Utsunomiya, Japan skyline: the 23 most iconic buildings and best views in Utsunomiya

Visited in October 2020 Urban oasis in the heart of Utsunomiya. Like many shrines in Japanese cities, it's perched on top of a hill and can be reached by climbing a steep stair. There is no lift or escalator of any kind unlike in some downtown shrines elsewhere, so some cautions are needed. One can see down towards the bustling downtown and preserved Utsunomiya Castle some hundred of meters away.

It takes about 15 minutes on foot from JR Utsunomiya Station. It’s a bit of a walk, but you’ll see the large torii gate straight down the main street. By bus, get off at “Futaarayama Jinja-mae” and it’s right there. Climbing the stone steps gives you a pleasant view over the city. The shrine grounds are surprisingly quiet for being in the city center, and you can enjoy seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall. Restrooms are also available inside the grounds. The shrine has a long history, said to be founded about 1,600 years ago. The enshrined deity is Toyokiirihiko-no-Mikoto, known as the pioneer of this region. The name “Utsunomiya” itself is believed to come from this shrine. Although it feels far from the station, this shrine has always been the true center of the city. Utsunomiya originally developed as a castle town, and the shrine served as its guardian. When the railway was built later on the outskirts, the distance from the station became noticeable. It may take a little walk, but this is one of the best places to feel both the history and the atmosphere of Utsunomiya.

A peaceful retreat from the busy city of Utsunomiya. Nestled atop a hill, you must climb several flights of stairs to reach the shrine, which had a restful and sacred air. It was quiet, yet lively with only a few people around noon time. The surrounding statues are interesting, and the contrast from bustling city to serene shrine was amazing.

A very large shrine with many special attractions. It's recommended to come early to be able to explore everything.

I went to explore since I was in Utsunomiya. It was a nice place but there was so many stairs that I was already tired half way up. Though I was lugging a bunch of camera gear and was tired from traveling. I don’t know much of the history behind this place but known as Omyojin-sama or Futaara-san. With three deities Toyoki-Irihiko-no-Mikoto, Omononushi-no-Mikoto, and Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto being worshipped.

Great Shrine walking distance about 10-15 minutes from train station.

Great Shinto shrine in Japan. Also known as Ichinomiya shrine of Shimotsuke province. This shrine has sacred atmosphere.

Date of enjoyment: 10/4/25 Came here first thing they opened, there is a sizeable car parking and free, the entrance has toilets carved out of the mountain rock. There were already tour buses of people so this place does get popular. There’s food options and souvenir shops with crafts from local artists. The venue is all underground so prams are not suitable, it also gets cold so bring a jacket. The museum itself is impressive however there’s not much to do other getting your photos taken for a fee and reading the sign boards. Allow a max of 1.5hrs here to explore the museum.

This was my second time going to this museum. There is no reservation needed. But underground is kinda chill(around 10°c). So, make sure you bring an extra jacket with you even in summer. After the museum, there is also a big Kanon statue to visit.

It was an amazing experience. we enjoyed our trip inside the mountain. it was cold inside so make sure to bring a jacket. We took bus #1 from utsunomiya station bus terminal and arrived at the base of the parking lot. its a short walk up the main visitor centre/mountain entrance where we bought our tickets. Our whole visit inside took less than an hour. it was something unique and cool thats why we enjoyed it. highly recommended if you are staying in the area (utsunomiya).

It reminds me of the 1985 film Brazil by Terry Gilliam. Big sublime quarry. It can take all day to get there and back to Tokyo. I say go if you are near or quarry lovers. If you go, make sure to check the bus schedule because it is less frequent. Oh, eat Gyoza at Utsunomiya station. Any store is really good.

Incredible stone quarry now used for events and tourism. Worth a visit. Scale of quarrying is impressive particularly the chasms created and their high ceilings.

Great place, inside the museum it is always cold, so be prepared with some warm clothing if you are sensitive to cold. However the mine is very beautiful, a new experience

Entry Fee 800 yen. Beware inside are quite cold (15°C) and will have water droplet from the ceiling. Although this place is not my priority place to visit, after this tour, I changed my mind and definitely recommend it. Inside is unexpectedly huge, chilling. Sunlight pierced through the gap of the cave is very breathtaking. Also kudos to the lighting design inside, the layout and color illuminated the cave to bring out cavernous atmosphere.

Completed in the 1930s, this Catholic church may not be a big draw for foreign tourists, but its exterior is made from Oya stone, so if you've been to the Oya quarry museum, you may want to see an example of large-scale construction using the material. It is free to enter and there are interesting carvings in the stone used inside as well.

This is one of the biggest building made out of Oya stone which is an ingenious material only found here in Utsunomiya. The stained glass looked nice but wasn’t really something I would travel out of my way for. It was enjoyable to see that there are Japanese people that are Catholics though.

It's a religious establishment, so... yeah. Visit the homepage for more mass and events information

Great place and there is a frog statue in here too

Beautiful church made from Oya stone.

Beautiful church. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. A hot summer morning but they had fans and water in the back.

Very beautiful display of Oya Stone. Wonderful pipe organ. Quiet place to pray and reflect.

Absolutely disgraceful. This zoo is a heartbreaking example of outdated, unethical animal captivity. The elephant Miyako has been held in miserable conditions for over 50 years with no proper space, no enrichment, and no natural environment. Her enclosure is shockingly small and barren — this is nothing short of animal abuse, plain and simple. Many of the animals here are confined to tiny, inadequate cages that reflect zero regard for animal welfare. The leadership of this zoo should be ashamed. This facility needs to be investigated immediately. Do not support this cruelty.

This place has potential to be great but the lack of anything natural other that dirt and concrete and cages for the animals is very concerning. you can tell they are lonely and neglected in these small cages . No natural grass or forest area for them especially for the elephant and she's 50 years old ! The zoo need to retire them to a sanctuary where they can be free . The zoo will have the space to transform into an amusement park for family. Win win I see .

Cool playground for kids. The tigers and giraffe here are pretty beautiful, but the facilities here are pretty old and I think it should be upgraded. There is a pool here, but you need to pay for it even when you have already paid for the ticket to get into the zoo. We like the animals here, but this zoo is really old. Personal recommend: ★ ★ ★ Family-friendly: ★ ★ ★ Date for couples: ★ ★ ★ Parking lot: ◯ free Services/meals/products/design: ★ ★ ★ Period for stay: 2 hours Charge: adults 1,400 yen kids, free Baby room/accessible toilet: ◯ Cleanness: ★ ★

I came for the the Jet Coaster, but got upset by how small the animal enclosures are. The Amusement area is ok and the Jet Coaster is unique, but I would like to see bigger enclosures for all animals *Photos of the rides only for reference

It's small but suitable for small kids. Good chances to feed various animals. The chance to feed the hippo directly and actually touch it is something I haven't experienced anywhere else. The attached amusement park is really expensive and worth getting the pass if you have a couple of kids old enough to go on themselves .

The zoo needs a reform the area is big but animals seem cramped. The amusement park felt like a Showa era relic that you had to use tickets for each ride. Much more rundown looking than in pictures online. It is far from the station unless you live in the area, I suggest don't go out of your way.

It's an OK zoo. I really dislike the condition of the elephant, pigs, and some other animals. I believe that if there isn't enough space for the animals to move around then they don't belong at the zoo. This zoo doesn't have enough space for some animals and so they look depressed and are very unhappy. They even look a little sick from my perspective. I've been there twice. I went a second time because I wanted my infant son to see animals. I won't go back there to see animals. Maybe next time, just for amusement. The changing areas for babies are not sanitary enough. The facilities look very old and dirty. Other than those, you can have a nice time. Amusement Park, eating area, picnic, a few nice animals, pool and toys for kids. My favourite animal there is the giraffe. They look clean and healthy and have plenty of space to move around. You can feed them too.

On the evening of April 14th, we stopped by on our way back from sightseeing in Nikko. Although the cherry blossom festival had already ended the day before, on the 13th, we were lucky to experience a beautiful flurry of falling cherry blossoms. I had also visited on Friday the 11th another client, when the festival was still ongoing despite the rainy weather, and were able to enjoy food from the snack-booth, such as grilled squid and takoyaki, octopus balls cooked in a special pan and topped with sause and bonito flakes. During the festival, lanterns were lit even after dark, creating a lovely atmosphere for viewing the cherry blossoms at night.

Cute little park and very good for cherry blossoms. Has a small zoo with some sad looking birds. During hanami season has some food stalls at the top.

