May 10, 2017

Travel Through Time to the Edo Period When Existed

Trip to World Heritage Sites and Post Towns on the “ Route”

Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.

The area covered by lines which stretch across 4 prefectures around is where the “Samurai Route” is located. With World Heritage Nikko Toshogu Shrine where the first shogun that started the Edo Period is enshrined, Ouchi-juku where landscape of a post town of the Edo Period when samurais existed is preserved and Tsurugajo Castle where a fierce battle of the civil war that ended the Edo Period took place, the route lets you enjoy the experience of traveling back in time to the Edo Period. Here is a recommended trip into history on the “Samurai Route”.

Day 1 Trip into history on the “Samurai Route”

8:00 AM Visit Senso-ji Temple

The trip into history on the “Samurai Route” starts from Senso-ji Temple in . Shops selling typical Japanese souvenirs and Japanese confectioneries are lined up in the Nakamise street leading from the Kaminarimon gate with the large lantern to the main temple. Established in the Edo Period, it is known to be one of the oldest shopping centers in . As some shops open from 8:00AM, you can go shopping after visiting Nakamise the temple early in the morning.

9:00 AM Head to Nikko on the new limited express train “Revaty”

Travel to Tōbu Nikkō Station from Asakusa Station which is near Senso-ji Temple. The new limited express train Revaty, which began its service on April 21 (Fri.), provides a Wi-Fi environment on the entire train and power outlets for each seat, offering a comfortable and convenient train trip. If you take the new limited express train Revaty leaving at 9:00AM, it will pass by the TOKYO TOBU SKYTREE Line Asakusa Station SKYTREE, the highest tower in the world, and arrive at Tōbu Nikkō Station at 10:54AM. You can purchase tickets for Revaty (From Asakusa Station to Tōbu Nikkō Station: ¥2,800 for adults) at Tobu Tourist Information Center Asakusa located in front of the ticket office on the first floor of Asakusa Station. Please be assured as guidance is Tobu Tourist Information Revaty and TOKYO available in English, Chinese and Korean if you do not Center Asakusa SKYTREE understand the procedures. Discount Pass is also available for those who want to spend a plenty of time in Nikko

NIKKO ALL AREA PASS 4-day pass for unlimited train rides in the Nikko and area and unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area and Okunikko area Price : ¥4,520 (April to November) Location of purchase : Asakusa Station or online

NIKKO CITY AREA PASS 2-day pass for unlimited train rides in the Nikko and Kinugawa area and unlimited bus rides in the World Heritage area Price : ¥2,670 Location of purchase : Asakusa Station or online

11：00 AM Use the luggage service and purchase a free pass for the sightseeing bus

When you arrive at Tōbu Nikkō Station, we recommend you to use the “empty-handed sightseeing service” available at the service counter on the first floor of the station. Suitcases and other large luggage will be delivered to accommodation facilities in the Nikko area. After you check in your luggage, please purchase a “World Heritage Tour Ticket” (¥500) at the Tōbu Nikkō Station Tourist Center. You can take the “World Heritage Bus” leaving Tōbu Nikkō Station every 10 minutes, as many times as you want for the day, and go World Heritage bus around the World Heritage Shrines and Temples of Nikko. Choose either a World Heritage Tour Ticket or Discount Pass depending on the number of days you are staying. Please visit the following website for information on how to ride the bus.

Tobu Bus website : http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/pdf/nikko_en.pdf?201704

11:30 AM Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine

“Shrines and Temples of Nikko” which includes Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the World Heritage sites that represent Japan. The shrine enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, and its’ gorgeousness is breathtaking. As the repair work which was ongoing for approximately 4 years ended in March this year, you can see the vividly revived Yomeimon Gate. Pillars of Nikko Toshogu Shrine are decorated with many carvings. The “three monkeys” which express “see, hear or speak no evil” to teach the way of living is particularly famous.

