UTSUNOMIYA, Japan - Marylandian -- The Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival 2025 will be held in Utsunomiya City November 1^st and 2^nd. Utsunomiya, known as the Gyoza or "Japanese Dumpling Mecca," is the capital of Tochigi Prefecture and about 2 hours north of Tokyo's Asakusa Station, via Tobu Railways.

Gyoza is one of Japan's most popular foods, alongside ramen, sushi, curry rice, and tempura. Gyoza, originally from China, is a pan-fried, steamed or boiled dumpling wrapper filled with meat, cabbage, and leeks. Gyoza fans say the dumplings offer an irresistible deliciousness with an exquisite contrast of texture and flavor. In Utsunomiya around 300 shops that offer Gyoza on their menus, line the streets, as the city hosts the Gyoza Festival annually. The festival is organized by the members of the Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival Executive Committee, with famous shops setting up stalls to sell their signature specialties. There are dozens of varieties with subtle differences, due to seasoning, contents, and cooking styles. Visitors can enjoy hopping between stalls, sampling sets of 3 to 5 gyoza for just 200 yen ($1.35). During the two-day event, attendees can also watch musical and comedic performances at the Miya Jazz Inn, and at other venues nearby. In fact, Utsunomiya is also renowned as a jazz city, having fostered numerous world-class musicians.

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【Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival 2025】

Dates & Times: Saturday, November 1 & Sunday, November 2, 2025,

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ※Same hours both days

Venue: Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park

Price: 200 yen per plate ※Number of gyoza per plate varies by shop

Beyond Gyoza: Visit some of Utsunomiya's other tourist attractions.

Oya History Museum: The Oya Stone Quarry was once the region's primary source of income. Though now abandoned, a portion of it has since been transformed into the Oya History Museum, making this underground world into a unique exploration spot. The highlight is the vast network of underground caves spanning over 20,000 square meters. Oya stone culture sites are officially recognized as important to Japan Heritage.

The Oyaji Temple, a 10-minute walk from the museum, is also well worth a visit. This over 1,200 years old temple is built against a massive, exposed Oya stone rock wall.

Bamboo Forest at Wakayama Farm: Wakayama Farm features fields stretching for nearly 60 acres, with bamboo groves extending beyond sight. For three generations, the Wakayama family has grown and maintained this bamboo forest. Popular activities include strolling through the bamboo groves while listening to the soothing rustle of bamboo leaves, savoring green tea served in bamboo bowls, and sauntering through the bamboo groves illuminated at night.

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Where to Stay: Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande

The Utsunomiya Tobu Hotel Grande is a city hotel in the urban center of Utsunomiya. It offers convenient transportation access to areas in the city, as well as various locations throughout Tochigi prefecture, including Nikko, Nasu, Mashiko, Twin Ring Motegi, and Ashikaga Flower Park. It is also convenient as an accommodation base when venturing out to enjoy gyoza dumplings, cocktails, and jazz, and the areas associated with Oya stone culture.

About TOBU Railway

TOBU Railway Co., Ltd. is a major Japanese corporation consisting of 80+ companies. The Tobu Railway covers the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo, leading to numerous tourist attractions including: Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa-Onsen, famous for its world heritage sites and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga areas, known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe and Tochigi City, where the atmosphere of the old Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in a portfolio of hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton Nikko, FUFU Nikko Onsen Resort, the Nikko Kanaya – the oldest Western-style hotel in Japan, and in Tokyo - the AC Marriott Ginza and family-oriented Tobu Asakusa hotel, among others. More information: https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/sightseeing/recommend/tourism/