Travel Back in Time: Utsunomiya’s Long and Rich History by Venice Aka
About this Utsunomiya City Local Travel Guide
This Utsunomiya City local travel guide for history is for those looking for historical places to visit near Tokyo. The city has a long history in Japanese religion and warfare, which I find fascinating. Here are a few must-see historical spots for those who wish to learn more about what it was like during Japan’s early times.
Who is this travel guide for?
This Utsunomiya City travel guide for history is aimed towards the casual traveller of any age. Above all, those that enjoy history.
Total budget?
¥4,000 – ¥6,000 per person
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Blast From the Past
Shinohara Family House
The Old Shinohara Family House is a black traditional Japanese-style house near JR Utsunomiya station. It was an old merchant’s house which operated way back around the Edo period. It’s interesting to see old structures like the wooden staircase with drawers and secret doors for transactions. In addition, you can also see how wealthy people used to live in the past. The old house is a quick 3-minute walk from the JR Utsunomiya Station’s West Exit.
Fee: 100JPY(cash) Time: 9 AM-5 PM
(Location: Google Map)
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A Thousand Six-Hundred-Year-Old Shrine
Futaarayama Shrine
Established around 400AD, Futaarayama Shrine is approximately 1,600 years old and is one of the oldest structures in Utsunomiya City. It’s located at the centre of the city and has a huge tori gate leading to a staircase going up to the main shrine. It is also home to 12 “Massha” or sub-shrines like the Hatsutatsu Inari Shrine at the left side of the main shrine. It’s also the centre of big festivals held in Utsunomiya like the yearly Miya-matsuri. Fee: Free, Office hours : 8:30 AM-3:50 PM
(Location: Google Map)
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The Center of Utsunomiya’s First Towns
Utsunomiya Castle Park Ruins
The first stable settlement in the city was said to be around the Utsunomiya Castle Park Ruins lead by the Utsunomiya Clan. You can visit the park’s museum and learn about early settlements, festivals, and the urban legends about this place. You can also go up to the walls and take a peek at one of the castle’s reconstructed areas. It is also surrounded by beautiful cherry trees that bloom during springtime.
Museum fee: 100JPY(cash) Time: 9 AM-7 PM
(Location: Google Map)
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A Church Made of Oya Stone
Matsugamine Catholic Church
Matsugamine Catholic Church is a hundred-year-old church and just a 5-minute walk from Tobu Utsunomiya Station. Most importantly, the building is quite a charmer due to its structure made with Oya stone, a famous local stone mined in Utsunomiya. Everyone is free to enter the church and look around its beautiful architecture. The Church’s English masses are held every 1st and 3rd Sunday at 2 PM. Fee: free
(Location: Google Map)
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Utsunomiya’s Ancient Village
Negoyadai Ruins
Negoyadai Ruins is an archaeological site excavated during 1982-1986, where prehistoric signs of dwellings were found. The reconstructed village is made to look like the original “Jomon” settlement (14,000-1,000BC) . You can enter and view several huts and get that feeling of being in an ancient village. Fee: free
(Location: Google Map)
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Walking on Fire
Tegesan Fudoson
Tegesan Fudoson, this Buddist temple, was built on the hillside of Mt. Taki in 822AD. Every May, the temple holds a Firewalking event in which visitors can also participate for a fee. Besides walking on the burning coal, participants are also granted a blessing for good wishes, which is part of the ritual.
Fee: Entrance-free, Walk on coal-5,000JPY.
(Location: Google Map)
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My favorite places to eat in Utsunomiya city
Japanese
Sobayagura is probably one of the most popular ramen shops amongst foreigners here in Utsunomiya. They have this insanely huge chasu or pork slices on their ramen and it tastes amazingly good and the texture is so soft. That is to say, my personal favourite is the shoyu (soy sauce) based ramen.
1,000-1,500 per person.
English-No
Location : Google Map
Western / Other
If you’re looking for a chill vibe, Fudan Cafe is a good choice. They have sandwiches, coffee, tea, pasta, wine, dessert, and more. I love their pasta and desserts specifically. For something a little bit more sophisticated, I recommend Ishi no Kura石の蔵 or stone warehouse. The restaurant offers a course meal inspired by local Japanese cuisine and is excellent for an intimate dinner. It is made of Oya stone and the interior has this cosy classy vibe.
6,000-11,000JPY per person. English-Partly
Location : Google Map
Itinerary (Ideas for a day trip)
Morning
- Utsunomiya Futaarayama Shrine
- Jikoji Temple
- Old Shinohara Family House
Afternoon
- Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park(picnic OK)
- Negoyadai Ruins
- Matsugamine Catholic Church
Evening
- Ishi no Kura
- Wakayama Bamboo Farm
- Orion Dori
Lunch
- 7-Eleven to pick out picnic food
- Café&Diner Mother Road
- Sobayagura
Dinner
- Saya 38 House
- Genghis khan Jinsuke
- Piyo Pizza
Stay
- The Grand Spa
- Richmond Hotel Ekimae
- Smile Hotel Utsunomiya Nishiguchi Ekimae
Find out more about Utsunomiya Ciy here!
Local writer: Venice is a former flight attendant and now YouTuber who loves exploring and adventure. She has been to 20 countries and has a fascination with Japanese culture and history. She moved to Japan two years ago with her husband and is now making videos about her travel experiences around the country.
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