Utsunomiya - More Than Just Gyoza
I recently had to do some research on Utsunomiya , the capital city of Tochigi Prefecture. Despite it being less than one hour from Tokyo by shinkansen, there was surprisingly little information in English available. Most sources say the same thing --it's the city of gyoza (meat and vegetable dumplings). While this is true - I saw the lines outside the gyoza restaurants for myself last month - Utsunomiya has more to offer than delicious dumplings.
Historically, Utsunomiya was an industrial center, with a strong mining industry. These days, people sometimes stop there on the way to / from Nikko, but you can easily spend an entire day there on a day trip from Tokyo. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED - BOOK A TOUR IN UTSUNOMIYA
What is there to do?
Oya Stone Quarry
Let's start with the most well known --the Oya Stone Quarry. Located on an old mining site, it both a museum and the quarry itself. The museum contains a dislay of mining equipment and the history of the mine. The highlight however is the quarry. It is a vast underground cavern, cool even in the heat of summer. The accessible area covers about 20,000 sqm although they extend further underground. It feels like you've walked into the set of Tomb Raider, and actually they do film movie And television shows here, and hold weddings, concerts and events. The Japanese have been mining the Oya stone for over 1,500 years. During World War 2, the Oya Quarry was used as a secret underground manufacturing plant by the Nakajima Aircraft Company, unknown to The US Military until after the war. The quarry was mined until 1986,then was largely unused until its recent revival as a tourist attraction.
Cost: 800 yen (kids: 400 yen)
Opening hours: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Closed days: Tuesdays
Access: JR Utsunomiya Station West Exit No. 6 Take the bus bound for Oya / Tateiwa for approximately 30 minutes. (Google Maps)
Oya-ji Temple
Near to the quarry is Oya Temple, a 1200 year old Buddhist temple built into the cliffs. The temple grounds contain a small but well made garden and a trasure hall containing artifacts found in the area. Across the road in a 27m high Peace Kannon Statue , carved out of the surrounding cliffs in tribute of those who died during WW2.
Cost: 500 yen (Kids are free)
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (4:30pm in Winter)
Closed days: Thursdays in Winter
Access: JR Utsunomiya Station West Exit No. 6 Take the bus bound for Oya / Tateiwa for approximately 30 minutes. (Google Maps)
Futaarayama Shrine
This 1,600 year old shrine is where many important events take place in Utsunomiya, such as New Year's celebrations. It has a large stairway at its entrance, a small line of red torii gates, several outer buildings and of course the main shrine.
Cost: Free
Access: Walk from JR Utsunomiya Station for 10 minutes. (Google Maps)
Nagaoka 100 Holes / Nagaoka Hyakuana Kofun
The "100 holes" are a group of tunneled out tombs built into the side of Utsunomiya Hill. They are believed to have been built as a mass cemetery for the lower class during the 7th Century. Those interested in history may appreciate this.
Cost: Free
Access: Take the bus from Utsunomiya to Toyosatodai-Iriguchi then walk 20 minutes. (Google Maps)
Orion Shopping Street
The largest shopping street in Tochigi. This shopping arcade is lined with a wide variety of shops and restaurants, and is well known for its jazz and live music.
Cost: Free
Opening time: Varies
Access: Walk from Utsunomiya Station (Google Maps)
Wakatake no mori Wakayama Farm
This family run farm produces bamboo, chestnuts and blueberries and visitors can partake in bamboo shoot picking, berry picking and chestnut picking, all for a reasonable price. There is also a bamboo grove to rival Kyoto's Arashiyama, but this one is much quieter. weekends and holidays they have a light up event in the bamboo.
Cost: 500 yen
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (sometimes they have evening light up events)
Closed days: Dec 31st - Jan 1st
Access: Take the local bus (Kanto bus) and get off at Nozawatera-mae bus stop (30 minutes). (Google Maps)
Team Room Chakka
Tea Room "Chakka" opened in 2020 on Orion Street in Utsunomiya City. You can enjoy delicious teas made with carefully selected tea leaves and fruit sandwiches made with colorful seasonal fruits.
Hachimanyama Park (especially for sakura / azaleas)
This is a lovely city park, famous for both cherry blossoms and azalea flowers. They even have evening lightups to illuminate the flowers and the park's interesting suspension bridge which leads to the awesome Adventure U Park. Adventure U is great for kids, it's like a On top of a hill in the park is Utsunomiya Tower, which you can ride to the top of for 190 yen. Mini theme park with lots of slides, go carts and play areas.
Cost: Free
Opening hours: Always (until 4pm for some facilities)
Access: 5 minutes by bus from JR Utsunomiya Station to the Kencho-mae bus stop,then a 15-minute walk. (Google Maps)
Matsugamine Catholic Church
This church has been around since 1932. It was designed by Swiss architect Max Hinder in a European design, using the local Oya Stone. It is said to be the largest building made of Oya Stone still in existence. Services are held in Japanese at 10am every Sunday, in English on the first and third Sunday of the month at 2 pm and in Portuguese on the first Sunday of the month at 4 pm.
Cost: Free
Access: Walk from Tobu-utsunomiya Station (Google Maps)
Roadside Station Utsunomiya Romantic Village (more info)
This is more than the average roadside station. They have accommodation, a hot spring, a farmer's market, restaurants, an indoor pool and a farm. There is also the "Minori no Mori", a large forest where you can take pleasant walks. It's a good place to stay or stop with kids.
Cost: Free
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm
Closed days: 2nd Tuesday of each Month
Access: Car (Google Maps)
