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Utsunomiya

Country
Japan
State
Tochigi
City
Utsunomiya
Type of Location
Multiple
About Location

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Places to Visit
How to Reach

By plane

From 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.
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 . A cheaper trip is to continue up the Yamanote to Ueno station and change to the JR Utsunomiya commuter line .
Separate Airport Limousine bus services - each called the Marronnier run between JR Utsunomiya Station and both Narita Airport and Haneda Airport.

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.

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. This service has been spotty with suspensions; it is usually cheaper and more reliable to take a train to Tokyo Station or Shinjuku station, then to ride a bus to your destination from there.
Mito, the capital of neighboring Ibaraki, has highway bus service connecting with Utsunomiya, with departures hourly in either direction.
 

Key places to visit
Hachimanyama Park, Utsunomiya Castle, Matsugamine Church, Futarasan Shrine, Utsunomiya Science Park, Utsunomiya Zoo


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Places to Visit

Hachimanyama Park

About 1km northwest of JR station and a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing . Futa-ara-san is Utsunomiya's main shrine, located on a small hill in the city center, about 600m west of JR station.

Utsunomiya Castle

The castle is Utsunomiya's claim to Japanese Royalty, where the emperor or other royal members would rest and/or change horses before their last leg to Nikko. The castle is reconstructed from previous excavations and is an excellent place to picnic, but little else. Historical significance and exhibits are limited. Located within two blocks of Utsunomiya City Hall. Can be reached by walking, but first-time visitors may prefer to take a taxi.

Matsugamine 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.

Futarasan Shrine

This is probably the most popular shrine in Utsunomiya. The front is lined by a massive stairway several stories in height before ending at a large temple. Excellent for pictures and very convenient.

Utsunomiya Science Park

This is one of Japan’s most famous Science Museums, featuring Japan’s entry into the space race, here you will find rockets and all other sorts of Japanese feats of technology. It attracts over 1 million visitors per year, make the most of your visit and stay overnight.
The Science Museum also organises “Science Night”, “all night extravaganza with a scientific twist”. Up to 380 children aged between 8 and 11, accompanied by adults, are invited to spend an evening performing fun “science based” activities and then spend the night sleeping in the museum galleries amongst the exhibits.
In the morning, they’re woken to breakfast and more science, watching an IMAX film before the end of the event.

Utsunomiya Zoo

552-2 Kami Kanai Utsunomiya (From JR Utsunomiya, get on Kanto bus bound for Ishinada, get off Shimokanai 5 min walk.).Not Less than an average zoo, And also you can feed the animals.

Right Time to Visit

March - June

Temperature

Information not available


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