Tochigi Prefecture
Encyclopedia
is a prefecture
located in the Kantō region
on the island of Honshū
, Japan
. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya
.
Nikkō
, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temple
s UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site
, is in this prefecture. Nikkō is approximately one hour by train
from Tōkyō and approximately 35 km west of the capital Utsunomiya.
Other famous parts of Tochigi include a region called Nasu
known for onsen
and local sake and ski
resorts. The Imperial
family has a villa in Nasu. Nasu-Shiobara is a major Shinkansen
station.
Another onsen resort is at Kinugawa Onsen.
The climate of Tochigi may be classified as a humid temperate zone with broad variations in temperature. Winters are arid with dry winds, while summers are humid with frequent thunderstorms.
The population of Tochigi as of November 2010 was approximately 2,005,096. The population increased until 2005, but started to decrease in 2006, as the population of Japan decreased, too. About 500,000 people live in the prefectural capital of Utsunomiya, with the remainder dispersed over 14 other cities and 17 towns.
Located in the center of the prefecture is the largest open plain in the Kantō region. Shirane (2,578 m), Nantai (2,484 m) and Nasudake (1,917 m) mountain are in the northern part of the area. Kinugawa, Nakagawa, and Watarase River originate in this region, which flow across the Kanto plain before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Tochigi is the 20th largest prefecture in Japan with a total area of 6,408 square km.
, Tochigi was known as Shimotsuke Province
.
In the early 15th century, Ashikaga University, Japan's oldest school of higher education, was re-established, holding over 3000 students by the 16th century. Saint Francis Xavier introduced Ashikaga to the world as the best university in Japan.
In the early 17th century, Japan was unified by the shōgun
Tokugawa Ieyasu
. After his death, Tōshō-gū shrine was built in Nikko on what the shoguns thought of as holy ground to protect and worship Ieyasu. The establishment of the Nikkō Tōshō-gū in 1617 brought Nikkō
to national attention. The Tokugawa Shogunate
developed the Nikkō Kaidō
(日光街道, part of the major road connecting Nikkō with Edo
) and required lavish processions to worship Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa
line of shoguns.
In the late 19th century the Tokugawa Shogunate fell and the new government established the prefectures
. The prefectural capital was established in the city of Tochigi after the unification of Utsunomiya Prefecture and Tochigi Prefecture in 1873. By 1884, however, the capital was transferred to Utsunomiya.
In March 2011, following the Fukushima I nuclear accidents, levels of radioactivity in Utsunomiya are 33 times higher than normal.http://greenworldinvestor.com/2011/03/15/nuclear-radiation-levels-and-effect-on-human-health-as-sieverts-increase-in-japan-what-you-need-to-know/
The chief city of Utsunomiya is famous for its many gyoza
specialist shops. Also located in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture has one of the largest shopping malls in the North Kantō region, Bell Mall
.
:
, one of the largest inland industrial complexes in the country.
Industrial manufacturing accounts for 36.6% of the prefecture's total output. Vehicle parts and accessories are the primary products, followed by vehicles, radios and televisions, pharmaceuticals, and wireless communication equipment.
Below are goods manufactured in Tochigi with the highest market share in Japan:
(The 2004 industrial analysis report published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
The annual gross agricultural output in Tochigi is about 274 billion yen. Rice, vegetables, and livestock are produced in the region. Tochigi is also known for strawberries, Chinese chives, and Japanese pears sold throughout Japan and exported to other countries. Approximately 55% of Tochigi is covered by forests. Mushrooms, such as Shiitake
mushrooms, make up half of the forest industry, with an output of approximately 5.6 billion yen.
Football (soccer)
Ice Hockey
Basketball
Motorsport
which was registered as the 10th World Heritage Site in 1999. This encompasses Rinnō-ji, Nikkō Tōshō-gū
, Mount Nantai
, and Futarasan Shrine
. The Kegon Falls
, also in Nikkō, is popular with tourists. To travel between the city and the falls, automobiles and buses take the Irohazaka, a road with dozens of switchbacks. In addition, 400 year-old Japanese Cedars
(about 13,000 in total) line the famous Cedar Avenue of Nikkō
for roughly 35 km, making it the longest tree-lined avenue in the world.
