Tochigi Station 栃木駅

Transit to Ashikaga, Nikko, and an animated clock

Tochigi Station connects the Tobu and JR East lines at Tochigi City. It's a transit point for Ashikaga where you can see Japan's first school and the flower park, or travel further north to Nikko. At the north exit, I suggest you linger awhile as it has a karakuri clock, an animated timepiece. Eleven times a day on the hour the clock depicts with motion and audio a story by local author Yamamoto Yuzo. On the hour, you can see a miniature of one of the city's gorgeous floats revealed as the children chat excitedly about the day's events. It's a hint of the heritage you encounter on your walk through the town.