Went towards evening time and it was still so pretty. Just a cool and beautiful place to walk around and get some fresh air. A lot of shrines and historical things dotted around the area along with a zoo, the garden, park and the bridge which are all awesome to look at but also good photo opportunities. Is worth checking out if you're in Utsonomiya. About a 20-25 min walk from Utsonomiya Station.

Very pretty and the shaved ice is pretty good too. The zoo is a little small but something to do on a pretty day. Sakura season makes this a fun place to visit.

Hachiman Yama Park 🌸 Peaceful views over Utsunomiya — perfect for a quiet walk or spring blooms. 🌳✨

Nice place to visit, especially during hanami (cherry blossom viewing) when the whole park is covered in pink flowers. You can visit Utsunomiya Tower, stroll in the park, visit the small animal park (near the entrance) and go over the blu bridge to a play and adventure area (with go carts).

Awesome bridge. Everywhere is very green and beautiful. There have a playground side it also good.

The Bamboo Museum is a small but charming stop with free entry. Inside, you can admire beautifully crafted handmade bamboo bags and other delicate bamboo items — each piece showing amazing skill and tradition. To actually enter the Bamboo Park itself, you need to buy a separate ticket, but even just the museum is a pleasant visit. A lovely spot for anyone who enjoys Japanese craftsmanship and unique finds!”

Extraordinary beauty without the crazy crowds of other bamboo forests. It was peaceful and tranquil. Had such a wonderful half day experience. Aesthetically pleasing landscape design with lots of surprise sculptural elements (they do an amazing night light garden). Began with lunch and dessert at the cafe. The set meals were delicious! Then purchased our entry tickets and explored the extensive estate. Felt happily lost in the bamboo groves. My child also really enjoyed the swing and netting walkway which were suspended in the trees. Great toilets and parking too.

A pleasant walk in a bamboo forest! Wasn't busy and the staff were helpful. The place has free parking and a few cafes,some swings and a small shop/museum. Sadly both cafes were closed when we visited, but as a tourist looking for a bamboo forest that wasn't overly packed like the one in Kyoto. It did everything I wanted. A relaxing spot worth visiting!

I visited on a weekday afternoon, and it wasn’t crowded at all. Every corner of this place looks like a postcard — it’s incredibly beautiful. There are several types of bamboo here, each with different colors and textures, which makes the scenery even more interesting. Some international visitors even said it’s much better than the crowded spots in Kyoto — a true hidden gem. The farm milk soft-serve ice cream I had at the small tea shop was also absolutely delicious. There’s something I think future visitors should know. I visited with a friend to take my maternity photos. My friend politely asked for photo permission at the entrance, but we were charged an ¥8,000 photography fee for just 1 hour and 20 minutes. He brought his professional-looking camera — he’s not a professional photographer, and there was no money exchanged between us. Most other visitors around us were also taking photos freely, and none of them seemed to be paying any photography fee. When we asked the staff about the difference, they said there was no clear rule or boundary. I could understand the charge if it were for commercial shoots like TV or magazine features, but ours was just a personal memory shoot. It felt very unfair. It’s such a beautiful place, which made this experience even more disappointing. I truly hope this policy will be improved, so I’m giving two stars.

Arashiyama in Kyoto, eat your heart out. This bamboo forest is larger, far less crowded, and pristine. You can wonder at the different varieties of bamboo as you wander around. There are hammocks in the middle of the bamboo groves, and match tea with chestnut sweets. We enjoyed tea under a tent in the rain and it was very tranquil and meditative. There are playgrounds for the kids, and on summer evenings they have lights through the groves. There are different kinds of bamboo, as well as cultivating chestnuts. There's a small museum with bamboo craft as well. Free carpark, toilets, shop, cafe. Highly worth it if you like the asthetics of bambool

Such a peaceful and breathtaking place! The vast bamboo forest feels like stepping into another world, with endless tall bamboo swaying gently in the breeze. Surrounded by the stunning Nikko mountains, the natural beauty here is simply mesmerizing. Walking the well-maintained paths, hearing the rustle of leaves and the soft sway of bamboo, I felt completely calm and connected to nature. The forest is a true hidden gem, perfect for anyone seeking tranquility and the magic of beautiful, pristine nature.

Who would've thought that simply walking through a bamboo forest could calm the heck out of you? We originally planned just a quick stop, but ended up spending almost two hours here. The walk was incredibly peaceful, surrounded by tall, swaying bamboo—it really slows you down in the best way. We wrapped up the visit with a cup of green tea served in a bamboo cup, which was the perfect touch. Such a quiet, refreshing escape. Highly recommend if you need a breather from the usual travel rush.

Nice place to visit. Close to Oya Shrine. No entry fees for Heiwa Kannon, but need to pay if you visit Oya Shrine. Free parking available in front of Shrine. Good place to spend an hour & we can also go upto the top of Idol.

Good place to visit on A Weekend . There are many gift shops around the temple.. don’t forget to bring a Cap or a Umbrella if you are visiting here In Summer .. as its all made of Rocks the heat is unbearable.

Within the carved out area, you will come upon the gian Heiwa Kannon. There isn't much besides the stairs leading to a closer view next to the statue. People forget, this is a religious artifact, so this place is just that, to absorb the awe inspring statue.

A free tourist place to visit after the Oya museum.

The rock craved Kannon 観音 is erected in small park (located in a former mine). The park open to public and there is no entrance fee. You can walk up to the shoulder of the Kannon via stairs on the side. It is not that tall. The park itself is small and one can see the rock formation left from the abandoning mine. There is a free parking outside and it only takes 2 mins to walk from there.

The park itself is lovely and Heiwa Kannon is beautiful, but there’s nothing else there but the shrine (the day we came, it was closed) and there’s nothing else in the park besides the statue.

Tip: it's accessible from the path just in front of the riverside parking lot, which Google Map doesn't know. Kannon statue looks fantastic. If only there were a little bit more guidance of that around.

Nice big bright museum. We didn’t wait to go in. Everything was written in Japanese. still nice.

Three different exhibitions so that you will find something to your taste. Great facilities, including a baby care room and a nice restaurant. There's even a small park around the museum that's good for a picnic or just a stroll.

The art exhibited is amazing, I loved the temporary exhibition new born and the presentation of the permanent also seemed intersting enough. If you like art and are in the area i would definitly go! Only reducing one star since there are no signs in English and when I tried to use Google translate (on the signs!!! They saw and understood that I'm not taking pictures of any art) they told me it's forbidden.

The museum is situated near a beautiful park. I’ve visited this museum several times to see special exhibitions....which have been absolutely wonderful, excellent and exciting. Their permanent collection is weak and boring. However, there are 2 René Magritte paintings🍏, which are my favorite, some beautiful Japanese photographs but that’s all, really. The good thing is... there’s never a crowd. Very few people, always. Anyway, the museum itself is grand and beautiful...beautiful Oya stone and super clean ✨Love the outdoor sculptures. Nice shop and restaurant. A peaceful quiet place to hangout.

An amazing architectural wonder set in a glorious park like garden. The art was fabulous too.

Small, local museum in a park setting with interesting, varied special exhibitions and a small permanent collection.

It's a beautiful art museum surrounded by forrest.

Place is old.. but attraction for foriegn tourist is not enough

I randomly came across this place and turns out it’s quite fun to look at if you’re a history nerd there is a lovely lady who would gladly tell you the history but only in Japanese other then that you can just look around inside ok your own and it only costs 100 yen for adults overall it was a good experience it’s like stepping into the past

Historical building near the Utsunomiya station.

good

(Translated by Google) He made his fortune in a soy sauce shop and put effort into fire prevention measures, which is why he was able to survive the war and remain. Introducing the highlights. The breadwinner has become the floor pillar. The electric umbrella was custom-made to imitate the umbrella at Hakone Fujiya Hotel. The door of the stair chest of drawers has a mating pattern. The edge of what appears to be a side table in the alcove on the first floor is decorated with an expensive black persimmon. The shoji on the first floor can be removed. The alcove on the second floor is painted with lacquer using a beautiful technique that leaves the wood grain. Look at the length of the boards in the hallway on the second floor. The paulownia futon chest on the second floor is wonderful. Due to the rain, there weren't many people to tour, but the receptionist was very kind and explained things to me, helped me unlock the door, and brought out the sliding doors that were closed.As someone who loves important cultural sites, I couldn't help but feel excited (lol) thank you very much. There is no parking lot. (Original) お醤油のお店で財を成し防火対策にも力を入れていたおかげで戦災から逃れて残ってくれだそうです✌ 見どころ紹介。 大黒柱が床柱になってます。電気の傘は箱根富士屋ホテルの傘を真似て特注したそうです。 階段箪笥の扉が合わせ模様になってます 一階床の間にあるサイドテーブルらしきもののはしには高価な黒柿が装飾されてます。 一階の障子は障子が取れるようになってます。 二階の床の間には漆を綺麗な技にて木目を残すように塗られてます。 二階の廊下の板の長さを見てください。 二階の桐の布団タンスは素敵です。 雨で見学の方が少なく、受付の方がとても親切に色々説明してくださり、鍵を開けてくれたり、閉まっている襖を出してくれたりと、重文の好きな私にはワクワク感が止まりませんでした（笑） ありがとうございました。 駐車場はありません。

