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| Capital | Utsunomiya |
| Region | Kantō |
| Island | Honshū |
| Governor | Tomikazu Fukuda |
| Area (rank) | 6,408. is the Capital and the most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The Regions of Japan are not official administrative units but have been traditionally used as the regional division of Japan in a number of contexts The is a Geographical area of Honshū, the largest Island of Japan. The four main Islands of Japan are Hokkaidō Honshū Kyūshū Shikoku or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of A governor is a governing official usually the executive (at least nominally to different degrees also politically and administratively of a non-sovereign level of government is the governor of Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 2004 Rank 28 km² (20th) |
| - % water | 0. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 2% |
| Population (January 1, 2003) | |
| - Population | 2,011,313 (20th) |
| - Density | 314 /km² |
| Districts | 6 |
| Municipalities | 31 |
| ISO 3166-2 | JP-09 |
| Website | http://tia21.or.jp/life/ english/index.html |
| Prefectural Symbols | |
| - Flower | Yashio tsutsuji (Rhododendron albrechtii) |
| - Tree | Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata) |
| - Bird | Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana) |
 Symbol of Tochigi Prefecture |
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Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県 Tochigi-ken?) is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. National population 127708050 Rank Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume There are three basic types of municipalities in Japan: cities, towns and villages. ISO 3166-2JP is an ISO standard which defines Geocodes it is the subset of ISO 3166-2 which applies to Japan. Chestnut ( Castanea) (including some chinkapin or Chinquapin) is a Genus of eight or nine Species of Deciduous The Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana is a migratory Songbird. The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 sub-national Jurisdictions one "metropolis" (都 to) Tokyo; one " circuit The is a Geographical area of Honshū, the largest Island of Japan. or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya. is the Capital and the most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Utsunomiya is famous for its many delicious gyoza specialist shops. Jiaozi ( Chinese Transliteration) gyōza ( Japanese transliteration or mandu Also located in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture has one of the largest shopping malls in the North Kantō region, Bell Mall. Bell Mall is a modern shopping mall in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, since 5/Oct/'04
Nikkō, whose ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture. is a city located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. A Shinto shrine is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine" a Shinto Kami, and is usually characterized by the presence of a (also called Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices A temple (from the Latin word Templum) is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities such as prayer and sacrifice or analogous rites United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex Nikkō is approximately one hour by train from Tokyo and approximately 35 km west of the capital Utsunomiya. A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a track ( Permanent way) to transport freight or passengers from one place to another
Other famous parts of Tochigi include a region called Nasu known for onsen and local sake and ski resorts. An is a term for Hot springs ' in the Japanese language, though the term is often used describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs Snow skiing is a group of sports utilizing Skis as primary equipment The Imperial family has a villa in Nasu. The of Japan is the country's Monarch. He is the head of the Japanese Imperial Family. Nasu Shiobara is a major Shinkansen station. The is a Network of High-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies
Another onsen resort is at Kinugawa.
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Prefectural overview
Situated among the inland prefectures of the Northern portion of the Kanto region, Tochigi is contiguous with the four prefectures of Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, and Fukushima.
The climate of Tochigi may be classified as a humid temperate zone in which there are broad variations in temperature. Winters are arid with dry winds, while summers are humid and puncuated with frequent thunderstorms.
The population of Tochigi as of March, 2007, was approximately 2,014,900 and was increasing up until 2005. In 2006, the population started to decrease mirroring that of the nation's population decrease. About 500,000 people live in the prefectural capital city of Utsunomiya, with the remainder dispersed over 14 other cities and 17 towns.
Situated in the center of the prefecture is the largest open plain in the Kanto region. To the north stand the mountains Shirane (2,578m), Nantai (2,484m) and Nasudake (1,917m). Originating in this region are the Kinugawa, Nakagawa, and Watarase Rivers, which flow across the Kanto plain before emptying in the Pacific Ocean. Tochigi is the 20th largest prefecture in Japan with a total area of 6,408 square km.
History
In the late 7th century, Tochigi formed Shimotsuke Province. During that time was built the Shimotsuke-Yakushi temple, making it the Buddhist capital of the Kanto Region.
In the early 15th century, Ashikaga University, Japan's oldest school of higher education, was re-established, holding over 3000 students by the 16th century. Saint Francis Xavier introduced Ashikaga to the world as the best university in Japan.
In the early 17th century, Japan was unified by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" was the founder and first Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate After his death, Toshogu was built in Nikko on what the shoguns thought of as holy ground to protect and worship Ieyasu. The establishment of the Nikkō Toshogu in 1617 brought Nikkō to national attention. is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. is a city located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate developed the Nikkō kaidō (日光街道, part of the major road connecting Nikkō with Edo) and required lavish processions to worship Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa line of shoguns. The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the, and the, was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the Shoguns of literally bay - Door, " Estuary " edo once also spelled Yedo or Yeddo, is the The was a powerful Daimyo family of Japan. They descended from Emperor Seiwa (850-880 and were a branch of the Minamoto clan (Seiwa Genji by the
In the late 19th century the Tokugawa Shogunate fell and the new government established the prefectures. The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 sub-national Jurisdictions one "metropolis" (都 to) Tokyo; one " circuit The prefectural capital was established in the city of Tochigi after the unification of Utsunomiya Prefecture and Tochigi Prefecture in 1873. By 1884, however, the capital was transferred to Utsunomiya.
