Utsunomiya
Discover Utsunomiya
Utsunomiya has more streets lined with horse chestnut trees (栃の木 tochi-no-ki), and more places and products labeled Marronnier (French for Aesculus hippocastanum) than any other city in Japan's Tochigi ("Buckeye") Prefecture. Utsunomiya is also the hometown of jazz great Sadao Watanabe and bills itself as a Jazz Town that is also famous for its cocktail bars.
What to Experience in Utsunomiya
Taste of Utsunomiya...
Utsunomiya is most famous for its gyōza (餃子) dumplings, available sauteed, deep-fried, boiled, and/or steamed with all sorts of stuffings all around the city. You can find gyoza just about anywhere, but here are some key areas. In addition, there are plenty of other restaurants elsewhere. For Starbucks fiends, there are Starbucks coffee shops in Utsunomiya Station (with Wi-Fi), and Bell Mall. There are also plenty of fast food chains, such as Mos Burger (inside Utsunomiya Station, first floor), and a McDonald's (outside the main entrance, right side). For those wishing to stay on a budget, the grocery stores in La La Square (B1) and Utsunomiya Station (1) are your best bet. Utsunomiya bills itself as a jazz town and a cocktail area. The quality varies however, in both departments of jazz and cocktails. Cover charges as high as ¥4000 can be expected, with cocktails starting at ¥1000 per drink. Utsunomiya has excellent nightlife with many quirky bars, classic cocktail bars and jazz clubs which can be found around town. Hotels range from grand (wedding hotels) to business hotels (small rooms and beds).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom Narita Airport, the fastest and most expensive way to reach Utsunomiya is to take the Narita Express train to Tokyo Station and transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko, Nasuno or Tsubasa service (2 hr 15 min, ¥7800). From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line train to Shinagawa, then the Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku line train to Tokyo Station. From there, take the Tohoku Shinkansen (about 1 hr 45 min, ¥5200). A cheaper trip is to continue up the Yamanote to Ueno station and change to the JR Utsunomiya commuter line (3 hours, ¥2290). Utsunomiya is a major train hub served by the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, JR Tohoku Main Line, Tobu Nikko Line and JR Utsunomiya Line. Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko, Max Yamabiko, Nasuno and Tsubasa trains depart from Tokyo station about three times per hour, with more trains during the evening. The ride costs ¥4800 and lasts just 50-55 minutes. Direct runs on the regular Tohoku Main Line depart from Ueno station 3-4 times per hour....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Public transport in Utsunomiya consists of buses and one light rail line east towards Haga. For most tourist staying for one night or wishing to simply shop, most stores, hotels, and restaurants are within convenient walking distance from the east and west exits of Utsunomiya Station. Much of Utsunomiya can easily be reached by foot from Utsunomiya Station. Some major shopping, hotels, grocery stores, and other shops can be walked to in five minutes or less. For other areas, such as Orion-Dori or the jazz clubs/restaurants, you can expect about 10 to 15 minutes. The crime rate is low and incidents are rare. However, do take care at night. Always carry ID with you at all times, as police often perform "Gaijin Checks" (Foreigner Checks) for valid visiting or working visas. Taxis are readily available from the west side of Utsunomiya station, first floor. Take the west exit, and immediately bear right. Taxis can be found immediately to the right of the bus section.
Where to Stay
Hotels range from grand (wedding hotels) to business hotels (small rooms and beds).
Money & Budget
In comparison to Tokyo, Utsunomiya is not much of a place to shop. It does, however, have some variety of stores to keep individuals busy for an afternoon. The vast majority of malls are easily located on or near main street (starting from Utsunomiya JR West Exit). You can walk to most worthwhile areas in 15 minutes, or take a five-minute bus ride. Utsunomiya is most famous for its gyōza (餃子) dumplings, available sauteed, deep-fried, boiled, and/or steamed with all sorts of stuffings all around the city. You can find gyoza just about anywhere, but here are some key areas. In addition, there are plenty of other restaurants elsewhere. For Starbucks fiends, there are Starbucks coffee shops in Utsunomiya Station (with Wi-Fi), and Bell Mall.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Utsunomiya
"Bamboo harvest" Spontaneously discovering this bamboo farm was one of the most memorable experiences I had in Japan. With various types of bamboo trees, constructions, and art made of bamboo, along with night illuminations, it makes you want to stay the entire day and night.
"Forest"
"Mother Tree"
"Surrounded By Bamboo"
Escalators in subway stations
"Swing" In Four Seasons Bamboo Forest on Wakayama Farm, you can find many interesting constructions made of bamboo. This hidden in the forest swing is gigantic.
"Bamboo Ceiling" As you stroll through the bamboo forests, look up. Thousands of delicate leaves dance in the wind, creating an enchanting spectacle that captivates the senses.
"Section"
"Sakura" In spring, all of Japan is awash with white and pink cherry blossoms, drawing in a comparable flood of tourists. Fortunately, escaping the crowds and finding your own tree to peacefully admire is not an overly challenging task.
"Green"
"Bamboo harvest" Spontaneously discovering this bamboo farm was one of the most memorable experiences I had in Japan. With various types of bamboo trees, constructions, and art made of bamboo, along with night illuminations, it makes you want to stay the entire day and night.
"Forest"
"Mother Tree"