Shibukawa, Gunma
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in the extreme northwest of the Kantō Plain
, in the center of landlocked Gunma
, Japan
. Encompassing the juncture of the Tone River
and Agatsuma River
, it is about 120km from Tokyo
. Due to its location at the geographical center of the nation, Shibukawa is known as the Bellybutton of Japan (日本のおへそ, nihon no oheso).
Shibukawa originally grew to prosperity as an inn town, but even today is in a central location between Numata
and Maebashi
. Also, anyone going to a number of famous hot spring
resorts, such as Kusatsu
, Shima, or Ikaho must pass through Shibukawa.
As of May 31, 2011, the city had a population
of 84,160 with 31,289 households
and a density
of 350.05 persons per km². The total land area is 240.42 km².
The city was founded on April 1, 1954.
and is thus known as the Bellybutton of Japan (日本のおへそ, nihon no oheso). The city encompasses an area of 240.42 km².
To the west is Mt. Haruna, and to the east is Mt. Akagi. To the north are Mt. Onoko and Mt. Komochi. The Tone River
flows from the north (between Mt. Akagi and Mt. Komochi) southward through the city, while the Agatsuma River
flows from the west (between Mt. Onoko and Mt. Haruna), merging with the Tone River
near the center of the city.
Shibukawa's highest altitude is 1,565m above sea level
; its lowest point is 139m above sea level. The majority of the city lies between 200 and 800 meters above sea level.
Farmland covers 49.88km² (20.8% of the city), housing covers 20.31km² (8.4%), and mountains and forests cover 77.39km² (32.2%). The remaining 92.84km² (38.6%) has other land uses.
in Umbria
, Italy
is Shibukawa's sister city. Logan City, Queensland
, Australia
is designated as a Friendship City with Shibukawa.
In the spring of 2008, high school students from Shibukawa visited their counterparts in Chico, California
.
There are ten junior high schools:
Finally, there are seventeen elementary schools:
. Many scenes of the live action movie were taped on location in Shibukawa.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in the extreme northwest of the Kantō Plain
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
, in the center of landlocked Gunma
Gunma Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the northwest corner of the Kantō region on Honshu island. Its capital is Maebashi.- History :The remains of a Paleolithic man were found at Iwajuku, Gunma Prefecture, in the early 20th century and there is a public museum there.Japan was without horses until...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Encompassing the juncture of the Tone River
Tone River
The is a river in the Kantō region of Japan. It is in length and has a drainage area of...
and Agatsuma River
Agatsuma River
The is a river in the Kantō region of Japan. It is 76.22 km in length and has a drainage area of 1,366 km². Located entirely within Gunma Prefecture, it is one of the prefecture's major rivers. It is also a major tributary of the Tone River.- Geography :...
, it is about 120km from Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Due to its location at the geographical center of the nation, Shibukawa is known as the Bellybutton of Japan (日本のおへそ, nihon no oheso).
Shibukawa originally grew to prosperity as an inn town, but even today is in a central location between Numata
Numata, Gunma
is a city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. It is in northern Gunma, bordered by Mt. Akagi and Mt. Hotaka. The kanji for Numata approximately mean "boggy field."...
and Maebashi
Maebashi, Gunma
is the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on April 1, 1892, by the samurai Makuba Kawai.On December 5, 2004 the town of Ōgo, and the villages of Kasukawa and Miyagi, all from Seta District, were merged into Maebashi....
. Also, anyone going to a number of famous hot spring
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
resorts, such as Kusatsu
Kusatsu, Gunma
is a small town in Agatsuma District in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Kusatsu is situated about 1,200 meters above sea level. The active volcano Kusatsu-Shirane and the inactive Mount Tengu and Mount Motoshirane are located west of Kusatsu.-Climate:Due to the altitude Kusatsu's annual average...
, Shima, or Ikaho must pass through Shibukawa.
As of May 31, 2011, the city had a population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 84,160 with 31,289 households
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 350.05 persons per km². The total land area is 240.42 km².
The city was founded on April 1, 1954.