Japan's oldest university, Ashikaga University, as well as traditional towns such as the city of Tochigi
are also part of the prefecture's rich heritage.
A more recent and modern attraction is the Twin Ring Motegi
Circuit race course, which hosts the only IndyCar
race outside the United States. The track also hosts many other race events including Formula One
and motorcycle races as well as festivals and fireworks events.
Tochigi has many traditional festivals and events such as Nikkō Tōshō-gū's 1000 Samurai Procession and Horseback Archery Festival, and the city of Tochigi's Autumn Festival where doll floats are pulled around the city once every five years.
Other attractions include
and the new and old Route 4
. From east to west spans Route 50, connecting southern Tochigi with Ibaraki and Gunma Prefectures.
Also connecting Tochigi, Gunma, and Ibaraki is the Kita-Kantō Expressway
, with the 18.5 km that connect the Tochigi-Tsuga Interchange and the Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa Interchange. Portions of the Kita-Kantō Expressway are still being constructed and is set to be fully completed by 2011. The highway will link the region's other main transport arteries, the Tōhoku, the Jōban
and the Kan-Etsu Expressway
s, providing a link to the international port of Hitachinaka in Ibaraki.
and the JR Utsunomiya Line
are the main railways running north and south in Tochigi. Shinkansen runs from Tōkyō Station
to in south Tochigi in 43 minutes. can be reached by rail in as little as 48 minutes, and many parts of Tochigi are within commuting range of central Tōkyō. To the east and west, the Mito
and Ryōmō
Lines connect Tochigi to Ibaraki and Gunma.
Freight is served by the Utsunomiya Freight Terminal.
is approximately an hour's drive from Utsunomiya on the Tōhoku Expressway
. International and national air transportation is through Narita International Airport
to the east of Tokyo
, approximately three hours by vehicle from Utsunomiya.
Prefectures of Japan
The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...
located in the Kantō region
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
on the island of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya
Utsunomiya, Tochigi
is the capital and most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. In October 2010 the city had an estimated population of 510,416 and a population density of 1,224.49 people per square kilometer. The total area is 416.84 km². had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 Census...
.
Nikkō
Nikko, Tochigi
is a city in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists...
, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, is in this prefecture. Nikkō is approximately one hour by train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
from Tōkyō and approximately 35 km west of the capital Utsunomiya.
Other famous parts of Tochigi include a region called Nasu
Nasu
Nasu has multiple meanings.* Nasu people, an ethnic group in China, a traditional name for a region in northern Tochigi Prefecture. It is also in the names of several places in that region:**Nasushiobara, Tochigi, a city**Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi, a city...
known for onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
and local sake and ski
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
resorts. The Imperial
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
family has a villa in Nasu. Nasu-Shiobara is a major Shinkansen
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
station.
Another onsen resort is at Kinugawa Onsen.
Prefectural overview
Situated among the inland prefectures of the northern part of the Kantō region, Tochigi is contiguous with Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, and Fukushima prefecture.The climate of Tochigi may be classified as a humid temperate zone with broad variations in temperature. Winters are arid with dry winds, while summers are humid with frequent thunderstorms.
The population of Tochigi as of November 2010 was approximately 2,005,096. The population increased until 2005, but started to decrease in 2006, as the population of Japan decreased, too. About 500,000 people live in the prefectural capital of Utsunomiya, with the remainder dispersed over 14 other cities and 17 towns.
Located in the center of the prefecture is the largest open plain in the Kantō region. Shirane (2,578 m), Nantai (2,484 m) and Nasudake (1,917 m) mountain are in the northern part of the area. Kinugawa, Nakagawa, and Watarase River originate in this region, which flow across the Kanto plain before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Tochigi is the 20th largest prefecture in Japan with a total area of 6,408 square km.
