Experience art and magnificent scenery formed by nature. Rediscover the local charm in Utsunomiya and Mashiko!

A magnificent underground sanctuary that tells the history of stone mining in Oya

Located about 8 km away from the urban area of Utsunomiya, the town of Oya has long been known as the production area of Oya stone. This is a stone created by solidifying volcanic ash and fragments of pumice. It is characterized by its softness and how easily it can be carved. A portion of the mining sites that were dug down between 1919 and 1986 are open to the public.

As we walk carefully down the steps, before us appears an expansive mining space occupying some 20,000 square meters! This otherworldly space is also sometimes referred to as an underground shrine. It is also used as a setting for movies, television shows, and still photography.

The illuminated walls show the remaining traces of systematic mechanical digging.

The deepest point open to the public is at a depth of about 30 meters, and the average annual temperature inside is 8 °C, meaning it is a cool spot even in summer. The seemingly endless, inorganic space makes you feel as if you are lost in the world of a dungeon RPG.

Artists' sculptures and other works of art are on display in the quarry. Art exhibitions and events are also held here.

Pledge your love at the power spot after the underground walk

Tools used for mining and transporting stones are displayed in the materials exhibition room above ground. There is a space where visitors can actually touch and feel the differences between Oya stone and other stones produced in Japan.

The Fountain of Love is located near the entrance. It is said that if you pray here, you will be bound by a bond as strong as stone. And in the center is a statue known as the Oya Gate, which alternatively reads Diamond. It is said that in winter, heart-shaped ice can be seen in the spring.

A new base for sightseeing excursions that connects people with the Oya area!

Oya Connect was created in November 2023. This facility includes the Old Oya Public Hall, a nationally registered tangible cultural property, as well as a visitor center and a multipurpose plaza. It is expected to be a core facility for tourism in Oya.

A volunteer guide is stationed at Oya Connect and showed us around the facility. The main facility, the Old Oya Public Hall, was built in 1929 as a public hall in the former village of Shiroyama. It is made of Oya stone and features four pillars in front. It is said that it was well known as the stage for the village assembly as well as theater performances.

Inside, materials related to the Oya area and Oya stone culture, a Japanese Heritage, are on display. This facility is free to visit. Markets and other events are held on holidays in the outdoor multipurpose space.

A nearby park looking up at dynamic rock walls

Next, we stretch our legs and visit the nearby Oya Keikan Park. Rock walls of Oya stone rises up around the area. This landscape is designated as a national scenic beauty. There are also benches made of Oya stone where you can take a break.

The park stretches along the Sugata River, with Mt. Otomeyama, a series of rock walls, rising on the opposite bank. These rock walls are lit up at night, and the nighttime offers a fantastic view different from that visible during the day.

Compare and enjoy unique Utsunomiya gyoza®! A true gyoza theme park

Utsunomiya, the gyoza dumpling capital, was number one in terms of household gyoza consumption for 15 consecutive years in Japan. There are about 80 shops affiliated with the Utsunomiya Gyoza Association (Utsunomiya Gyozakai) in the city that offer up unique gyoza.
The photo shows the grilled, fried, and boiled gyoza at Utsunomiya-Minmin, each 370 yen for six.

For those who want to try Utsunomiya gyoza but who are unsure of which restaurant to visit, we recommend checking out Kirasse Honten. It is a facility run by the Utsunomiya Gyoza Association, and there are permanent stores, a daily rotation of stores, and a souvenir section. It is a great spot where you can compare and enjoy various types of gyoza.

Place an order at an individual store once you decide what gyoza to try

There are five permanent stores: Utsunomiya-Minmin, Men, Kouran, Ryumon and Satsuki. First, we ordered gyoza from Utsunomiya-Minmin, a veteran shop. It is a famous restaurant where you are bound to wait in line on weekends, so we were lucky that we could eat without waiting first.

The grilled gyoza at Utsunomiya-Minmin are 370 yen (6 dumplings per serving). The filling is full of pork and lots of Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and other vegetables.

The 390 yen winged gyoza at Men (6 dumplings per serving) have wonderfully crispy wings. Shaoxing rice wine and chicken stock are used in the filling. They have a great flavor; you do not even need to dip these gyoza in soy sauce or vinegar.

