Kawaba, Gunma

Kawaba (川場村, Kawaba-mura) is a village located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2015, the village had an estimated population of 3,687, and a population density of 43.2 persons per km². Its total area is 85.25 km².

Kawaba

川場村
Village
Road station Kawaba Den-en Plaza
Flag
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Location of Kawaba in Gunma Prefecture
Kawaba
 
Coordinates: 36°41′40.7″N 139°6′23.3″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureGunma Prefecture
DistrictTone
Area
 • Total85.25 km2 (32.92 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2015)
 • Total3,687
 • Density43.2/km2 (112/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0278-52-2111
Address2390-2 Ōaza Tanichi, Kawaba-mura, Tone-gun, Gunma-ken 378-0101
Websitehttp://www.vill.kawaba.gunma.jp/

Geography

Located in north-central Gunma, Kawaba is in a mountainous area. Approximately 83% of its area is covered by forests, and five rivers (the Tashiro, Sakura, Tazawa, Usune, and the Mizomata) flow through the village. Kawaba, meaning "the place of the rivers" is thought to be named after its many streams. The climate is cool, with an average yearly temperature of 11.0℃ and a snowfall of two-three meters.

  • Mountains: Mount Hotaka (2158m)
  • Rivers: Tashiro River, Sakura River, Tazawa River, Usune River, Mizomata River

Surrounding municipalities

History

The area of present-day Kawaba was part of the holdings of Numata Domain in Kōzuke Province during the Edo period. On April 1, 1889 with the creation of the municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration, Kawaba village was established within Tone District, Gunma. In 2002, a proposal to merge Kawaba into neighboring Numata was opposed by young local politicians, who instead proposed that the village be merged with its sister city, Setagaya, Tokyo. However, this proposal was strongly opposed by the Gunma prefectural government and met with lukewarm response from Setagaya, and the village remained independent.

Economy

The economy of Kawaba is heavily dependent on agriculture; primarily rice, and apples and blueberries. Seasonal tourism to ski resorts and to onsen also play a major role in the economy.

Transportation

Kawaba is not served by any railway services or by any national highways.

Local attractions
  • Kichijō temple
  • Kawaba Ski Resort
  • Roadside Station Kawaba Denen Plaza
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