History
Prior to the Meiji RestorationMeiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
, Tochigi was known as Shimotsuke Province
Shimotsuke Province
is an old province of Japan in the area of Tochigi Prefecture in the Kanto region. It was sometimes called or .The ancient capital of the province was near the city of Tochigi, but in feudal times the main center of the province was near the modern capital, Utsunomiya.-History:Different parts of...
.
In the early 15th century, Ashikaga University, Japan's oldest school of higher education, was re-established, holding over 3000 students by the 16th century. Saint Francis Xavier introduced Ashikaga to the world as the best university in Japan.
In the early 17th century, Japan was unified by the shōgun
Shogun
A was one of the hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents , were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor...
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
. After his death, Tōshō-gū shrine was built in Nikko on what the shoguns thought of as holy ground to protect and worship Ieyasu. The establishment of the Nikkō Tōshō-gū in 1617 brought Nikkō
Nikko, Tochigi
is a city in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists...
to national attention. The Tokugawa Shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
developed the Nikkō Kaidō
Nikko Kaido
The was one of the five routes of the Edo period and it was built to connect Edo with the Nikkō Tōshō-gū, which is located in the present-day city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was established in 1617 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, in order for him to have a smoother route to the shrine...
(日光街道, part of the major road connecting Nikkō with Edo
Edo
, also romanized as Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo, and was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868...
) and required lavish processions to worship Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa
Tokugawa clan
The was a powerful daimyo family of Japan. They nominally descended from Emperor Seiwa and were a branch of the Minamoto clan by the Nitta clan. However, the early history of this clan remains a mystery.-History:...
line of shoguns.
In the late 19th century the Tokugawa Shogunate fell and the new government established the prefectures
Prefectures of Japan
The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...
. The prefectural capital was established in the city of Tochigi after the unification of Utsunomiya Prefecture and Tochigi Prefecture in 1873. By 1884, however, the capital was transferred to Utsunomiya.
In March 2011, following the Fukushima I nuclear accidents, levels of radioactivity in Utsunomiya are 33 times higher than normal.http://greenworldinvestor.com/2011/03/15/nuclear-radiation-levels-and-effect-on-human-health-as-sieverts-increase-in-japan-what-you-need-to-know/
Municipalities
Jiaozi
Jiǎozi 餃子 or 饺子 , bánh bột luộc , gyōza , Mo:Mo: or Momocha म:म: or ममचा , or pot sticker is a Chinese dumpling widely spread to Japan, Eastern and Western Asia.Jiaozi typically consist of a ground meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into...
specialist shops. Also located in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture has one of the largest shopping malls in the North Kantō region, Bell Mall
Bell Mall, Utsunomiya
Bell Mall is a modern shopping mall in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It opened in 2004. -Location:Bell Mall is located near the central area of Utsunomiya City, a large regional city in the Northern Kantō region, and it is one of the largest shopping centers in the North Kantō area...
.
Cities
Fourteen cities are located in Tochigi Prefecture.
