The Kinugawa "Spring Festival" in Nikko Illuminated by 1.4 Million LED Lights

Reported by You T-Ru / Comprehensive Report

The Lunar New Year holiday is a peak travel season for Taiwanese tourists visiting Japan. Located near Tokyo in Tochigi Prefecture, the Nikko and Kinugawa areas host an annual "Spring Festival" event, featuring free entry to popular theme parks, complimentary shuttle buses, free onsen (hot spring) bathing, and discounted admission to various tourist attractions. These offerings aim to allow Taiwanese visitors to experience the warm hospitality of the local community and celebrate the Lunar New Year in a joyful atmosphere.


▲ The Nikko-Kinugawa "Spring Festival" will kick off on February 10. (Photo provided by the organizer)

The Nikko-Kinugawa "Spring Festival" will run from February 10 to February 28. During the event period, local hotels and inns will serve special Japanese New Year dishes such as sake and o-zoni (vegetable soup with rice cakes), allowing Taiwanese visitors to experience the festive atmosphere of Japanese New Year celebrations. Free onsen bathing services will also be available. Guests staying at participating hotels and inns in the Nikko and Kinugawa onsen areas will additionally receive complimentary bath salts.

In addition, two major theme parks in the region are offering free admission during the festival. "Tobu World Square" will open its gates for free on February 18 (Wednesday) and February 20 (Friday). This famous miniature park showcases world-renowned buildings and landmarks at a 1/25 scale, featuring 102 famous structures from 21 countries. Among them, 45 have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During this period, visitors can also enjoy the winter light-up event, where iconic structures and scenery — including the Tokyo Skytree, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Milan Cathedral — are displayed for the first time in the park. Bathed in the glow of 1.4 million LED lights, these sights create a magical and spectacular fantasy world.

%tech> This period also features a winter light-up event. (Photo provided by the organizer)

"Nikko Edomura" (Nikko Edo Wonderland) will also offer free admission on February 19 (Thursday) and February 21 (Saturday). This theme park recreates the culture and lifestyle of the Edo period, featuring reconstructions of checkpoints, streets, merchant districts, townscapes, and samurai residences. Other popular tourist attractions include: the Nikko Flower One Monme (Flower and Green Park), the Nikko TRICK Art Museum, the Giant Maze, Suzukaze Onsen, the 3D Universe Museum, the 360-degree Revolving Theater, and the Tochigi Natural History Museum, all of which are offering special discounts. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a range of benefits, including free transportation between major sightseeing spots and hot spring resorts, as well as access to discount coupons for shops, restaurants, and local transportation.