(Translated by Google) Admission was 100 yen, and the staff gave us a very detailed explanation. The Former Shinohara Family Residence is a historic building in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The Shinohara family ran a soy sauce brewery and fertilizer business from the late Edo period, and were known as one of the prefecture's leading merchants during the Meiji period. The remaining main house (which doubles as a storehouse) and new storehouse were built in 1895 (Meiji 28). The main house is a two-story earthen storehouse, and is notable for the use of Oya stone, a specialty of Utsunomiya, in part of the exterior walls. In 2000 (Heisei 12), the main house and new storehouse were designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The library storehouse, built in 1851 (Kaei 4), also has cultural value. It was donated to Utsunomiya City in 1996 (Heisei 8) and has been open to the public since 1997 (Heisei 9). (Original) 入館料100円で、係の方がとても丁寧に説明していただきました。 旧篠原家住宅は、栃木県宇都宮市にある歴史的建造物で、国の重要文化財に指定されています。 篠原家は、江戸時代末期から醤油醸造業や肥料商を営み、明治時代には県内有数の豪商として知られていました。 現在残っている主屋（店舗兼住宅）と新蔵は、1895年（明治28年）に建てられたものです。主屋は土蔵造りの2階建てで、外壁の一部に宇都宮特産の大谷石が使われているのが特徴です。 2000年（平成12年）に主屋と新蔵が国の重要文化財に指定されました。また、文庫蔵は1851年（嘉永4年）の建築で、こちらも文化財として価値があります。 1996年（平成8年）に宇都宮市に寄贈され、1997年（平成9年）から一般公開されています。

(Translated by Google) The entrance fee was 100 yen, but it was worth it. It was also nice that it was close to Utsunomiya Station. However, it will be closed from September 2025 due to earthquake-proof construction work. (Original) 入場料100円でした。しかし、それ以上の価値がありました。宇都宮駅から近く、それも良かったです。2025年9月から耐震工事で、休みとのことでした。

#its_very_beautiful_park ##environmet_friendly👍 #you_can_visit_with_families_friends_lover #suitable_for_all_age_people. #if_you_climb_tower_you_have_to_careful_about_time👍 #its_really_amaging_places_to_see_amaging_views #i_miss_chances_to_climb_tower_and_other_views# #I_wana_visit_this_place_again👍👌

Perfect place to enjoy the cherry blossoms (sakura) during hanami. Watching the pink clouds of flowers from above, from the tower as well as strolling in the park under the trees is recommended. Great place to get a view of Utsunomiya and the surrounding mountains anytime a year. A small fee (190 yen?) gets you up there.

without car, hard to visit. if you wanna see the scenery of Utsunomiya-shi, worth a visit just once.

Nice place to visit, also good place for kids

I was quite amazed at how beautiful this place is during Sakura season. It's 15 min walk from either JR Utsunomiya Station and Tobu Utsunomiya Station quite convenient as well!

A little bit small but nicely done. Kind like it because of its surrounding. Suitable for those first time in Utsunomiya city.

I have an awesome experience in this park. I advise you to come once

Good place for kids. Both of my sons enjoyed a lot...!!! To enjoyed fully, it needs about 3 hours...! There is entrance fee, for adults 550 jpy person and for kids 220 jpy. There are very big sliders outside...!!!

Fun spot for the kids. Keep in mind everything is in Japanese if you're a foreigner. Lots of hands in exhibits, and you can walk to a bike and train park for the kids.

During the renovation the website said the park playgrounds would be open. I brought my two children by train only to find out all of the surrounding parks were closed and locked. This was non holiday, regular hours. I couldn’t even call anyone or talk to a staff member on the grounds

It was amusing, demonstrates practically basics of science. Imagine how best you can explain a2+b2=c2, how black body keeps heat, how dynamo generates electricity, planes rockets, how to join bones to make up whole skeleton etc. I wonder school time can be more interesting for kids after visit to this musuem.

Exhibitions in science museum are very impressive. Renewable energy, such as solar, wind and so on, are used to move game like equipment. Also, kids loved slides and jungle gyms at outside playground on a hill.

This is a super fun place - I can't imagine how great it must be when there's no need to worry about COVID-19. A lot of activities were unavailable because of COVID-19 - like the forced perspective rooms 😢 It is old and some things are dated, but even so they're trying to keep things fresh with different events, and the dated feel of it adds to its charm too. This is best for kids in kindergarten and early elementary.

The museum is quite old and a lot of the activities were either closed or not working but the kids will still like it. This place is probably best for kids aged 5+. My kids were too young to really understand anything.

it was so uncomfortable with the staff following you around as if you are some sort of activist and plan to damage the art. They seriously move around to keep an eye on you. It would be less of an issue if they had seats that they sat at and just watch everyone from vantage points.

Great museum, I saw the Koguchi Ichiro exhibit and it was fantastic. I look forward to more exhibits!

(Translated by Google) I visited the museum for the Moving Van Gogh exhibition. I was moved by my first experience with digital fine art. Van Gogh's touch comes to life! I experienced new artistic expression, possibilities of expression, and creativity. It's a popular exhibition and is very crowded. The parking lot is always full. The exhibition runs from 28/06/2013 to 7/09/2013 I highly recommend this exhibition. (Original) 動く ゴッホ展で来館しました。 デジタルファインアート、初めての体験に感動しました。ゴッホのタッチが動き出す！新しい芸術表現、表現の可能性や創造力を実感しました。人気の企画展で混雑してます。 駐車場も常に満車状態でした。 開催期間は '25.6.28〜'25.9.7迄 オススメの企画展です。

(Translated by Google) I went to see the special exhibition, "Dear Friend Vincent Van Gogh." I went around 2pm on a Saturday, but the main parking lot was full, so I was directed to a temporary parking lot. As it was a Saturday afternoon, the museum was very crowded, with crowds of people gathered in front of the artwork. The special exhibition and the collection exhibition are in separate buildings, but you can also view the collection exhibition for the special exhibition fee. The special exhibition building is tall and made of glass, but the exhibition venue is on the first floor. The collection exhibition venue is on the first and second floors. The Van Gogh exhibition does not feature any original works, but it does feature moving artworks created using digital fine art. I was able to see many never-before-seen works on video, and it was very fascinating to be able to experience moving artworks from Van Gogh's perspective as we would have seen them. At the collection exhibition, I was very moved to be able to see Alfred Sisley's "Winter Sunset (The Seine at Saint-Mamès)," which I acquired in 2023, together with works by Turner and Constable, two artists I admire. (Original) 企画展、親愛なる友　フィンセント　ゴッホ展を見に行きました。 土曜日の午後2時頃に行きましたが、第一駐車場は満車なので、臨時駐車場に案内されました。 土曜日の午後ということもあり、館内も、たいへん混雑していて、作品の前には人だかりができていました。 企画展とコレクション展の建物は別になっていますが、企画展の料金でコレクション展も観覧できます。 企画展の建物は、ガラス張りで高さがありますが、展示会場は、1階部分になります。 コレクション展の会場は、1階と2階になります。 ゴッホ展は、本物の作品はありませんが、デジタルファインアートで作られた、動く作品を見ることができます。 今まで見たことない作品を、映像でたくさん見ることができ、又、ゴッホ自身の目線で見たであろう動く作品を、現在の私たちが体験できるのは、非常に興味深く感じました。 コレクション展では、令和5年に取得した、アルフレッドシスレーの「冬の夕日(サン・マメスのセーヌ河)」と、心惹かれた画家のターナーとコンスタブルの作品を、一緒に見ることが出来たので、とても感動しました。

Such a bad public communication strategy here. Social media shows it’s open and once you arrive, it’s totally closed. They close on Mondays not Sat or Sun. I don’t think I’ll ever come back.