Exterior view of the Yomeimon Gate Ceiling painting of the Yomeimon Gate Facility name : Nikko Toshogu Shrine (website: http://www.toshogu.jp/english/) Hours : 8:00AM-5:00PM (final entry at 4:30PM) Admission fee : ¥1,300 Location : Nikko City, Tōbu “Tōbu Nikkō Station” (Approx. 1 hour and 55 minutes from the TOBU SKYTREE Line Asakusa Station) ～ Bus “Omotesando” (Approx. 10 minutes)

Asakusa Tōbu Nikkō Station Omotesando Station TOBU SKYTREE Line Bus

(new limited express Revaty) Approx. 10 mins Approx. 1 hrs. 55 mins

*Nikko Toshogu Shrine is in area “②” on the map on page 8.

1:00 PM Enjoy the cuisine of Nikko

Enjoy the cuisine of Nikko after going around the World Heritage site. Nikko offers plenty of dishes that represent Japan, such as soba noodles made from delicious water flowing from the foothills of the mountains of Nikko and yuba (bean-curd skin) which is a traditional food of Nikko made by boiling 魚要 HP より抜粋 soy milk made from soy beans. At “Nikko Yuba-maki ZEN” located near Nikko Toshogu Shrine, you can enjoy the original “Nikko yuba-maki set” which uses yuba (¥2,160).

Nikko yuba-maki set Nikko Yuba-maki ZEN website : https://livejapan.com/en/spot/lj0002725/

2:00 PM Enjoy the nature of Nikko from the Tobu Bus after your meal

After eating lunch, go around nature-rich spots of Nikko. Beyond the World Heritage “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” lies scenery full of nature with clean air and clear water. In addition to the World Heritage Bus, Tobu Bus offers bus service in the Okunikko area where nature of Nikko can be enjoyed. If you purchase a free pass sold at the Tōbu Nikkō Station Tourist Center, you can go on and off the bus traveling to the Okunikko area as many times as you want. If you go on the bus headed for the Okunikko area using the free pass and through the Irohazaka Route and its sharp curves, you will encounter Ryuzu Falls where Togoku-mitsuba-tsutsuji (Rhododendron wadanum) is in full bloom from late May to early June, Lake Chuzenji, Mt. Nantai and a hiking course that travels through a large marsh, allowing you to fully enjoy the nature of Japan all day long.

Ryuzu Falls Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai Hiking course of Odashirogahara

Free pass for the Okunikko area website : http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/nikko/ Nikko Kinugawa Travel Guide website : http://nikko-travel.jp/english/attract/nikko.html

6:15 PM Check in to the historical Nikko Kanaya Hotel

After enjoying a day of sightseeing, stay at the nostalgic Nikko Kanaya Hotel, the oldest resort hotel in Japan. Once you step into the hotel, you will feel a mystic atmosphere as if you had traveled back in time. After enjoying the 140 years of time travel in the Kanaya Hotel, enjoy whiskey and cocktails while listening to jazz at a quiet bar in the hotel.

Nikko Kanaya Hotel

Nikko Kanaya Hotel website: http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/lodging/nikko_kinugawa/20.html

[MAP of the Nikko area]

Day 2 Trip into history on the “Samurai Route”

9:23AM Leave Tōbu Nikkō Station

On Day 2, take the 9:23AM train for approximately 2 hours from Tōbu Nikkō Station to Yunokami-Onsen Station. You will find a foot bath next to the thatched station building. Be sure to stop by as you can go in for free any time except for Wednesday mornings. After using the foot bath, head for Ouchi-juku. If you take the 12:05PM bus “Saruyugo” leaving from Yunokami-Onsen Station for Ouchi-juku, you will arrive in approximately 20 minutes. Foot bath

■Bus schedule between April 21 (Fri.) and November 30 (Thu.), 2017 Bus stop No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 Leave from Yunokami-Onsen 9:00AM 10:00AM 10:40AM 11:20AM 12:05PM 1:05PM 2:05PM 3:05PM Station Arrive at Ouchi-juku 9:20AM 10:20AM 11:00AM 11:40AM 12:25PM 1:25PM 2:25PM 3:25PM Bus Entrance schedule Bus stop No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 Leave from 10:20AM 11:00AM 12:25PM 1:25PM 2:25PM 4:00PM Ouchi-juku Entrance Arrive at Yunokami-Onsen 10:40AM 11:20AM 12:45PM 1:45PM 2:45PM 4:50PM Station *The final bus leaving from Ouchi-juku Entrance will arrive at Yunokami-Onsen Station upon going around Shimogo Town where Ouchi-juku is located.

