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Maebashi

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Maebashi is the capital city of Gunma Prefecture in Japan. It sits within the northern Kantō region.

Maebashi city office
Maebashi city office

The city is located at the foot of Mount Akagi. This mountain is in the northeast corner of the Kantō Plain. Other mountains like Mount Haruna and Mount Myōgi surround the area. Two major rivers flow through the city. These are the Hirose River and the Tone River. The Tone River is the second-longest river in Japan.

Maebashi Metropolitan Employment Area 2010
Maebashi Metropolitan Employment Area 2010

The geography of Maebashi creates a unique environment. It is located more than 100 kilometers from the coast. In fact, it is the farthest prefectural capital from the sea in Japan. This distance is about 120 km. Even though it is inland, the southern part is low. The elevation there is only around 100 meters. However, the highest point is much higher. It is 1,823 meters above sea level on Mount Kurohino. This peak is part of Mount Akagi.

Maebashi has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has distinct seasons. The city is one of the sunniest places in Japan. It receives over 2,210 hours of sunshine every year. The winter weather is shaped by a wind called the karakkaze. This is a dry wind that blows from the north. It happens because the Echigo Mountain Range blocks snow clouds. These clouds come from the Sea of Japan. Because of this blockage, the winters stay dry. The summers can be very hot due to the inland location. On July 24, 2001, the city reached a temperature that was the fifth-hottest ever in Japan.

The history of the area begins long ago. During the Nara period, the area was called Umayabashi. This name came from a bridge over the Tone River. Near the bridge, there was a stable and a refreshment house. Travelers used these to rest on the Tōzan-dō road. In 1649, the name changed to Maebashi. This happened during the Edo period. Maebashi became a castle town and the center of the Maebashi Domain. The modern municipality was established on April 1, 1889. It officially became a city on April 1, 1892.

Maebashi has changed through many mergers and events. During World War II, air raids caused great damage. About 64.2% of the urban core was destroyed on August 5, 1945. Following the war, the city grew by annexing many villages. These included Kaigaya, Kamikawabuchi, and others from the Seta District. In 2009, the city became a core city, or Chūkakushi. It also has a special status called tokureishi. This status gives the city more local autonomy.

JR logo (east)
JR logo (east)

Today, Maebashi is a significant urban center. It has an estimated population of 335,352 people. These people live in 151,171 households. The population density is 1,100 persons per square kilometer. The city is known as the "City of Water, Greenery and Poets." This title honors its pure waters and rich nature. It also honors poets like Sakutarō Hagiwara. The city is a hub for education and industry. It hosts universities like Gunma University. It is also home to companies like Sanden Corporation. These companies manufacture air conditioning parts and compressors. The Gunma Bank is also headquartered here.

Maebashi is well-connected to the rest of Japan. You can travel using the Jōmo Electric Railway. You can also use the JR East lines, such as the Jōetsu Line. The city is part of a larger urban zone. This zone contains over 1 million people. Maebashi also participates in international relations. It is a member of Cittaslow. The city has a sister city in Birmingham, United States. It also has friendly relations with Menasha and Orvieto. This connects the local culture to the wider world.

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File:Maebashi city office.jpg
Maebashi city office.jpg
File:Maebashi Metropolitan Employment Area 2010.svg
Maebashi Metropolitan Employment Area 2010.svg
File:JR logo (east).svg
JR logo (east).svg
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