On April 28th, a Sunday, I took advantage of the wisteria season to visit Ashikaga Flower Park among other places. Having worked alone in Nasu until three years ago, I visited Ashikaga Flower Park during Golden Week (holiday period in Japan from 29 April to 5 May), but I remained curious about certain spots, like Ashikaga School, prompting a return visit. Anticipating traffic, I departed at 6:15 a.m. The drive was smooth up to the Urawa toll gate on the Tohoku Expressway; however, from there, I encountered traffic jams all the way to the Kuki IC. After stopping for breakfast at Hanyu PA, we reached Ashikaga Flower Park by around 9:30.

The parking lot was crowded, but we didn’t have to wait long, and as we passed through the west gate, we were greeted by wisteria flowers in full bloom.

One of the highlights is the area with two large wisteria trees.

The white wisteria flowers are also pretty and wonderful.

Another highlight is the giant wisteria tree.

After admiring the wisteria blooms, we visited Ashikaga Gakko, the oldest educational institution in Japan and a site of national historical significance. Theories about the school’s origin include its establishment as a legacy of Japanese classical culture studies in the Nara period, Ono no Takamura’s influence in the Heian period, and Yoshikane Ashikaga’s foundation in the Kamakura period. In 1439, Norizane Uesugi, the Kanto Kanrei, donated treasured books, appointed Kaigen, a monk from Engakuji Temple, as the first headmaster, and oversaw the management of the newly rebuilt Ashikaga Gakko.

When you enter the Nyutokumon gate in the photo above, you will find a ticket office where you can find a video explanation.

Behind the Kyodan Gate lies the Confucius Temple, which enshrines a seated statue of Confucius.

On the right hand side of the Confucius Temple is the building containing the Hojo (an abbot’s chamber), Kuri (the kitchen of a temple) and Shoin (a drawing room).

Inside, alongside the statue of Confucius, there were statues of the Four Noble Sages: Mencius, Zengzi, Yan Hui, and Zisi.

The south garden, situated at the front of the Hojo, is a rocky mountain spring garden designed in the style of a shoin garden, featuring giant stones and ancient pine trees. The north garden serves as a courtyard, also styled as a rocky mountain spring garden. It is considered of higher rank than the south garden and boasts a turtle-shaped islet with a stone shrine dedicated to Benten on the islet.

Following our visit to Ashikaga Gakko, we headed to Aotake Teuchi Ramen Keirin Main Branch for lunch..

The restaurant was bustling with local patrons, resulting in a wait time. Displayed near the entrance were photographs and signatures of various celebrities. I tried the thick ramen, which was described as spicy and sour, but found it lackluster and lacking in dashi flavor, making it unsatisfactory for my palate. Interestingly, all noodle dishes were accompanied by porridge, and the pricing was both affordable and reasonable.

After lunch, we visited COCO FARM & WINERY. Since I didn’t take any photos, for more information, please see the official website (COCOFARM＆WINERY (cocowine.com)). During an overseas business trip with JAL, I enjoyed a dry, crisp white wine named “Nomin(farmers) Dry 2022” served in the lounge and on the flight, which piqued my interest as it originated from a winery in Tochigi.
The vineyard established in 1958, a year after my birth, sits before this winery. At its base, a facility named “Kokoromi Gakuen” was constructed for individuals with disabilities, alongside a winery where they collaborate in wine production. The disabled workers seem to thrive, actively participating in both vineyard and brewery operations. The grapes are cultivated organically, without chemical fertilizers or herbicides, ensuring a natural flavor. This wine has graced many prestigious tables, from the G7 Summits to Prime Minister’s banquets, and is featured in JAL’s first and business classes, earning acclaim for its quality. As mementos, I purchased two bottles of white wine, including the “Nomin (farmer) Dry 2022”.

Although it was a day trip, it was a fulfilling trip.