Located about 60 miles north of Tokyo, Utsunomiya is the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, and is home to more than 500,000 people.
The city boasts a rich mixture of historical landmarks, including the Utsunomiya Castle and the rock-carved Buddhas at the Oya Temple. Nikko, a UNESCO World Hertiage site, is a brief train ride from Utsunomiya.
Utsunomiya is also home to modern technology, including a Honda design center and a Canon optical manufacturing plant.
Notably, the city often considered Japan's cocktail capital. The city is also known for gyōza, strawberries, and jazz music.