Geography
Shibukawa is located at a central point (36°29′ N, 139°00′ E) of the Japanese ArchipelagoJapanese Archipelago
The , which forms the country of Japan, extends roughly from northeast to southwest along the northeastern coast of the Eurasia mainland, washing upon the northwestern shores of the Pacific Ocean...
and is thus known as the Bellybutton of Japan (日本のおへそ, nihon no oheso). The city encompasses an area of 240.42 km².
To the west is Mt. Haruna, and to the east is Mt. Akagi. To the north are Mt. Onoko and Mt. Komochi. The Tone River
Tone River
The is a river in the Kantō region of Japan. It is in length and has a drainage area of...
flows from the north (between Mt. Akagi and Mt. Komochi) southward through the city, while the Agatsuma River
Agatsuma River
The is a river in the Kantō region of Japan. It is 76.22 km in length and has a drainage area of 1,366 km². Located entirely within Gunma Prefecture, it is one of the prefecture's major rivers. It is also a major tributary of the Tone River.- Geography :...
flows from the west (between Mt. Onoko and Mt. Haruna), merging with the Tone River
Tone River
The is a river in the Kantō region of Japan. It is in length and has a drainage area of...
near the center of the city.
Shibukawa's highest altitude is 1,565m above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
; its lowest point is 139m above sea level. The majority of the city lies between 200 and 800 meters above sea level.
Farmland covers 49.88km² (20.8% of the city), housing covers 20.31km² (8.4%), and mountains and forests cover 77.39km² (32.2%). The remaining 92.84km² (38.6%) has other land uses.
Adjacent municipalities
- To the north: NumataNumata, Gunmais a city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. It is in northern Gunma, bordered by Mt. Akagi and Mt. Hotaka. The kanji for Numata approximately mean "boggy field."...
, ShowaShowa, Gunmais a village located in Tone District, Gunma, Japan.As of September 1, 2007, the village had an estimated population of 7,774 and a density of 121.15 persons per km². The total area is 64.17 km².-Geography:...
, TakayamaTakayama, Gunmais a village located in Agatsuma District, Gunma, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 4,397 and a density of 68.53 persons per km². The total area is 64.16 km².-Geography:... - To the east: MaebashiMaebashi, Gunmais the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on April 1, 1892, by the samurai Makuba Kawai.On December 5, 2004 the town of Ōgo, and the villages of Kasukawa and Miyagi, all from Seta District, were merged into Maebashi....
- To the south: MaebashiMaebashi, Gunmais the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on April 1, 1892, by the samurai Makuba Kawai.On December 5, 2004 the town of Ōgo, and the villages of Kasukawa and Miyagi, all from Seta District, were merged into Maebashi....
, ShintoShinto, Gunmais a village located in Kitagunma District, Japan.As of September 1, 2007, the village has an estimated population of 14,302 and a density of 511.88 persons per km²...
, YoshiokaYoshioka, Gunmais a town located in Kitagunma District, Gunma, Japan.As of July 1, 2009, the town has an estimated population of 19,161 people and a density of 934.68 persons per km².There are 6,409 households in Yoshioka within a total area of 20.50 km².-Geography:Located in central Gunma, it sits on the... - To the west: TakasakiTakasaki, Gunmais a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on April 1, 1900.Takasaki is a regional transportation hub because its train station is the junction of several rail lines as well as a Shinkansen stop....
, HigashiagatsumaHigashiagatsuma, Gunmais a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.The town was created on March 27, 2006 by the merger of the town of Agatsuma, and the village of Azuma, both from Agatsuma District.-Geography:...
, NakanojōNakanojo, Gunmais a town located in Agatsuma District, Gunma, Japan.As of July 1, 2011, the town has an estimated population of 17,931 and a population density of 40.8 persons per km². There are a total of 6,059 households in town. The total area is 439.28 km² and an elevation of 400 m above sea level. The town's...
History
- Shibukawa developed as an inn town on the old Mikuni Road.
- In 1889, the village of Shibukawa gained town status to become the town of Shibukawa.
- On April 1, 1954, Shibukawa absorbed the villages of FurumakiFurumaki, GunmaFurumaki was a village located in Gunma, Japan during the years 1889 - 1954.-History:Furumaki Village was formed in 1889 as a result of the merging of three villages: Arima Village, Handa Village, and Yagihara Village...
