Published date: January 16, 2025
Experience the Charm and Warm Hospitality of Tochigi! Family Trip to Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande!
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande Accommodation Experience
We used Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande as our base for visiting Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The access was great, being about an hour and a half by rental car from Fukushima Airport and about 45 minutes by car to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were smoothly directed to the underground parking, and the staff, noticing our Fukushima license plates, shared a little about the sights in Fukushima, making us feel warm hospitality.
During check-in, the front desk staff were very smooth in their responses and warmly welcomed us with smiles. The lobby was spacious and clean, and the video introducing Tochigi Prefecture that played was a great local touch. There were brochures introducing nearby delicious gyoza restaurants, indicating consideration for tourists. The kids were also excited about the gacha available for use with PayPay.
This time, we were a family of five using the hotel, and the only reservation we could make through HafH was for a twin room. After consulting with the hotel in advance, we were able to arrange an extra bed for an additional 3000 yen, which was extremely helpful. There was more than enough space for our family of five, and we were able to stay comfortably. The hotel's excellent location, being close to the station and within walking distance of the bustling downtown area, was also appealing, allowing us to visit a nearby gyoza restaurant for dinner.
In the guest room, I was personally delighted by the abundance of amenities. I was particularly impressed by the provision of body towels. Additionally, having free mineral water available was a nice touch. The overall cleanliness and comfort of the room were impeccable.
Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande is extremely convenient as a base for sightseeing and the great value we received through HafH increased our satisfaction. Thanks to the staff's thoughtfulness, great location, and excellent services, our family's stay was very comfortable. If given another opportunity to visit, I would definitely want to stay there again.
Experiences during the trip
We set out on a trip from Fukushima Airport with our family of five. This time, our destination was Spa Resort Hawaiians, which would delight the kids, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site I had always wanted to visit.
After about an hour and a half drive from Fukushima Airport, we arrived at Spa Resort Hawaiians. The moment we entered the facility, the kids' excitement shot up as we were surrounded by a tropical atmosphere! With large slides and a lazy river, as well as a warm spa zone, we all had a fantastic time together as a family. Our eldest son challenged the tall slides and excitedly slid down multiple times. Our second and third sons were having a great time going around the lazy river. My wife and I enjoyed taking some time to relax in the onsen area, warming ourselves up and finally getting a chance to unwind after a long time. It is truly a blessing to have a facility where we can play, laugh, and enjoy the hot springs together with the kids.
The next day, we headed to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a place I had longed to visit. The two-and-a-half-hour drive from Spa Resort Hawaiians flew by as we enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way. Upon arrival, we were immediately struck by the numerous buildings adorned with luxurious and ornate decorations. Each one was meticulously crafted and beautiful, especially the magnificent Yomeimon Gate which left us in awe. The kids were amazed as well, asking, "Did all of this get made by hand?" Our 12-year-old son, who had learned about it in his social studies class, proudly declared, "This is what they call a World Heritage site!"
We were also deeply moved by the experience of the "Crying Dragon" at the Yakushido Hall, where we heard the sound of clapping resonating through the space. The kids were wide-eyed, exclaiming, "It’s like a dragon is really crying!" The quiet power we felt in that sacred space made our hearts feel renewed.
On our way back, the kids couldn’t stop talking and laughing about all the fun they had. Hearing them say, "We want to go again!" made me realize how special this trip was as a lasting memory for our family.
This family trip, where we played hard at Spa Resort Hawaiians and filled our hearts at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, was a rewarding experience for both the children and adults. The Fukushima and Tochigi area is full of spots that are enjoyable for families with kids, and I already look forward to our next discoveries on our next visit.