Craft goods and Taste of Tochigi

Craft goods

Tochigi is the homeland of fine traditional crafts. The sturdy and rustic Mashiko ware is registered as a traditional craft of Japan. The Yuki pongee is a high-class silk textile that is granted with an “Important Intangible Cultural Property” label. The whole process, from spinning to the actual weaving, is done by hand.

In the 17th century, Nikko bori (wood carvings) became very popular while people were gathered from around the country to build Toshogu. On their free time, the people would carve things such as drawers, vase stands, candy bowls, etc. Other old crafts very well known in Tochigi are the cast iron vases created over one thousand years ago. These, as well as Nasu’s Japanese rice paper and Tochigi’s getas (Japanese clogs) made from Paulownia trees are very famous throughout Japan.

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Taste of Tochigi

With her rich soils and sources, Tochigi is a birth place of a variety of flavors that can be enjoyed. The local sake (Japanese rice wine), made from Tochigi’s pure water, is known throughout the prefecture. Furthermore, Utsunomiya’s gyoza (Chinese meat dumplings) are sold in over 200 different restaurants. Both Utsunomiya’s gyoza and Sano’s ramen are known nationwide.