atmosphere. Try wandering around Utsunomiya spontaneously by LRT.
12:00 Lunch
Kirasse Main Store
If you want to enjoy gyoza in Utsunomiya, “Kirasse Main Store” is a great choice. Operated by the Utsunomiya Gyoza Association, it features five permanent shops — “Utsunomiya Minmin,” “Menmen,” “Kouran,” “Ryumon,” and “Satsuki” — while the rotating shop area offers assorted plates where you can compare gyoza from five different shops on one plate. For visitors who find it hard to choose where to eat in Utsunomiya, this is especially recommended for anyone who wants to try and compare several flavors.
Kouran Utsunomiya Station West Exit Branch
If you want to enjoy the flavor of a long-established gyoza shop quickly near the station, “Kouran Utsunomiya Station West Exit Branch” is also worth considering. Opened in May 2021, this convenient station-area location lets you taste the revived flavor of a beloved classic around Utsunomiya Station.
14:00 Oya History Museum
In the afternoon, head to the Oya History Museum. Although it is a facility that introduces the history of Oya stone, what truly leaves an impression is its enormous underground space, almost like a scene from a film or music video. The former stone quarry is massive in scale, and the scenery changes dramatically depending on how the light enters the space. It is perfect for stylish photos as well as slightly mysterious videos. The atmosphere is completely different from central Utsunomiya, allowing you to experience a truly fantastical setting.
16:00 Café Break in the Oya Area
ROCKSIDE MARKET
If you want to take a relaxing break in the Oya area with a good atmosphere, consider stopping around “ROCKSIDE MARKET.” Its appeal lies in being able to pause and unwind while still feeling the afterglow of the Oya History Museum, surrounded by a streetscape where stone culture remains. The flow from the cool, solid texture of the underground space to a softer café moment feels just right.
Day 2: Enjoying Nasu’s Art and Highland Cafés
Day 2 is about exploring Nasu, an area of Tochigi with a gentle, stylish charm. By combining the quiet time of contemporary art with the open feeling of a highland farm, you can discover another appealing side of Tochigi in a single day.
11:30 N’s YARD
One of the first places to visit in Nasu is “N’s YARD,” the private art space of Yoshitomo Nara. Set in a nature-rich environment in Nasu, it displays not only Nara’s artworks but also record jackets, objects, and personal collections. The building itself, surrounded by a garden, is beautiful, and viewing the works in its calm atmosphere offers a quiet yet unmistakably special experience.
13:00 Lunch & Café
Konara Café
If you want to continue enjoying the afterglow of N’s YARD, the adjoining Konara Café is recommended. It offers curry plates, desserts, and drinks made with carefully selected ingredients, making it appealing as a place where you can spend time as an extension of your art-viewing experience.
NASU SHOZO CAFE
“NASU SHOZO CAFE” is also a great option. Although the Nasu location has irregular closing days, it is a classic café where you can enjoy coffee and baked sweets in a calm atmosphere that feels very Nasu. It is well suited for travelers who want to include a highland café in their itinerary. Even though it is not a flashy tourist spot, it is the kind of place that easily creates a memorable Nasu-like moment.
14:30 Minamigaoka Farm
In the afternoon, head to Minamigaoka Farm. This farm can be enjoyed with free admission, offering animal encounters, local food, and the chance to taste the blessings of rare Guernsey cows, of which there are only about 200 in Japan. After the quietness of art, adding Nasu’s open sky and relaxed farm scenery creates a sense of mental breathing room, allowing you to spend a slow and peaceful time.
16:30 Drive Through Nasu Highland and Head Home
Finally, enjoy the scenery of Nasu Highland as you make your way home. Nasu is not a place full of theme-park-like excitement and stimulation, but that is exactly why its art, cafés, farms, and nature connect gently with one another, making it a destination where you can create space in your mind.
Summary
The appeal of this 2-day, 1-night Tochigi sightseeing model course is that you can enjoy both the freshness of Utsunomiya and the soft highland atmosphere of Nasu in a single trip. With the LRT, Oya History Museum, Utsunomiya gyoza, Nasu’s art spaces, and highland cafés included, the itinerary is well balanced and highly suitable for a weekend getaway. Since facility hours, closing days, and seasonal operations may change, we recommend checking each official website for the latest information before planning your trip.