Utsunomiya (宇都宮市, Utsunomiya-shi, [ɯᵝt͡sɯ̃ᵝno̞mija̠] ⓘ) is the capital and largest city of Tochigi Prefecture in the northern Kantō region of Japan.

[4] Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Utsunomiya has recently plateaued after decades of strong growth.

The Utsunomiya Futarasan Shrine (宇都宮二荒山神社), which is the Ichinomiya of Shimotsuke Province claims to have been founded in 353 AD.

During the Bakumatsu period Boshin War, the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle was a major conflict in the northern Kantō area.

Utsunomiya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 45 members.

Utsunomiya, together with the town of Kamikawa collectively contributes 13 members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly.

[6][7][needs update] The network started operation on August 26, 2023 and Utsunomiya became the first city in Japan to have a new tram system in 75 years after Takaoka, Toyama.

[8] Following the Second World War, Japanese soldiers who returned from Manchuria brought home to Utsunomiya gyoza recipes that originated from China.

Utsunomiya gyoza is famous country-wide, so it attracts many tourists, as well as brings in a significant amount of revenue into the city.

[10] Utsunomiya's annual Gyoza Dumplings Festival occurs at the Castle Ruins Park.