(Translated by Google) This was my first time visiting, but the parking lot was small and full, so I went to the second parking lot. I was able to park where one car had just left, but the next person couldn't get in, and I saw many cars circling around in slow-moving traffic. I was impressed by the "Moving Van Gogh" exhibition this time, but that doesn't reflect my review of the museum itself, so I'll leave that out. If the parking lot was properly maintained, I'd like to visit again on another occasion. (Original) 初めて伺いましたが駐車場が 駐車場が狭く満車で第2駐車場へ行き、たまたま1台出たところへ入れられましたが 次の人は入れられず 歩遅い道をぐるぐる回っている車が多く見受けられました。 今回は【動くゴッホ展】を見て感動したですが 美術館自体の評価とはならないので省きます。 駐車場がちゃんと整備されていれば また違う機会も伺いたいな〰️と思いました。

(Translated by Google) 79th Tochigi Prefectural Art Festival Art Exhibition September 20th - October 2nd This event is held every autumn in the prefecture "with the aim of promoting culture." The first exhibition was held in 1944 (Showa 22). 79 years of progress since the difficult time of the prefecture's defeat and devastation. As someone who lives in a neighboring local government, I'm deeply impressed by the fact that this event has continued for 79 years. I took my time to appreciate each piece, each one a unique masterpiece, painstakingly crafted, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Fine Arts indeed! There were several pieces I wanted. "MEISSEN"... The Naoko Ito Meissen Porcelain Collection was also bailey good! It was great. By the way, this was my first time visiting this museum, and I think it's well-designed. This time... The admission fee of 260 yen for adults was a real bargain. (Original) 第79回栃木県芸術祭美術展 9/20〜10/2 県内に置ける「文化の振興を目的として」毎年秋に開催されているイベントで … 1944年(昭和22年)に第1回が開催されたの事… 敗戦で疲弊した 大変な時期からの79年の歩み、 隣の「地方公共団体」に住んで居る者ですが このイベントを続けて来た事、頭が下がりますね。 …各美術作品を時間を掛けて鑑賞させて頂きましたが どれも之もが手間暇かけての個性的な逸品で 充分楽しませて頂きました。 …まさに Fine Arts ! 欲しいと思った作品も何点か有りました。 「MEISSEN」… 伊藤直子マイセン磁器コレクションも又、bailey good ! …良かったですね。 ちなみにコチラの美術館を訪れたのは初めてでして よく出来た美術館だと思います。 今回… 此度の入館料金「一般260円也」は「お得感がいっぱい」でした。

Nice place for outdoor and indoor time pass. Onsen / aqua play space where swimsuit is allowed. Good number of of Shops/restaurants/cafe. Free parking as well.

It's a great place to enjoy local and fresh products, but most shops are closed in the evenings, which makes it less useful at that time.

The Village is a nice place for the locals , but not a tourist stop. The food was amazing but very little appealing outside of that. Maybe when Covid is over more will come back

Nothing is so unique but enjoyable enough for me. The restaurant on the left serves average food, and the shop on the right sells some food, plants, and souvenir goods of the Utsunomiya area. And what's more important is that the toilet is cleaner than other places like that in Japan.

Most places are closed in the evenings, so not useful. The one open restaurant is extremely average. Do your shopping early or plan to eat somewhere else is my recommendation.

Nice park to jog or have a picnic. Lots of open area, parking, publics fountains & bathrooms. Not located near a JR Station, so you'll need to take the bus or drive to get here.

a decent farmers market is located at one end of the property. The hiking/walking area is nice.

You must visit

If you want to know about Tochigi prefecture please visit the museum.

(Translated by Google) It was my first time there. The admission fee was cheap, and the exhibits were amazing. The dinosaur exhibit was impressive! It's also educational, so I highly recommend it. (Original) 初めて行きました。入場料もお安く、それなのに展示内容は素晴らしかったです。恐竜の展示、迫力有りました！勉強にもなりますし、お薦めのスポットです。

(Translated by Google) Located in a corner of Tochigi Prefectural Central Park, this museum offers a reasonable admission fee of 260 yen, yet boasts a rich selection of exhibits related to Tochigi's history, nature, and culture. The history zone provides a comprehensive introduction to Tochigi's history, from ancient times to the present. The museum is particularly noteworthy for its dinosaur skeletons, which are not found in Tochigi, but the numerous exhibits, spanning prehistoric, Kofun, medieval, and early modern periods, are accompanied by detailed explanations, making it a truly fascinating experience. The natural history exhibits are a spectacular sight, with numerous specimens of plants, animals, minerals, birds, insects, and more. The special exhibition "Unusual Colors and Shapes" was also being held on the day, and it was fascinating to see the many rare folk artifacts on display, including a statue of a secret god that is not usually shown to the public. The sheer volume and depth of the exhibits would have taken hours to explore. Please note that there are areas within the museum where photography is permitted and areas where it is prohibited. (Original) 栃木県中央公園の一角にあります。入館料は260円と安価ですが、栃木の歴史、自然、文化に関する大変充実した展示内容を持つ博物館です。 歴史ゾーンでは、古代から現代にいたる栃木の歴史がもれなく紹介されています。 栃木にはいない恐竜骨格などがあるのはご愛敬ですが、先史時代、古墳時代、中世から近世へと、数多い展示品とともに詳細な説明がなされ、見ごたえがあります。 自然系展示では、植物、動物、鉱物、鳥類や昆虫など数多くの標本が並べられて圧巻です。 またこの日は企画展として「“異”常の色・形」展が開催されていましたが、門外不出という秘神の像をはじめ、あまり普段見かけない民俗資料が多数並んでいて興味深かったです。 とにかくじっくり見て回れば何時間もかかりそうな展示ボリュームと内容の濃さに圧倒されました。 なお館内は写真撮影可のエリアと撮影禁止のエリアがありますのでご注意。

(Translated by Google) As expected from a prefectural museum! It was impressive and there were many exhibits, so I enjoyed it. It was also easy to understand the ecosystems of the creatures in each region of Tochigi Prefecture. It would be better if the parking lot was a little bigger. If it's full, you can use the parking lot in Central Park. (Original) さすが県立博物館！ 迫力もあるし、展示品も多くて楽しめました。 栃木県の地域毎の生物の生態系も分かりやすかった。駐車場がもう少し大きいと助かります。 満車の場合は中央公園の駐車場を利用するといいです。

(Translated by Google) Located within Central Park, there is a green consultation center and you can take a walk. The museum also serves snacks and other refreshments, so you can take a break. The museum has many events that can be enjoyed by children, adults, and families, and is visited all year round. (Original) 中央公園内にあり、緑の相談所や散歩をしたりできる。　　　　　　　　　　　博物館内には軽食等も入り休憩もできる。 博物館の催し物は子供、大人、家族で、楽しめるものが多く年間訪れています。

(Translated by Google) Nestled in a natural setting, the Tochigi Prefectural Museum systematically showcases the natural and cultural landscape of Tochigi Prefecture, from a giant mammoth specimen to its geological and historical heritage. The museum's rich exhibits and interactive installations make learning intuitive and engaging. The most impressive aspect is its design, which integrates the local environment with the museum experience. It's like taking a vivid and insightful lesson about your hometown, a truly enriching journey that's both informative and engaging. (Original) 栃木縣立博物館坐落於自然環境中，從巨大的猛獁象標本到在地質史與歷史文化，系統性地展示了栃木縣的自然與人文風貌。館內展示內容豐富，互動裝置讓知識變得直觀有趣。 最令人印象深刻的是其將當地環境與博物館體驗相結合的設計，彷彿上了一堂生動而深刻的家鄉課程，是趟兼具知識與趣味的充實之旅。

It’s a good experience to shopping 🛒 wonderful places.

plenty of shops and restaurants in one place. nice and clean. There is a kids playground and the parking places are wide and clean. the bus stop make it convenient to get here easily.

Great mall with lots of different shops, something for everyone. There are souvenir shops, snacks shops, clothing stores, arcade, dollar store, etc.

The Game Center charges double on new items, the layout is awkward, it’s not suited for large crowds so avoid weekends and holidays. The akachan honpo is a get size and good staff. There are good baby rooms and elevators. You can find good street clothes and character items

It's a good sized shopping mall with pretty much everything you'd need for a morning or afternoon out shopping. Lots of choices of where to eat too! There's a regular bus from Utsunomiya Station and I think it also goes to the Mashiko pottery area on its route too. A few stores have changed since 2021, such as a new kids adventure group club is now on the second floor.

Good place to get your day to day shopping done. Very crowded on the weekends with families and middle school students. The food court has pretty good selections. The movie theater is across the street (with a access bridge).

