Tochigi (prefecture)

Tochigi (栃木) [1] is a prefecture in the Kanto region of Japan. Cities Utsunomiya — the prefectural capital, known for gyoza dumplings and jazz Ashikaga — contains the oldest school in Japan Kinugawa — hot spring boom town gone bust Mashiko — small town with a big pottery festival Mooka Nasushiobara — Shinkansen Station and gateway to Nasu and Shiobara tourist destinations. Nikko — UNESCO Heritage Site for its temples and national parks Oyama — a big place to change trains Sano — shopping, noodles and a temple that protects people in their unlucky years (yakudoshi) Tochigi Other destinations Nikko National Park Oze National Park　- the largest highland marshland on Japan's main island of Honshu. Kirifuri Highlands Yumoto Understand Tochigi is a rural part of Japan with hot springs, mountains and plenty of hiking. Tochigi lies on the Tohoku northern line of the Shinkansen and highway. Ustunomiya is the largest city. Talk Unsurprisingly, this rural part of Japan speaks almost exclusively Japanese, with a few exceptions, like the immediate area around Nikko's sites. One can make themselves understood certainly, and people will know a charming smattering of English. Young people especially will know a little more than the average person, thanks to the education system's inclusion of English starting in elementary school. But don't expect to explain your problems in detail to someone and have them be able to help you. One will also occasionally find people who speak Korean, as well. Get in The Tohoku Shinkansen passes through Oyama, Utsunomiya and Nasushiobara on its way to northern Tohoku. The private Tōbu line from Asakusa in Tokyo offers a cheaper alternative for getting to Kinugawa and Nikko. Get around See The snowy Kinugawa River The temples of Nikko are undoubtedly the star attractions of Tochigi. Nasu is a popular tourist destination. It features hot springs, restaurants, shopping, themed attraction and at the very top Mt. Nasu offers great walking. You can ski here in winter. The emperor has a house here that was recently opened to the public. Do Those with spare energy can do hiking or skiing in the mountains. Those without can recharge in the numerous hot springs. You can go horse riding. You can ride in a wide ground. Also you can feel a part of the beautiful scenery and enjoy the clean air. Buy Eat Kanpyō （干瓢）is a well-known Tochigi product, made from a gourd called yūgao (夕顔, lit. "evening face"). The gourd is thinly sliced and dried, then reconstituted in water when used. The end product is a brown pickle-like substance, perhaps most often encountered as a filling in sushi rolls. Tochigi produces 90% of Japan's kanpyō and is also Japan's largest producer of strawberries. Gyouza is a famous food in Utsunomiya, Tochigi. These are dumplings with a variety of ingredients, most commonly garlic and pork. There are a lot of tasty Gyouza shops in Utsunomiya. You can enjoy not only yaki-gyouza (pan-grilled) but also age-gyouza (fried) and sui-gyouza (steamed). Tochigi is the prefecture which consumes Gyouza the most in Japan. Tochigi Wa-gyu is Japanese raised beef. This is a pricey marbled-fatty beef that can be served as (among others) steak, hamburger, thinly cut for sukiyaki or shabu-shabu dishes and well revered by locals. Soba and udon Soba is noodles made from buckwheat and other grains. Handmade soba or udon (thick flour noodles) are served in soup bowls with local vegetables and meat or dry with sauce dip on the side. Be sure to slurp as you like! Drink Get out Fukushima Prefecture Ibaraki Prefecture Gunma Prefecture Niigata Prefecture This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!