|
Nasushiobara, Tochigi is a city located in northern Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Nasushiobara is the northernmost city in the Kantō region of Japan, bordering Fukushima Prefecture to the north, as well as nationally famous Nikkō City and the town of Nasu within Tochigi.... Nikko, Tochigi is a city in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists... Otawara, Tochigi is a city located in eastern Tochigi Prefecture, Japan which is in the northern part of the Kantō region north of Tokyo. Otawara is approximately 40 kilometers north of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi, and approximately 50 km east of the historic city of Nikkō... Oyama, Tochigi is a city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.As April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 163,954, with 62,714 households, and a population density of 955.39 persons per km²... Sakura, Tochigi is a city located in Tochigi, Japan.The city was formed on March 28, 2005 with the merger of the towns of Kitsuregawa and Ujiie, both from Shioya District. It is a hiragana city.... |
Sano, Tochigi is a city located in Tochigi, Japan.The city took its current form on February 28, 2005 when the old city of Sano merged with the towns of Kuzu and Tanuma from Aso District to form the new city of Sano.The city is known for its Outlet Mall and ramen.... Shimotsuke, Tochigi is a city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.It was established on January 10, 2006, by the merger of the towns of Minamikawachi of Kawachi District and Kokubunji and Ishibashi, all from Shimotsuga District.... Tochigi, Tochigi is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Despite its name, it is not the capital of Tochigi Prefecture; the capital is Utsunomiya.The city took its current form on March 29, 2010 when the old city of Tochigi merged with the towns of Fujioka, Ōhira and Tsuga from Shimotsuga District to form... Utsunomiya, Tochigi is the capital and most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. In October 2010 the city had an estimated population of 510,416 and a population density of 1,224.49 people per square kilometer. The total area is 416.84 km². had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 Census... (capital) Yaita, Tochigi is a city located in Tochigi, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 36,259 and the density of 212.46 persons per km². The total area is 170.66 km².The city was founded on November 1, 1958.... |
Towns
These are the towns in each districtDistricts of Japan
The was most recently used as an administrative unit in Japan between 1878 and 1921 and is roughly equivalent to the county of the United States, ranking at the level below prefecture and above city, town or village. As of 2008, cities belong directly to prefectures and are independent from...
:
|
Nasu, Tochigi is a town located in Nasu District, Tochigi, Japan.As of April 1, 2008, the town has an estimated population of 26,629 and a density of 71.5 persons per km². The total area is 372.31 km².Nasu Imperial Villa is located there.-External links:*... Nakagawa, Tochigi is a town located in Nasu District, Tochigi, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 20,039. The total area is 192.84 km2.Nakagawa was created on October 1, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Batō and Ogawa, both from Nasu District....
Iwafune, Tochigi is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 19,133 and a density of 409.35 persons per km². The total area is 46.74 km².-Railway:*JR East: Ryōmō Line... Mibu, Tochigi is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 39,911 and a density of 653.42 persons per km². The total area is 61.08 km².-External links:*... Nogi, Tochigi is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 26,309 and a density of 869.72 persons per km². The total area is 30.25 km².-External links:*... |
Shioya, Tochigi is a town located in Shioya District, Tochigi, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 13,877 and a density of 78.85 persons per km². The total area is 175.99 km².-External links:*... Takanezawa, Tochigi is a town located in Shioya District, Tochigi, Japan.Takanezawa was once home of the Honda R&D Plant that hand-crafted the 1990-2004 model year NSX, 1999-2003 model year S2000, and 2000-2004 model year Insight... |
Industry and agriculture
Located close to Tōkyō, Tochigi is home to many corporations and industrial zones, including the Kiyohara Industrial ComplexIndustrial complex
Industrial complex may refer to:* A factory or collection of buildings relating to industrial production* Animal industrial complex, a term from the critical animal studies coined by Barbara Noske to describe the social production of the institutionalized exploitation of nonhuman animals.*...
, one of the largest inland industrial complexes in the country.
Industrial manufacturing accounts for 36.6% of the prefecture's total output. Vehicle parts and accessories are the primary products, followed by vehicles, radios and televisions, pharmaceuticals, and wireless communication equipment.
Below are goods manufactured in Tochigi with the highest market share in Japan:
| Product | Share |
|---|---|
| Camera lenses | 71.3% |
| X-ray equipment for medical use | 54.5% |
| Machinery and appliances for dental use | 23.5% |
| X-ray equipment parts | 57.5% |
| Injection molded plastic parts | 14.1% |
(The 2004 industrial analysis report published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
The annual gross agricultural output in Tochigi is about 274 billion yen. Rice, vegetables, and livestock are produced in the region. Tochigi is also known for strawberries, Chinese chives, and Japanese pears sold throughout Japan and exported to other countries. Approximately 55% of Tochigi is covered by forests. Mushrooms, such as Shiitake
Shiitake
The Shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries, as well as being dried and exported to many countries around the world. It is a feature of many Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai...
mushrooms, make up half of the forest industry, with an output of approximately 5.6 billion yen.
