Published date: October 31, 2024
From Roadside Stations to Wild Game: A HafH Stay in Tochigi Filled with Nature and Deliciousness!
Room Type Stayed
Twin room
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Experience of the stay
I stayed at a hotel adjacent to the roadside station "Motegi." First of all, the lounge space was amazing! It was well-equipped with Wi-Fi and power outlets, and coffee and tea were available as free drinks. I spent some time here working a bit during the day.
The Fairfield hotel chain is present nationwide, but one of its charms is that the lounge area's books and decor vary by region. In this hotel, there were displays of traditional pottery from Tochigi, such as Mashiko-yaki and Kasama-yaki, along with related books. Details like this that allow you to touch local culture are genuinely fascinating.
At night, the atmosphere was chic and calm, while during the day, it transformed into a bright and open space filled with sunlight, which was very pleasant.
The room was also simple and free of waste, which added to its comfort. It was nice to have complimentary water and tea available. Outside the window, greenery spread out, making it relaxing to just look at, and the cleanliness was exceptional. It was a very comfortable stay.
Experiences during the trip
For dinner, I decided to savor "local flavors" and headed to "Irori Chaya," a place I found on the map. It took about 20 minutes by car from the hotel to reach this restaurant hidden deep in the mountains, and I felt a bit nervous on the way, but once I opened the door, the kind owner welcomed me and I felt relieved.
What I had that day was roasted duck and wild boar hot pot. For me, who has recently become a fan of game meat, boar meat was absolutely ideal! It resembled pork but was lighter in fat, with a moderate firmness that made it delicious. The duck was also juicy and packed with flavor—absolutely the best.
The interior of the restaurant felt seasoned but well-maintained, exuding a warmth reminiscent of a grandmother’s house.
The next morning, after checking out of the hotel, I strolled around the adjacent roadside station "Motegi." Here, numerous craft foods utilizing the local specialty, yuzu citrus, were displayed. I purchased yuzu curry as a souvenir. There were also tempting ice creams and snacks, but I managed to restrain myself this time…!
For lunch, I had a bento box I bought at the roadside station. I enjoyed a yuzu-flavored ginger pork bento and yuzu-stuffed inari sushi, all of which were exquisite and immensely satisfying.
I forgot to take a photo, but there’s also a Baumkuchen specialty store inside the roadside station where you can enjoy fluffy Baumkuchen. There’s a café attached as well, offering eat-in options. I was too full so I took it to go to enjoy at home, and it was moist and fluffy, truly impressive! Sampling is also available, so I highly recommend it.
Tochigi is filled with delicious delights. Next time I come, I want to base myself at the Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Motegi!Get Extra Bonus Coins! Sign up with this user's referral code now!