Honda Collection Hall

The Honda Collection Hall lies within Twin Ring Motegi, an amusement park where races of the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the Grand Prix of Japan (or the Pacific Grand Prix) are held. The Hall, which displays approximately 350 restored motorcycles, automobiles, power products and racing machines, illustrates the history of Honda and the technologies that Honda has developed over the years.

Pentax Camera Museum

The Pentax Camera Museum exhibits the best classic cameras from around the world. Pentax is a well-known manufacturer of cameras, lenses, and other optical apparatus, and its excellent technology developed Japan's first single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera and the world's first SLR camera to feature a built-in through-the-lens auto flash. The Museum, located within the PENTAX's Mashiko Office, features nearly 1,000 models carefully selected from the museum’s extensive collection of several thousand pieces, and provides a journey through the history of cameras, from pioneer Daguerreotype models onwards.

Tochigi Kenritsu Nasu Fudoki-no-Oka Shiryokan Ogawakan

Ogawa-kan Hall - Tochigi Prefectural Information Hall of Nasu Fudoki-no-Oka faces onto an archaeological site located in the northern part of Tochigi Prefecture. This area around the upper reaches of the Naka-gawa is endowed with lush forests and clear water. Many hamlets were built in this area around 4,000 years ago, the ruins of which are still found today. During the late 3rd to the mid-6th century in Japan, large mounds of earth, called kofun (a tumulus or burial mound) were built to bury people of status in the region. This region, among others in Tochigi Prefecture, was the first to build large burial mounds. Furthermore in the 8th century, a provincial administration office (known as a gunga) was also established to control the region. This Information Hall gives the visitor a good idea of the history of the Nasu area in those earlier times.

Tochigi Kenritsu Nikko Shizen Hakubutsukan

Nikko Natural Museum (Nikko Shizen Hakubutsukan) showcases the different ecosystems of Nikko, Japan's leading scenic resort: the systems of nature and those of human beings. The display room featuring natural systems, with a theme of Living Beings in Nature, uses photographs to show the beauty of Nikko's four seasons, and reproduces by body sonic the dynamism of the Kegon-no-taki Falls, Nikko's most famous falls, as well as the Ryuzu-no-taki Falls and other waterfalls. Displays on human systems feature a theme of Living in Nikko and traces the growth of Nikko by describing how the Tosho-gu Shrine, designated a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, was constructed, and how Nikko developed into a summer resort for the diplomats from many countries. Visitors may view the film The Eternal Four Seasons of Nikko in 20 m-wide multi-screen format to get an idea of the four seasons in Nikko.

Tochigi Kenritsu Bijutsukan (Art Museum)

Tochigi Kenritsu Bijutsukan opened in November 1972. Tochigi Prefecture is the home of the ceramic ware Mashiko-yaki, and works of the famous Mashiko-yaki ceramicist Shoji Hamada can be seen at this art museum. The museum also possesses Sachihiko-zo, a valuable work of modern Japanese art by Shigeru Aoki, which depicts his beloved child, later known as the famed shakuhachi bamboo flute master Rando Fukuda. Also noteworthy is the collection containing works by the print artist Sumio Kawakami and Western-style painter Toshi Shimizu.

Togei Messe Mashiko (Ceramic Art Messe) is located in the town of Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, a locale famed for the production of Japanese ceramics. The museum itself specializes in ceramics. The facility has five exhibition halls, centering on the Togei-kan (Ceramic Art Hall). Exhibition Hall One presents works by the late Shoji Hamada, who was designated a Living National Treasure, and those of related artists. Exhibition Halls Two and Three display works by artists currently active in Mashiko. Ceramic utensils for everyday use produced in various regions of Japan are also gathered in their own exhibition hall, and halls are available for special exhibitions. The Sasajima Kihei Hall presents works by woodblock artist Kihei Sasajima, who was born in this region.

