Higashiagatsuma, Gunma

Higashiagatsuma 東吾妻町
Town
Higashiagatsuma town office
Flag Emblem
Location of Higashiagatsuma in Gunma Prefecture
Higashiagatsuma
Coordinates: 36°34′17″N 138°49′32″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Gunma Prefecture
District	Agatsuma
Area
• Total	253.91 km2 (98.04 sq mi)
Population  (February 2015)
• Total	14,426
• Density	56.8/km2 (147/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Keyaki
- Flower	Narcissus (plant)
- Bird	Green pheasant
Phone number	0279-68-2111
Address	594-3, Ōaza Haramachi, Higashiagatsuma-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken 377-0892
Website	http://www1.town.higashiagatsuma.gunma.jp/

Higashiagatsuma (東吾妻町, Higashiagatsuma-machi) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2015, the town had an estimated population of 14,426, and a population density of 56.8 persons per km². Its total area is 253.91 km².

Geography

Located in the northwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture, Higashiagatsuma is surrounded by high peaks, including Mount Iwabitsu (802.6 meters).

• Mountains: Mount Iwabitsu, Yakushidake, Sugamine
• Rivers: Agatsuma River, Ishikami River
• Lakes: Lake Haruna

Surrounding municipalities

• Gunma Prefecture
  • Takasaki city
  • Shibukawa city
  • Nakanojō town
  • Naganohara town

History

During the Edo period, the area around Higashiagatsuma was part of the hatamoto-administered territory within Kōzuke Province.

With the creation of the municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration on April 1, 1889, the town of Hara and the villages of Ota, Iwasaki and Sananoue and Azuma were created within Agatsuma District of Gunma Prefecture. The first three villages merged into Hara in 1965, which was renamed Agatsuma Town in February 1956.

Higashiagatsuma was created on March 27, 2006 by the merger of the town of Agatsuma, and the village of Azuma, both from Agatsuma District.

Economy

The economy of Higashiagatsuma is heavily dependent on agriculture and seasonal tourism. Noted local crops include garlic and myoga production. Tourism from ski resorts and onsen hot springs also contribute to the local economy. Mount Ajara was a venue for the 2003 Asian Winter Games.

Education

Elementary schools

• Azuma Elementary School
• Haramachi Elementary School
• Iwashima Elementary School
• Ota Elementary School
• Sakaue Elementary School

Junior high schools

• Higashiagatsuma Junior High School

High schools

• Agatsuma High School

Transportation

Train

• East Japan Railway Company - Agatsuma Line
  • Gōbara - Yagura - Iwashima

Highway

• Japan National Route 145
• Japan National Route 406

Local attractions

• ruins of Iwabitsu Castle
• Tarusawa Tunnel

External links

Media related to Higashiagatsuma, Gunma at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Website (in Japanese)