12:25 PM Head to Ouchi-juku where you would feel like you have traveled back in time to the Edo Period

Ouchi-juku is one of the post towns where townscape of the Edo Period is preserved. In the Edo Period, it served the function as a passage connecting Aizu and Nikko and a post town for daimyo lords (powerful samurai that directly served the shogun in the Edo Period) and travelers heading to Edo. With more than 30 thatched houses lined up along the street today, Japanese landscape from the past spreads out in front of you. You will find restaurants and souvenir shops in such houses. For lunch, please try the negi soba which you eat with green onion instead of chopsticks. After you enjoy sightseeing and your meal, take the 2:25PM bus and return to Yunokami-Onsen Station.

Ouchi-juku and negi soba

Facility name : Ouchi-juku (website: http://ouchi-juku.com/index.php?English) Location : Shimogo Town, Minami-Aizu District, Aizu Railway “Yunokami-Onsen Station” (approx. 2 hours from Tōbu Nikkō Line Tōbu Nikkō Station) ～ Bus “Ouchi-juku Entrance” (approx. 20 minutes.)

Tōbu Nikkō Shimo-imaichi Kinugawa-Onsen Yunokami-Onsen Ouchi-juku Station Station Station Station Entrance

Tōbu Nikkō Line Tobu Kinugawa Line Bus Approx. 10 mins (Limited Express “SPACIA”) (AIZU MOUNT EXPRESS) Approx. 20 mins Approx. 20 mins Approx. 1 hrs. 25 mins

*Ouchi-juku is in area “③” on the map on page 8. *YouTube video of fresh green scenery of Ouchi-juku website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmNXzit0DvY

3:45 PM Visit the impregnable “Tsurugajo Castle”

After returning to Yunokami-Onsen Station, take the 2:49PM train for approximately 30 minutes to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. Take a taxi from the station to Tsurugajo Castle. Tsurugajo Castle is where the fought between the new government forces who tried to create a new country and the former Shogunate forces who tried to protect the Edo Shogunate took place. Victory of the new government forces led to modernization of Japan. Loyalty of Byakkotai who fought on the former Shogunate side and their tragic story is well-known to this day in Japan. Tsurugajo Castle

Facility name : Tsurugajo Castle (website: http://www.tsurugajo.com/language/eng/index.html) Hours : 8:30AM-4:30PM Admission fee : ¥410 Location : Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture ・JR “Nishi-Wakamatsu Station” (Approx. 30 minutes from Aizu Railway Yunokami-Onsen Station) ～ Taxi (Approx. 10 minutes)

Yunokami-Onsen Nishi-Wakamatsu Tsurugajo Castle Station Station Aizu Railway Taxi Approx. 30 mins Approx. 10 mins

*Tsurugajo Castle is in area “④” on the map on page 8.

About the Byakkotai

The Byakkotai is a squad of 15 and 16-year-old boys gathered by the Aizu clan at the end of the Edo Period. They fought in the Boshin War on the former Shogunate side to protect their homeland. When 20 boys who fled from the fierce attacks of the new government forces arrived at Mt. Iimori, they saw the castle engulfed by smoke and committed suicide believing the castle had surrendered. This tragedy is passed down to this day and it is known as a famous historical story in Japan as it is portrayed in TV dramas.