Futarasan-jinja Shrine

Situated on the top of Nantai-san is Futarasan-jinja. Also on Nantai-san are the Chugushi Shrine, located on the shore of Chuzenji-ko, and the shrine Oku-miya. When the priest Shodo Shonin climbed to the top of Nantai-san in 783, he built a building on this peak, making the deity of the building the mountain itself. Since climbing the mountain was so difficult, he also built Chugushi Shrine and Futarasan-jinja.When the synchretistic worship of Buddhism and Shinto became popular sometime later, there was a spread of the worship of Nikko-san (also called Nantai-san), Nyoho-san and Taro-san in addition to worship at Rinno-ji. The present main shrine was built in 1619 by Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Housed here is a sword inscribed with the name of the famous 14th century swordsmith Tomomitsu of Osafune.

Nikko-Tosho-gu Shrine

Tokugawa Hidetada built Nikko Tosho-gu in 1617 to enshrine his father Tokugawa Ieyasu, in accordance with instructions in his will. Ieyasu had been the first shogun of the Tokugawa family, which governed Japan over some 250 years from 1603. Later, Iemitsu, the grandson of Ieyasu, carried out extensive renovation work on the shrine to give it its present form. The most advanced architectural technologies of the time were fully utilized in the construction of the buildings within the Tosho-gu, which features brightly-colored elaborate carvings. In a reflection of the integrating concept of Shin-Butsu Shugo (combining the learning of Shinto and Buddhism), the architectural styles of shrines and of Buddhist temples are mingled in these buildings, giving them a uniquely original style. The imposing gate, the Yomei-mon, is the best-known symbol of the shrine. As many as 500 brightly-colored carvings fill the front of the gate in colors such as white, black, gold, navy, green, blue, and vermilion. The finest decorative skills available in Japan at the time were used on the gate. It is said, however, that members of the general public were not allowed to go through it. Yomei-mon is designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government and a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO.

Nikkosan-Rinno-ji Temple

The temple Rinno-ji, designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government, functioned as a focus of the policy of Shin-Butsu Shugo (combined learning of existing Japanese Shinto doctrines and Buddhism). Along with the temples Enryaku-ji (on Hiei-zan), and Kan'ei-ji (on Higashi Hiei-zan), Rinno-ji is considered a major base for ascetic training among the temples of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The temple houses the Daihatsune-hangyo-shuge (commentaries on sutras), designated a National Treasure. As a temple for the combined study of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, it has no distinct boundary in its grounds. Buildings administered by Rinno-ji are spread across the hills of the Nikko-san area. Buddhist figures, paintings, and works of calligraphy, craft objects, and scrolls from the 8th century are housed in the Rinno-ji Homotsu-den Hall (treasure hall). Around 50 of these items are on display at any given time.

Taiyu-in Reibyo Mausoleum, Rinno-ji Temple

Nikko-san, the mountain which is the location of Rinno-ji, has served as a place for study and worship since ancient times. This temple originates from Shihonryu-ji, which was built at the end of the 8th century by the priest Shodo Shonin. Rinno-ji, which developed as the main temple on Nikko-san, attracted many visitors. Built here in 1653 was the Taiyu-in Reibyo, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu. Iemitsu had been the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Rinno-ji became the temple where memorial services were held for Iemitsu, and it enjoyed the close protection of the Tokugawa shogunate. Taiyu-in Reibyo, a building whose basic colors are gold and black, was built by one of the top architects at the time. The structure is representative of the beginning of the 17th century. The main inner shrine, the Aino-ma, and the sanctuary are designated as National Treasures.

Mashiko ware

Mashiko-yaki ware is a type of earthenware produced in Mashiko-machi, Tochigi Prefecture, and is said to have begun as a sideline to farming when clay suitable for pottery was discovered in the area. Initially Mashiko ware consisted mainly of household utensils such as jars for storing food and pestles for use in food preparation. In 1924, the famous potter Shoji Hamada made his home in the region, and began to produce work of great impact utilizing the rustic Mashiko ware style. He also spent considerable time fostering technical skills in the region, raising the profile of Mashiko ware. At present, items produced range from household tableware to valuable decorative plates, and not only craftwork but artworks also. The characteristics that define Mashiko ware are thus not as clear as they once were. Mashiko ware was designated a traditional craft in 1979.