Education
Tochigi is home to many universities and colleges including those for science and technology, literature, medicine, education, and art. Below is a list of some of the universities located in Tochigi:- Utsunomiya University
- Ashikaga Institute of Technology
- International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara
- Sakushin Gakuin University, Utsunomiya
- Jichi Medical School, Shimotsuke
- Teikyo University, Utsunomiya
- Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu
- Utsunomiya Kyowa University, Utsunomiya and Nasushiobara
- Hakuoh University, Oyama
- Bunsei University of Art, Utsunomiya
- Oyama National College of Technology
- Tochigi College of Industry and Technology (Central), Utsunomiya
- Tochigi College of Industry and Technology (North), Nasu
- Tochigi College of Industry and Technology (South), Ashikaga
Sports
The sports teams listed below are based in Tochigi.Football (soccer)
- Tochigi S.C.Tochigi S.C.are a football club based in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. They play in the J. League Division 2. Their team colour is yellow.Tochigi, uniquely, is the only major Japanese professional club to retain the word "soccer" in its English name, despite efforts by football authorities to...
(UtsunomiyaUtsunomiya, Tochigiis the capital and most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. In October 2010 the city had an estimated population of 510,416 and a population density of 1,224.49 people per square kilometer. The total area is 416.84 km². had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 Census...
)
Ice Hockey
- Nikkō Ice Bucks (NikkōNikko, Tochigiis a city in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists...
)
Basketball
Motorsport
- Twin Ring MotegiTwin Ring Motegiis an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. Its name comes from the facility having two race tracks: a oval and a road course. It was built in 1997 by Honda, as part of Honda's effort to bring the IndyCar Series to Japan, helping to increase their knowledge of American open-wheel...
circuit
Tourism
Nikkō National Park is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
which was registered as the 10th World Heritage Site in 1999. This encompasses Rinnō-ji, Nikkō Tōshō-gū
Nikko Tosho-gu
is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikkō", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada...
, Mount Nantai
Mount Nantai
is a stratovolcano in the Nikkō National Park in central Honshū, the main island of Japan. It stands at 2,486 m high. A prominent landmark, it can be seen on clear days from as far as the Pacific coast, 100 km away....
, and Futarasan Shrine
Futarasan Shrine
, also known as Nikkō Futarasan Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. To distinguish it from the shrine in nearby Utsunomiya. It enshrines three deities: Ōkuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone....
. The Kegon Falls
Kegon Falls
are located at Lake Chūzenji in Nikkō National Park near the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The falls were formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flows...
, also in Nikkō, is popular with tourists. To travel between the city and the falls, automobiles and buses take the Irohazaka, a road with dozens of switchbacks. In addition, 400 year-old Japanese Cedars
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria is a monotypic genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes only one species, Cryptomeria japonica . It is endemic to Japan, where it is known as Sugi...
(about 13,000 in total) line the famous Cedar Avenue of Nikkō
Cedar Avenue of Nikko
The is a street in Japan lined with approximately 13,000 cryptomeria trees, known as Sugi, the national tree of Japan. Consisting of three parts converging on the city of Imaichi, the Cedar Avenue of Nikkō is 35.41 kilometers long and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest...
for roughly 35 km, making it the longest tree-lined avenue in the world.
Tochigi, Tochigi
is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Despite its name, it is not the capital of Tochigi Prefecture; the capital is Utsunomiya.The city took its current form on March 29, 2010 when the old city of Tochigi merged with the towns of Fujioka, Ōhira and Tsuga from Shimotsuga District to form...
are also part of the prefecture's rich heritage.
A more recent and modern attraction is the Twin Ring Motegi
Twin Ring Motegi
is an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. Its name comes from the facility having two race tracks: a oval and a road course. It was built in 1997 by Honda, as part of Honda's effort to bring the IndyCar Series to Japan, helping to increase their knowledge of American open-wheel...
Circuit race course, which hosts the only IndyCar
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
race outside the United States. The track also hosts many other race events including Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
and motorcycle races as well as festivals and fireworks events.