It's a great one place shopping mall. It got everything you need like grocery, daily necessities (100yen shops), clothes, 1000yen barber, cinema, even phone and sim cards. It got good restaurants and a lot of non-pork meal. Parking spots are plenty although sometimes they're not enough on the weekends. You can also take bus to and from Utsunomiya station.

(Translated by Google) The Sanmon gate with its Oya stone roof is a must-see. A temple associated with the Utsunomiya clan, which ruled Utsunomiya for about 800 years. It is famous for its giant iron pagoda, which is a symbol of its power. (Original) 大谷石の屋根の山門が必見。約800年にわたり宇都宮を統治した宇都宮氏ゆかりの寺。その力の象徴とされた巨大な鉄塔婆が有名。

(Translated by Google) A Jodo sect temple with deep ties to Utsunomiya City. The oldest iron pagoda was made by Sadatsuna Utsunomiya for his late mother during the Kamakura period. (Original) 宇都宮市との縁が深い浄土宗のお寺。鎌倉時代に宇都宮貞綱がb亡母のために作った鉄製の卒塔婆は最古のものです。

(Translated by Google) It has the only iron pagoda in Japan. It was built by Sadatsuna Utsunomiya during the Kamakura period. It's in a storage room near the entrance, and there's a sign telling you to go inside and turn on the light to see it because it's unlocked. It seems that the air is controlled by the glass wall, so you can't touch it, but you can see it up close. I ended up using a nearby coin parking lot, but there is a parking lot within the shrine grounds that worshipers can use for free. Next door is Myoshoji Temple. (Original) 日本で唯一の鉄の塔婆がある。鎌倉時代に宇都宮貞綱により造られたもの。入口近くの収蔵庫にあり、鍵が開いているので入って電気を点けて見るようにと看板がある。ガラス張りで保存のために空気の管理等をしているようで、触れることはできないがすぐ近くで見ることができる。 近くのコインパーキングを利用してしまったが、境内に駐車場があり、参拝者は無料で利用できる お隣は妙正寺。

(Translated by Google) The temple grounds around here are quite large. Unfortunately, the gate was under construction. Also, the Buddha statue that suddenly appeared was huge and impressive. (Original) ここらへんのお寺では境内はけっこう広いです。 門が工事をしていたのが残念でした。 あと突如現れる仏像も大きくて圧巻でした。

(Translated by Google) This is a Jodo sect temple located about 10 minutes walk from Utsunomiya Station. Although its popularity as a tourist attraction is thought to be close to zero, the iron pagoda from the Kamakura period that is on display in the storage building is the oldest existing one in Japan and is quite a sight to behold. You will be amazed at the precision of the expression, which makes it hard to believe that it is cast. Even if it's not enough to make a long trip, it's still convenient to stop by while sightseeing in Nikko, Kanuma, or Otani. The appearance is just like that of an ordinary temple, but the grounds are well-maintained, so you can worship comfortably. (Original) 宇都宮駅から歩いて一〇分ほどのところにある浄土宗寺院です。観光名所としての知名度は限りなくゼロに近いと思われますが、収蔵庫にて公開されている鎌倉時代の鉄製塔婆は現存する日本最古のものであり、なかなかの見ごたえです。鋳造とは思えない精緻な表現に驚かされます。 遠路はるばる足を運ぶほには不十分であっても、日光、鹿沼、大谷観光のついでの立ち寄るには便利です。たたずまいは普通の檀家寺そのものですが、境内はよく手入れされているので気持ちよく参拝できます。

(Translated by Google) In a post on LINE, the conversation moved from Ryukyu Tei Kakazura to Teika Fujiwara, and a resident of Sagano, Kyoto, decided to visit this temple, which is connected to the Utsunomiya clan, from the autumn leaves of Mt. Kokura and the Kokura Hyakunin Isshu. The precincts felt smaller than I expected, but they were kept well-maintained and I was able to fully enjoy them. (Original) ラインの投稿でリュウキュウテイカカズラから藤原定家に話しが移り、京都嵯峨野在住者が小倉山の紅葉、小倉百人一首から宇都宮氏に縁のある当寺に参拝することにした。境内は思いの外狭い気がしたが、清掃等が行き届き十分に堪能することができた。

(Translated by Google) It's a beautiful temple. It is said that there were many temples in this area in the past. (Especially along the Tagawa River) (Original) きれいなお寺です。昔はこの辺にはたくさんお寺があったそうです。(特に田川沿いに)

(Translated by Google) The weeping cherry blossoms around the burial mound have begun to bloom☺ The large grounds are covered with grass, making it a quiet place where small children can play and relax. April 25th The azaleas in the tumulus are blooming (Original) 古墳周囲の枝垂れ桜の開花が始まりました☺ 広い敷地に芝生が貼られており小さなお子さんものびのび過ごせる長閑な場所です◎ 4月25日 古墳のツツジが開花しています

(Translated by Google) It is located opposite Utsunomiya Minami Police Station. The road is in a tunnel to preserve the tumulus. New excavations are still being conducted in the park just south of Tsukayama Tumulus. The grass is a bit overgrown, but it is well maintained. (Original) 宇都宮南警察署の向かい側にあります。古墳を保存するために道路はトンネルになっています。今なお、塚山古墳のすぐ南側の公園内で新たな発掘調査が行われています。やや草は伸びていますが整備されています。

(Translated by Google) This is in such a pathetic state that it can only be described as an ancient tomb object. I would like many people to think carefully about how cultural properties should be preserved and managed. I would like to see the restoration and management status of kofun in other prefectures. There is a need to restore it to its original state while utilizing it as a tourist resource. There is no point in planting rhododendrons on burial mounds. As a citizen of Utsunomiya, I am disappointed that the tomb, which was protected as an underpass on the Utsunomiya Loop Line, is in this condition. (Original) これは古墳オブジェとしか言いようが無い無残な状態である。文化財の保存・管理はどうあるべきか、多くの人にしっかりと考えてもらいたい。他県の古墳の修復・管理状況を見てほしい。観光資源として活用しつつ、本来あるべき姿での復元が求められる。墳丘にツツジを植えるなどもってのほかである。宇都宮環状線をアンダーパスとして守られた古墳がこの状態では、宇都宮市民として残念である。

(Translated by Google) Tsukayama Kofun is located in the city of Utsunomiya. It's right next to the sports park. Please take a look when you're in the area. (Original) 宇都宮市街にある塚山古墳。運動公園のすぐ近くにあります。近くに来た時にはぜひご覧になってみてください。

(Translated by Google) It is a beautifully maintained ancient tomb. I want it to remain forever. (Original) 綺麗に整備された古墳です。 いつまでも残して欲しいと思います。

(Translated by Google) It's become like a wasteland with overgrown grass. I guess it can't be helped because it's summer. I'll come back when it gets colder. (Original) 草ぼーぼーの荒地みたいになってました。夏だから仕方ないのかな また寒くなってからきます

(Translated by Google) It is well maintained and easy to tour. This keyhole-shaped tumulus has a total length of 98m and is built in three stages. The burial facility will be direct burial in a wooden coffin. There are also two scallop-shaped keyhole-shaped tombs right next to it. These two stations also have signboards, although they are small. (Original) 整備されているので、見学しやすい。全長98mの前方後円墳、３段築成で立派。埋葬施設は木棺直葬。すぐ横に、帆立貝形前方後円墳も２基。この２基にも、小さめですが看板はあります。

Autumn in the park of City Cultural Center

TM NETWORK 40th FANKS intelligence Days 〜DEVOTION〜

Large place with lots of rooms to rent... good staff

it is a big building good for concerts and plays

Clean and tidy room

(Translated by Google) This was my second visit for a live show after a few years. It feels a bit old. The seats are high enough that you can see the stage without overlapping. The sound was normal. The venue isn't too big, so even from the back you can see the whole stage and follow the action, which was great. If you don't get there early, the parking lot nearby will fill up. (Original) 数年ぶりにライブのため2度目の訪問。やや古さを感じる。 座席は前後の高さはあって被らずステージが見える。音は普通に聞こえた。広すぎない会場だから後方でもステージ全体が見渡せて動きもわかって良かった。駐車場は早めに行かないと近くはいっぱいになる。

(Translated by Google) There was plenty of free parking nearby, which was helpful! Since we were in Utsunomiya, I wanted to try some gyoza, and there are restaurants nearby, but if you want to compare different flavors, it might be better to eat around Utsunomiya Station before heading to the venue. (*´ω｀*) The hall's unique slope made it very easy to see. .ﾟ+.(´∀｀*).+ﾟ. (Original) 周りに無料の駐車場が沢山あり助かりました！ 宇都宮なので餃子食べたいなって思い周辺に店舗がありますが、食べ比べ等したい時は宇都宮駅周辺で食べてから会場に向かう方がいいかもしれないです(*´ω｀*) ホールならではの傾斜がありとても観やすかったです.ﾟ+.(´∀｀*).+ﾟ.

