Utsunomiya Gyoza Statue Travel Guide

The Utsunomiya Gyoza Statue, or 'Gyoza Venus,' is a playful tribute to the city's deep-rooted gyoza culture. Utsunomiya is widely recognized as the gyoza capital of Japan, boasting hundreds of restaurants serving various styles of these delicious dumplings. The statue, created by sculptor Kōji Nishimatsu in 1994 as part of a TV program, features a goddess-like figure emerging from a gyoza, symbolizing the city's culinary identity.Crafted from locally sourced Oya stone, the statue stands approximately 1.5 meters tall and weighs over 1.7 tons. The distinct crescent shape and rippled edges of the gyoza are clearly visible, with the goddess's face, arms, and upper body emerging from the center. While some find its artistic merit debatable, it's undeniably a fun and memorable symbol of Utsunomiya's gyoza obsession.The statue has been relocated a couple of times. Originally located outside the station's east exit, it was moved to the west exit in 2008. During this move, it was damaged when a crane wire snapped, but it was quickly repaired. In 2014, it was moved again to its current location on the pedestrian deck of Utsunomiya Station to make it easier to find.The history of gyoza in Utsunomiya dates back to World War II, when Japanese soldiers returning from Manchuria brought gyoza recipes with them. The dish quickly gained popularity and Utsunomiya became known for its gyoza. Today, the city has a gyoza association, an annual gyoza festival, and numerous gyoza-themed attractions, including Gyoza Street and even gyoza-shaped manhole covers.