Utsunomiya Station is located about 50 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen.
While the city is widely known for its gyoza dumplings, Utsunomiya is also a very practical base for visiting nearby destinations such as Nikko, the Oya area, and Ashikaga.
Utsunomiya has two main stations—JR Utsunomiya Station and Tobu-Utsunomiya Station. These stations are within walking distance of each other, and the city center extends continuously between them. Because of this, even first-time visitors can move around easily without worrying too much about which station they are using.
In this article, we introduce how to access Utsunomiya Station, the atmosphere around the station area, nightlife options, and sightseeing spots that are easy to visit as day trips from Utsunomiya.
How to Get to Utsunomiya Station
Two railway lines serve the Utsunomiya area: the JR lines and the Tobu Railway.
JR Utsunomiya Station and Tobu-Utsunomiya Station are about a 25-minute walk apart.
Below is an overview of how to reach Utsunomiya from Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
From Tokyo
To Tobu-Utsunomiya Station
From Tokyo Station, take the JR Ueno–Tokyo Line to Kurihashi Station.
At Kurihashi, transfer to the Tobu Railway bound for Tobu-Utsunomiya Station.
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Tokyo → Kurihashi: approx. 61 minutes / ¥990
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Kurihashi → Tobu-Utsunomiya: approx. 78 minutes / ¥750
The total travel time is around 2.5 hours, with a total fare of approximately ¥1,740.
To JR Utsunomiya Station
The fastest option is to take the Shinkansen directly from Tokyo to Utsunomiya without any transfers.
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Shinkansen: approx. 49 minutes / ¥5,020 (reserved seat)
If you prefer a cheaper option using regular trains, the following route is available:
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Tokyo → Shinjuku (JR Chuo Line): approx. 13 minutes
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Shinjuku → Utsunomiya (JR Shonan–Shinjuku Line): approx. 112 minutes
This route takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes in total, with a fare of approximately ¥1,980.
From Shin-Osaka
When traveling from Shin-Osaka Station, you will need to pass through Tokyo.
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Shin-Osaka → Tokyo (Shinkansen): approx. 2 hours 27 minutes / ¥14,720 (reserved seat)
From Tokyo, follow the same routes described above to reach Utsunomiya.
The Area Around Utsunomiya Station
Distance Between Tobu-Utsunomiya Station and JR Utsunomiya Station
Tobu-Utsunomiya Station and JR Utsunomiya Station are about a 25-minute walk apart.
The distance is roughly 2 kilometers, which makes it walkable for most travelers.
[View on Google Maps]
Local buses also run between the two stations, and the journey by bus takes about 12 minutes.
Because the city center extends continuously between them, there is no clear boundary separating the two areas, and travelers do not need to choose one side over the other.
The Neighborhood Around Tobu-Utsunomiya Station
Tobu-Utsunomiya Station is directly connected to the Tobu Department Store, which serves as the station building.
The surrounding area is home to local shopping streets, with many small shops and restaurants clustered together.
It has a relaxed, local feel and is easy to explore on foot, especially if you are looking for casual dining options.
The Neighborhood Around JR Utsunomiya Station
The area in front of JR Utsunomiya Station is characterized by a large bus rotary and several mid- to high-rise buildings.
Compared to the Tobu-Utsunomiya side, this area tends to have slightly heavier traffic, reflecting its role as the city’s main transportation hub.
The Utsunomiya Light Rail (LRT) also starts from here, making JR Utsunomiya Station the departure point for light rail services within the city.
For shopping and dining, the station building houses PASEO, which is convenient for picking up meals, souvenirs, or daily necessities before heading out.
Sightseeing Spots Accessible from Utsunomiya Station
The following sightseeing spots can all be reached from Utsunomiya Station in about 30 minutes to one hour by train or bus, making them ideal destinations for easy day trips while using Utsunomiya as a base.
Nikko’s Shrines and Temples (Nikkō Tōshō-gū, Rinnō-ji, Futarasan Shrine)
Shrines and Temples of Nikko are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rank among the most important cultural landmarks in Japan.
If you are visiting Utsunomiya, this is a destination well worth considering. In fact, Utsunomiya works very well as a base for visiting Nikko.
There are two main stations in Nikko—Tobu-Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station. For travelers coming from Utsunomiya, JR Nikko Station is generally the more convenient option.
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JR Utsunomiya Station → JR Nikko Station: approx. 46 minutes / ¥770
Oya History Museum
Oya History Museum may be called a “museum,” but it feels more like an underground temple.
It is a former stone quarry that was excavated between 1919 and 1986, and its vast subterranean space creates an atmosphere reminiscent of an adventure movie such as Indiana Jones.
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From JR Utsunomiya Station: approx. 32 minutes by bus
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From Tobu-Utsunomiya Station: approx. 25 minutes by bus
Heiwa Kannon and Oya Kannon
Heiwa Kannon is a hand-carved stone statue completed in 1954 after six years of work. It stands 27 meters tall and is carved directly into the rock face.
A few minutes’ walk away is Oya Kannon, which is believed to date back to around the year 810. Photography is not permitted here, so it is best appreciated in person.
Both sites are within walking distance of the Oya History Museum, making it easy to visit them together on the same trip.
Ashikaga Gakko
Ashikaga Gakko is often regarded as the oldest existing school in Japan.
While its exact founding date is debated—some theories suggest as early as around 832—it is clearly documented in historical records by 1439.
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From JR Utsunomiya Station: approx. 1 hour 20 minutes by train / ¥1,170
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From Tobu-Utsunomiya Station: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by train / ¥940
Ashikaga Flower Park
Ashikaga Flower Park is recognized as one of Japan’s top three illumination sites.
Seasonal nighttime illuminations are typically held from mid-October to mid-February.
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From JR Utsunomiya Station: approx. 1 hour 5 minutes by train / ¥1,170
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From Tobu-Utsunomiya Station: approx. 1 hour 20 minutes by train / ¥850
Ashikaga Flower Park is just one station away from Ashikaga Gakko (¥200), making it easy to combine both destinations into a single day trip.
Utsunomiya at Night
Utsunomiya is known as a city of gyoza.
If you see a long line in Utsunomiya, there is a good chance it is for a gyoza restaurant. When visiting the city, trying gyoza is highly recommended—it pairs perfectly with beer.
Most of Utsunomiya’s nightlife is concentrated in the area between Tobu-Utsunomiya Station and JR Utsunomiya Station.
This area remains lively in the evening, with plenty of people around, making it relatively comfortable to walk even at night. Take some time to stroll around this district.
View on Google Maps
Another highlight of Utsunomiya’s nightlife is the number of yatai-style food alleys, where many small eateries are gathered in one place. These spots are casual and easy to enjoy, even for first-time visitors.
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Utsunomiya Yatai Yokocho
Located between Tobu-Utsunomiya Station and JR Utsunomiya Station
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Yoruichi Yokocho
Also located between Tobu-Utsunomiya Station and JR Utsunomiya Station
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Higashiguchi Yatai Village
Within walking distance of JR Utsunomiya Station
View on Google Maps
This article is based on information available as of December 1, 2025.