I visited this place to update address on my residence card. It’s 23min walking from JR utsunomiya station west exit. Staff: I felt that the staff were working very hard to serve you based on your need. Here is really loved the japanese culture and their well defined organised set processes. Starting from token number collection to respective form filling, submission of form to assigned counter and collection of your final approved documents. Hygiene: The building area and working staff floor is very clean and feels calm. I really appreciate the Japan government and Very supportive Utsunomiya City ward office staff. 🙏🏻

Typical japanese city hall. There are bus service to and from utsunomiya station

NICE！

So welcoming and helpful

Nice

Quick and painless.

Good place

(Translated by Google) I knew it existed, but after watching Uji Koji's video, I decided to go. On the day, I climbed Hoteigaoka Castle and Manako Castle, climbing the mountain ladders, and even though I was exhausted, I pushed myself to climb. It's not a particularly high mountain, but it's still quite a climb. There's a dedicated parking lot near Chofukuji Temple, which can be used along with Nijo Castle. Starting from the trailhead, you turn north along the moat-bottom path from the spring halfway up the east side, eventually reaching the umadashi (horizontal wall) on the north side of the Kitanomaru. The moat-bottom path is impressive, but the umadashi (horizontal wall) itself is also a magnificent remnant. From here, you pass through the Kitanomaru, the umadashi-shaped moat, the Ninomaru North Bailey, and the Ninomaru before reaching the main bailey. The earthworks, dry moats, and remains of masugata (box structures) along the way are truly magnificent. The best views are from the Ninomaru area. The main bailey is surrounded by earthworks, including a large earthwork tower-shaped base. Leaving the main bailey to the south, you'll find a magnificent, complex, winding masugata (masugata) structure, which twists and turns until you reach the Minami-no-maru (Southern Bailey). From the base of the Minami-no-maru, you'll make a complex path under the main bailey, passing through the Mizute-no-mote-kuruwa (Water Bailey) and arriving at the Higashi-no-maru (Eastern Bailey). Tired, I tried to climb down from the Higashi-no-maru, but was ultimately blocked by the undergrowth and my efforts were futile. The correct solution is to go further north from the base of the Higashi-no-maru, where you'll meet up with the hiking trail at the first spring. The castle was the residence of the Nishikata clan, a branch of the Utsunomiya clan. It doesn't look like a castle built for a single powerful clan, and it's likely that it was renovated by the main Utsunomiya family, or possibly by the Yuki clan (Yuki Hideyasu), who ruled the area after the fall of the Utsunomiya clan. It's quite possible that it was used to counter the Uesugi clan before the Battle of Sekigahara. It seems that the castle was developed with the aim of becoming a nationally designated historic site, and it has been successfully designated, but I hope that it doesn't stop there; it will continue to be maintained and managed. (Original) 存在は知ってましたが、U字コージさんの動画を見て「行こう」と思いました。当日、布袋ヶ岡城・真名子城と登山梯子してくたくたの身体に鞭打ってのぼりました。そんなに高い山ではありませんが、それなりに登ります。 駐車場は長福寺のところに専用のものがあり、二条城と共に利用できます。 登山口から登ると、東側中腹の湧水点から堀底道を北に折れ、最終的に北の丸北側の馬出しに到達します。堀底道も素晴らしいですが、この馬出しも素晴らしい遺構です。ここから、北の丸〜馬出し状の曲輪〜二の丸北郭〜二の丸と経て主郭に至ります。途中途中の土塁や空堀、桝形遺構がとても素晴らしいです。見晴らしはこの二の丸付近が一番効きます。 主郭は土塁に囲繞された郭で、櫓台状に大きくなった土塁もあります。主郭を南に抜けると複雑な折れを伴う桝形が素晴らしく、曲がって曲がって南の丸に至ります。南の丸付け根から主郭下を複雑に抜けると、水の手曲輪を経て東の丸に至ります。疲れていたので東の丸から下れないかとトライしてみましたが、最終的に薮に阻まれ、徒労に終わりました。正解は東の丸付け根から更に北に行くと、最初の湧水点で登山道に合流できます。 城は宇都宮氏一族の西方氏の居城。一豪族レベルとは思えない城郭で、宇都宮氏本家による改修や、場合によっては宇都宮氏没落後に当地を領した結城氏(結城秀康)による改修が考えられます。関ヶ原前の対上杉用であれば、あり得そうです。 国指定を目指して整備して、めでたく国指定史跡となったようですが、そこで終わらず、引き続き整備管理をお願いしたいところです。

(Translated by Google) You can climb up to the Saigata Castle Ruins from the parking lot near Chotokuji Temple, and arrive after about 20 minutes of climbing up the mountain path. I was worried about Yamabiru, but luckily it wasn't here. However, there are no restrooms in this area, so advance preparation is essential. I walked through the castle ruins, including the Kitanomaru, Honmaru, and East Maru, and was surprised at how large they were. It is larger than Takiyama Castle and comparable in size to Karasawayama Castle. On the way to the East Maru, I was surprised to see the roof and hear people's voices. It was strange to see the building because we climbed the mountain for 20 minutes. When I checked Google Maps later, I found out that Saiho Castle is sandwiched between golf courses to the east and west. When I returned home, I looked it up and found out that Nishinomaru had been turned into a golf course, and I was very disappointed. If the Nishinomaru had remained, it would have looked like a crane flying with its wings outstretched, and it would have been reminiscent of its other name, ``Tsurugaoka Castle.'' (Original) 西方城跡へは長徳寺近くの駐車場から登ることができ、山道を約20分ほど登ると到着します。ヤマビルが心配でしたが、幸いこの場所にはいませんでした。ただし、このエリアにはトイレがないため、事前準備は必須です。 城跡は北の丸、本丸、東の丸を歩きましたが、その広さには驚かされました。多気山城よりも大きく、唐沢山城に匹敵する規模です。 東の丸へ向かう途中、屋根が見え、人の声が聞こえてきたのには驚きました。20分山を登ったので建物があるのは不思議でした。後でGoogle Mapを確認すると、西方城の東西がゴルフ場に挟まれていることがわかりました。そして帰ってから調べると西の丸はゴルフ場に変わったと知り非常に残念に思いました。もし西の丸が残っていれば、鶴が羽根を広げて飛んでいるかのように見え、別名「鶴ケ岡城」が彷彿できたでしょう。

