Annaka, Gunma

Updated on Nov 20, 2024

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Country Japan Prefecture Gunma Prefecture Area 276.3 km² Local time Sunday 6:21 AM		Region Kantō - Flower Prunus mume Population 58,675 (Feb 2015) Bird Mandarin duck

Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) - Tree Pinus, Cryptomeria japonica Weather 0°C, Wind NW at 3 km/h, 89% Humidity

Sunset from akima bairin plum forest in annaka gunma prefecture japan

Annaka (安中市, Annaka-shi) is a city located in southwestern Gunma Prefecture in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of February 2015, the city had an estimated population of 58,675 and a population density of 212 persons per km². Its total area was 276.31 km².

Map of Annaka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Geography

Annaka is located in the southwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture at the very northernmost point of the Kantō Plain, bordered by Nagano Prefecture to the west. The Usui Pass connects Annaka with neighboring Karuizawa, Nagano.

Mountains: Chausuyama (596m), Mount Myōgi (1103m)

Rivers: Usigawa, Tsukumogawa

Lakes: Sakamoto Dam, Nakagi Dam

Surrounding municipalities

Gunma Prefecture

Takasaki

History

During the Edo period, the area of present-day Annaka was the center of the Annaka Domain, a feudal domain held by the Itakura clan under the Tokugawa shogunate in Kōzuke Province. The area also prospered from its location on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. Post stations located within the borders of modern Annaka were: Itahana-shuku, Annaka-shuku, Matsuida-shuku and Sakamoto-shuku.

Annaka Town was created within Usui District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. On March 1, 1955, Annaka merged with neighboring Haraichi, Isobe, and Itahana towns, and Higashiyokono, Iwanoya, Akima, and Gokan villages. It was raised to city status on November 1, 1958. On March 18, 2006, the town of Matsuida, was merged into Annaka. Usui District was dissolved as a result of this merger.