Country Japan Prefecture Gunma Prefecture - Tree Siebold’s beech Local time Monday 6:03 AM | Region Kantō District Tone Population 19,572 (Feb 2015) | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) Weather -1°C, Wind SE at 3 km/h, 97% Humidity Points of interest Minakami Hot Spring, Hodaigi Ski Area, Tanigawadake Ropeway, Okutone Snow Park, Yujuku Hot Spring | ||
Minakami (みなかみ町, Minakami-machi) is a town located in Tone District of far northern Gunma Prefecture in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of February 2015, the town had an estimated population of 19,572 and a population density of 25.1 persons per km². Its total area was 781.08 km². Much of the town is within the borders of Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park.
Contents
- Map of Minakami Tone District Gunma Prefecture Japan
- Geography
- Surrounding municipalities
- History
- Economy
- Elementary schools
- Middle Schools
- High schools
- Railway
- Highways
- International relations
- Onsen Hot Springs
- Ski Fields
- Outdoor
- Noted people from Minakami
- References
Map of Minakami, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Geography
Located in northern Gunma, Minakami is bordered by Niigata Prefecture to the north. The town is very mountainous.
Surrounding municipalities
History
The Mikuni Kaidō connecting Takasaki with Niigata from the Heian period onwards passed through area of present-day Minakami, with nine post stations. The area was contested between the competing Uesugi, Takeda and Sanada clans during the Sengoku period. During the Edo period, it was partly under the control of Numata Domain , with the remainder as part of the tenryō holdings within Kōzuke Province administered directly by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. On April 1, 1889 with the creation of the municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration, Minakami village was established within Tone District, Gunma. It was raised to town status on August 10, 1947. On October 1, 2005, the town of Tsukiyono and the village of Niiharu were merged into Minakami.
Economy
The economy of Minakami is heavily dependent on seasonal tourism to ski resorts and to onsen hot springs.
Elementary schools
Middle Schools
High schools
Railway
Highways
International relations
Onsen (Hot Springs)
Minakami has traditionally been an Onsen (hot spring) resort town with 8 major onsen sources and over 40 different bathing facilities to choose from.
Ski Fields
Minakami has a good reputation for good snow conditions. There are 9 ski areas:
Outdoor
There are many different outdoor pursuits available in Minakami and it has become a very popular destination for outdoor adventure seekers. Some of the outdoor activities include: