[Tochigi] Enjoy 3 Relaxing Days in the Japanese Countryside! Experience Culture at the Iizuka Residence, a Recognized Tangible Cultural Property!

More and more foreign tourists are visiting Japan this year.

Many are choosing to explore the countryside rather than the bustling cities of Tokyo and Osaka, seeking the rich nature and nostalgic scenery unique to Japan's rural areas.

Nowadays, the countryside offers numerous sightseeing spots and seasonal events for tourists to enjoy, along with many attractive destinations they'll want to visit at least once.

In the countryside, you can immerse yourself in extraordinary experiences not found in city life, and take in breathtaking landscapes unseen in urban areas.

In the tour featured here, you'll have the opportunity to stay at the Iizuka Residence, a 200-year-old tangible cultural property. Your experience will include dinner at a local farmhouse, the chance to make traditional Japanese paper, and the pleasure of enjoying a private onsen (hot spring), all providing a taste of Japan's unique heritage.

We warmly invite you to join the Sunrise Tour and discover the enchanting charm of the Japanese countryside!

"SUNRISE TOURS × Countryside Stays JAPAN: A 3-Day Experience at Iizuka Residence, Tochigi Prefecture's Tangible Cultural Property"

 ★Click here to access the reservation page.

★You can make tour reservations at the GTN Haneda Store. When you arrive at Haneda Airport, Tokyo's gateway, be sure to drop by!

*Some dates may be full at the time of your inquiry. Thank you for your understanding.

GTN Haneda Airport Garden Store

225 Haneda Airport Garden 2F, 2-7-1 Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo 144-...

Table of Contents

- Take the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station!

- Making Washi Paper

- Stay at Iizuka Residence

- Enjoy the Onsen (Hot Spring)

- Dinner at a Farmhouse

- Stop by a Michi no Eki (Roadside Rest Stop)

Take the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station!

After signing up for the tour, be sure to pick up your tickets from the designated location at least one day before the tour begins.

On the day of the tour, take the Shinkansen from either Tokyo or Ueno Station to Utsunomiya Station.

Upon arrival, a Japanese-speaking driver will be there to meet you, marking the start of your exciting countryside experience!

Caution:

This tour operates on a self-guided basis, without an English-speaking guide or attendant. Communication with the driver will be in Japanese, so you may need to use Pocket Talk or a cell phone translation app. However, English-speaking staff will be available at Iizuka House to assist you.

Making Washi Paper

First on the agenda is a visit to Karasuyama Washi Kaikan, where you'll have the opportunity to create your own washi paper.

Discover the art of making traditional Japanese washi paper, a craft distinct from ordinary paper-making!

Characterized by its unique texture, washi is still utilized today in various items like Japanese folding fans, uchiwa fans, and shoji screens.

Enjoy the hands-on experience of crafting washi, a singular art form found only in Japan!

Karasuyama Washi Kaikan

Address: 2-6-8 Chuo, Nasukarasuyama-shi, Tochigi

Tel: 0287-82-2100

Hours: 9:00 am to around 6:00 pm

Closed: Tuesdays

Stay at Iizuka Residence

Upon your arrival at the Iizuka Residence, the welcoming staff will provide you with a detailed briefing about your stay.

Feel free to ask them for recommendations on how to spend your time or for suggestions on great places to grab lunch.

In the evening, a delicious catered dinner awaits you at the Iizuka Residence.

When making your reservation, you can choose from Japanese, Western, or vegetarian meal options to suit your preference.

Immerse yourself in a tranquil and peaceful setting, surrounded by the timeless charm of a traditional Japanese building with over 100 years of history.

*Note: Your room will be one of the following types: Bunko-gura, Tsuchi-gura A, or Tsuchi-gura B. Please be aware that specific room requests cannot be accommodated, and the room type will not be disclosed in advance.

Enjoy the Onsen (Hot Spring)

On the second day, after breakfast, you'll have free time from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm before departing for the onsen facilities. Feel free to explore the area around Iizuka Residence, where you'll find various hands-on activities, museums, and restaurants serving local specialties to enhance your stay.

When it's time for the onsen, you'll head over with English-speaking staff to Motoyu Azumaya.

The highlight here is the open-air bath overlooking the beautiful Naka River. The hot springs will gently warm your body, leaving you feeling cozy and relaxed.

Azumaya Onsen is particularly proud of its "Bijin no Yu," or "hot spring of beauty," renowned for making skin smooth and silky, making it a favorite among women. So take your time, unwind, and let the restorative waters wash away your cares.

