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City in Kantō, Japan
Photo: Photo taken by Joel Bradshaw. (WT-en) Joel at English Wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Ashikaga (足利) is a city in Tochigi prefecture, Japan, near the prefecture's border with Gunma.
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足利学校 ashikaga gakkō
Known as Japan's oldest university, Ashikaga School was established during the 1400s by deputy shogun Uesugi Norizane (although some credit Lord Ashikaga Yoshikane during the Kamakura period, and still others claim it dates from either the Nara or the Heian period). In any case, by the 1500s, St. Francis Xavier and other foreign missionaries recognized Ashikaga School as the most famous university in eastern Japan. The school was abolished after the Meiji Restoration and then converted into an elementary school when the site passed into city control in 1902. After a decade of preparatory work, the original grounds of Ashikaga School were beautifully restored in 1990 as a National Historic Site, a designation it received in 1921. The thatched-roof buildings and manicured grounds are well worth seeing.
鑁阿寺
Founded by Ashikaga Yoshikane during the early Kamakura period (1192-1333), Bannaji Temple maintains the style of a samurai residence of that era. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1922. In addition to the main temple, the spacious grounds include a bell tower, library, and other buildings, as well as a fine assortment of trees, including cherry trees and a huge, old gingko tree.
織姫神社
A shrine was built here in 1879 to enshrine the deities Yachichihime no mikoto (八千々姫命) and Amenomihoko no mikoto (天御鉾命), and to protect the textile industry of Ashikaga. In 1880, it was reduced to ashes in a fire and the current shrine building was built in 1937. It stands in the midst of Orihime Park and is also the departure and arrival point for the hiking course in the Ashikaga Prefectural Natural Park.
あしかがフラワーパーク
A 20-acre park most famous for its four huge wisteria arbors, in bloom from mid April to mid May, the park contains such a wide variety of flowers and trees that it is worth seeing in any season: plum blossoms in February–March, hydrangeas in June–July, lotus flowers in May–October, purple sage in October–November, and roses in May–June and September–November Lights adorn the trees in midwinter. The western side of old Ashikaga is bounded by the Ashikaga Park hillsides, containing large mound tombs from the pre-Buddhist Kofun Period (roughly AD 300-700). At the park entrance is a large souvenir shop and a beer restaurant open 10:00 to 19:00.
草雲美術館
On the south edge of the park is the small Sōun Museum, housing landscape and nature paintings by the Ashikaga clan's official artist, Tazaki Sōun (1815-1898), who exhibited his depiction of Mount Fuji at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
栗田美術館
A beautifully landscaped 24-acre park whose carefully designed buildings house one of the finest and largest collections of Imari and Nabeshima porcelain in the world. Other exhibits include historical and archaeological information. There is also a small atelier and a climbing kiln near the base of the hill, and a working (but off-limits) potters' village behind the sprawling complex. The gift shop inside the gates offers ceramics of greater distinction and quality than the huge, A-frame gift shop across the large parking lot.
足利まちなか遊学館
This "play-learn" emporium not only exhibits locally made textiles and actual working looms and braiding and threading machines, it also offers weaving lessons on small handlooms. ¥400 per lesson (30-45 minutes).
Founded in 1950 as a boarding school for underachieving kids, it gradually evolved into a self-supporting vineyard, produced its first wine in 1980, established ties with Sonoma vineyards, then hired a California vintner, and provided the sparkling wine for the G7 summit in Okinawa in 2000. Per-glass prices range from ¥300 to ¥1000, with a variety of hors d'oeuvres at a similar range of prices. A sample of three wines and matching hors d'oeuvres can be ordered for ¥2000. Winery tours cost ¥500 per person; five Coco Farms wines can be sampled for ¥500.
天然藍染 藍絽座
You can create your own design natural indigo dyeing cloth within one hour. Choose what you like from Handkerchief (¥1000), Japanese Towel (¥2000), Cotton Stole (¥3000), Tote Bag Small (¥3500), Tote Bag Large (¥4500), T-shirt 100-130cm (¥3500), T-shirt 140cm-XXXL (¥5000). English and Japanese speaking instructor will guide how to make design and dye. Also you can buy natural indigo dyed clothes such as blouses, tunics, shirts, T-shirts, skirts and more.
割烹 会席 蝶や
A nice, unpretentious place to indulge in a leisurely Japanese kaiseki (multicourse "tasting menu") dinner, or a fine teishoku (one-tray set-menu) meal. Teishoku ¥1350–2000; kaiseki ¥4500, ¥5500; ¥6500.
さん太とり丸焼
This izakaya restaurant specializes in rotisserie chicken and relatively healthy side dishes. The sage and thyme on the rotisserie chicken was a delightful surprise, and so were the fulsome salads. Japanese-style seating except at the counter. Drinks by the glass include local wine (Coco Farms) and a fine Oyama sake (鳳凰美田 Hōōbiden) for about ¥500. Full chicken ¥1000, half ¥650; quarter ¥400. Other dishes range between ¥500 and ¥1300.
