Utsunomiya
From MaxTravelz
Utsunomiya (宇都宮) is the capital of Tochigi prefecture, Japan.
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Get in
By plane
From Narita Airport, take the Narita Express train to Tokyo Station and transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen (about 2 1/4 hours, ¥7510).
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 3/4 hours, ¥5200).
Infrequent buses (eight per day) run directly to Utsunomiya station from Haneda (2 1/2-3 hours, ¥3500).
The Maronie Bus makes 10 runs from Narita Airport to Utsunomiya between 8:10AM and 8:50PM. The price is about 4000yen for adults and 2000yen for children.
By train
Utsunomiya is a major train hub served by the Tohoku Shinkansen Line, JR Tohoku Main Line, JR Nikko Line and Tobu 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. The trip takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes at a cost of ¥1890.
There are also hourly departures on the Shonan-Shinjuku line from Shinjuku station, reaching Utsunomiya in roughly the same time it takes from Ueno, and at the same price.
JR Nikko Line trains, appropriately bound for Nikko, depart from Utsunomiya.
Tobu line trains run to Tobu-Utsunomiya station from Tochigi every 30 minutes or so. From Asakusa, you can reach Utsunomiya by Tobu rapid train, changing in Tochigi, in about 2 hours, but for only ¥1160.
With the exception of the Tobu line, all of these trains can be used at no charge with the Japan Rail Pass.
By bus
Kintetsu operates the Tochinoki overnight highway bus service from Osaka and Kyoto to Utsunomiya Station. It takes 10 hours from Osaka and 8 1/2 hours from Kyoto and costs ¥11000 and ¥10400 one way, respectively.
Get around
Busses are frequently available throughout the city.
See
Hachimanyama park is about 1km northwest of JR station and a popular spot during cherry blossom ("Hanami"). Futa-ara san is Utsunomiya's main shrine, located on a small hill in the city center, about 600m west of JR station. The Art Museum in the northern part of the city also has a park nearby.
Do
Buy
Utsunomiya's main pedestrian shopping street (Orion Dori) runs east from Tobu station towards JR station. West of Tobu station is Union Dori, a pedestrian street lined by fashion stores. Big shopping center "Bell Mall" is about 2km east of JR station.
Eat
Utsunomiya's sole claim to fame is its gyōza (餃子) dumplings, available fried and steamed with all sorts of stuffings through town.
Drink
Sleep
Get out
- Nikko, the grandious burial site of the Tokugawa Shoguns
- Mashiko, a town of pottery and steam trains
- Oya, a small town with a giant stone Kanon and quarry
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