*Note: Open-air baths are available only on weekends and holidays.  

Motoyu Azumaya

Address: 1652 Oguchi, Nakagawa-cho, Nasugun, Tochigi

Tel: 0287-92-3355

Bathing hours: Available 24 hours a day (except during cleaning hours)  

Dinner at a Farmhouse

Dinner will be served at a local farmer's home, offering you an unforgettable culinary experience in Japan. It's a rare opportunity to savor delicious country food, freshly prepared and enjoyed with the locals.

Whether you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or trying it for the first time, this meal is sure to delight your taste buds!

(Please note, vegetarian meals are available upon request when making your reservation.)

Staff from Iizuka Residence will be on hand to explain the dishes and facilitate conversation with the farmers, so you can fully engage in this unique cultural experience.

After dinner, you'll return to Iizuka Residence to spend another peaceful night in the comfort of tradition.

Stop by a Michi no Eki (Roadside Rest Stop)

On the third day, after breakfast, you'll check out and head to Michi no Eki Kitsuregawa. Here, you'll have a chance to indulge in an ashiyu (footbath), do some shopping, and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Ashiyus, or footbaths, are akin to small hot springs and are common in Japan. Soaking in an ashiyu is a serene and enjoyable way to experience a Japanese hot spring. Towels for the footbath are available at the Iizuka Residence.

Michi no Eki Kitsuregawa

Address: 4145-10 Kitsuregawa, Sakura-shi, Tochigi

Tel: 028-686-8180

Hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (hours may vary for different tenants)

Closed: 2nd and 4th Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a national holiday)

Hot spring: 10:00 am - 9:30 pm (*Last admission at 9:00 pm; *KUAHAUS is temporarily closed)

Footbath: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (Closed on Mondays or the following day if Monday is a national holiday)

After your relaxing time shopping and dining, a Japanese-speaking driver will take you back to Utsunomiya Station.

From there, you'll return to Tokyo on the Shinkansen bullet train. Once you arrive at Tokyo or Ueno Station, you'll continue to your hotel on your own.  

Click here for tour details and reservation site.

 Tour Details:

SUNRISE TOURS × Countryside stays JAPAN

A 3-Day Experience at Iizuka Residence, Tochigi Prefecture's Tangible Cultural Property

*On Sale Now: Tours from August 21 are currently available.

*Tour Dates: Please check the calendar on the link for specific dates and availability.

*Before Booking: Be sure to review the website for important precautions and detailed itinerary information before making your reservations.

Come experience the Japanese lifestyle at the Iizuka Residence, a recognized cultural property nestled in Nakagawa-cho, Tochigi Prefecture. Spend a luxurious time at the Iizuka Residence, where the town's restaurants, stores, and other businesses come together to create a unified and authentic experience.

The tour includes an opportunity to interact with the local community, including dinner at a local farmer's home. English-speaking staff from Iizuka Residence will explain the meal to you, facilitating engaging communication with the town's residents. Visitors can enjoy Japanese-style experiences such as making Japanese paper and private hot spring baths. Delight in traditional Japanese experiences such as making washi paper and enjoying private onsen (hot springs).

This thrilling tour package includes round-trip bullet train rides from central Tokyo, as well as breakfast and dinner, for a comprehensive taste of Japan's rural charm.

Important Information:

- Free Plan: This tour is a self-guided experience without an English-speaking guide or attendant.

- Language Support: Staff at Iizuka Residence are available to assist in English.

- Meal Preferences: During the reservation process, please select your meal choice of Japanese, Western, or vegetarian cuisine

What's Included:

- Accommodation costs

- Two breakfasts

- Two dinners

- Round-trip transportation between Utsunomiya Station and Iizuka Residence

- Fees for the washi paper-making experience on the first day

- Cost for private onsen on the second day

What's Not Included:

Lunches from the first to the third day

Book your Sunrise Tour at GTN Haneda Branch

At GTN Haneda Airport Garden Branch, we handle reservations for Sunrise Tours.

Feel free to visit us anytime!

★Access to GTN Haneda Airport Garden

Directly connected to the arrival lobby of Haneda Airport International Terminal!

Walk straight towards the parking lot and bus stop from the 2nd floor arrival lobby, and you will see the entrance to Haneda Airport Garden.

From the Haneda Airport Garden entrance, walk straight through the passageway towards the hotel entrance.

When you see the Omotenashi Center (information counter), walk into the Haneda Sando on the right side of it and you will find our store.

For more detailed directions, check out the video below!

★ How to get from Haneda Sando to GTN (instagram)