Shibukawa, Gunma Totally Explained

Everything about Shibukawa Gunma totally explained

| Latitude = 36°29' N| Elevation = | Tree = | Flower = | Bird = | SymbolImage = | MapImage = Shibukawa in Gunma Prefecture.png | Mayor = | CityHallPostalCode = 377-8501| CityHallAddress = 80 Ishihara, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma-ken| CityHallPhone = 0279-22-2111| CityHallLink = http://www.city.shibukawa.gunma.jp/index.html | CityMap = | ExtraNotes = | }}
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's 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 2006, the city had a population of 87,503 and a density of 364 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 Archipelago 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 1565m above sea level; its lowest point is 139m above sea level.

Adjacent Cities, Towns, and Villages

To the north: Numata City, Showa Village, Takayama Village To the east: Fujimi Village To the south: Maebashi City, Shinto Village, Yoshioka Town To the west: Takasaki City, Higashi Agatsuma Town, Nakanojo Town

History

Shibukawa developed as an inn town on the old Mikuni Road.
In 1889, Shibukawa Village became Shibukawa Town.
On April 1, 1954, Furumaki Village, Kanashima Village, Shibukawa Town, and Toyoaki Village merged to form Shibukawa City.
On February 20, 2006, Ikaho Town, Akagi Village, Kitatachibana Village, Komochi Village, and Onogami Village merged together with Shibukawa City to form the new city of Shibukawa.

Sister cities

Foligno 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.

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.

Transportation

Rail

East Japan Railway Company

Roads

Expressway

Kan-Etsu Expressway (Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange, Akagi Interchange)

National Highways

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 it's 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 chanson 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 spring in a building which looks something like a spaceship

Trivia

Shibukawa is the home town of the main character in Initial D. Many scenes of the live action movie were taped on location in Shibukawa.

Further Information

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