4:45PM Souvenirs and confectioneries recommended for rests during your trip

Shop name: Tsurugajo Kaikan

Tsurugajo Kaikan, located north of Tsurugajo Castle, sells souvenirs and local sake of Aizu. Aizu, which is also where rice is produced, offers various kinds of local sake. The delicate taste with slight sweetness in smooth texture is popular among women. Choose your favorite sake by trying out the samples and comparing each kind. You can also purchase the unique steamed millet dumpling made with millet and sticky rice (¥97 for 1 piece) at Koike Kashiho which sells Japanese confectioneries inside Tsurugajo Kaikan.

Address: 4-47 Oute-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Business hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM

Shop name: Nagatoya Product name: Kagunokinomi ¥1,900 for 17 pieces

Nagatoya was established in 1848 during the Edo Period. Kagunokinomi which is made by wrapping an entire Japanese walnut produced in Aizu with high-quality bean curd and covering the surface with brown sugar is one of the recommended product. It was served at the Ise-Shima Summit in 2016 when leaders of G7 countries gathered, and it was also chosen in the “Ultimate World-Class Souvenir” contest. As it is located approximately 1km from Tsurugajo Castle, stop by with a taxi on your way back.

Address: 2-10 Kawara-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Business hours: 9:00AM-5:30PM

Shop name: Taroan Product name: Kitakata ramen pudding ¥432 for 1 cup

It looks like ramen, but it is a pudding cake. The soup is made with tea mousse, noodles are made with marron cream, and roast pork is made with chocolate. It is a cake that makes you want to post it on the SNS. Since there is a shop at the East Exit of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, your schedule will go smoothly if you take a taxi from Tsurugajo Castle after your visit and get off in front of Taroan (Aizu main store).

Address: 180-1 Byakko-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Business hours: 9:00AM-7:00PM

6:13PM To Tokyo from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

If you take the 6:13PM train from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Koriyama Station and take the from Koriyama Station to , you can return to Tokyo a little after 9:00PM. As you will have a plenty of time to go sightseeing in Tokyo the next day, we recommend you the Samurai Route where you can trace the footsteps of samurais.

Aizu-Wakamatsu Koriyama Tokyo Station Station Station JR Banetsu West Line Shinkansen Approx. 1 hrs. 15 mins. Approx. 1 hrs. 25 mins

[Recommended spots on the Samurai Route] Tobu Railway is a major railway that covers the Kanto area from Tokyo. There are many attractive sightseeing spots along its lines, including the , the world’s highest tower, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site where you can see the Yomeimon Gate which was vividly revived after approximately 4 years of repair work, and Kawagoe where townscape with kura storehouses is preserved. It is busy with excitement all year round.

Tobu Railway Group’s latest information

Tobu Group’s official SNS pages Launch of Mynewsdesk

■Facebook Tobu Railway has launched a newsroom “Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree Town, Nikko, Kawagoe & Ikebukuro: dedicated to Tobu Group in its corporate news distribution platform Mynewsdesk. Here you Welcome to Tobu!” can download Tobu Group’s latest information and images used in press releases. English http://www.facebook.com/tobugroup.en

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/tobu-railway

■Instagram account: tobu_tokyo_gourmet English https://www.instagram.com/tobu_tokyo_gourmet/?hl=ja

Launch of “TOBU JAPAN TRIP”, a website filled with sightseeing information of the Tobu Group

“TOBU JAPAN TRIP” has been launched as a website useful for sightseeing, gathering information of group facilities, sightseeing spots, cuisine and hotels along the Tobu Railway lines. It is available in English, Chinese (traditional/simplified), Thai and Korean. http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/

ＴＯＢＵ ＦＲＥＥ Ｗｉ-Ｆｉ Lonely Planet’s Nikko edition available

TOBU FREE Wi -Fi Lonely Planet, a guidebook compiling Nikko’s Some Tobu Group venues, including key Tobu Railway stations, TOKYO tourist information, is available to the public. SKYTREE TOWN, and in the Nikko/Kinugawa area, offer free and public wireless LAN service for foreigners visiting Japan. http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/cp/discover_ http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pdf/FreeWifi.pdf nikko/