Kanra, Gunma Prefecture, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Kanra (甘楽町, Kanra-machi) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 August 2020, the town had an estimated population density of 220 persons per km². The total area of the town is 58.61 square km (22.63 sq mi).

Geography Kanra is located in the south-western portion of Gunma Prefecture on the south bank of the Kabura River.

Surrounding municipalities Gunma Prefecture: • Fujioka • Takasaki • Tomioka • Shimonita.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Kanra has remained relatively steady over the past 60 years.

History During the Edo period, the centre of present-day Kanra was the jōkamachi of Obata Domain, a feudal domain under the Tokugawa shogunate in Kōzuke Province. Obata village, Akihata village, Fukushima town, and Niiya village were created within Kitakanra District of Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. In 1925 Obata village was elevated in status into Obata town. In 1950 Kitakanra District was renamed Kanra District. Akihata village merged with Obata in 1955, and Fukushima and Niiya villages were into Obata on February 1, 1959, creating Kanra town.

Government Kanra has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Kanra, together with the other municipalities in Kanra District contributes one member to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy The economy of Kanra is heavily dependent on agriculture.

Education Kanra has three public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transport: Rail Jōshin Dentetsu - Jōshin Line • Jōshū-Niiya - Jōshū-Fukushima.

Transport: Road • Jōshin-etsu Expressway – Kanra PA • National Route 254.

Local attractions • Rakusan-en gardens, National Place of Scenic Beauty.