(Translated by Google) [Castle exploration] ◉Castle Ruins Nishikata Castle 📍Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture We explored Nishikata Castle, the residence of the Nishikata clan, whose ancestor was Kageyasu Nishikata, a member of the Utsunomiya clan. From 7:53, we headed for the top of Mt. Shiroyama and explored the castle. 🏯Western Castle It was built on the summit of Mt. Shiroyama at an altitude of 221.3 meters, and a mountain trail is currently in place. The shape of the Koguchi is very diverse, with a curved circle (the northern circle, the second circle, the south circle, the east circle, and the west circle being obliterated by the golf course) on the ridge that extends north, south, east, and west from the summit, and there are many explanation boards explaining the sights. ☆Classification/Structure Renku-style mountain castle ☆Building🏯lord Kageyasu Nishikata ☆Built🏯year Kamakura period? ☆Main castle lord Nishikata clan, Utsunomiya clan, Minagawa clan ☆Abandoned castle year Keicho 2nd year (1597) ☆History It is said to have been built in the Kamakura period by Kageyasu Nishigata, the second son of Yasumune Takeshige, the third son of Kagetsuna Utsunomiya, the seventh head of the Utsunomiya clan, who was a retainer of the Kamakura shogunate.As it was a castle on the border with the territory of the Minagawa clan, battles were often fought there. In 1515, Utsunomiya Tadatsuna was defeated in a battle with Minagawa Munenari and the castle fell. In 1585, Kunitsuna Utsunomiya, with the support of Yoshishige Satake, recaptured the castle from Hiroteru Minagawa, and in 1597, the Utsunomiya clan took over and the castle was abandoned. ◉Impressions/Route There is a parking lot for visitors to the castle ruins that can park 13 cars on the left side in front of the Soto sect Chotokuji temple. From there, continue along the road and on the far right you will find the entrance to the mountain trail that leads to the Saigata Castle ruins. The mountain trail is a relatively gentle climb, but there are some steeper ones, so it's best to bring hiking shoes, work gloves, and other equipment. There is a place where the trail branches off towards the East Maru, but if you continue towards the Kitanomaru, you will be blocked by a vertical moat, which was said to have been about 5 meters deep at the time, with a bend in the middle. You will have to walk up the Horizoko path and enjoy the strong defense equipment that can be attacked from the side by Yokoyakari! At the end of the moat, the wall of the Kitanomaru towered, and from above it must have received a tremendous arrow attack! On the way from the Kitanomaru to the Ninomaru after passing through a curved circle surrounded by an earthwork called a ``redoubt,'' you can see a ``complicated incursion path,'' ``a vantage point,'' and a ``vertical moat'' in the ``horikiri,'' which boasts the deepest point in Western Castle. The ``Honmaru (main enclosure)'' at the top of Mt. Shiroyama is surrounded by extremely high earthworks, and the small ``Hachiman Shrine'' is enshrined here. Continuing through the main enclosure, there was a ``bent entry path'' surrounded by an even more complicated earthwork than before, and from the top of the earthwork it would have been possible to rain down arrows! From Minami-no-maru, the trail goes down the mountain, and although there is no sign that the water has dried up, there is a ``water hand'' (well ruins), and after passing through the ``continuous Masugata Koguchi'', proceed to the east-no-maru and return to the road to Chotoku-ji Temple. No matter which direction you approach the Honmaru, there are strong defense facilities, and I was able to experience that the situation was not easy to navigate. There are explanation boards everywhere, making the castle ruins very worth seeing. thank you very much. ◉Location Nishikata Honjo, Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture ◉Access 🚊2.6 km from Tobu Railway Nikko Line/Tobu Kanasaki Station exit, about 40 minutes walk. (Original) 【城探究】 ◉城跡 西方城　📍栃木県栃木市 宇都宮氏一族である西方景泰を祖とする西方氏の居城「西方城」を探究しました。 ７時５３分から城山山頂を目指し城郭をぐるりと探究しました。 🏯西方城 標高２２１．３ｍの城山山頂に築かれており、現在は登山道が整備されています。 山頂から東西南北と十字に伸びた尾根に曲輪（北の丸・二の丸・南の丸・東の丸・西の丸はゴルフ場により消滅）を配し虎口の形状が非常に多彩となっていて、見所を図説する説明板が多くあります。 ☆分類・構造 連郭式山城 ☆築🏯主 西方景泰 ☆築🏯年 鎌倉時代？ ☆主な城主 西方氏・宇都宮氏・皆川氏 ☆廃城年 慶長２年（１５９７年） ☆沿革 鎌倉幕府の御家人、宇都宮氏第７代当主宇都宮景綱の３男武茂泰宗の次男西方景泰が鎌倉時代に築いたとされ、皆川氏の領域との境目の城であった為、度々戦が行われている。 永正１２年（１５１５年）宇都宮忠綱が皆川宗成との戦いで敗れ落城。 天正１３年（１５８５年）宇都宮国綱が佐竹義重の支援を得て皆川広照から城を奪還、慶長２年（１５９７年）宇都宮氏が改易となり廃城となった。 ◉感想／ルート 曹洞宗 長徳寺に向かって行く道の寺手前左側に１３台停める事ができる城址見学者用駐車場があります。 そこから道をさらに進み右奥に西方城跡へと登る登山道入口があります。 登山道は比較的緩やかに登って行けますが時より急な登り道もあるので登山靴や軍手などの装備はあったほうが便利です。 東の丸方面に分岐する場所がありますがそのまま北の丸方面へ進むと、当時は深さ５ｍ程あったとされ、途中に屈折を設けられた「竪堀」が行く手を阻んでいます。 堀底道を歩いて登る状況となり、横矢掛りからの側面攻撃を受ける強固な防衛設備を堪能する事ができます！ 竪堀の先には北の丸の壁がそびえ立ちその上からは凄まじい矢の攻撃を受けた事でしょう！ 「堡塁」と呼ばれる土塁で囲まれた曲輪を越え北の丸から二の丸へと向う途中にも「複雑に屈折する侵入路」や「見晴らしの良いポイント」に西方城で最大の深さを誇る「堀切」に「竪堀」が確認できます。 城山山頂である「本丸（主郭）」周囲はひときわ高い土塁に囲まれており、小規模ながら「八幡宮」が鎮座しています。 本丸をさらに進むと先ほどよりもさらに複雑な土塁に囲まれた「屈折する侵入路」があり、土塁上からは矢の雨を降らせる事ができたでしょう！ 南の丸からは下山するように進み、水は枯れ跡形もないですが「水の手（井戸跡）」があり、「連続する枡形虎口」をへて東の丸へと進み長徳寺への道へと戻ります。 「本丸」に向うにはどの方面から進んでも強固な防衛設備があり、一筋縄では行かない状況を体感する事ができました。 説明板による解説も随所にあるのでとても見応えある城跡となっています。 ありがとうございました。 ◉所在地 栃木県栃木市西方本城 ◉アクセス 🚊東武鉄道日光線／東武金崎駅出口から２．６Ｋｍ、徒歩４０分位。

(Translated by Google) What a wonderful castle ruins. The earthworks, vertical moat, earthen bridge, Umade, and Masugata remain in very good condition. The starting point is the parking lot next to Chotokuji Temple, and there is a pamphlet on the territory map signboard that shows the highlights, so please bring this with you when you tour. After passing through a bamboo forest and coming to the remains of a charcoal kiln, we finally entered the castle grounds. If you are confident on your feet, turn right towards the Honmaru and head for the Kitanomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru via the vertical moat, where you can enjoy the technical vertical moat and curved approach road. Those who wish to ascend the castle slowly can enjoy an easy and fun way to get around the castle by heading to the main enclosure via the spring area, the east maru, and the continuous Masugata Koguchi. There are plenty of things to see, such as the scenery from the Kitanomaru and Honmaru, the signs that highlight the highlights, the status of weeds and shrubs in each curve, and the continuous Masugata Koguchi, so if you like earthen castles, you should definitely go. In particular, you can still see how water was secured in the mountain castle, which is an attraction that other castles don't have. The mysterious stones in the main enclosure are also interesting. If the position of the tiger mouth is related, it may be a magical countermeasure such as Feng Shui. If you are driving, there is a parking lot next to Chotokuji Temple. If you walk, it takes about 40 minutes from Tobu Kanasaki Station. Take the community bus (200 yen prepaid) from the station and get off at the Kogyo Danchi Higashi intersection, about 10 minutes to Chotokuji Temple. (Original) なんて素晴らしい城跡なんだろう。土塁、竪堀、土橋、馬出、枡形など非常に良い状態で残っている。 長徳寺脇の駐車場が起点で、縄張図の看板に見所を示したパンフレットがあり、これを持参して見学して欲しい。 竹林などを抜け、炭焼窯跡に来たらいよいよ城域に入る。足に自信ある人は本丸方向に右折して竪堀経由で北の丸、二の丸、本丸を目指せば、技巧的な竪堀や屈折する進入路を楽しめる。 ゆっくりと登城したい方は、湧水地、東の丸、連続した枡形虎口経由で本丸を目指すと楽に楽しく回ることができる。 北の丸や本丸からの景色、見所を押さえた標示、各曲輪の雑草や雑木の処理の状況、連続した枡形虎口など見所が豊富にあり、土の城好きは是非行くべき。 特に、山城の水確保の様子が今でも分かる状態にあり、他の城にはない魅力である。また、本丸の謎石も面白い。虎口の位置が関係しているなら風水など呪術的な対策なのかもしれない。 車なら長徳寺脇に駐車場がある。徒歩なら、東武金崎駅から40分程度。コミュニティバス（200円前払い）で駅から『工業団地東交差点』下車で長徳寺まで10分程度。

(Translated by Google) The ruins of Nishikata Castle are the remains of a castle dating back to the early Muromachi period, belonging to the Nishikata clan, a branch of the Utsunomiya clan. During the Sengoku period, the castle fell during Toyoda Hideyoshi's Odawara Conquest, and the Yuki clan was subsequently bestowed with the territory, but there is no record of them moving into Nishikata Castle. Later, after the Battle of Sekigahara, Fujita Nobuyoshi moved into Nijo Castle (Jin'ya) to the southeast of Nishikata Castle with the Nishikata clan's 15,000 koku of rice, and although Nishikata Castle did exist, it is unknown whether it was used. After the Summer Siege of Osaka, Fujita Nobuyoshi was stripped of his title and Nishikata Castle and Nijo Castle were abandoned. (Original) 西方城跡は宇都宮氏の一族の西方氏の室町時代の初期からの城跡で、戦国時代の豊田秀吉の小田原征伐の時は落城し、その後結城氏が領地を拝領したが、西方城に入ったとの記述がありません。その後関ケ原合戦以後に藤田信吉が西方藩一万五千石で西方城南東に二条城(陣屋)に入り西方城は存在していたが、使われたか不詳です。 大阪夏の陣後藤田信吉は改易になり西方城と二条城は廃城になりました。

