VIDEO: Exploring Japan: Kinugawa Onsen - a superb one-day/overnight tourist destination

Kinutateiwa Suspension Bridge (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Kinugawa Onsen is a mineral hot spring destination near Nikko. Here dozens of onsen hotels and ryokan inns nestled along the banks of the scenic Kinguawa River welcome visitors who wish to soak in the therapeutic springs.

Kinugawa Onsen is within a two-hour drive from most Kanto bases. You can easily visit the town by train on the Tobu Railway from Tokyo, as well.

Just outside the Tobu Kinugawa-Onsen Station, you can find plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants clustered in the town center.

Kinugawa Onsen Station (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Before and after your walk around the quaint town, make sure to stop at the free ashiyu foot hot spring just outside the station. The gentle alkaline hot water, thought to be effective in easing symptoms of neuralgia, will warm your feet and leave your skin silky smooth.

Foot Spa (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

A walk along the Kinugawa River will lead to the impressive Kinutateiwa Suspension Bridge, a 140-meter-long pedestrian bridge that sits 37 meters above the river. From the bridge, you’ll get a view of the river below, Mt. Keicho and Kinugawa Mountain Range off in the distance.

Kinutateiwa Suspension Bridge (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Nearby, Yuing Plaza is a nice place to take a quick rest for a snack or a lunch. Some of the local delicacies you can buy at this shopping center include the Comet Burger, a homemade hamburger with local Tochigi wagyu beef and Nikko Pudding, made from high-end milk and eggs produced at a local farm.

Yuing Plaza (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

After you’ve explored the city center, check out Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland, two fun theme parks close by.

Tobu World Square is home to 102 miniature replicas of famous monuments and buildings from 21 countries. The replicas at Tobu World Square are 1/25 of the original monuments you’d find in Paris, Egypt, India and more. The park is a great way to take a trip around the world without having to leave Japan and offers some great photo ops your whole family will enjoy. (see video: VIDEO: Exploring Japan: Travel around world at Nikko’s Tobu World Square | Stripes Japan)

Tobu World Square (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Edo Wonderland gives a glimpse of what life in Japan was like during the Edo Era. Stroll the park in a kimono and experience Japan’s Golden Age with elaborately reconstructed streets and buildings. The park offers family-friendly attractions and hands-on workshops, like ninja classes, samurai sword training, shows, indigo dying and more. (see the story: Feel old Japan at Nikko Edo Wonderland | Stripes Japan)