Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県 Tochigi-ken) is a located in the Kanto region on the island of Honshu, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya. Utsunomiya is famous for its many delicious gyoza specialist shops.

Nikko, whose ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture. Nikko is approximately one hour by train from Tokyo.

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.

History

Prior to the establishment of the present-day system of prefectures, Tochigi was Shimotsuke Province.

The establishment of the Nikko Toshogu in 1617 brought Nikko to national attention. The Tokugawa Shogunate developed the Nikko kaido (part of the major road connecting Nikko with Edo) and required lavish processions to worship Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa line of shoguns.

Geography

The following communities agreed to seek the permission of the governor of the prefecture to merge on March 1, 2006:

• Nikko
• Imaichi
• Ashio
• Fujihara
• Kuriyama

Cities

• Ashikaga
• Imaichi
• Kanuma
• Kuroiso
• Mooka
• Nikko
• Otawara
• Oyama
• Sano
• Tochigi
• Utsunomiya (capital)
• Yaita

Districts

Economy

Demographics

Culture

Tourism

Nikko is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site. This encompasses Rinnoji , Nikko Toshogu, Futarasan Shrine , and Taiyuin . The Kegon Falls, also in Nikko, is popular with tourists. To travel between the city and the falls, automobiles and buses take the irohazaka, a road with dozens of switchbacks.

Prefectural symbols

Miscellaneous topics

External links

• Official Tochigi Prefecture homepage
• TochigiGaijin.Com - The Official Homepage for Foreigners Living & Working in Tochigi Prefecture
• Wikitravel: Tochigi