Tochigi with Kids — What to Do and Where to Stay

Nikko's Kamibashi Bridge

Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Kay

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Tochigi is located to the far north of Tokyo and is a must-visit destination, if only for a day trip.

I’ve visited multiple times, both for fun and for work, and have never failed to be amazed by UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Toshogu Shrine in Nikko and Kegon Waterfall. I also love enjoying the prefecture’s famous gyoza.

There are also lots of other fun things for kids to do in Tochigi!

tochigi map
Credit: T.kambayashi

In this article, I’ll share family-friendly spots in Tochigi that are bound to make kids happy and your trip memorable.

What to Do in Tochigi with Kids

Ashikaga Flower Park

Ashikaga Flower Park is stunning, and if your child is like mine, they might enjoy all the different varieties of flowers and the illuminations. It’s especially lovely to visit in spring (April to May) when around 350 wisteria trees are blooming.

I have visited this park twice and absolutely loved it. Although I haven’t taken my daughter, I know she would enjoy it and I hope she can visit in the future.

Klook also offers a highly-reviewed tour where you can see the flower park as well as go strawberry picking and enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberries as well as crab. If you’re interested, you can book it here.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Located in Nikko, Toshogu Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s absolutely stunning. There are numerous carvings decorating the shrine, but three are particularly famous — a sleeping cat (nemuri neko), an imaginary elephant (sozo no zo), and three wise monkeys who depict the maxim “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil”.

sleeping cat carving in Nikko

Three Monkeys Carving

If you visit with your kids, see if they can find these carvings!

Located nearby is Kegon Waterfall, which is one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls alongside Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture and Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama. There are lots of souvenir shops and food stalls around the waterfall as well.

Kegon waterfall

(Don’t worry, the waterfall is usually not frozen like in my photo above, my most recent visit just happened to be in the winter.)

To help make things easier, you may want to join a tour that will take you from Tokyo to Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Waterfall. You can also hire a private car that will pick you up from your hotel in Tokyo and take you to popular sightseeing spots in Nikko.

While you’re in Nikko, consider commemorating your trip with a private family photoshoot.

Nasu Animal Kingdom

Nasu Animal Kingdom allows kids to see animals up close and interact with some of them — they can even feed Capybara! There are also shows featuring cats and birds (although I don’t know how I feel about that).

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura is probably the most “Japan” experience on the list. Kids can experience the Edo Period (1603-1867), which might not seem fun until they realize they can experience being a ninja or a samurai.

Tochinoki Family Land

Tochinoki Family Land is an amusement park with numerous rides for kids. The Hayabusa Shinkansen rollercoaster looks especially fun!

Nasu Highland Park

Nasu Highland Park, another amusement park, offers more than 40 different rides, including ones for children ages 1-2. There are some rides that allow dogs as well, so if you have one, bring them along!

Nakagawa Aquatic Park

Nakagawa Aquatic Park, the only aquarium in Tochigi Prefecture and also the largest river aquarium in Japan, features local freshwater fish as well as tropical. Children can see 60 different tanks and they can also go fishing in ponds. There’s a park and a water play area (Aqua Plaza) as well.

Mibumachi Toy Museum

The Mibumachi Toy Museum has three floors filled with toys and play areas for small children. It looks like a perfect place to take kids on a rainy or hot day.

☔️ Recommended rainy day activity with kids in Tochigi

Bandai Museum

If your child is a fan of Japanese shows like Sailor Moon, Pretty Cure,  Gundam, Power Rangers (Super Sentai), or Kamen Rider, then they might enjoy the Bandai Museum!

This museum displays toys from these shows as well as a ton of other ones. (This recommendation comes from Tochigi local, Roxy! Thank you so much!)

☔️ Recommended rainy day activity with kids in Tochigi

Tochigi Wanpaku Park

This is another recommendation from Roxy, a mother who lives in Tochigi.

This is a gorgeous nature park that also has little cars for kids to ride, bouncy castles, a train that goes throughout the park, an indoor playground with a giant pink dinosaur, and an area where kids can pretend to do things like go shopping.

Where to Stay in Tochigi with Kids

If you are considering staying overnight in Tochigi, here are some family-friendly places that I recommend.

Hotel Epinard Nasu

This is a beautiful family-friendly hotel that almost doubles as a ryokan with regular beds but an area in the room with tatami flooring. It has hot spring baths and beautiful forest views.

Breakfast is included in the price and they have family rooms. The hotel also provides rental baby products like baby bath chairs and diaper genies.

The hotel restaurant has a kids’ buffet as well, which has low tables so kids can reach the food themselves! They also offer baby food.

♨️ Check availability

Kinugawa Onsen Hotel

Surrounded by lush green mountains and turquoise rivers and lakes, this hotel is a great place to stay in the heart of nature.

It has beautiful onsen baths and breakfast and dinner are included in the price.

♨️ Check availability

Wrap-Up: Tochigi with Kids

I hope this look at what to do and where to stay in Tochigi Prefecture with kids is helpful to you. If you’re visiting Tokyo, I highly recommend doing at least a day trip to Nikko to experience nature and history in Japan.

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JOIN THE MAILING LIST

As a small token of my appreciation, I'll also send you a FREE Japanese and English printable to help your little one learn all about words associated with Christmas in Japan 🎄

This field is required.