Naganohara, Gunma Prefecture, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Naganohara (長野原町, Naganohara-machi) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

Population As of 31 January 2020, the town had an estimated population density of 41 persons per km².

Size The total area of the town is 133.85 square km (51.68 sq mi). The controversial Yanba Dam project is located within Naganohara.

Geography Located in the north-western portion of Gunma Prefecture, almost all of Naganohara has an elevation higher than 500 meters. The town has Mount Kusatsu-Shirane (2171m) to the north and Mount Asama (2568m) to the south. • Rivers: Agatsuma River, Shirasuna River, Kuma River

Surrounding municipalities Gunma Prefecture • Takasaki • Higashiagatsuma • Tsumagoi • Nakanojō • Kusatsu; Nagano Prefecture • Karuizawa

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Naganohara has declined over the past 70 years.

History The area of present-day Naganohara has human remains from the Japanese Paleolithic through Jōmon periods, although archaeological findings from the Kofun period are scarce compared with surrounding areas. During the Edo period, the area was part of the hatamoto-administered territory within Kōzuke Province.

Naganohara Town was created within Agatsuma District of Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration.

Government Naganohara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 10 members. Naganohara collectively with the other municipalities in Agatsuma District, contributes two members 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 Naganohara is heavily dependent on agriculture.

Education Naganohara has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail JR East – Agatsuma Line • Kawarayu-Onsen - Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi - Gunma-Ōtsu - Haneo.

Transport: Road • National Route 144 • National Route 145 • National Route 146 • National Route 292 • National Route 406.

Local attractions • Kawarayu Onsen • Asama Volcano Museum • Agatsuma Gorge, a National Place of Scenic Beauty.