A riot of flowers! Myounji Peony Festival

Myounji Temple, a historic Rinzai Zen temple boasting a history of 830 years, has a peony garden meticulously cared for by members of the “Peony Cultivation Association.” In this season, various flowers such as wisteria and azaleas bloom all over the temple grounds, creating a veritable spectacle of blossoms. Myounji Temple is truly a temple of flowers. ◆Location: Kanrozan Myounji Temple (665 Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture) ◆Dates: Thursday, May 7th, 2026 – Sunday, May 31st, 2026 *Please note that entry to the “Peony Garden” is not permitted outside of the above period, regardless of the blooming status. ◆Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM ◆Admission Fee: 500 yen per person *Please view the temple grounds in quiet contemplation. Sketching, photography with tripods, and bringing pets are not permitted.

We will be operating the horse-drawn carriage again this year. Enjoy a leisurely ride through the hot spring town in a carriage that takes about 15 minutes one way. ◆Location: Yuppo no Sato / Shiobara Monogatari-kan ◆Dates: Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th ◆Time: ① Departure from Yuppo no Sato → Arrival at Shiobara Monogatari-kan 10:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 ② Departure from Shiobara Monogatari-kan → Arrival at Yuppo no Sato 10:30 / 11:30 / 13:30 / 14:30 / 15:30 ◆Price: Adults (junior high school students and older) 12 years and older: 2,000 yen Children (elementary school students and younger) 3-11 years old: 1,500 yen *One way fare ◆Reservations: Please make a reservation through the experience reservation site “Asoview”. ① Departing from Yuppo no Sato: https://www.asoview.com/item/activity/pln3000046814/ ② Departing from Shiobara Monogatari-kan: https://www.asoview.com/item/activity/pln3000046815/ Notes: ・The tour may be cancelled due to the horses’ health or bad weather. ・If there are seats available on the day, you can board; please come directly to the departure point. ・Please note that the Tote-yaki exchange ticket may not be usable at some stores due to regular closing days or being sold out.

Enjoy authentic matcha tea prepared by members of the Urasenke Tachishima Sōto school. Surrounded by the gentle murmur of the stream in the temple grounds, the chirping of birds, and the sweet fragrance of flowers, please enjoy a moment of healing. ◆Location: Myōunji Temple grounds (665 Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture) ◆Dates: May 9th (Sat), 10th (Sun), 16th (Sat), 17th (Sun) ◆Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ◆Price: 500 yen per session

The Women’s Association will be offering free tea and dango (rice dumplings). ◆Location: Myounji Temple grounds (665 Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture) ◆Dates: Thursday, May 14th and 28th ◆Time: 11:00 AM until supplies run out ◆Price: Free

The Emperor’s Room Memorial Park is a facility that preserves and opens to the public a part of the Shiobara Imperial Villa, a summer residence of the Imperial family built in Shiobara in 1904. Why not listen to the melodies of the koto in a corner of the charming building surrounded by trees? Enjoy a moment of healing surrounded by the sweet scent of flowers. ◆Location: Emperor’s Room Memorial Park (1266-113 Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture) ◆Dates: May 2nd (Sat), 3rd (Sun), 9th (Sat), 10th (Sun) ◆Time: 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM ◆Performance: Koto Ensemble Maple ※Admission fee applies (Adults 300 yen, Seniors 65 and over 200 yen)

The following road will be closed to traffic on the date and time due to the National Hot Spring Marathon: ◆Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 Old National Route 400 ◆Time: 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM