10 Sights & Landmarks in Utsunomiya That You Shouldn't Miss

May 19, 2021 Claudia Navarrete

Utsunomiya (宇都宮市, Utsunomiya-shi, Japanese: [ɯᵝt͡sɯ̃ᵝno̞mija̠]) is the capital and largest city of Tochigi Prefecture, in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of May 2015, the city had an estimated population of 518,200, and a population density of 1,240 persons per square kilometre (3,200/sq mi). Its total area is 416.85 km (160.95 sq mi). Utsunomiya is famous for its gyoza (pan fried dumplings). There are more than two hundred gyoza restaurants in Utsunomiya.
Restaurants in Utsunomiya

1. Tochigi Prefecture Bosaikan

248 Nakazatocho, Utsunomiya 321-0414 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-674-4843 http://www.t-bousaikan.jp/
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Tochigi Prefecture Bosaikan

2. Utsunoiya Futaarayama Jinja Shrine

1-1-1 Babatori, Utsunomiya 320-0026 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-622-5271 http://futaarayamajinja.jp/
Excellent
18%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 271 reviews

Utsunoiya Futaarayama Jinja Shrine

3. Matsugamine Catholic Church

1-1-5 Matsugamine, Utsunomiya 320-0807 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-635-0405 http://www2.ucatv.ne.jp/~matumine.sea/
Excellent
42%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 102 reviews

Matsugamine Catholic Church

4. Shounji Temple

1-1-16 Higashitomatsuri, Utsunomiya 320-0054 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-622-5719 http://www.sho-un.jp/
Excellent
22%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 9 reviews

Shounji Temple

5. Oya temple

1198 Oyamachi, Utsunomiya 321-0345 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-652-0128 http://www.ooyaji.jp
Excellent
26%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 188 reviews

Oya temple

Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States

We have followed Kobo Daishi around Japan, so no wonder that we came here. The temple was founded by him and the thousand-armed Kannon is said to have been his work. In addition to this figure, there are other Buddha carvings on the cliff face, some of the best in Japan and designated as National Important Cultural Properties. The temple is an interesting one - the relief statues are carved into the volcanic oya stone and the temple structure is built over them to protect them. The carvings reminded us of Buddha reliefs seen in China, in addition to carvings we have seen throughout Japan. We entered the temple and were alone with the statues. The ticket seller knew we did not speak Japanese so she did not offer to take us around, but let us wander on the walkway looking at the figures for as long as we wanted. No photography is allowed and we covered our cameras so she would understand that we knew that to be the case. When we arrived, the entrance gate was covered in scaffolding for renovation, but as luck would have it, the workmen were taking the scaffolding down while we visited the lovely garden on the temple grounds. By the time we left, we could get a photo from the parking lot across the street, of the gate, unencumbered by scaffolding. Travel tip: Take bus #45 bound for Tateiwa to Oya Kannon-mae about 30 minutes, ¥450 each way. The bus goes through very rural scenery, keep an eye out for the kura along the way. The bus back is bus #1. Take a photo of the time schedule at the bus stop before you head out - there are not that many buses each day. Temple entrance fee: ¥400 is well worth it. Toilets are available at the entrance to the garden to the left of the ticket booth.

6. Shinohara House

1-4-33 Imaizumi, Utsunomiya 321-0966 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-624-2200 http://www.tochigiji.or.jp/spot/6024/
Excellent
13%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 40 reviews

Shinohara House

7. Tochigi Prefectural Museum

2-2 Mutsumicho, Utsunomiya 320-0865 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-634-1311 http://www.muse.pref.tochigi.lg.jp/
Excellent
18%
Good
77%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 22 reviews

Tochigi Prefectural Museum

8. Zenganji Temple

1-8-19 Minamiodori, Utsunomiya 321-0963 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-634-7717 http://www.utsunomiya-cvb.org/tourist_data/292.html
Excellent
9%
Good
73%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 11 reviews

Zenganji Temple

9. 450 Years Old Cherry Blossom Tree

583 Kogashimachi, Utsunomiya 321-0341 Tochigi Prefecture
Excellent
14%
Good
71%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 7 reviews

450 Years Old Cherry Blossom Tree

10. Tagesan Fudoson Temple

563 Tagemachi, Utsunomiya 321-0343 Tochigi Prefecture +81 28-652-1488 http://tagesan.com/
Excellent
22%
Good
65%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

Tagesan Fudoson Temple

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