Utsunomiya Travel Tips

3 of 5 in Tochigi Prefecture

Utsunomiya (宇都宮), the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, is a vibrant city just an hour north of Tokyo by shinkansen. Known for its rich history in the mining industry, Utsunomiya is famous for Oya stone, a beautiful building material that has shaped its architectural landscape. The city also serves as a gateway to the stunning shrines and temples of Nikko, making it an ideal stop for those exploring the area.

Renowned for its delicious gyoza, Utsunomiya is a food lover's paradise, boasting countless restaurants dedicated to these tasty dumplings. Whether pan-fried, deep-fried, or boiled, the gyoza here are filled with a variety of ingredients, including pork, kimchi, and seafood. With a fierce rivalry for the title of Japan's gyoza capital, Utsunomiya regularly tops the charts in household consumption, offering an unforgettable culinary experience for visitors.

Getting around

In Utsunomiya, the main travel hub is JR Utsunomiya Station. It’s well connected by buses, including ones going to the Oya History Museum and Oya Temple. There’s also a light rail line, but it’s not very useful for tourists yet—though it may be more helpful once extended toward Oya. You can also take a JR train from here to Nikko in about 45 minutes.

Another station in the city is Tobu-Utsunomiya Station, about 1.5 km west of the JR station. It’s the final stop on the Tobu Utsunomiya Line. Both JR and Tobu stations are served by many of the same bus lines, making it easy to get around, especially if you’re heading toward Oya.