Municipalities
Cities
Fourteen cities are located in Tochigi Prefecture.
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Towns
These are the towns in each district:
Mergers
Industry and agriculture
Taking advantage of the fact that it is located in the area near Tokyo, Tochigi is home to many corporations and industrial zones, including the Kiyohara Industrial Complex, one of the largest inland industrial complexes nationwide. is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Ashikaga is located 80 km (50 miles north of Tokyo. is a city located in Tochigi, Japan. As of 2008 the city has an estimated Population of 103373 and the density of 211 persons per is a city in Tochigi, Japan. As of May 1, 2006, the city has an estimated population of 30894 is a city located in Tochigi, Japan. The city was founded on January 1, 2005 with the merger of the city of Kuroiso, and is a city located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. is a city located in eastern Tochigi Prefecture, Japan which is in the northern part of the Kantō region north of Tokyo. is a city located in Tochigi, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated Population of 162283 and the density of 946 is a city located in Tochigi, Japan. The city was formed on March 28[[ 005]] with the merger of the towns of Kitsuregawa and Ujiie is a city located in Tochigi, Japan. The city was founded on February 28[[ 005]] when the old city of Sano merged with the towns of Kuzu is a city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was established on January 10, 2006, by the merger of the towns of Minamikawachi is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Despite its name it is not the capital of Tochigi Prefecture the capital is Utsunomiya. is the Capital and the most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. is a city located in Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the city has an estimated Population of 36259 and the density of 212 The was most recently used as an administrative unit in Japan between 1878 and 1921 and is roughly equivalent to the County of the United States, ranking at the level below Haga (芳賀郡 -gun is a district located in Tochigi, Japan. is a town located in Haga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 16608 and a density is a town located in Haga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 12577 and a density is a town located in Haga District, Tochigi, Japan. Mashiko is known for its Pottery, called Mashikoyaki (益子焼 is a town located in Haga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2005, the town has an estimated Population of 16403 and a density is a town located in Haga District, which lies in the extreme south-east of Tochigi, Japan. Kamitsuga (上都賀郡 -gun is a district located in Tochigi, Japan. is a town located in Kamitsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 6975 and a Kawachi (河内郡 -gun is a district located in Tochigi, Japan. is a town located in Kawachi District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 30885 and a Nasu (那須郡 -gun is a district located in Tochigi, Japan. is a town located in Nasu District, Tochigi, Japan. As of April 1, 2008, the town has an estimated Population is a town located in Nasu District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2007, the town has an estimated Population of 20039 is a district located in Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the district had an estimated Population of 183484 and a density of 587 is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 18472 and a is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 19133 and a is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 39911 and a is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 26309 and a is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 28368 and a is a town located in Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 13635 and a Shioya (塩谷郡 -gun is a district located in Tochigi, Japan. is a town located in Shioya District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 13877 and a density is a town located in Shioya District, Tochigi, Japan. As of 2003, the town has an estimated Population of 30436 and a density The following is a list of mergers that occurred in the 2000s in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
Industrial production in Tochigi is highly concentrated in manufacturing, accounting for 36. 6% of the Prefecture's total production output. Vehicle parts and accessories ranks number one in Prefectural output followed by vehicle manufacturing, radios and televisions, pharmaceuticals, and wireless communication equipment.
Below are Tochigi-manufactured goods with the highest national market share:
| Product | Share |
|---|---|
| Camera Lenses | 71. 3% |
| X-Ray Equipment for Medical Use | 54. 5% |
| Machinery and Appliances for Dental Use | 23. 5% |
| X-Ray Equipment Parts | 57. 5% |
| Injection Molded Plastic Parts | 14. 1% |
(Taken from the 2004 Industrial Analysis Report published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. )
Tochigi's annual gross agricultural output is roughly 274 billion yen and includes rice, vegetables, and livestock. Tochigi is also known for its strawberries, Chinese chives, and Japanese pears which are sold throughout the country as well as exported to various nations. Approximately 55% of Tochigi is covered by forests. Mushrooms, such as Shiitake mushrooms, make up half of the forest industry, its output being approximately 5. The shiitake ( Lentinula edodes) is an Edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries as well as being dried 6 billion yen.
