Tochigi, Japan

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Tochigi, Japan

Region: Tochigi Prefecture

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Geographic Coordinates: 36.381300, 139.730000

Climate: Tochigi, Japan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. The region experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, with the heaviest precipitation occurring in June and September.

Population: 153508

Language: Japanese

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Tochigi is a prefecture located in the Kanto region of Japan. It’s famous for its natural beauty, Cultural heritage, And local cuisine. The region is easily accessible by train or car from Tokyo and provides an excellent escape from the city. One of Tochigi’s most popular attractions is Nikko National Park, Which features breathtaking waterfalls, Hot springs, And hiking trails. It also houses several UNESCO World Heritage sites like Toshogu Shrine – a grand temple complex dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ashikaga Flower Park is another must-see destination in Tochigi – it’s one of Japan’s largest flower parks.

Visitors can enjoy walking through fields filled with colorful blooms such as wisteria and roses or admire the park’s illuminated displays at night. Food enthusiasts will find plenty to savor in Tochigi as well – gyoza (dumplings) made in Utsunomiya city are particularly famous along with locally grown buckwheat flour soba noodles. Other regional delicacies include yuba (tofu skin), Strawberries, And sake brewed using pristine mountain stream water. For those interested in history and culture, Tochigi has various museums showcasing traditional crafts like lacquerware making or papermaking.

Visitors can also experience life during Japan’s Edo period at Kirifuri Highland where actors dressed in period costumes perform traditional dances and martial arts demonstrations. outdoor activities such as camping or cycling along scenic routes like the Kinugawa River Cycling Road are popular options for tourists visiting Tochigi prefecture. During winter months visitors can ski at Nasu Ski Resort or take a dip in one of the many hot springs available throughout the region. Overall, Whether you’re interested in history, Culture food or nature – there is something for everyone to explore here!

With its easy access from Tokyo and wealth of attractions on offer, Make sure to add Tochigi to your Japan travel itinerary.

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1. Nikko Toshogu Shrine
2. Nikko National Park
3. Kinugawa Onsen
4. Ashikaga Flower Park
5. Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura
6. Nasu Rindo Lake View
7. Oya History Museum and Underground Quarry
8. Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park
9. Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts
10. Shiobara Onsen Hot Springs

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• Tochigi boasts a thriving manufacturing industry, with a focus on automotive and electronics sectors.
• Some of the prominent businesses operating in Tochigi include:
1. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
2. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
3. Canon Inc.
4. Toshiba Corporation
5. Utsunomiya City Gas Co., Ltd.
6. Tochigi Prefecture Agricultural Cooperative Association
7. Konica Minolta, Inc.
8. OMRON Corporation
9. Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd.
10. Toyota Boshoku Corporation
• In addition to these industries, Tochigi is also known for:
• Food processing and agriculture sectors
• Particularly for strawberry cultivation
• Growing tourism industry

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Noteable History

1. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a historical site in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was built as a mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate during the 17th century.
2. The Battle of Kawanakajima is a significant event in Japanese history that occurred in 1561 between two powerful samurai clans, Takeda and Uesugi.
3. Sano City has been known for its production of cotton and silk fabrics since the Edo period (1603-1868) and remains an important hub for textile manufacturing today.
4. Basho Matsuo was a renowned poet who lived during the Edo period (1644-1694) and is recognized as one of Japan’s greatest poets. He traveled extensively around Japan, spending time in Tochigi Prefecture.
5. Oya Stone Museum showcases sculptures made from Oya stone, a unique type of stone found only in Tochigi Prefecture. The museum exhibits works by both Japanese and international artists.
6. Nasu Imperial Villa served as Emperor Hirohito’s summer residence during his reign from 1926 to 1989 and is located in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture.
7. Hideyo Noguchi was an accomplished bacteriologist who discovered the agent that causes syphilis while working at Rockefeller University in New York City. He spent much of his childhood living with relatives near Mibu, Tochigi Prefecture although he was born Inawashiro, Fukushima prefecture.
8. Tomica is an international toy company famous for producing die-cast model cars popular among children worldwide. The company’s headquarters are located in Tomica which is situated within Tochigi prefecture.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Nikko Toshogu Shrine: This UNESCO World Heritage site is a stunning example of Shinto architecture, featuring intricate carvings and gold leaf decorations.
2. Oya History Museum: A former underground quarry turned museum, showcasing the history and geology of the Oya stone quarries in Tochigi.
3. Nasu Heisei-no-mori Forest Park: A beautiful park with walking trails and outdoor activities, including a botanical garden and an observatory tower.
4. Ashikaga Flower Park: Known for its breathtaking wisteria tunnels, this park also features seasonal flowers and light displays throughout the year.
5. Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts: Exhibiting both Japanese and international art collections, including works by local artists from Tochigi prefecture.
6. Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park: The remains of a 16th-century castle with reconstructed walls and gates, offering panoramic views of Utsunomiya city.
7. Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge: A suspension bridge over the Kinugawa River with scenic views of the surrounding mountains and foliage during autumn season.
8. Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura: An amusement park showcasing traditional Japanese culture during the Edo period (1603-1868), featuring shows, shops, restaurants, ninja experiences etc..
9. Kegon Falls : One of Japan’s three most beautiful waterfalls located in Nikko National Park
10. Tobu World Square : Miniature models representing famous world landmarks like Eiffel Tower , Great Wall Of China etc..

