TochigiLeisure

Tochigi Gokoku Shrine (栃木縣護國神社)

Flow of the course

About 45 min here

About 25 min to the next stop

Next stop: Enjoy Art in the Cool of a Museum Surrounded by Forest

About this spot

Located in Yosai-cho, Utsunomiya, this shrine is remarkably quiet for being within the city. The approach is lined with tall trees, and on a morning when all you hear is the crunch of gravel underfoot and cicadas singing, it feels wonderfully peaceful. The grounds are spacious and flat, so even small children can walk at their own pace. It's also a calm, fitting place to teach children how to pay respects properly. Building in a quiet moment at the start of the day gives the rest of your plans a good rhythm.

Tips

Visiting the grounds is free, but the shrine office's reception hours are limited, so check the official information if you need it. The path is gravel throughout, which makes it hard to push a stroller, a baby carrier makes it easier to move around. There can be mosquitoes in summer, so insect repellent is reassuring to have.