Despite being located almost a stone¡¯s throw from the historic town of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture and establishing itself as the ²µ²â¨³ú²¹ capital of Japan, Utsunomiya was languishing in the economic doldrums for the much of the early 2000s.
Nearly a decade later, the situation is much improved thanks to the creation of a massive, citywide speed-dating event that was first organized by local bar owner Hitoshi Sasaki in conjunction with three restaurant owners in August 2004.
Called miyakon, a pormanteau of Utsunomiya and gokon (matchmaking party), the fad has almost taken on a life of its own. What first attracted 170 people to the inaugural party now brings in 20,000 or so every year to attend monthly events held in the city.
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