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Sports Teams

1. Tochigi SC is a professional football club located in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. Established in 1953, they currently participate in the J2 League.
2. Oyama SC is a semi-professional football club situated in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture. Founded in 1977, they compete in the Japan Football League.
3. Nikko Ice Bucks is an ice hockey team based out of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture that was established in 2005 and plays within the Asia League Ice Hockey.
4. Brex Tokai University Brave Thunders is a basketball team that originated as Toshiba Brave Thunders Kanagawa (Kawasaki) before relocating to Utsunomiya and changing their name to Brex Tokai University Brave Thunders. They are situated in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture.
5. Moka Queen Bees is a women’s volleyball team that operates professionally as part of the V.League Division 1 Women’s Volleyball League and calls Moka, Tochigi Prefecture home.
6. Ashikaga Red Bull Racing Team competes at various levels of motorcycle racing including MotoGP, Superbike World Championship, and All Japan Road Race Championship among others.
7. Tochigiken FC Horizon was founded on March 12th,2010.In March same year they joined Kanto Soccer league Division Two North.They won championship two years later,and promoted to Kanto soccer league division one.They played there for four years,and now they are playing at Kanto soccer league division two north again since 2016.

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Cultural Events

1. Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival: This annual festival in Utsunomiya, Tochigi celebrates the city’s famous gyoza dumplings.
2. Nikko Toshogu Shrine Grand Festival: The Nikko Toshogu Shrine hosts this festival featuring traditional Japanese music, dance performances, and a parade of portable shrines.
3. Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination: During this event, the Ashikaga Flower Park illuminates its stunning displays of wisteria flowers at night.
4. Nasu Kogen Beer Festival: This beer festival in Nasu Kogen offers local craft beers from Tochigi prefecture as well as food stalls and live music.
5. Sano Ramen Expo: Celebrating the delicious ramen noodles of Sano city, this expo features various types of ramen from different shops around the area.
6. Kinugawa Onsen Fireworks Festival: The Kinugawa Onsen resort area hosts this fireworks festival with a spectacular display over the river lighting up the sky.
7. Tochigi Autumn Leaves Festival: Held in various locations throughout Tochigi prefecture during autumn season to celebrate the beauty of fall foliage with food stalls and music performances among other activities.

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Cuisine

1. Yuba – a specialty dish made from soy milk skin. Some popular yuba restaurants in Tochigi include Yuba no Sato and Kawahara.
2. Nikko Beef – high-quality beef from the Nikko region of Tochigi. Some popular restaurants to try Nikko Beef include Nikko Kanaya Hotel’s French Restaurant La Cascade and Otsuka.
3. Miso Nabe – a hot pot dish made with miso soup base and various ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, meat, and seafood. Some popular places to try Miso Nabe include Kinugawa Onsen Ryokan Association and Kappou Hirasawa.
4. Strawberry picking farms – Tochigi is known for its delicious strawberries, especially during the winter season. Some strawberry picking farms to visit include Ichigo no Sato Nasu Highland Park and Minamikawachi Farm.
5. Soba noodles – buckwheat noodles that are a staple food in Japan. Some popular soba noodle restaurants in Tochigi include Okina-tei Soba Restaurant and Hanaoka Sobaten.
6. Utsunomiya Gyoza – famous dumplings from Utsunomiya city in Tochigi prefecture that come with various fillings such as pork, vegetables or cheese-filled gyoza at Gyoza Stadium or Ippudo Ramen shop at Parco department store.
7. Ramen- Ramen is also very famous here with many shops like Menya Musashi ramen shop or Tsuruichi ramen shop serving delicious bowls of ramen.
8. Matcha sweets- Matcha sweets like matcha ice cream or matcha cake can be found easily at cafes like Matchacha Cafe Chayamachi or Tsutsujian Tea House.
9. Sake- Tochigi is known for its sake production. You can try different types of sake at breweries like Takahashi Sake Brewery or Harada Sake Brewery.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Nikko National Park – offers hiking, camping, and breathtaking scenic views.
2. Kinugawa Onsen – a perfect place to relax in hot springs and enjoy outdoor activities.
3. Nasu Highland Park – an amusement park with thrilling rides and exciting attractions.
4. Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park – a historical site that showcases cherry blossom viewing during springtime.
5. Oya History Museum and Underground Quarry – take an underground tour of this former quarry turned museum.
6. Ashikaga Flower Park – famous for its stunning wisteria blooms during springtime.
7. Tobu World Square- miniature models of world-famous landmarks will leave you amazed!
8. Kegon Falls- offers a picturesque waterfall with breathtaking scenic views to admire.
9. Toshogu Shrine- visit this historical site to appreciate the beautiful architecture it has to offer.
10. Nasu Animal Kingdom- explore various animals from around the world at this zoo!

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Explore The World!

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