Otawara — yes, that's spelled with a "t" — is one of those places few people know and most confuse with somewhere else (in this case with Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture).

However, travel about 165 km north of Tokyo and you'll find it, tucked away in the northeast corner of Tochigi Prefecture.

There's little to offer visitors in the way of sightseeing, and the region's only real claim to fame is that it's located next to the onsen-rich area of Nasushiobara, which also features numerous quirky theme parks and museums, and the royal family's summer retreat, Nasu Imperial Villa.