Sano

Understand

Sano is famous for Sano Premium Outlet, Sano ramen-noodles and Sano Yakuyoke Daishi which exorcises people in unlucky and critical ages.

Tourist Information Site The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Getting there

By train Sano station is centrally located and can be reached by JR Ryōmō Line or the Tōbu Sano Line.

JR Ryōmō Line About 16 min from Tochigi About 14 min from Ashikaga

Tōbu Sano Line About 85 min from Asakusa (Tokyo) by limited express train Ryōmō. About 16 min from Tatebayashi

By bus The bus terminal in Sano is located at the Sano Premium Outlets. By taking JR Highway Bus "Marronier Shinjuku" or "Marronier Tokyo", you can get to Shinjuku, and Tokyo JR Stations within 90 minutes. Tickets cost around ¥1,300 one way and can be purchased at the bus terminals in each JR station. Direct access to and from Narita Airport is available through Highway Bus "Salvia" or Chiba Kotsu Bus. It takes about 130 minutes. This can be purchased at Narita Airport transportation counter (ask for Sano; Tochigi prefecture) or at the Sano Bus Terminal. Cost is about ¥4,400.

By car Take the Sano-Fujioka exit from the Tōhoku Expressway and follow National Route 50 west toward Sano, Ashikaga.

Getting around

It is quite expensive to use taxis at the base price of ¥660. In front of JR/Tobu Sano train station (fountain side) there is a bus service that can take you around the city and one running between the station and the Premium Outlet Mall for ¥200. There is also a rental bike service in front of the station, next to the 7-Eleven convenience store. Unfortunately, unless you speak Japanese, the owners cannot help you.

See

Mt. Mikamo is in the east of Sano city. It was praised by poets of the Manyoshu8th century poetry anthology. Katakuri dogtooth pale purple flowers can be seen at Katakuri-no-Sato in Mt. Mikamo from late March to early April.

Katakuri Village (かたくりの), − 112-1 Machiya-cho, ☏ +81 283-21-1187. Katakuri is pink-flowered species of trout lily, belonging to the lily family. Enjoy the sweet, light purple blooming katakuri flowers. Blooms can be seen from the middle of March until early April every year. (updated Jan 2018) Mt.Karasawa, 1409 1409 Fuji-cho. A natural park filled with Japanese red pine in autumn. Provided with hiking courses, you are able to enjoy everything from azaleas to red leaves according to the seasons. Remains of a ruined castle site from the Warring States Period. Visitors can still see the foetress remains at Mount Karasawa castle. (updated Jan 2018) Shiroyama Park, 2519 2519 wakamatu-cho. Known as one of the city's symbol by Sano citizen. Famous spot for sakura and azalea, this park is always packed with visitors especially during peak viewing seasons in spring. Closed on M, 2nd Th of the month. (updated Jan 2018) Ume Garden, 1387 1387 Fuji-cho. 140 white-blossomed and 80 red-blossomed plum trees. There are also sakura and azalea trees planted in the garden. (updated Jan 2018) Mt.Hourai. Mt. Hourai has flourished as a holy place. A promenade is provided for pedestrians. Seasonal nature is beautiful, especially colored leaves in autumn. (updated Jan 2018) Izuruhara Benten Ike Lake, 1117 1117 Izuruhara-cho, ☏ +81 283-25-0410. Filled with carp swimming gracefully, Izuruhara Benten Ike was formed when water welled up from the limestone layer. the cleanliness of the water makes this lake one of the top 100 clearest waters in Japan's ranking. (updated Jan 2018) Sano Yakuyoke Daishi Temple (け), 2233 2233 kanaikami-cho, ☏ +81 283-22-5229. 08:20-17:00. 'Yaku' me

Do

Besides eating your weight in the many ramen shops, directly north of the JR-Tobu Station (accessible by a direct exit from the station), is Shiroyama Park. Shiroyama Park is a park on a large hill and at one point used to house a castle. As you walk through the park, close to the station entrance is a small information building with clean restrooms and a small room with relics and pictures of the castle's excavation. If you enjoy shopping more, for a couple hundred yen you can take a bus from the train station to the AEON Mall or the Sano Premium Outlets!

Strawbery Picking (Agritown) (いちごり(アグリタウン)), 802-4 802-4 Ueshimo-cho, ☏ +81 283-21-5215. Dec-Feb: 10:00-15:00, Mar-May: 09:30-16:00 (strawberry picking). Sano is one of the famous places growing Tochiotome strawberries. Fresh and tasty strawberries are available directly from farms.Reservation are preferable. Closed on:Jun-Nov (strawberry picking) (updated Jan 2018) Hikoma Japanese Paper Hall, 22̇99 2299 Hikoma-cho, ☏ +81 283-66-2481. 09:00-16:00. Experience making Japanese Hikoma paper that has a long tradition and history. Closed on: M F. Reservation required, Paper making ¥200. (updated Jan 2018) Indigo Dyeing. Experience dyeing your own handkerchief or even hijab! Very old and traditional way of indigo dyeing passed on from centuries ago in Japan. (updated Jan 2018) Yomogiyama Log Village (ログビレッジ), 1271 1271 Sakuhara-cho, ☏ +81 283-67-1139. Stay 13:00-10:00, Rest 11:00-15:00. Outdoor recreation spot equipped with a cottage, bathhouse, tennis court, and playground equipment made from logwood. Accommodation facility is also provided. Closed on:Tuesday Reservation required:Hotel charges ¥10,800. (updated Jan 2018) Akiyama Hostels, Morisawa Woodland Ancient Times Village, 771 771 Akiyama-cho, ☏ +81 283-87-0022. Stay 13:00-10:00 Rest 11:00-15:00. (あきやまウッドランド)Multi-purpose accommodation facilities that are suitable for families or groups. Besides staying

Buy

Sano Premium Outlets (プレミアム・アウトレット), 2058 2058 Koena, ☏ +81 283-20-5800. 10:00-20:00. Approximately 170 stores of famous international and Japanese brands. Modeled after a town on the east coast of the United States. Closed on 3rd Thursday in Feb. (updated Jan 2018) Michi No Eki Domannaka Tanuma (のどまんなかたぬま), 366-2 366-2 Yoshimiziu-cho, ☏ +81 283-61-0077. 08:00-22:00. A lot of Sano specialties are available and other delicious cuisines. 'Ashiyu'(foodbath) originating from the Tanuma Hotspring for free is also available. Illuminations at night during winter. Closed on Wednesday. (updated Jan 2018) Sano City Kanko Bussan Kaikan, 2519 2519 Kanaikami-cho. 09:00-18:00. As center of souvenirs of the city, this store has 800 items made in Sano. Daily open. (updated Jan 2018)

Eat

Sano is known for its ramen (Chinese-style noodles) called Sano Ramen. There are plently of ramen shops on every street, and each person has their favorite. Sano is also known for its fried potatoes called imofurai. Small potatoes arranged on a skewer, dipped in batter and into bread crumbs before being deep fried. The tangy and sweet sauce that is served with it, however, is the deciding factor on its taste. This is available at many grocery stores and imo-fry shops can be found all over