Tochigi Prefecture
You don’t get this beautiful in a day, and Ashikaga Flower Park has two other types of flowers also looking their best.
We discover an unforgettable dish in the city that boasts the highest number of ramen joints per 100,000 people in Japan.
This beloved Nikko tourist attraction plans to let off 1,000 fireworks “in the hope the pandemic will end soon.”
This jaw-dropping video will make you wonder how Tochigi Prefecture came in last in the prefectural popularity poll.
You’ve never experienced the power of the pyramid while soaking at the hot springs? Head to Tochigi to rectify that.
Another festival season and summer is coming to an end. The dragonflies are out and the days are getting shorter, which means fall will soon be upon us.
But before the fireworks fizzle away and the festival food stalls have packed up for good this year, one area in Japan decided to go out with a bang and surprise festival-goers with superb portable shrine, or mikoshi, recreations of some of Japan’s most popular characters, including one famous red mobile suit from the anime classic Gundam.
Burning Man hardly needs an introduction—the annual festival has become so thoroughly ingrained in mass culture that even your boring elderly relatives are complaining about Jack Ü performing. Still, we’d stop short of calling it “mainstream,” even if there were around 70,000 participants this year.
But maybe 70,000 people is too much for you, or maybe you were stuck in boring old Japan while everyone else was having a blast with Skrillex “on the Playa.” If so, we have good news: There’s still time to plan your trip to Japan’s version of Burning Man, Burning Japan!
Residents of Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture were baffled last weekend by the appearance of an Unidentified Floating Object drifting serenely across the blue skies of their fair city. Initial reports spoke of a “gigantic head” with “the face of a middle-aged man.” So, what’s the story here? Is this a case of mass hysteria? Did a really ugly UFO really appear over Tochigi prefecture? Or is there a rational explanation for this baffling apparition? Join us after the jump for close-up pictures of the floating monstrosity, as well as the real reason why it took to the skies to frighten residents on a sunny Saturday afternoon!
While doing a little shopping at her local Lawson Store 100 (a convenience store where everything is priced at around 100 yen), reporter Yumeno over at our sister site Pouch stumbled across a rather unusual drink from Tochigi Prefecture that we doubt many would be willing to drink without steeling their nerves first: “Tomato, milk and lemon blend.”
Seriously? Tomato, milk and lemon all mixed up together!? For the sake of science and because we love to laugh, our brave reporter grabbed a couple of cartons and brought them back to the office for a taste test.
MOST POPULAR
Now
New cherry blossom party picnic essential: This super-handy folding cardboard table
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Starbucks Japan’s rarest Frappuccino can only be purchased at 15 stores around the country
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Mega Nigiri Sushi in Okinawa is top quality AND super cheap, a unicorn in the sushi world
New Japanese bath oils make you feel like you’re soaking in soy sauce and rayu chilli oil
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Weekly
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
- Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Starbucks Japan’s rarest Frappuccino can only be purchased at 15 stores around the country
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Mega Nigiri Sushi in Okinawa is top quality AND super cheap, a unicorn in the sushi world
New Japanese bath oils make you feel like you’re soaking in soy sauce and rayu chilli oil
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
The heartwarming story of Japan’s “Weakling Gundam” and the fans who supported it in its hour of need
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Pokémon popcorn buckets coming to Japan’s first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park zone
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
-