A little bit of New Mexico in old Ashikaga. Various pasta or taco dinners ¥1280; drinks about ¥500; snacks about ¥400.
すずお好み焼き
Run by a friendly, well-traveled couple whose souvenirs decorate the small but spotless restaurant. You choose your ingredients and cook okonomiyaki, monja, yakisoba, or other items at teppan tables. Typical menu items range between ¥400 and ¥800.
とんかつ栄
(memory-aid: o-i-shi-i). This busy, family-run local favorite displays the Ashikaga Fine-Dining Club (Umaimono-kai) seal of approval and serves up food that well deserves it. The chicken katsu is all breast meat, no skin, no fat. Their fried oysters are great, too. Set-menu dinners run from ¥950-1900.
鳥つね
This local favorite for 70 years offers a range of specialties, from yakitori sticks at ¥500 to a full unagi (eel) dinner at ¥2700.
うおえ
Hosted by a friendly sushi chef who trained in San Francisco and Maui and understands a lot more English than he speaks, this longtime seafood restaurant in fresh new digs features fine fresh fish and regional sake, all presented creatively and deliciously. Lunch specials from ¥800; set-menu dinners from ¥1200; glasses of regional sake range from ¥450 to ¥950.
Founded in 1975 and run by a middle-aged couple who roast their own beans and make their own blends, Furukawa caters to those who want to savor their coffee while reading, listening to classical music, or conversing softly in an elegant, library-like atmosphere. No smoking, cell-phones, laptops, or cameras. A cup of coffee costs about ¥600.
Founded in 1974 and run by a father and his two sons who roast their own beans and make their own blends ranging from soft to bitter, Mocha is family-friendly, conversation-friendly, and smoker-friendly. The background music is most likely to be jazz. A cup of coffee costs about ¥450.
居酒屋昌平
Specialty snacks include various udon, donburi, and curry dishes for ¥600-800, horse sashimi (ba-sashi) for ¥1200, and giant umeboshi for ¥100 each. The beer of choice is Sapporo and the cold sake is Akagi, at ¥500-800, depending on size.
Founded in 1995 but reopened in the new city museum in 2006. A cup of coffee costs about ¥500.
やきとり君)
A well-known hangout for neighborhood regulars throughout the week, and for English teachers and other foreigners on weekends and on Wednesdays when most other small eateries and drinking spots take their regular day off. In warmer weather, tables appear on the sidewalk in front of the small stand.
柳屋
This is a combination fresh seafood restaurant, izakaya, and sports bar, especially for fans of the Hanshin Tigers (and sumo). All the sake glasses, even those for Tiger sake, have the names of sumo wrestlers on them. The dishes are well presented and tasty, but there is no English or picture menu. Just ask for the day's specials (osusume) or point to the more reasonably priced items on the wall menu. Snacks range from ¥500 to ¥1200; glasses of Tiger or local sake are ¥500.
A relaxed, small bar great for having a chat. The atmosphere is rich and warm and the bartender is friendly and speaks English. Prices range such that one can spend as much or as little as they like. Food menu varies depending on availability but is always good. Frequented by the local foreign English speakers on weekends for central location, pleasant atmosphere and lack of table charge.
巖華園
Dinner- price above ¥4,410. Sleep- price ¥13,860 per person. You need making reservations and company. A nice, tranquil inn surrounding green hills and a brook. This traditional ryokan has some historical and cultural heritage including Prefectural important cultural properties and National specified tangible cultural properties, and was stayed by many cultured individuals such as Tani Buncho, Watanabe Kazan, Takano Choei, Sakuma Zouzan, Dan Kazuo, Sakaguchi Ango.
足利タウンホテル
Directly across from Chamber of Commerce and city museum, a few blocks from main tourist attractions. Internet access in lobby. Single ¥5145, choice of smoking or nonsmoking. Breakfast included except Mondays.
ホテル高雄
A few blocks from the JR station and the main tourist district that encircles Ashikaga Gakkō and Bannaji. Free Internet connection in every room. Western-style single ¥5500, twin ¥10500; Japanese-style double ¥11500. Choice of smoking or nonsmoking. Choice of Western or Japanese breakfast ¥1000, dinner ¥1500.
ホテルわかさ
Internet access in lobby. Per person prices: couple twin ¥3990, business single ¥4350, business wide ¥4980, business deluxe ¥5980. Breakfast included.
ニューミヤコホテル本館
Nice view of river, mountains, and old Ashikaga from 9th floor bar/restaurant. Western-style single ¥7,875, twin ¥15,750; Japanese-style double ¥15,750, triple ¥19,950.
By train
The nearest Shinkansen (bullet train) stations are Oyama on the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Takasaki on the Jōetsu Shinkansen, both of which are connected to Ashikaga by the JR Ryōmō Line (両毛線), which has…
By bus
By car
Take the Sano-Fujioka exit from the Tōhoku Expressway and follow National Route 50 west toward Ashikaga.
The Ashikaga City Bus runs 4 times a day each way through Ashikaga on a long route that runs far up the mountain valleys that flank the city. It costs ¥200 each way.
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