Education
Tochigi is home to many universities and colleges including those for science and technology, literature, medicine, education, and art. Below is a list of some of the universities located in Tochigi:
- Utsunomiya University
- Ashikaga Institute of Technology
- International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara
- Sakushin Gakuin University, Utsunomiya
- Jichi Medical School, Shimotsuke
- Teikyo University, Utsunomiya
- Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu
- Utsunomiya Kyowa University, Utsunomiya and Nasushiobara
- Hakuoh University, Oyama
- Bunsei University of Art, Utsunomiya
- Oyama National College of Technology
- Tochigi College of Industry and Technology (Central), Utsunomiya
- Tochigi College of Industry and Technology (North), Nasu
- Tochigi College of Industry and Technology (South), Ashikaga
People
Sports
The sports teams listed below are based in Tochigi. The prefecture of Tochigi, Japan has been home to numerous famous people groups and organizations
Football (soccer)
Ice Hockey
Basketball
Tourism
Nikkō National Park is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site which was registered as the 10th World Heritage Site in 1999. are a football (soccer club based in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan is the Capital and the most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Franchise history The Nikkō area has a long History of ice hockey, with the Furukawa Electric semi-professional team (one of the oldest in Japan having been established is a city located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex This encompasses Rinnō-ji, Nikkō Tōshō-gū, Mount Nantai, and Futarasan Shrine. is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. is a Mountain in the Nikkō National Park in central Honshū, the main island of Japan. is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nikkō Tochigi Prefecture Japan. The Kegon Falls, also in Nikkō, is popular with tourists. are located at Lake Chūzenji (source of the Oshiri River) in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan To travel between the city and the falls, automobiles and buses take the Irohazaka, a road with dozens of switchbacks. In addition, approximately 400 hundred year old Japanese Cedars (about 13,000 in total) line the famous Nikko Cedar Avenue for roughly 37 km, making it the longest tree lined avenue in the world. Cryptomeria is a Genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes
Japan's oldest university, Ashikaga University, as well as traditional towns such as the city of Tochigi are also part of the prefecture's rich heritage. is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Despite its name it is not the capital of Tochigi Prefecture the capital is Utsunomiya.
A more recent and modern attraction is the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit race course, which hosts the only IndyCar race outside the United States. Twin Ring Motegi is an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. The track also hosts many other race events including Formula One and motorcycle races as well as festivals and fireworks events.
Tochigi has many traditional festivals and events such as Nikkō Tōshō-gū's 1000 Samurai Procession and Horseback Archery Festival, and the city of Tochigi's Autumn Festival where doll floats are pulled around the city once every five years.
Other attractions include
- Nikkō Tōshō-gū
- Rinnō-ji
- Futarasan Shrine
- Kegon Falls
- Lake Chuzenji
- Kirifuri Falls
- Mashiko
- Shiobara Hot Spring
- Nasu resort area
- Kinugawa Hot Spring
- Twin Ring Motegi (motorsports complex)
Transportation and Access
Roadways
Traversing the prefecture along the north-south axis and connecting to the rest of the country are the Tōhoku Expressway and the new and old Route 4. is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. is a complex of 15 Buddhist temple buildings in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nikkō Tochigi Prefecture Japan. are located at Lake Chūzenji (source of the Oshiri River) in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan is a scenic lake in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Twin Ring Motegi is an automobile racing track located at Motegi, Japan. The is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned by Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company National Route 4 is a major highway in eastern Honshū, Japan. From east to west spans Rout 50, connecting southern Tochigi with Ibaraki and Gunma Prefectures.
Also connecting Tochigi, Gunma, and Ibaraki is the Kita-Kantō Expressway, with the 18. The (lit North Kantō Expressway is a 4-laned national expressway in Japan. 5 km that connect the Tochigi-Tsuga Interchange and the Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa Interchange. Portions of the Kita-Kantō Expressway are still being constructed and is set to be fully completed by 2011. The highway will link the region's other main transport arteries, the Tōhoku, the Jōban and the Kan-Etsu Expressways, providing a link to the international port of Hitachinaka in Ibaraki. The, abbreviated, is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company. The is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and managed by East Nippon Expressway Company.
Railways
The main railways running north and south in Tochigi are the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) and the JR Utsunomiya Train Line. From Tokyo Station the shinkansen can reach Oyama (south Tochigi) in 43 minutes, with the fastest trains arriving in Utsunomiya in 48 minutes, placing many parts of Tochigi within commuting range of downtown Tokyo. Along the east and west, the Mito and Ryomo Train Lines connect Tochigi to Ibaraki and Gunma Prefectures.
For cargo transportation, freight train lines have a hub in Utsunomiya at the Utsunomiya Cargo Station.
Air travel
Within approximately an hour's drive along the Tohoku Expressway from Utsunomiya is Fukushima Airport. International and national air transportation is through Narita International Airport to the east of Tokyo and approximately three hours by vehicle from Utsunomiya. is an international Airport located in Narita, Chiba, Japan, in the eastern portion of the Greater Tokyo Area.
External links
- Official Tochigi Prefecture homepage
- Industries of Tochigi
- Bell Mall Website Japanese
- Tochigi travel guide from Wikitravel
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| Cities | |||
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| Ashikaga | Kanuma | Mōka | Nasukarasuyama | Nasushiobara | Nikkō | Otawara | Oyama | Sakura | Sano | Shimotsuke | Tochigi | Utsunomiya (capital) | Yaita | |||
| Districts | |||
| Haga | Kamitsuga | Kawachi | Nasu | Shimotsuga | Shioya | |||
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References
- Official Tochigi Website
- Guide to Industrial Locations in Tochigi
- http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e07/ed07-04.html#NASU
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