Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
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Tochigi Prefecture, Japan:
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🌍 Location & Basics
• Landlocked prefecture in northern Kantō, ~100 km north of Tokyo. Capital: Utsunomiya (~500,000 people) with prefecture population ~1.9 million .
• Geography: flat southern plains; mountainous north including Nikko, Nasu, Shiobara .
• Area: ~6,408 km² .
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🏰 History & Culture
• Former Shimotsuke Province, established as Tochigi Prefecture in 1873 .
• Ashikaga Gakkō in Ashikaga is the oldest school building in Japan (founded ~9th century) and is a National Historic Site .
• Nikkō’s UNESCO complex (Tōshō-gū, Futarasan, Rinnō-ji) declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 .
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🌄 Natural Beauty & Attractions
• Nikkō National Park: home to Lake Chūzenji, Mount Nantai, and lush cedar-lined avenues (longest in the world at ~35 km) .
• Kegon Falls (97 m): among Japan’s top 100 waterfalls and especially stunning in autumn and winter .
• Mount Nasu (~1,917 m): active volcano with hiking trails, ropeway access, hot springs & ski resorts .
• Soothing onsens in Shiobara, Kawaji, Kinugawa, etc. .
• Romantic Road: scenic 320 km drive linking Tochigi to Nagano, best enjoyed by car .
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🎨 Arts, Traditions & Events
• Mashiko Pottery: rustic Mashiko-yaki tradition, hands-on workshops, and major fairs .
• Tochigi leather: renowned since 1937 for vegetable-tanned leather goods .
• Regional festivals: Nikko’s Yayoi Festival, Thousand Samurai Parade; Nasu’s horseback archery events .
• Ashikaga Flower Park: famous for spectacular wisteria displays in late spring .
• Rich silk traditions in Yuki and cannabis history museums .
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🍽️ Food & Agriculture
• Leading producer of strawberries (“Strawberry Kingdom”): home to varieties like Tochiotome, Sky Berry, and Tochihime; strawberry-picking December–May .
• Utsunomiya: known nationwide for tasty gyōza dumplings .
• Also famous for Sano ramen, dairy products (2nd after Hokkaido), kanpyō gourd strips, and lemon milk drinks .
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