The 360 yen grilled gyoza at Satsuki (six dumplings per serving) are full of pork as well as Chinese chives, green onion, cabbage, and other vegetables. They are juicy yet have a light aftertaste. We could have kept eating these.

The chicken tan soup dumplings at Ryumon are 580 yen (six dumplings per serving). The rich and spicy soup goes so well with the lovely smooth gyoza! The filling uses onion, which gives the gyoza a gentle flavor.

You can enjoy a total of 37 different kinds of gyoza in the daily rotation store zone, where the gyoza served vary depending on the day of the week. Gyotendo serves up beautiful jade green boiled gyoza for 470 yen. There is no garlic inside, so they have a refreshing aftertaste.

The gyoza from each of the five permanent stores are brought to your table after you order and pay. Our table was full of gyoza after ordering so many different kinds. Where to begin?

Need something out of the ordinary? Gyoza-themed merchandise

In addition to takeout gyoza, the unique gyoza-themed merchandise available is also worth checking out. The Gyoza Pouch (550 yen) made with real pleats is a popular choice ♪. The Utsunomiya Gyoza Erasers (198 yen each) are one third the size of the real thing. What a cute idea! They will make you want to collect them all.

The Gyoza Monument Acrylic Stand is 500 yen, and the Gyoza Statue Acrylic Stand is 450 yen. These are miniature versions of the monument on Gyoza Street and the Gyoza statue found at JR Utsunomiya Station. They are perfect to remember your trip to Utsunomiya by.

A veteran parlor in Utsunomiya that sells fresh fruit sandwiches across Japan

Fruit sandwiches have become a huge boom around the world, and Pallet (8010) is said to be the starting place. The Yaoto Fruit Store, founded in the Meiji era, opened Fruit Parlor Pallet in 1976. It all began when the fourth generation proprietress came up with fruit sandwiches using fresh fruit.
Pictured are the Tochiotome Strawberry Parfait and the Tochiotome Princess Sandwich (prices vary depending on the season).

Today, the fruit sandwiches are popular at special department store events and more. On weekends, fans come from far away to line up, so there are chairs outside for those waiting.

There is a sunroom looking out on the green trees in the garden. The natural light pouring in from the windows makes it a bright, comfortable space to enjoy.

Inside the fruit sandwiches are orange, apple, and grapefruit, all enveloped in whipped cream. The whipped cream itself is light and just subtly sweet. You can really feel the texture and sweetness of the fruit in the fluffy whipped cream.

We were very satisfied with all the strawberries ♪ What a luxurious snack break.

Outdoor terrace seats are also available on sunny days. The strawberry parfait glass is filled with homemade crushed strawberries and ice cream. A wide variety of parfaits is available such as Skyberry, Kiwi, and Persimmon Parfait.

This shop serves fruit sandwiches as a meal rather than a dessert. At lunch, there are also sets that come with salad and fruit sandwiches, spaghetti, and a drink. We recommend these sets for those who want plenty to eat.

The fantastic nighttime view is also charming ♪ Step into the atmospheric world of the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter

Mr. Wakayama, the owner of Wakayama Farm, is a third-generation farmer cultivating bamboo shoots and chestnuts using natural circular farming methods. The farm owns about 24 hectares in the northern part of Utsunomiya. A portion of the bamboo forest is made open to the public in order to encourage closer proximity with bamboo.

We took off on a walk through the bamboo forest, listening to the sound of the bamboo leaves in the wind and the songs of wild birds. It is rare to be able to visit such a bamboo forest, and it is used to film movies and commercials.

There was a swing along the way made of bamboo. This giant, 8-meter swing is impressive in its width and movement!

Bamboo shoot dishes and chestnut desserts from a cafe that demonstrates the potential of local ingredients

We took a break at a cafe we found along our walk. This cafe offers up dishes using local ingredients, including bamboo shoots and chestnuts from the farm. The daily special desserts were the Chestnut Cream Puff (left) and Matcha Basque Cheesecake (right), each 550 yen. We also recommend the hot lemonade and Royal Darjeeling tea on cold days. The drink set is 880 yen.

