Shibukawa, Gunma

Shibukawa is in the northern extremity of the Kantō plains of central Gunma Prefecture, encompassing the juncture of the Tone River and Agatsuma River. It is about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Tokyo. To the west is Mount Haruna, and to the east is Mount Akagi. To the north are Mount Onoko and Mount Komochi. The Tone River flows from the north (between Mount Akagi and Mount Komochi) southward through the city, while the Agatsuma River flows from the west (between Mount Onoko and Mount Haruna), merging with the Tone River near the center of the city.

Shibukawa is at a central point (36°29′ N, 139°00′ E) of the Japanese archipelago and is thus known as the Bellybutton of Japan (日本のおへそ, nihon no oheso).

Shibukawa's highest altitude is 1,565 m (5,135 ft) above sea level; its lowest point is 139 m (456 ft) above sea level. The majority of the city lies between 200 and 800 metres (656 and 2,625 feet) above sea level

Farmland covers 49.88 km² (19.26 sq mi) (20.8% of the city), housing covers 20.31 km² (7.84 sq mi) (8.4%), and mountains and forests cover 77.39 km² (29.88 sq mi) (32.2%). The remaining 92.84 km² (35.85 sq mi) (38.6%) has other land uses.

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Shibukawa peaked around the year 1990 and has declined since.

Shibukawa is located within traditional Kōzuke Province. During the Edo period, the area of present-day Shibukawa prospered from its location on the Mikuni Kaidō highway connecting Takasaki with Niigata. Post stations within the borders of modern Shibukawa were Shibukawa-shuku, Kanai-shuku, Kitamoku-shuku and Yokobori-shuku.

Shibukawa town was created in Nishigunma District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. In 1896, Nishiguma District and Kataoka District merged to form Gunma District, Gunma; however, the area containing Shibukawa was separated out in October 1949 into Kitagunma District. On April 1, 1954, Shibukawa absorbed the villages of Furumaki, Kanashima and Toyoaki to become the city of Shibukawa.

On February 20, 2006, Shibukawa absorbed the town of Ikaho, the villages of Komochi and Onogami (all from Kitagunma District), and the villages of Akagi and Kitatachibana (both from Seta District).

Shibukawa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Shibukawa contributes two members to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Gunma 1st district and the Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Shibukawa is a regional commercial center and transportation hub. Seasonal tourism, particularly to its hot spring and ski resorts, play a major role in the local economy.

The area is noted for its production of konjac.

Shibukawa has 14 public elementary schools and nine public middle schools operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates two special education schools for the handicapped.

• Ikaho Onsen
• Takehisa Yumeji Memorial Museum
• Tokutomi Roka Memorial Museum
• Mizusawa-dera, 16th stop on the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage
• Shibukawa Skyland Park - an amusement park
• Ikaho Green Bokujou - a farm designed to show its visitors about farming
• Ikaho Sistina Museum- an op art museum which also has a Sistine Chapel replica
• Japan Chanson Museum - a museum dedicated to the chanson style of music
• Shibukawa Sōgō Park - a large park encompassing hiking trails, campsites, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a running track, and other recreational facilities
• Onoike Ajisai Park- a hydrangea park with a pond and hiking trails
• Shibukawa Sky Terume - a hot spring in a building which looks something like a spaceship

Shibukawa is twinned with:

• - Abano Terme, Veneto, Italy, since March 23, 1993
• , Whakatane, New Zealand, since 1992
• - Logan City, Queensland, Australia, friendship city since April 17, 1996 [6]
• – Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States, since January 22, 1997 [7]
• - Foligno, Umbria, Italy, since March 23, 2000[8]

• Chūsei Sone, movie director
• Jiro Sato, tennis player
• Toru Minegishi, video game composer
• Chocoball Mukai, actor
• Kiyohiko Shibukawa, fashion model, actor
• Takahiro Fujioka, baseball player
• Keisuke Kanoh, baseball player

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Shibukawa.

Media related to Shibukawa, Gunma at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Website (in Japanese)
• Shibukawa Ikaho Spa and Resort Tourism Association