Utsunomiya

Utsunomiya(宇都宮市,Utsunomiya-shi,[ɯᵝt͡sɯ̃ᵝno̞mija̠])is the capital and largest city ofTochigi Prefecturein the northernKantō regionofJapan. As of 1 July 2023, the city had an estimated population of 513,584, and a population density of 1,232 persons per square kilometre (3,190/sq mi). The total area of the city is 416.85 km(160.95 sq mi).Utsunomiya is famous for itsgyoza(pan fried dumplings). There are more than two hundredgyozarestaurants in Utsunomiya.
Greater Utsunomiya(ja:宇都宮都市圏,Utsunomiya Toshi-ken)had a population of 888,005 in the 2000 census. The nearby city ofOyamais included in Greater Tokyo, but Greater Utsunomiya is not, despite the two areas amalgamating somewhat. It is the 10th most populated city in theKantō region.
Utsunomiya is located in south-central Tochigi Prefecture in the northernKantō plains. It is approximately 100 km (60 mi) north ofTokyo. The historic town ofNikkōis approximately 25 km (15 mi) northwest of Utsunomiya. The average elevation of the city is 100 metres (330 ft).
Tochigi Prefecture
Utsunomiya has ahumid subtropical climate(Köppen climate classificationCfa) with hot and humid summers and cool winters. The average annual temperature in Utsunomiya is 14.3 °C (57.7 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,524.7 mm (60.03 in) with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0 °C (78.8 °F), and lowest in January, at around 2.8 °C (37.0 °F).
Per Japanese census data,the population of Utsunomiya has recently plateaued after decades of strong growth.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that the area of Utsunomiya has been continuously settled since theJapanese Paleolithicperiod onwards, and numerousburial moundsfrom theKofun periodare found within its borders. The Utsunomiya Futarasan Shrine(宇都宮二荒山神社), which is theIchinomiyaofShimotsuke Provinceclaims to have been founded in 353 AD. The town of Utsunomiya developed around this shrine, and the area was under the control of the Utsunomiya clan, an offshoot of theFujiwara clanfrom theHeianthroughSengoku periods, and was destroyed byToyotomi Hideyoshi.
During theEdo period, the Utsunomiya area was ruled by a succession ofdaimyōclans underUtsunomiya Domain, and prospered from its location at the junction of theNikkō Kaidōand theŌshū Kaidō. During theBakumatsu periodBoshin War, theBattle of Utsunomiya Castlewas a major conflict in the northern Kantō area. Following theMeiji restoration, Utsunomiya was briefly (1871–1873) part of Utsunomiya Prefecture, which was then merged into the new Tochigi Prefecture, and became the capital of the prefecture in 1884. Utsunomiya became an important garrison for theImperial Japanese Army.
With the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Utsunomiya was officially established. At the end of 1889, Utsunomiya had a population of 30,698 making it the third most populous municipality in the Kantō area, after Tokyo andYokohama.  Utsunomiya was raised to city status on April 1, 1896.  On July 12, 1945, much of Utsunomiya and the surrounding areas were destroyed in the AmericanBombing of Utsunomiya during World War II.
The city limits were expanded from 1951 to 1955 by annexing neighboring Suzumenomiya town and Hiraishi, Yokokawa, Mizuhono, Kunimoto, Shiroyama, Tomiya, Toyosato, and Sugatagawa villages and the part of Shinoi village fromKawachi Districtand Kiyohara village fromHaga District.  In 1996, Utsunomiya was designated acore citywith increased autonomy.  On March 31, 2007, Utsunomiya absorbed the towns ofKamikawachiandKawachi(both from Kawachi District), pushing the population of Utsunomiya City over 500,000.
Utsunomiya has amayor-councilform of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameralcity legislature of 45 members. Utsunomiya, together with the town of Kamikawa collectively contributes 13 members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between theTochigi 1st districtandTochigi 2nd districtof thelower houseof theDiet of Japan.
Utsunomiya is the commercial and industrial center of Tochigi Prefecture. Utsunomiya is home to aCanonopticalmanufacturing plant, aJapan Tobaccoplant,Hondadesign centers, and various other industrial concerns in the Kiyohara Industrial Park. In addition, one of the largest malls in the northKantō region,Bell Mallis located near central Utsunomiya.
Utsunomiya is served by the high-speedTohoku Shinkansenline from Tokyo, as well as a number of suburban lines operated byEast Japan Railway Company(JR East) and theprivate railwayoperatorTobu Railway.
JR East–Tohoku Shinkansen
JR East–Tohoku Main Line(Utsunomiya Line/Shōnan-Shinjuku Line/Ueno-Tokyo Line)
JR East–Nikkō Line
JR East–Karasuyama Line
Tobu Railway-Tobu Utsunomiya Line
Construction of alight rail transitsystem,Utsunomiya Light Rail, connecting Utsunomiya railway station with the neighbouring town ofHagawas approved in 2016, with completion scheduled for December 2019.The network started operation on August 26, 2023 and Utsunomiya became the first city in Japan to have a new tram system in 75 years afterTakaoka, Toyama.
Following the Second World War, Japanese soldiers who returned from Manchuria brought home to Utsunomiya gyoza recipes that originated from China. Soon after, the soldiers began to open dumpling (gyoza) restaurants around Utsunomiya. After the Utsunomiya city officials started to realize the popularity of gyoza in 1990, the Utsunomiya Gyoza Association was created. The creation of this association only made gyoza's popularity grow in the city. Utsunomiya gyoza is famous country-wide, so it attracts many tourists, as well as brings in a significant amount of revenue into the city.
The city has 30 restaurants that specialize in serving gyoza. Utsunomiya is allegedly the highest consumer city of gyoza in Japan. There is also a 1.5-metre (5 ft) statue in the shape of the gyoza outside of Utsunomiya's JR station.
Utsunomiya's annual Gyoza Dumplings Festival occurs at the Castle Ruins Park. Visitors are able to taste different types of gyozas served by various gyoza-making restaurants. Festival attendees can also watch various bands and comedians near the festival grounds.