Minakami, Gunma


Minakami is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, 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 is 781.08 km². Much of the town is within the borders of Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park.

Geography

Located in northern Gunma, Minakami is bordered by Niigata Prefecture to the north. The town is very mountainous.
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.

Education

Elementary schools

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Railway

Onsen (Hot Springs)

Minakami has traditionally been an Onsen 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:
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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: