Utsunomiya, Capital city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Utsunomiya is a large city in Tochigi Prefecture in northern Kanto, spreading across residential neighborhoods, parks, and small commercial zones. The streets run mostly straight and orderly, while green avenues along the main axes connect the different districts.
The settlement gained importance during the Edo period when trade routes to Nikko and northern regions met here and travelers sought lodging. Later it was named capital of Tochigi Prefecture and grew into a regional administrative center.
The city takes its name from Mount Utsunomiya, once revered as a sacred site and still shaping the landscape today. Small shops in the center sell handcrafted ceramics and regional specialties, while residents regularly stop by temples to offer prayers.
The train station sits centrally and offers connections to several rail lines, including the Shinkansen, which provides a fast link to Tokyo. Most sights are reachable on foot or by local buses that run regularly through the city.
The city is considered the gyoza dumpling capital, and many restaurants constantly invent new fillings that range from pork to unusual ingredients like shark fin. Each year a competition takes place where visitors can choose their favorite version.
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