This week, I had the opportunity to participate in a health experience program during a monitoring tour with KCS Co., Ltd and DMC Kinugawa Onsen in one of Tochigi Prefecture’s most beautiful cities, Nikko.

Nikko is a small, but surreal city surrounded by mountains, nature, hot springs and is a place abundant in Japan’s tradition, history and culture that can be enjoyed while sightseeing or simply relaxing in the hot springs.

Travelers are very attracted by the temples and shrines, but also by the rich nature Nikko has to offer.

During this tour, we got to discover more ways to enjoy the place while getting in shape and detoxing our bodies and minds. It wasn’t my first time in Nikko, but it was my first time visiting Kinugawa Onsen and Nikko’s Edo Wonderland.

I got to find out more about my health, if I lack exercise or the condition of my skin, muscles, and body, also what should I do in order to get healthier and prevent deteriorating my muscles or bones, how can I easily train while sightseeing and improve my balance, flexibility and become much more healthy just by standing up, for example.

I learned about Locomotorium mechanism, used for basically moving our bodies, did a MET’s challenge by walking and having fun in Edo Wonderland while ninja training and practicing swordsmanship and even while doing yoga.

At the end of the program, I found out what I am lacking, how I should improve my condition and how much I exercise just by doing basic stuff like cleaning, walking, even reading, etc.

Kinugawa Park Hotels: Onsen and Gyms

We stayed at Kinugawa Park Hotels and after leaving our luggage, we changed into something appropriate for exercising and head off to the Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yume no Toki Gym, there I found out my condition and it was shocking to know I’m 7 years older than my actual age. You can do that by inserting your finger into one of the machines there and it automatically prints out your results so there’s no need to take notes.

After a short introduction of the machines, we got to try out everything and when finished, we head off to the Kinuko no Yu, a footbath nearby the accommodation, followed by another gym at Isshinkan.

The second gym also had hot springs next to it, a pool with hot water, even spinning bikes used by professionals and some interesting machines that are still new on market and can’t be found in shops at the moment.

One of them was for testing your reflexes and vision, so it was very interesting to use. You could choose a couple of programs and levels, for example, it shows a number like “8” and then in a horizontal line, a few numbers show up for a second and you need to choose which one was number 8. To be honest, it was impossible for me, but maybe with enough practice, it gets better.

After the gym, we got back to our hotel and entered the hot springs, then we had a wonderful ryokan dinner with local and seasonal ingredients, followed by a yoga class inside the hotel.

As the weather was pretty cold, we did it inside, but I heard that they usually do this program outside on the famous red bridge in Nikko during mornings, too.

Zazen is also included in the program, so it is a unique experience for both Japanese people and foreigners as zazen is rarely included in tours around Japan.

After yoga, we went to relax again in the hot springs and also took several photos around the hotel. During the tour, we had free time, too so we could go out and see the surroundings or buy souvenirs for the company, friends, etc.

Kinugawa Park Hotels Official Website

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Edo Wonderland

The next day, I couldn’t wake up very early so I didn’t get to try out the hot spring again; therefore I went directly to the breakfast.

When finished, we headed right to Edo Wonderland just before its opening and tried out a few of the activities mentioned above, took some photos to engrave this special place and experience into our memories and after buying souvenirs we headed to the station to take the shinkansen back to Asakusa.

The Kinugawa Onsen METs Challenge and program is something I dearly recommend trying regardless of your age as it is a very good experience to learn not only about Japan but your health condition and how to improve it too.

After the trip, you’ll feel healthier and more relaxed than ever and go back with more knowledge about Japan, its culture and also get to know more about wellness and yourself.

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edo Mura Official Website

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