Tochigi has many traditional festivals and events such as Nikkō Tōshō-gū's 1000 Samurai Procession and Horseback Archery Festival, and the city of Tochigi's Autumn Festival where doll floats are pulled around the city once every five years.
Other attractions include
- Nikkō Tōshō-gūNikko Tosho-guis a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikkō", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada...
- Rinnō-jiRinno-jiis a complex of 15 Buddhist temple buildings in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The site was established in the year 766 by the Buddhist monk, Shōdō. Due to its geographic isolation, deep in the mountains of Japan, the site soon attracted other Buddhist monks in search of solitude. ...
- Futarasan ShrineFutarasan Shrine, also known as Nikkō Futarasan Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. To distinguish it from the shrine in nearby Utsunomiya. It enshrines three deities: Ōkuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone....
- Kegon FallsKegon Fallsare located at Lake Chūzenji in Nikkō National Park near the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The falls were formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flows...
- Lake ChuzenjiLake Chuzenjiis a scenic lake in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was created 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the river...
- Kirifuri Falls
- Mashiko
- Shiobara Hot Spring
- Nasu resort area
- Kinugawa Hot Spring
- Twin Ring MotegiTwin Ring Motegiis an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. Its name comes from the facility having two race tracks: a oval and a road course. It was built in 1997 by Honda, as part of Honda's effort to bring the IndyCar Series to Japan, helping to increase their knowledge of American open-wheel...
(motorsports complex)
Roadways
Traversing the prefecture along the north-south axis and connecting to the rest of the country are the Tōhoku ExpresswayTohoku Expressway
The is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned by Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming:Tōhoku refers to the Tōhoku region, the northernmost region on the island of Honshū....
and the new and old Route 4
Route 4 (Japan)
National Route 4 is a major highway in eastern Honshū, Japan. The longest of the ordinary highways in Japan, it originates in Chūō, Tokyo and stretches north for 743.6 km to the city of Aomori in Aomori Prefecture. From Saitama Prefecture to Iwate Prefecture, it parallels the Tōhoku...
. From east to west spans Route 50, connecting southern Tochigi with Ibaraki and Gunma Prefectures.
Also connecting Tochigi, Gunma, and Ibaraki is the Kita-Kantō Expressway
Kita-Kanto Expressway
The is a 4-laned national expressway in Japan. It is owned and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Overview:The route connects the capitals of the 3 northern prefectures in the Kantō region - Maebashi, Utsunomiya, and Mito....
, with the 18.5 km that connect the Tochigi-Tsuga Interchange and the Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa Interchange. Portions of the Kita-Kantō Expressway are still being constructed and is set to be fully completed by 2011. The highway will link the region's other main transport arteries, the Tōhoku, the Jōban
Joban Expressway
The , abbreviated , is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming:Jōban is a kanji acronym consisting of two characters...
and the Kan-Etsu Expressway
Kan-Etsu Expressway
The is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and managed by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming: is the kanji acronym of and the old comprising modern-day Niigata Prefecture....
s, providing a link to the international port of Hitachinaka in Ibaraki.
Railways
The Tōhoku ShinkansenTohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
and the JR Utsunomiya Line
Utsunomiya Line
The is the name given to a 159.9 kilometre section of the Tōhoku Main Line between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Kuroiso Station in Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan...
are the main railways running north and south in Tochigi. Shinkansen runs from Tōkyō Station
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
to in south Tochigi in 43 minutes. can be reached by rail in as little as 48 minutes, and many parts of Tochigi are within commuting range of central Tōkyō. To the east and west, the Mito
Mito Line
The is a railway line between Oyama Station in Tochigi Prefecture and Tomobe Station in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The line is long and is owned and operated by the East Japan Railway Company .- Station list :* All trains stop at every station....
and Ryōmō
Ryomo Line
The is a Japanese railway line between the cities of Oyama in Tochigi Prefecture and Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture. long, the line is owned and operated by the East Japan Railway Company . The name refers to the fact that Gunma and Tochigi prefectures were once part of an ancient province called ,...
