Tochigi Prefecture

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**Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県 *Tochigi-ken*)**

Capital	Utsunomiya
Region	Kantō
Island	Honshū
Governor	Tomikazu Fukuda
Area	6,408.28 km² (20^th)
- % water	0.2%
Population (January 1, 2003)
- Population	2,011,313 (20^th)
- Density	314 /km²
Districts	6
Municipalities	33
ISO 3166-2	JP-09
Website	www.pref.tochigi.jp/ kokusai/english/
Prefectural Symbols
- Flower	Yashio tsutsuji (Rhododendron albrechtii)
- Tree	Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata)
- Bird	Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana)
Symbol of Tochigi Prefecture

Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県, Tochigi-ken^?) is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya. Utsunomiya is famous for its many delicious gyoza specialist shops. Also located in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture is one of the largest shopping malls in the North Kantō region, Bell Mall.

Nikkō, whose ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture. Nikkō is approximately one hour by train from Tokyo.

Other famous parts of Tochigi include a region called Nasu known for onsen and local sake and ski resorts. The Imperial family has a villa in Nasu. Nasu Shiobara is a major Shinkansen station.

Another onsen resort is at Kinugawa.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Economy
4 Sports
5 Tourism
6 Prefectural symbols
7 Miscellaneous topics
8 External links

[edit] History

Prior to the establishment of the present-day system of prefectures, Tochigi was Shimotsuke Province.

The establishment of the Nikkō Toshogu in 1617 brought Nikkō to national attention. The Tokugawa Shogunate developed the Nikkō kaido (part of the major road connecting Nikkō with Edo) and required lavish processions to worship Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa line of shoguns.

[edit] Geography

Map of Tochigi Prefecture.

The Kegon Falls in Nikko.

[edit] Cities

Fourteen cities are located in Tochigi Prefecture.

[edit] Towns

These are the towns in each district:

Haga District

Kamitsuga District

Nishikata

Kawachi District

Kamikawachiǂ

Kaminokawa

Kawachiǂ

Nasu District

Minaminasu

Nakagawa

Shimotsuga District

Shioya District

Shioya

Takanezawa

ǂScheduled to dissolve after the mergers.

[edit] Mergers

(as of March 20, 2006)

On January 1, 2005, the city of Kuroiso, and the towns of Nishinasuno, and Shiobara merged to form Nasushiobara city.

On February 28, 2005 the towns of Kuzu and Tanuma from Aso District merged with the old city of Sano to form the new city of Sano. Aso District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

On March 28, 2005 the towns of Kitsuregawa and Ujiie merged to form Sakura city.

On October 1, 2005 the towns of Ogawa and Bato from Nasu District merged to form the new town of Nakagawa.

On October 1, 2005 the towns of Nasu and Karasuyama from Nasu District merged to form the new city of Nasukarasuyama.

On October 1, 2005 the town of Kurobane and the village of Yuzukami from Nasu District merged into the city of Otawara.

On January 1, 2006 the town of Awano from Kamitsuga District merged into the city of Kanuma.

On January 10, 2006, the town of Minamikawachi from Kawachi District, the town of Ishibashi and the village of Kokubunji (both from Shimotsuga District) merged to form the new city of Shimotsuke. (Merger Information Page)

On March 20, 2006, the city of Imaichi, the town of Ashio from Kamitsuga District, the town of Fujihara and the village of Kuriyama (both from Shioya District) merged with the old city of Nikkō to form the new city of Nikkō. With this merger, there are no more villages left within Tochigi Prefecture.

[edit] Future mergers

The city of Utsunomiya is scheduled to absorb the towns of Kamikawachi and Kawachi (both from Kawachi District) during March 2007.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Sports

The sports teams listed below are based in Tochigi.

Football (soccer)

Tochigi S.C. (Utsunomiya)

Ice Hockey

Nikko Kobe IceBucks (Nikko)

[edit] Tourism

Statues at Nikko Toshogu.

Three wise monkeys at Nikko Toshogu.

Nikkō is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site. This encompasses Rinnoji, Nikkō Toshogu, Futarasan Shrine, and Taiyuin. The Kegon Falls, also in Nikkō, is popular with tourists. To travel between the city and the falls, automobiles and buses take the irohazaka, a road with dozens of switchbacks.

Other attractions include: