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  It’s exciting to be in a city new to you.
Utsunomiya will always live up to your expectations.

Around Futaarayama Shrine from which the name of Utsunomiya stems, lots of famous places are dotted : shopping avenues, parks, eating places and night spots.
In Utsunomiya with a long history, there are a slew of cultural heritages.
 
 The structures built of Ohya Stone
Ohya Stone, special product of Utsunomiya, has quiet green color and add to the unique tint with years. You will find the building of Ohya stone here and there in Utsunomiya : old ware-houses, churches, and momuments, to name but a few. The statute of Gyoza just in front of the JR Utsunomiya station is made of Ohya stone. In other words, it is the street of Ohya stone that forms the unique landscape of Utsunomiya.
 
 Matugamine Church
The church, built in 1932, is full-dress Romanesque cathedral. Almost all the building is composed of Ohya Stone including exterior and interior walls. The twin towers in the façade produce the noble and dignified mood.
> From JR Utsunomiya, get on the Kanto Bus bound for Sakushin Gakuin (8 min), get off at Tobu Utsunomiya Station, walk 3 min.
> 1-1-5 Matugamine, Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-635-0405
 
 St. John Church
The capel as well as the bell tower is made of Ohya Stone, which produces the impression of simplicity. The interior is decorated with elegant exposed logs that create a space fit for a chapel. This historic church was built in 1933.
> From JR Utsunomiya, get on Kanto bus bound for Sakushin Gakuin, get off Sakura-dori Jyumonji, walk 3 min.
> 2-3-27 Sakura Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-622-3853
 
 Futaarayama Shrine
Utsunomiya has enjoyed its prosperity around Futaarayama woods.
Futaarayama Shrine has been the spiritual anchorage for the citizens in Utsunomiya.
Many people visit the shrine on such occasions as New Year’s Day, Shitigosan (the ceremony for children of 3, 5 and 7years of age), wishing for help of passing the entrance examination.
The shrine has a long history : founded about 1,600 years ago to dedicate the spirit of Toyokirihikonomikoto, the founder of Utsunomiya. People say the name of Utsunomiya stems from the shimotuke-Ichinomiya.
It houses an iron guardian dog and a helmet as the treasure of the shrine that are designated as national important arts.
The gate and approach to the shrine are beautifully illuminated at night.
> From JR Utsunomiya, get on Kanto bus bound for Sakushin Gakuin, get off Bara-cho : illumination : sunset to 22:00
> 1-1-1 Baba-dori Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-622-5271
 
 Former Shinohara Family Residence
The time-honored residence of venerable family in Utsunomiya whose history dates back to Edo period. Main building built in 1895, stone warehouses, outer walls made with black mortar, the façade which characterized merchant houses in those days are worth seeing.
> From JR Utsunomiya Station, walk 3 min.
> Open : 9:00-16:30 (from Nov.1 to Mar.31 : 16:00)
> 1-4-33 Imaizumi Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-624-2200
 
 Bronze Statue of Three Soybeans Buddha (Zenganji-Temple)
The bronze Buddha, 3.6 meters in height, is located in the precincts of Zenganji-temple.
The legend goes : the way back when one traveling priest donated 3 soybeans and suggested that people should grow them to raise money to build the statute. The followers built the statute using the money as fund.
The stature is very popular as the Buddha of saving.
> From JR Utsunomiya, west exit : 8 min walk.
> Zenganji 1-8-19 Ohdori Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-634-7717
 
 The Iron Stupa (Seiganji-Temple)
The only existing stupa in Japan is in precincts of Seiganji Temple.
It is 3.3 meters high, 6.6 centimeters thick.
The inscription reads as follows : Mother is the most venerable for you, unless you devoted to your Mother, nothing can’t be accomplished.
> From JR Utsunomiya, west exit : 5 min walk. Application is need.
> Seiganji 5-3-14 Ohdori Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-627-7676
 
 The Bell of Oyori (Hozoji Temple)
The bell located in the precincts of Hozoji Temple was donated by Lord Utsunomiya.
The name “Oyori” stems from partly because the sound of the bell reached as far as 4 ri (yori-16km) and partly it was struck by high-ranking people who visited Utsunomiya.
> From JR Utsunomiya west exit : 3 min walk.
> Hozoji 4-2-12 Ohdori Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-622-4130
 
 Gamoh Shrine
Adjacent to Hachimannyama-Park, Gamoh shrine lies. It enshrines Kumpei Gamoh, one of the three unique characters of Kansei-period (Edo era).
The shrine-gate (torii) was donated by the famous sumo grand champion (yokozuna) -Tochigi Yama in Taisyo Era. The monument of the first yokozuna-Akashi Shiganosuke is also there.
> JR Utsunomiya, west exit, get on Kanto bus bound for Sakushin Gakuin, get off Kencho-mae : 10 min walk.
 
 Street
Orion Street :
The busiest street in Tochigi Prefecture.
An array of speciality shops are along the shopping streets.
Ohdori = Broadway :
Main streets of Utsunomiya that are lined with banks and office buildings.
Bamba street :
The street with lots of shops in front of Futaarayama shrine has a long history.
It used to be the busiest street of Utsunomiya lined with movie theaters and small retail shops.
Union street :
The street is cited to be Harajuku in Utsunomiya. Young people flock to the shops.
It is designated as the 100 most lively streets in Japan.
Hino-machi street
The time-honored street opened by Hino-Shonin.
Izumi-cho street :
The busiest night spot in Tochigi jammed with snack bars and the like.
Symbol road :
The avenue connecting the prefectural offoce with the city hall.
Gaslights are lit at night.
Kamagawa promenade :
The street along the Kamagawa that is running through the center of Utsunomiya.
It is popular as a suitable place for stroll and relax.
The illuminated night view is fabulous.
 
 The Big Gingko
This is the natural treasure of Utsunomiya and was located in the premises of the former Utsunomiya Castle. The gingko is 400 years old, 33 meters high, the branches spread out 10 meters eastward and westward, 13meters southward and northward.
People call it the symbol of Utsunomiya.
> From JR Utsunomiya, get on Kanto bus bound for Sakushin Gakuin, get off Kencho-mae : 6 min walk.
 
 Gohonmaru Park
Utsunomiya castle has a long history. People say a fort was first founded by Hidesato Fujiwara in 940. Many lords of the castle were received until it was burnt down during the battle of Boshin in Meiji period.
Now the vestige of the dungeon remains there.
Documents about the castle are exhibited at Seimei-kan in the park.
> From JR Utsunomiya, west exit, get on Kanto bus bound for Sakushingakuin,get off Futaarayama-mae, walk 8 min.
> 1-15 Honmaru-cho Utsunomiya : (phone) 028-638-9390 (Seimeikan)
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