Lines connect Tochigi to Ibaraki and Gunma.
Freight is served by the Utsunomiya Freight Terminal.
- East Japan Railway CompanyEast Japan Railway Companyis the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
- Tōhoku ShinkansenTohoku ShinkansenThe is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
- Shōnan-Shinjuku LineShonan-Shinjuku LineThe is a passenger railway service in Japan which commenced in December 2001. The line has no dedicated track as services run through shared sections along the Ryōmō Line, Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, Yamanote Freight Line, Yokosuka Line, and Tōkaidō Main Line...
- Utsunomiya LineUtsunomiya LineThe is the name given to a 159.9 kilometre section of the Tōhoku Main Line between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Kuroiso Station in Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan...
(Tōhoku Main Line) - Nikkō LineNikko LineThe is a railway line operated by East Japan Railway Company which runs from to .Both the Tōbu and JR East railway stations in Nikkō are located within walking distance of each other.-Station list:* Trains can pass each other at any station....
- Ryōmō LineRyomo LineThe is a Japanese railway line between the cities of Oyama in Tochigi Prefecture and Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture. long, the line is owned and operated by the East Japan Railway Company . The name refers to the fact that Gunma and Tochigi prefectures were once part of an ancient province called ,...
- Mito LineMito LineThe is a railway line between Oyama Station in Tochigi Prefecture and Tomobe Station in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The line is long and is owned and operated by the East Japan Railway Company .- Station list :* All trains stop at every station....
- Karasuyama LineKarasuyama LineThe is a railway line owned and operated by East Japan Railway Company in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It runs from in the town of Takanezawa to in Nasukarasuyama.-Services:...
- Tōhoku Shinkansen
- TobuTobu Railwayis a Japanese commuter railway company in the Greater Tokyo Area as well as an intercity and regional operator in the Kantō region. It operates in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi, and Gunma Prefectures...
- Isesaki Line
- Nikko Line
- Kinugawa LineTobu Kinugawa LineThe is a 16.2-km long Japanese railway line from Shimo-Imaichi Station to Shin-Fujiwara Station in Nikkō, Tochigi. It is owned and operated by Tobu Railway. Its name was taken after Kinugawa Onsen hot spring resort area the line serves....
- Utsunomiya LineTobu Utsunomiya LineThe is a 24.3-kilometre regional railway line in Tochigi Prefecture of Japan from Shin-Tochigi Station in Tochigi City to Tōbu Utsunomiya Station in Utsunomiya, which is owned and operated by Tobu Railway....
- Sano LineTobu Sano LineThe is railway line in Japan, operated by the private Tōbu Railway company from Tatebayashi Station in Tatebayashi city, Gunma Prefecture to Kuzū Station in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture....
- Mooka Railway
- Yagan RailwayYagan RailwayThe is a Japanesse railway company whose major shareholders include the Tochigi and Fukushima prefectural governments. It operates a single railway line, the ....
- Watarase Keikoku LineWatarase Keikoku Railway Watarase Keikoku LineThe is a Japanese railway line between Kiryū Station in Kiryū, Gunma and Matō Station in Nikkō, Tochigi. This is the only railway line that the third-sector company operates. The company and line are also known as or . The company acquired the line from the East Japan Railway Company in 1989...
Air travel
Fukushima AirportFukushima Airport
, is an airport serving Sukagawa, a city in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan. The airport is located southeast of Kōriyama Station in Kōriyama.A popular TV drama, Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World, was filmed there.-Airlines and destinations:...
is approximately an hour's drive from Utsunomiya on the Tōhoku Expressway
Tohoku Expressway
The is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned by Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming:Tōhoku refers to the Tōhoku region, the northernmost region on the island of Honshū....
. International and national air transportation is through Narita International Airport
Narita International Airport
is an international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is located east of Tokyo Station and east-southeast of Narita Station in the city of Narita, and the adjacent town of Shibayama....
to the east of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, approximately three hours by vehicle from Utsunomiya.