This cafe is a relaxing space surrounded by bamboo. If you look closely, you will notice even the light fixtures and luggage spaces in the cafe are made of bamboo.

Hands-on bamboo craft events are also held on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays. We decided to try our hand at making bamboo lanterns! First, we chose designs we liked and then we began drilling. Working silently with a drill, you forget about the stress of daily life.

We finished our bamboo lanterns! You can also make bamboo toys such as a water gun or a bow and arrow (the hands-on craft fee is from 1,000 yen for the bamboo lantern and 500 yen for each toy).

The winter-only event where the bamboo forest meets art in harmony is a must-see ♪

The Bamboo Winter Lights 2023 event was held in the winter. Bamboo lanterns and the illuminated bamboo forest transforms the entire area into a fantastic world. The mythical Princess Kaguya must be hiding around here somewhere

The theme of the event was “Lovely light; a beautiful bamboo night.” Installation artworks of light made of bamboo illuminate the darkness.

The tunnel of bamboo lanterns mixes nature and art in harmony. No matter the angle, every spot is photogenic and like a painting. Bamboo Winter Lights 2023 ends at the end of February, but you can enjoy the usual bamboo forest illumination at night on weekends and holidays beginning in March.

Free lounge and fitness center! Stylish spaces for a pleasant stay

Linking directly to the West Exit of JR Utsunomiya Station, JR-East Hotel Mets Utsunomiya features open spaces and a stylish design rich in local features. Our twin room is a spacious 32 m2 and features beds and a sofa by Simmons.

The large table is also handy for business. Among the available guest rooms are ladies rooms. These rooms emphasize security for female guests and are equipped even with a foot massager and lighted makeup mirror.

Oya stone and Mashiko ware used in public spaces

Oya stone is used in an understated manner for the room number plates.

In the hallway on each floor is an exhibition space called R-CUBE. Each floor introduces different local cultural aspects of Utsunomiya based on themes such as Oya Stone Quarry and Cocktails & Jazz. The statues made of Oya stone at your feet are also worth noticing.

The guest lounge on the fifth floor is a special space that guests can use for free. There is a coffee machine as well as a library and art gallery, making it a nice spot to relax on a sofa. Guests can enter the lounge using their room key.

Enjoy a homely and relaxing breakfast buffet

LAPIS on the third floor is a stylish lounge restaurant where you can enjoy pasta and desserts. It is also the venue for the hotel’s breakfast buffet where guests can enjoy Japanese and Western dishes. Rice goes well with Japanese side dishes such as braised chicken and vegetables, grilled miso-marinated Japanese Spanish mackerel, and simmered bamboo shoots.

Western-style dishes include French toast and scrambled eggs. Together with salad and fruit, they make for a colorful breakfast.

Inside the hotel are Utsunomiya-Minmin and Sushi Zanmai. Stop by and enjoy the flavors of these famous restaurants. There is also a fitness center and laundry for guests, so we also recommend this hotel for guests with long-term stays.

Let the feel of the clay relax you while you create a one-of-a-kind ceramic vessel

On our second day, we will visit the town of Mashiko, which is known for its ceramics. Yamani Otsuka is a shop that sells a wide variety of ceramics, from traditional Mashiko ware to works by young artists. With a gallery, ceramics class, and cafe all under one roof, it is a great spot to experience Mashiko ware with your eyes, hands, and mouth.

Today, we tried their pottery wheel ceramics class. After listening to a lesson by the teacher, you can make any vessel you like—a teacup, rice bowl, deep bowl, and so on.

Challenging yet so much fun ♪ See the clay take shape and become a rice bowl

First, we wrap our hands around the clay and form a hole in the center. Once the hole widens, we support it with both hands to form the edge of the bowl. With a little pressure, the edges widen and bend. It is tough getting the hang of it...

After a number of corrections, the bowl is finally ready ♪ Once the shape is set, we use a thread to separate the vessel from the base.

After this, you can choose from one of five color glazes to finish up the class. Our work then has to dry, and then be fired. They will be done in two or three months. You can have the finished product shipped to your home (separate fee).

