Utsunomiya is a popular destination for overseas business travelers and we look forward to welcoming you here. If you don’t read or speak Japanese, finding information on the best local restaurants can be difficult, so we’ve teamed up with expats living locally to get their top recommendations on restaurants and Izakayas for short-term business travelers.
We’ve asked expats and English teachers living locally to share their recommendations for bars and restaurants within a 15-minute walk from the JR Utsunomiya Station.
Click on the following categories to find the best in town!
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Japan, visit an Izakaya. The top Izakaya recommended by expats is Aoyagitei, a small, comfortable Japanese Izakaya in front of JR Utsunomiya Station. The owners are used to having overseas customers, so you are in good hands here.
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Aoyagi Tei
You’ll find this family-owned restaurant right before the west exit of Utsunomiya Station. There are plenty of traditional Japanese dishes, fish and seafood, and side dishes. Don’t forget to look at the drinks menu and try the Japanese sake and beer the friendly staff is always happy to make a recommendation.
Address : 3-1-7 Ekimae Dori, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken 321-0964
Tel : 028-636-1484
Open : 5PM-12AM (Open everyday)
There are many independent Western-style restaurants in Utsunomiya. Latricières is a family-run French restaurant with amazing dishes. Just one bite will banish any homesickness. Wine lovers will appreciate the extensive wine list and affordable prices.
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Wine Bistro Latricières
Latricières has a nice bar, the food is excellent, and the owner speaks English.
Address : 3-9-8-103, Motoimaizumi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken
Tel : 028-632-0009
Open : 11AM-2PM, 5PM-11PM (Closed Sunday)
With over 300 gyoza restaurants in town, it’s difficult to decide where to start! Local favorites include Bariron, located on the ground level of the JR station. Bariron is a trendy gyoza restaurant cooking up a wide variety of handmade gyoza in an open kitchen at the center of the dining room. Other favorites include Utsunomiya Gyoza Kan and Gyoza Masashi.
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Bariron
It’s new, trendy, Instagrammable, affordable, serves local products like liquors and gyoza, and is conveniently located in JR Utsunomiya Station.
Address : 1st Floor, Utsunomiya Station Building Paseo, 1-23 Kawamukocho, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken
Tel : 028-627-8578
Open : 10:30AM-12AM (Open everyday)
There is no shortage of Western-style bars ＆ pubs in Utsunomiya. For a traditional Irish pub atmosphere, scratch-made classics like fish ＆ chips, ＆ an expansive drink menu, Lion’s Head Pub can’t be beat. Celts is also a local’s favorite Irish Pub. If you’re interested in sports ＆ music, check out ICEMAN.
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Lion's head
Foreign beers, Western food, English menus, and the friendly owner make this pub a fun and relaxing place to spend an evening.
East side of JR Utsunomiya Sta.
Address : 1st Floor, Hotel Sunshine, 2-3-3 Higashishukugo, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken 321-0953
Tel : 050-5488-2126
Open : 5PM-2AM (Open everyday)
West side of JR Utsunomiya Sta.
Address : 1st Floor, Chuo Building, 1-1 Ikegamicho, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi-ken 320-0801
Tel : 028-638-6750
Open : Please call for open times.