, KanashimaKanashima, GunmaKanashima was a village located in Gunma, Japan during the years 1889-1954.-History:Kanashima Village was formed in 1889 as a result of the merging of five villages: Akutsu Village, Kanai Village, Kawashima Village, Nanboku Village, and Ubashima Village.On April 1, 1954, Kanashima Village merged...
and ToyoakiToyoaki, GunmaToyoaki was a village located in Gunma, Japan during the years 1889-1954.-History:Toyoaki Village was formed in 1889 as a result of the merging of three villages: Ishihara Village, Naka Village, and Yunoue Village...
to become the city of Shibukawa. - On February 20, 2006, Shibukawa absorbed the town of IkahoIkaho, GunmaIkaho was a town located in Kitagunma District, Gunma, Japan.On February 20, 2006 Ikaho, along with the villages of Komochi and Onogami, all from Kitagunma District, and the villages of Akagi and Kitatachibana, both from Seta District, was merged into the expanded city of Shibukawa.As of 2003, the...
, the villages of KomochiKomochi, GunmaKomochi was a town located in Kitagunma District, Gunma, Japan.On February 20, 2006 Komochi, along with the town of Ikaho, the village of Onogami, also from Kitagunma District, and the villages of Akagi and Kitatachibana, both from Seta District, was merged into the expanded city of...
and OnogamiOnogami, GunmaOnogami was a village located in Kitagunma District, Gunma, Japan.On February 20, 2006 Onogami, along with the town of Ikaho, the village of Komochi, also from Kitagunma District, and the villages of Akagi and Kitatachibana, both from Seta District, was merged into the expanded city of...
, all from Kitagunma DistrictKitagunma District, Gunmais a district located in Gunma Prefecture.As of May, 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 33,263 and a Density of 687 persons/km². The total area is 48.44 km².The district contains one town and one village.* Yoshioka* Shintō...
; and the villages of AkagiAkagi, GunmaAkagi was a village located in Seta District, Gunma, Japan.On February 20, 2006 Akagi, along with the town of Ikaho, the villages of Komochi and Onogami, all from Kitagunma District, and the village of Kitatachibana, also from Seta District, was merged into the expanded city of Shibukawa.As of...
and KitatachibanaKitatachibana, GunmaKitatachibana was a village located in Seta District, Gunma, Japan.On February 20, 2006 Kitatachibana, along with the town of Ikaho, the villages of Komochi and Onogami, all from Kitagunma District, and the village of Akagi, also from Seta District, was merged into the expanded city of...
, both from Seta District.
Demographics
Shibukawa's population, as of April 2008, was 86,395. There were 42,313 males and 44,082 females. The number of households was 30,870. The population density was 359 persons per km².Sister cities
FolignoFoligno
Foligno is an ancient town of Italy in the province of Perugia in east central Umbria, on the Topino river where it leaves the Apennines and enters the wide plain of the Clitunno river system...
in Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
is Shibukawa's sister city. Logan City, Queensland
Logan City, Queensland
Logan City is a Local Government Area in South East Queensland, Australia. The city is situated between the City of Brisbane to the north and Gold Coast to the south. The city also borders the Scenic Rim, the City of Ipswich and Redland City....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
is designated as a Friendship City with Shibukawa.
In the spring of 2008, high school students from Shibukawa visited their counterparts in Chico, California
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
.
Festivals
Shibukawa calls itself "The Bellybutton of Japan" (日本のおへそ) and hosts the Bellybutton Festival (へそ祭り) every year in late July. One of the most famous events in this festival is the parade of people with their bellies painted like faces.Rail
- East Japan Railway CompanyEast Japan Railway Companyis the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
- Joetsu LineJoetsu LineThe is a major rail line in Japan. Part of the JR East system, it runs from Takasaki Station in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, to Miyauchi Station in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, linking the northwestern Kantō region and the Sea of Japan coast of the Chūbu region...
(Yagihara StationYagihara StationYagihara Station is a JR East train station in southern Shibukawa City, Gunma, Japan. One can board the Joetsu Line or the Agatsuma Line here...
