Tochigi Travel / Tochigi Tour

Nikko home to Tochigi Prefecture's representative natural landscapes, including Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, and Senjogahara. The one I recommend this time is Odashirogahara, which is about a quarter the size of Senjogahara. It is a grassland about 3 kilometers in circumference, but in the summer you can encounter colonies of Japanese lilies and day thistles, and in the fall you can encounter yellow leaves of Erman's birch and autumn leaves, making it a beautiful grassland in each season. A lone white birch tree stands alone in the middle of Odashirogahara. This is the "Lady of Odashirogahara." Whether it's among the fresh greenery or the colorful autumn leaves, it has a somewhat dignified appearance. It has long been known among professional photographers and enthusiasts, and many people visit to take photos of this beautiful and tasteful subject. If you visit Nikko, be sure to come and see this lady standing alone in the grassland.

Tochigi Sano City, Sano Prefecture, is famous for its Sano Ramen. However, there is a local fast food that is not so well known in other prefectures, but has been a local favorite. It is "imo furai" (fried potatoes). These are so-called "potato skewers. When served hot with a thick special sauce, you cannot get enough of the sweet and flaky texture and the fragrance of the batter! The origin of this dish is said to be during the postwar reconstruction period, when it was a snack for female workers at the textile factories that flourished in the area. It eventually spread to ordinary households, and was sold by carts. Potatoes on skewers were deep-fried and served on the spot for each order. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Even today, "fried potatoes" are a staple snack in Sano. Incidentally, the sword that Sano's official character, Sano Marukun, holds at his waist is a "fried potato. It is evident that the character is loved by the locals. You can get a map of "Imo Furai" at the Tourist Association, so it is fun to go around with a map in hand.