Utsunomiya Prefectural Natural Park lies between a warm and temperate zone. This blesses the area with varied flora and fauna.

In particular, at the Tagesanjihouin Shrine (its precincts are in the forests) there are evergreen trees such as Quercus Salicina, Ring-cupped Oak, Quercus Sessilifolia, Common Camellia, Japanese Eurya which grow in the northern limit of the temperate forest.

In mid-April, under the canopy of the forest formed by trees such us Jolcham Oak, members of the violet group; for example, Soft Windflower and Dogtooth Violet can be seen flourishing.

Information provision Tochigi Prefecture

"Tagesan has a great variety of plants, which naturally brings with it many types of insects and wild birds.

You will quickly come upon insects here including the Old World Swallowtail, Blue Admiral Butterfly and Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

Furthermore, insects that are local to warm regions and are rare in this prefecture can be found. From April to October, you can see the Japanese Oakblue Butterfly and in Autumn the Angled Sunbeam too.

This gentle hill makes it ideal for walking with children."

Information provision Tochigi Prefecture

The hill behind of Oya Temple is called Tagesan, and there are many violets on display here. Among these violets, you can see Viola Eizanensis, Viola Eizanensis Forma Simplicifolia, Viola Hirtipes, Viola Mandshurica, Viola Obtusa, Viola Phalacrocarpa, and Viola Sieboldii.

From the beginning of April, Rhododendron Wadanum sprouts its purple-red flower between rocks. When the season of the Rhododendrons passes, the aroma of the fluffy white flower of the Japanese Ash fills the air.

From the hilltop, you can see the nearby mountains and trees of Utsunomiya, and off in the distance, you can even see the Nikko mountain range. Various animals and plants can be enjoyed on your walk up the hill.

Information provision Tochigi Prefecture

This manmade lake is small, no more than a few hundred meters in circumference.

Flowers, birds and insects can be found in great numbers upstream of the creek at the teahouse. In the spring, butterflies such as the Mountainous Duskywing and Tailless Hairstreak can be seen speckling the air, and many flowers that cannot be seen in the city are in bloom.

There are many beetles, such as the Japanese Cedar Longhorn Beetle and the Japanese Tiger Beetle.

Here the air is rich with the birdsong of the Meadow Bunting, the Eurasian Jay, the Brown-eared Bulbul, the White-cheeked Starling and the Japanese Tit.

Information provision Tochigi Prefecture