(Translated by Google) Great hospitality, such as a private parking lot, an explanation board with a territory map, and a promenade. Many of the ruins are now a treasure box of Yamashiro ✨ Yay 👍️ It looks like it was scratched a little on the golf course, but it still looks great👌 Altitude 221m (Original) 専用駐車場🅿️、縄張図付きの説明板、遊歩道などのおもてなし整備が素晴らしい🙇‍♂️ 遺構の数々は もはや山城の宝石箱✨やー👍️ 少しゴルフ場で削られたらしいけど見ごたえタッッッップリでした👌 標高221m

(Translated by Google) Nishikata Castle Ruins, located in Nishikata-cho, Tochigi City, are mountain castle ruins believed to have been built by the Nishikata clan, a branch of the Utsunomiya clan, from the Muromachi to Sengoku periods. Centered around the mountaintop at an elevation of approximately 221 meters, the castle remains well-preserved, with multiple enclosures, moats, and earthworks remaining. It's an extremely important historical site for understanding the evolution of castle-building techniques from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. A distinctive feature of the castle's defensive layout is its deep moat, high cliffs, and complex, winding passageways, all built to prevent enemy invasions. Its integrated structure, consisting of two castles at the top and base of the mountain, is particularly noteworthy among mountain castles in the region. In recent years, its invaluable historical value has been recognized, and it was designated a National Historic Site in 2024. (Original) 西方城跡は、栃木市西方町に位置する山城跡で、室町時代から戦国時代にかけて宇都宮氏の一族である**西方氏**が築いたとされています。標高約221メートルの山頂を中心に、複数の曲輪（くるわ）や堀切（ほりきり）、土塁（どるい）などが良好な状態で残っており、中世から近世初頭にかけての築城技術の変遷を知る上で非常に重要な史跡です。 特徴的なのは、敵の侵入を防ぐために設けられた深い堀や高い切岸（きりぎし）、そして複雑に屈曲させた通路など、防御を意識した縄張り（城の設計）です。特に、山頂部と山麓部の二つの城が一体となった構造は、この地域の山城の中でも特筆すべき点です。近年、この貴重な歴史的価値が認められ、2024年に**国指定史跡**となりました。

(Translated by Google) In Shimotsuke, authentic Kinai-style keyhole-shaped tumulus using stone tiles and cylindrical haniwa were finally built in the mid-5th century. Kinugawa Ryuki's Sasazuka Tumulus is the first example. Yuji Seki's "Ancient Clans of Kanto as told by Shrines" The Sasazuka Tumulus has groundbreaking significance, as it is a Kinai-style keyhole-shaped tumulus, is located in the lowlands of Tagawa, and employs a haniwa ritual. The owner of the Sasazuka Tumulus, which controlled the highly productive Tagawa lowlands, was a worldly king with a wide-ranging network, and his personality is thought to be significantly different from that of the burials of the earlier period. At this stage, unlike the people who lived in pit-style dwellings, the rulers began to live in buildings with splendid structures, such as those presumed to be house-shaped haniwa, in places separated from the people. “History of Tochigi Prefecture” page 43 As such, it is an important kofun in Tochigi Prefecture, and you can also climb up the hill of the kofun. (Original) 下野では、葺石と円筒埴輪を用いた本格的な畿内様式の前方後円墳は、ようやく5世紀中葉になって造かられるようになる。鬼怒川龍騎の笹塚古墳が最初の例だ。関裕二著『神社が語る関東の古代氏族』 笹塚古墳は、畿内型の前方後円墳、田川の低地に立地、埴輪祭祀の採用など画期的な意味を持つ。生産力の高い田川の低地を押さえた笹塚古墳の主は、広域的なネットワークをもつ世俗的な王者であり、前期の被葬者とは大きく性格を異にすると思われる。この段階になると、竪穴式住居に住む民衆とは異なり、支配者は民衆とは隔絶された場所に、家形埴輪で推定されるような立派な構造の建物に居住するようになる。『栃木県の歴史』43頁 ということで、栃木県的には重要な古墳ですが、古墳の丘に登ることもできます。

(Translated by Google) Although not well maintained, it is one of the ruins excavated during the creation of this neighborhood, or Interpark. However, this burial mound was discovered from an earlier time. (Original) 整備は行き届いていませんがこの界隈、すなわちインターパークの造成のときに出土した遺跡群のひとつです。但し、こちらの古墳のほうが昔からの発見されていました。

(Translated by Google) Sasazuka Tumulus is located just south of the Higashitanicho intersection on Prefectural Route 35 at the southern end of Utsunomiya City. It is adjacent to the east side of the road, and you can park two cars in parallel. There's nothing special about it, but it's an ancient tomb! (Original) 笹塚古墳は、宇都宮市南端部の県道35号線・東谷町交差点のすぐ南に在ります。道の東側に接していて、車も2台程度なら縦列駐車可能です。特筆することも無いのですが、古墳です！

(Translated by Google) Surrounded by trees, the sound of cars is far away, making it a cool and pleasant place in the summer. There is a small parking lot for 2 cars. It's one of my favorite places, with some great views. (Original) 木々に囲まれて車の音なども遠くなり、夏は涼しくて気持ち良い場所です。 小さな駐車場が2台分あります。 見晴らしも多少あり、とても好きな場所の一つです。

(Translated by Google) It is a keyhole-shaped tumulus with a total length of 100m and a height of 10.5m, and is also designated as a prefectural historic site. (Original) 全長100m、高さ10.5mの前方後円墳で県指定史跡にも指定されています。

(Translated by Google) It doesn't look big from the outside, but when you climb up it, you can see that it has a lot of depth. There is also a constriction, indicating that this is the keyhole-shaped tumulus that we once learned about in class. (Original) 表は大きく見えませんが、登ってみると奥行きがあるのがわかります。くびれの部分もあり、かつて授業で習った前方後円墳であることがわかります。

(Translated by Google) It's a little scary if you go alone. It is a keyhole-shaped tumulus. (Original) 1人で行くとちょびっと怖い。 前方後円墳です。

(Translated by Google) When you enter the store, no one greets you with a ``welcome,'' and the employees just make small talk with each other. The clothes are all XL and XXL and cannot be worn by people in S or M sizes, and they seem to be selling them after washing them, but it smells like a warehouse ( •́ฅ•̀ ) I would like you to burn incense such as Chandan. (Original) 店内に入っても『いらっしゃいませ』の声掛けが無く店員同士で世間話をひたすらしている｡ 洋服はXLやXXLの大きな物ばかりでSやMのサイズの人には着れない服ばかりで洗濯後に販売してるみたいだが､倉庫臭が半端なくて臭い( •́ฅ•̀ ) チャンダンなどのお香を焚いて欲しい

(Translated by Google) Overall the quality is poor and the price is high. This time it was on sale so I bought one for a cheap price, but I probably won't have a chance to buy it again. Also, if it is dirty or dirty somewhere, there is no mention of it, so be careful. (Original) 全体的に質が悪い割に高い。今回はセールしていたので一着安く購入したが多分二度と買う機会はない。 またどこか汚れていたりしていたりしても記載がないので注意が必要。

(Translated by Google) To avoid giving birth to a second me It seems that it will be closed on June 16th... (Original) 第二の私を生まないために 6月16日閉店だそうです......

(Translated by Google) I had gone to Tokyo and other places and lost my dress, but I'm glad I was able to find a wonderful dress in Tochigi! 👗 They were quick to help me resize a colored dress that I had purchased at another store, and they also consulted with me about other trivial matters ☺️ I'm so glad I was able to find such a wonderful restaurant for my once-in-a-lifetime wedding! thank you very much! (Original) 東京等にも出向きドレス迷子になっていましたが、栃木で素敵なドレスを見つけることができて良かったです！👗 他店で購入したカラードレスのサイズ直しも早急に対応して頂き、その他にも些細なことも相談にのってくださりました☺️ 一生に一度の結婚式で素敵なお店に出会えて本当に良かったです！ ありがとうございました！