Utsunomiya:

Utsunomiya is a big city in Tochigi prefecture (Shimotsuke during the Edo period). Unfortunately, Utsunomiya is not really an exciting place to visit as a tourist. The main reason I'm even mentioning it is that I worked there for over 2 years and it was a big part of my experience in Japan. Furthermore, Utsunomiya is where we take the train to go to Nikko.

By the way, I also lived in Asaka for 8 months !

This was my appartment, my home for two great years, in a long-term hotel called the "Est 2". As you can see, it`s literally two steps from my old place to the JR (Japan Railway Company) station at Utsunomiya.

Living that close to the station is very convenient and you do get used to the noise eventually. . . EXCEPT on Saturday mornings at 8:00 A.M. because the trains undergo repairs and/or maintenance and nothing - and I do mean NOTHING prepares you for that. Not even if you`re one of those happy morning people!

Street near the Est 2

A scene from the other side of the station, in the direction of downtown Utsunomiya. Here are other pictures I've taken.

A sunset seen from the roof of the Est 2 building.

Summer festivals are really popular in Japan - even when it's 38 degrees in the shade! The following pictures are from the Furusato Miya-Matsuri.

This is a Taiko group, one of many types of musical groups that were performing that day. The musicians impressed me with their synchronous movements. The music was deafening, high paced, and enthralling. It was easy to get into the rhythm of the music and a lot of fun to listen to.

A Taiko group that came from Okinawa for the festival.

We`ve all heard about Japan having an over-crowding problem, but believe me when I tell you that seeing this many people jammed together in one area is not a usual occurrence. I mean, you can`t even see the ground in the distance!

Unlike the parades we have over here, the floats are pulled and pushed along by the participants in the parade.

One of the things that I really enjoy seeing in these summer festivals are the people who wear Yukatas (They are similar to Kimonos, Yukatas are made from cotton instead of silk and are less complicated). Yukatas are the traditional dress worn by some people, both men and women, at these festivals.

Some friends, dressed in the traditionnal japanese cloths for the occasion.

Where is Sébas??

Overall, Utsunomiya is a calm, peaceful little town of 400 000 inhabitants. These are a few places that I enjoyed visiting while I lived there:

• The Hachiman-yama park, which has more than 700 cherry trees and 2300 azaleas. During Hanami (the cherry blossom viewing party). There are a lot of people who, during this time - which lasts about a week - party all night. When I say party, I mean party! It can last until the early morning hours!
• The Indulz Dream: it is a small, friendly "wine bar" that plays Jazz and the Blues. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a really cool Master named Suzuki-san (A 'Master' is the owner of an establishment like a bar).
• The Tora no ko: a small Izakaya - a Japanese pub - unfortunatly, this marvelous place where the booze flowed and the food so delicious is closed.
• The Seychelles: A restaurant with a Beer Garden (a terrace on the roof): a rare thing in Utsunomiya. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food is quite delicious: especially the beef brochettes!
• The Min-Min: A chaine of restaurant in Utsunomiya. They are specialized in gyozas . It's a type of chinese dumpling, it was importe at adapte to japanese style by a soldier when he returned from World War 2. Utsunomiya is the capital of gyozas so if one day you pass by Utsunomiya, go try them it's well worth it! (There's a Min-Min on the first floor of JR Utsunomiya station)
• It doesn't snow in Utsunomiya . . not often anyway.
• Of course there's the hanami
• Etc...

Japanese map