Our teacher Mr. Tezuka gave us lots of helpful advice, which made it all such a fun experience ♪ The hotel staff were very happy, saying they looked like ceramics sold in stores.

In addition to wheel-throwing, the class provides a variety of other hands-on experiences such as hand-building and ceramics painting. Create a one-of-a-kind ceramic vessel to remember your trip by!

Stylish cafe-style eats enjoyed on one-of-a-kind ceramic vessels

Jonaizaka Street is the main street in Mashiko, along which there are about 30 cafes, galleries, and Mashiko ware shops. Mashiko Ware + Cafe Restaurant Cocoro, located along this street, has a gallery and shop for Mashiko ware and accessories, as well as a cafe.
(Photo: Tomato shrimp cream pasta for 1,020 yen)

The most charming thing about the cafe is that you get to eat from Mashiko ware dishes. The dishes are coordinated to match each item on the menu. The restaurant’s original sauce pairs well with the juicy steak (2,170 yen for 200 g), a popular choice since the restaurant began. It is served with local Koshihikari rice, miso soup, and salad, making for a very hearty meal!

The 930 yen sweet potato (served with coffee or tea) is a popular dessert. Roasted to be moist, you can really enjoy the natural sweetness of the sweet potato.

The outdoor terrace seats are a great place to experience the seasons. Pets are also allowed on the terrace.

Luxurious French toast (served with coffee or tea) for 1,220 yen. The combination of the blue Japanese dish and the dessert is wonderful.

An assortment of unique Mashiko ware dishes and accessories to brighten your day

After eating, we check out the gallery and shop. It is such a happy feeling to be surrounded by ceramic dishes and accessories created with just care. The various ceramic dishes used in the cafe can also be purchased at the shop.

The chopstick rests are begging to be picked up. The expressive cats and rabbits all lined up are so cute you’ll want to collect them all ♪

Find unique works of art as you tour the corridors

A gallery and shop showcasing a wide range of works from 800 artists—both young and experienced—primarily from Mashiko and Kasama. Solo and special exhibits are held every two weeks around the theme of “Growing Up With Authors.” Here, you can see unique works of art found nowhere else.
The photo shows colorful wine glasses by the artist Seki Yuko.

Exhibits are split by floor; solo exhibits are held on the first floor, and special exhibits are held on the mezzanine. The building is built around corridors, so you can enjoy the various works of art as you walk. The colorful objects with the cute smiles are the work of craft and glass artist Aki Onozaki.

The renovated warehouse BASE is full of cute things ♪

In October 2023, BASE opened at the back of Moegi Jonaizaka, housing a shop and a cafe. This space was once a warehouse, and there sold items such as ceramic vessels as regular products, as well as agricultural produce and processed products.

On display on the table are the works of Yoshinori Hagiwara, a traditional Mashiko artisan. They would go well with either Japanese or Western dishes.

Some pieces are also very reasonably priced. Each piece feels so nice to hold in your hands; the difference from mass-produced products is clear. If you find something you like, your dinner table is sure to become a little more fun.

Here are some cute haniwa figures that we found at BASE. Each is unique and has a different expression ♪ The small ones would also make great gifts.

Yellow carp items based on a local traditional toy are a hot topic!

The Grand Marché on the second floor of Utsunomiya Paseo, adjacent to JR Utsunomiya Station, is full of shops selling famous local items and specialty products. One of them is Utsunomiya Miyagen, which has a lineup of souvenirs selected by local veteran shop Aogen Miso. We are holding yellow carp stuffed animals (1,320 yen), which are based on the local kibuna yellow carp toy from Tochigi.

There are also many confections available in the store, as well as novelties made with strawberries from Tochigi. Here, we have a sweet and sour Strawberry Pink Curry for 756 yen and a strawberry Neapolitan pasta with strawberry fruit sauce for 580 yen.

The yellow carp, or kibuna, is traditional local toy that is said to be decorated in the hope of good health and the safety of one’s household. Now, you can buy a yellow carp knit stuffed animal (430 yen) (left) and a yellow carp netsuke miniature sculpture (550 yen) (right). Will they ward off evil if we put them on our bags? What a cute little item.