Annaka, Gunma

Annaka
安中市
City
Annaka city hall

Flag
Seal

Location of Annaka in Gunma Prefecture
Annaka
 
Coordinates: 36°19′34.5″N 138°53′13.7″E / 36.326250°N 138.887139°E / 36.326250; 138.887139Coordinates: 36°19′34.5″N 138°53′13.7″E / 36.326250°N 138.887139°E / 36.326250; 138.887139
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Gunma Prefecture
Area
 • Total 276.31 km2 (106.68 sq mi)
Population (February 2015)
 • Total 58,675
 • Density 212/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree Pinus, Cryptomeria japonica
- Flower Prunus mume
- Bird Aix galericulata
Phone number 027-382-1111
Address Annaka 1-23-13, Annaka-shi, Gunma-ken 379-0192
Website http://www.city.annaka.lg.jp/

Annaka (安中市, Annaka-shi) is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, 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 is 276.31 km².

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.

Surrounding municipalities

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, merged with Annaka. Usui District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

Economy

Annaka is a regional commercial center and transportation hub. Toho Zinc operates a large plant in the city, as does Shin-Etsu Chemical.

Education

There are three high schools, five middle schools, and fourteen elementary schools in Annaka.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Local attractions

  • Site of Matsuida Castle
  • Isobe Onsen
  • Kirizumi Onsen
  • Usui Pass

Sister-city relations

References

    Media related to Annaka, Gunma at Wikimedia Commons

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