, Shibukawa StationShibukawa StationShibukawa Station is a JR East train station located in central Shibukawa City, Gunma, Japan. One can get on the Joetsu Line or the Agatsuma Line from this station, which stretches roughly north to south....
, Shikishima StationShikishima Stationis a train station in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.-Layout:The station consists of two platforms connected with a bridge and an unmanned booth with a ticket machine, some seats, and a attendant's room/ticket office.- Adjacent stations :...
, and Tsukuda StationTsukuda Station (Gunma)is a train station in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.- Adjacent stations :...
) - Agatsuma LineAgatsuma LineThe is a local rail line in Gunma, Japan, and is part of the East Japan Railway Company network. Roughly following the Agatsuma River, it runs 55.6 km between and stations....
(Shibukawa StationShibukawa StationShibukawa Station is a JR East train station located in central Shibukawa City, Gunma, Japan. One can get on the Joetsu Line or the Agatsuma Line from this station, which stretches roughly north to south....
, Kanashima Station, Ubashima StationUbashima Stationis a train station in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.- Adjacent stations :...
, Onogami StationOnogami Stationis a train station in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.- Adjacent stations :...
, and Onogami-Onsen StationOnogami-Onsen Stationis a train station in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.- Adjacent stations :...
)
- Joetsu Line
Roads
- Expressway
- Kan-Etsu ExpresswayKan-Etsu ExpresswayThe is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and managed by East Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming: is the kanji acronym of and the old comprising modern-day Niigata Prefecture....
(Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange, Akagi Interchange)
- Kan-Etsu Expressway
- National Highways
- National Route 17Route 17 (Japan)National Route 17 is a highway on the island of Honshū in Japan. It originates at Nihonbashi in Chūō, Tokyo and terminates in the city of Niigata , where it meets Routes 7, 8, 49, 113 and 116)....
- National Route 353Route 353 (Japan)National Route 353 is a national highway of Japan connecting Kiryū, Gunma and Kashiwazaki, Niigata in Japan, with a total length of 187.4 km ....
- National Route 17
Schools
Shibukawa has four high schools:- Shibukawa High School
- Shibukawa Girls' High School
- Shibukawa Kougyou High School
- Shibukawa Seisui High School
There are ten junior high schools:
- Akagi North Junior High School
- Akagi South Junior High School
- Furumaki Junior High School
- Hokkitsu Junior High School
- Ikaho Junior High School
- Kanashima Junior High School
- Komochi Junior High School
- Shibukawa Junior High School
- Shibukawa North Junior High School
- Onogami Junior High School.
Finally, there are seventeen elementary schools:
- Ikaho Elementary School
- Furumaki Elementary School
- Kamishiroi Elementary School
- Kanashima Elementary School
- Miharada Elementary School
- Nagaou Elementary School
- Nagumo Elementary School
- Nakagou Elementary School
- Onogami Elementary School
- Shibukawa North Elementary School
- Shibukawa South Elementary School
- Shibukawa West Elementary School
- Tachibana North Elementary School
- Tachibana South Elementary School
- Tousen Elementary School
- Toyoaki Elementary School
- Tsukuda Elementary School
Attractions
- Shibukawa Skyland Park - an amusement park
- Ikaho Green Bokujou - a farm designed to show its customers various things about farming
- Ikaho Sistina Museum- an op art museum which also has a Sistine Chapel replica
- Japan Chanson Museum- a museum dedicated to the chansonChansonA chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
style of music - Shibukawa Sougou Park- a large park encompassing hiking trails, campsites, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a running track, and various other recreational facilities
- Onoike Ajisai Park- a hydrangea park with a pond and hiking trails
- Shibukawa Sky Terume - a hot springOnsenAn is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
in a building which looks something like a spaceship
Trivia
Shibukawa is the home town of Takumi Fujiwara, the main character in Initial DInitial D
is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. It has been adapted into a long-running anime series by OB Planning, Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, and A.C.G.T, and a live action film by Avex and Media Asia...
. Many scenes of the live action movie were taped on location in Shibukawa.
External links
- Shibukawa official website in Japanese.