Utsunomiya is accessed by the Tohoku Expressway or Utsunomiya Station of the Tohoku Shinkansen line. Utsunomiya is approximately 100 km north of Tokyo. The historic town of Nikko is approximately 35 km west of Utsunomiya. Utsunomiya is accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen in approximately 60 minutes. The battle of Utsunomiya Castle took place between May 10-14, 1868, during the Boshin war. The city itself was founded on April 1, 1896. The city added the the towns of Kamikawachi and Kawachi, both from Kawachi District, on March 31, 2007.It is also home to a Canon optical manufacturing plant, a Japan Tobacco plant, Honda design centers, and various other industrial concerns in the Kiyohara Industrial Park. In addition, one of the largest malls in the North Kant? region, Bell Mall is located near central Utsunomiya. Further away, the famous Oya-ji Buddhist temple can be found, carved out of the limestone quarries there, as well as a museum with artifacts dating back to the Jomon Period.Utsunomiya is most well known within Japan for gy?za dumplings. Utsunomiya is also well known for its abundance and quality of cocktail bars.[citation needed]Utsunomiya is represented in the J. League of football with its local club Tochigi S.C.Kayabukiya Tavern is located in Utsunomiya.