Maebashi, Gunma

Maebashi 前橋
—  Core city  —
前橋市 · Maebashi City
A view of Maebashi with Mt. Akagi, from the top of the Prefectural Government building (Kencho)
Flag
Location of Maebashi in Gunma
Maebashi
Coordinates: 36°23′N 139°4′E / 36.383°N 139.067°E / 36.383; 139.067Coordinates: 36°23′N 139°4′E / 36.383°N 139.067°E / 36.383; 139.067
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Gunma
Government
- Mayor	Masao Takagi
Area
- Total	311.64 km2 (120.3 sq mi)
Population (October 1, 2010)
- Total	344,871
- Density	1,106.63/km2 (2,866.2/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Ginkgo & Zelkova
- Flower	Rose & Azalea
Phone number	27-224-1111
Address	2-12-1, Ote-Machi, Maebashi-shi, Gunma-ken 371-8601
Website	Maebashi

Ogo Green Flower Pasture

Maebashi (前橋市, Maebashi-shi^?) 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.

As of October, 2010, population data, the city has an estimated population of 344,871 and a population density of 1,106.63 persons per km². The total area is 311.64 km². It was traditionally the most populous city in Gunma until Takasaki merged with nearby towns.

Maebashi hosted the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

Geography

Maebashi is located at the foot of Mt. Akagi in the northeast corner of the Kantō Plain. The Tone River, Japan's second-longest, runs through the western part of the city. Also, Maebashi is farthest from the sea (about 120 km) among all Japanese prefectural capitals.

Climate

In the winter, the Karakaze, or "dry wind" blows through Maebashi from the north. This is due to the snow clouds coming from the Sea of Japan being blocked by the Echigo Mountain Range between Gunma and Niigata. Because of this, the city has a mild winter. In the summer, it is hot since the location is inland. On July 24, 2001, Maebashi hit 40℃, the fifth hottest temperature ever in Japan.

Surrounding municipalities

• Gunma Prefecture
  • Isesaki
  • Kiryū
  • Numata
  • Shibukawa
  • Takasaki
  • Shintō
  • Tamamura
  • Yoshioka

History

• 1892 - Maebashi was founded
• 1901 - A portion of Kamikawabuchi village is merged into Maebashi
• 1951 - A portion of Kaigaya village is merged into Maebashi
• 1954 - Kamikawabuchi village, Shimokawabuchi village, Azuma village, Minamitachibana village, Kaigaya village, Haga village, Motosōja village, and Sōja village are merged into Maebashi
• 1957 - A portion of Jōnan village is merged into Maebashi
• 1960 - A portion of Tamamura town and another portion of Jōnan village is merged into Maebashi
• 1967 - Jōnan village is merged into Maebashi
• 2004 - Mayor Masao Takagi is elected
• 2004 - Ōgo town, Miyagi village, and Kasukawa village are merged into Maebashi
• A planned merger of municipalities was implemented on May 5, 2009; the village of Fujimi, from Seta District, was merged into Maebashi. Seta District ceased to exist as a result.^[1]

Transportation

Rail

East Japan Railway Company

• Jōetsu Line
• Ryōmō Line

Jōmō Electric Railway

• Jōmō Line

Bicycle rental

The Maechari bicycle rental scheme, begun in May 2010, offers bicycles for low-price rental, from a stand in front of JR East Maebashi Station.^[2]

Sports

Thespa Kusatsu at Shikishima Stadium was originally formed in Kusatsu, but plays in Maebashi due to J. League stadium requirements.

Festivals

• Ogo Gion Festival

Sister cities

• Birmingham, Alabama, USA
• Menasha, Wisconsin, USA
• Orvieto, Italy

References

1. ^ http://www.kokudo.or.jp/new/cities/sub/kanto/10.htm
2. ^ "Rental bicycles eyed to boost tourism". Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan). 19 July 2010. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100718001401.htm. Retrieved 2 August 2010. 

External links

• Maebashi City Official Website (English)
• Maebashi Official Website (Japanese)