Chiyoda Town is located in Oura District in southeastern Gunma Prefecture and has a population of approximately 10,000. The magnificent Tone River flows along the southern edge of the town, with the cities of Kumagaya and Gyoda in Saitama Prefecture lying across the river.
Chiyoda occupies the area resembling the “neck” of Gunma’s crane-shaped outline and borders Meiwa Town to the east, Tatebayashi City and Oura Town to the north, and Oizumi Town to the west. Although it is located only about 60 km from central Tokyo, the town is surrounded by riverside landscapes and greenery, offering a peaceful atmosphere and a relaxed pace of life.
Chiyoda stretches east to west along the left bank of the middle reaches of the Tone River. Much of the town consists of flat land, with broad agricultural landscapes extending across the countryside.
The scenery changes with the seasons, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty of rural Japan throughout the year. The abundant water supplied by the Tone River has long supported both agriculture and everyday life, making the description “a town of water and greenery” particularly fitting.
The hilly western part of Chiyoda contains numerous kofun burial mounds, indicating that substantial settlements and thriving communities existed here in ancient times.
From the medieval period through the early modern period, the area developed as a base for influential families such as the Sanuki and Akai clans. During the Edo period, the Tone River became an important transportation route, and Chiyoda prospered as a center for river transport.
The river was far more than a natural feature. It served as a major artery carrying people, goods, and culture, playing an important role in the development of the community.
On March 31, 1955, the villages of Eiraku, Tominaga, and Nagara merged to form Chiyoda Village.
Although parts of the area were later separated, the community continued to develop steadily. On April 1, 1982, Chiyoda Village became Chiyoda Town.
Today, agriculture and manufacturing coexist as important parts of the local economy, supporting a peaceful and comfortable community.
Agriculture remains one of Chiyoda’s key industries, particularly the cultivation of rice and wheat, supported by fertile soil and the abundant water of the Tone River.
At the same time, the town is home to two industrial parks: Chiyoda Industrial Park and Kurakake Industrial Park. Manufacturing is an important part of the local economy.
Some of the wheat grown in the town is used as an ingredient at the Suntory Tone River Brewery. Chemical manufacturer Marufuku Chemifa also operates offices, factories, and warehouses in the area, illustrating the way agriculture and manufacturing have developed side by side.
There are no railway lines within Chiyoda Town itself, but nearby stations including Kawamata Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line and Shinozuka Station on the Tobu Koizumi Line provide access to the area.
Local bus services also connect the town with Tatebayashi Station, Ota Station, and surrounding communities.
The Akaiwa Ferry connects Akaiwa in Chiyoda Town with Kuzuha in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, across the Tone River. It is unusual in Japan because it forms part of a “waterborne prefectural road.”
Although it is part of Prefectural Route 83, the Kumagaya-Tatebayashi Line, there is no bridge at this point. Instead, a free ferry carries passengers between the two banks.
The crossing takes approximately four minutes. What began as an everyday means of transportation has also become an appealing experience for visitors, offering a peaceful journey across the broad surface of the Tone River.
Bicycles can also be taken aboard, making the ferry useful for people exploring the Tone River cycling route. Historically, this crossing was one of the 16 important ferry crossings of the Bando region and later served as an important river transport route for people traveling toward Edo and the Boso Peninsula during the Edo period.
Today, the Akaiwa Ferry remains a distinctive symbol of Chiyoda, where history and everyday life continue to meet.
The Tone River Weir is located 154 km upstream from the river’s mouth. Completed in 1968, it was constructed to meet the growing demand for water in the Tokyo metropolitan region.
The weir continues to play an important role in supplying water, supporting approximately 40% of Tokyo’s tap-water supply and about 70% of Saitama Prefecture’s supply.
Fishways have been installed at the weir, allowing fish to travel upstream. At the Ozeki Nature Observation Room, visitors can observe salmon and other fish making their way upstream.
Efforts by government and local organizations to restore salmon runs have also contributed to the area’s environmental initiatives. The surrounding Tone River is popular for water sports and fishing, attracting visitors who enjoy outdoor activities.
Koonji Temple in Akaiwa is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism. According to temple tradition, it was founded during the reign of Emperor Yuryaku and is also associated with the famous Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi Kukai.
Although the temple was repeatedly affected by warfare and fires throughout its long history, it was rebuilt and preserved through successive generations.
Koonji houses numerous valuable cultural treasures, including the five bronze ritual bells designated as a National Important Cultural Property and an Amida Triad believed to date from the early Kamakura period.
The temple grounds also contain the Akaiwa Doyama Kofun, creating a unique setting where ancient archaeological heritage and medieval Buddhist culture can be experienced together.
Horinji Temple belongs to the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism and is associated with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, who once served as lord of Tatebayashi Castle.
The temple is known for preserving the bell from the former Mandokuzan Kosai Temple, which has been designated as an important cultural property by Chiyoda Town.
In recent years, the temple has also developed a new style of cultural tourism. A former detached building on the grounds has been converted into TEMPLE STAY ZENSŌ, where guests can stay overnight and experience the quiet atmosphere and spirit of Zen.
The combination of historic Buddhist traditions and contemporary hospitality has created a distinctive new destination for visitors.
Nakasato Park has been selected as one of the 100 Scenic Views of Mount Fuji in the Kanto Region. On clear days, visitors can see Mount Fuji from the park.
The park features spacious lawns and waterside areas, making it a pleasant place for families, walkers, and anyone looking to relax outdoors.
Along the Tone River, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, cycling, and water sports. Combining these natural attractions with historic temples and ancient burial mounds provides a well-rounded way to discover Chiyoda Town.
Chiyoda Town offers the tranquility of a rural community while remaining relatively close to the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its identity has been shaped by the Tone River, which has supported the town’s agriculture, transportation, industry, and culture for centuries.
The town combines fertile farmland, manufacturing industries, historic temples, ancient burial mounds, riverside recreation, and local traditions in a compact area.
For visitors, Chiyoda offers a peaceful destination where they can experience a quieter side of the Kanto region. For its residents, it remains a comfortable community closely connected to nature and history.
With its waterways and greenery at the heart of local life, Chiyoda Town continues to preserve its distinctive character while looking toward the future.