Itakura Town is located at the easternmost edge of southeastern Gunma Prefecture, in Ora District. It occupies the “beak” of Gunma’s bird-shaped outline, often described as a crane in flight. The Tone River, one of Japan’s largest rivers by drainage area, flows to the south, while the Watarase River runs to the north. To the east lies the vast Watarase Retarding Basin, one of the largest wetland areas on Honshu.
Although Itakura is part of the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, it retains extensive farmland and peaceful rural landscapes. The town offers a sense of openness and tranquility that can be difficult to imagine in an area so close to major urban centers.
Of Itakura’s total area of approximately 4,184 hectares, around 55 percent is farmland. The town is sometimes known as the “rice granary of Gunma” and is known for producing a wide variety of rice. It is also one of Japan’s leading producers of cucumbers, while potted carnations are another important agricultural product.
These crops, nurtured by abundant water resources and fertile soil, are a source of local pride and an important part of Itakura’s appeal for visitors.
One of Itakura’s most important natural attractions is the Watarase Retarding Basin, which was registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland in July 2012.
The vast wetland covers approximately 33 square kilometers, an area roughly 700 times the size of Tokyo Dome. It was also the first site in the Kanto region to be selected as an Important Cultural Landscape under the name “Water Landscape of the Tone and Watarase River Confluence Area.”
Expansive reed beds provide habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals throughout the year, creating an environment that can truly be described as a “living museum of nature.”
In spring, controlled reed burning is carried out to encourage healthy reed growth and help maintain the wetland ecosystem. The vast reservoir is also used for water sports and triathlon events, creating a unique landscape where nature and outdoor activities come together.
Watarase Nature Museum, located at the gateway to the retarding basin, serves as an information center introducing the ecosystem and history of the Watarase Retarding Basin. Exhibits include three-dimensional models and plant dioramas that help visitors understand the area’s natural environment.
The museum occupies a former rice granary built from distinctive Oya stone, giving the building a traditional atmosphere. Bicycle rentals are also available, making the museum a convenient starting point for exploring the surrounding wetland by bicycle.
Itakura is home to one of Japan’s most unusual three-prefecture borders. At this point, Itakura Town in Gunma Prefecture, Tochigi City in Tochigi Prefecture, and Kazo City in Saitama Prefecture meet at a single location.
The site is famous for being a three-prefecture border that can be visited on flat ground and explored in just a few steps. Unlike many three-prefecture borders, which are located on mountaintops or in rivers, this one is easily accessible to visitors of all ages and has become a popular curiosity for travelers.
Raiden Shrine is one of Itakura’s best-known landmarks. It is regarded as one of the principal Raiden shrines in the Kanto region and is widely worshipped as one of the “Three Great Raiden Shrines of Kanto.”
Locally known affectionately as “Raiden-sama,” the shrine attracts visitors throughout the year for New Year’s prayers, the Raiden Grand Festival, Shichi-Go-San celebrations, and other occasions.
Within the shrine grounds, the subsidiary Hachimangu Inari Shrine is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is regarded as one of the oldest surviving wooden structures in Gunma Prefecture. The building provides an important glimpse into the region’s religious and architectural history.
Takatori Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the historical figure revered in Japan as the deity of learning. Many visitors come to pray for academic success and success in entrance examinations.
The ceiling of the shrine’s main building features a rare series of paintings depicting scenes from the Hyakunin Isshu, Japan’s famous collection of 100 classical poems. These artworks add an important cultural and artistic dimension to the shrine.
For centuries, Itakura has lived closely with the rivers and floods that surround the town. Two distinctive examples of this water-based culture are the traditional agi boats and mizuzuka.
An agi boat was traditionally suspended beneath the eaves of a house during normal times. When flooding occurred, it could be used to transport people, household belongings, and livestock to higher ground.
Today, visitors can experience this traditional culture through the “Gunma Water Village: Yata River Boat Tour.” The boats are traditionally maneuvered with a single bamboo pole, allowing visitors to see firsthand the distinctive skills developed by local boatmen.
Mizuzuka are raised structures built on earth mounds approximately 3 to 5 meters higher than the main house. They were designed to provide a place of refuge and storage during floods.
These ingenious adaptations offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of a community that has learned to live alongside water.
Itakura is home to archaeological sites such as the Gongennuma Shell Mounds and Teranishi Shell Mound, demonstrating that people have lived in the area since ancient times.
The local Cultural Properties Museum displays excavated artifacts, including pottery and haniwa clay figures, providing an opportunity to learn more about the town’s history and its traditional relationship with water.
At Hofukuji Temple, visitors can also see a wooden seated statue of Shonin Shogen. The statue is designated as a Prefectural Important Cultural Property and is believed to date from the middle of the Kamakura period.
Spring brings beautiful scenery to Itakura. The Shidare-zakura weeping cherry tree at Tamokoshi and the rows of cherry trees along the Yata River turn shades of soft pink, attracting visitors who come to enjoy the seasonal beauty.
In autumn, spider lilies bloom in abundance at Ebise Hanareyama Park. The area was also once famous for landscapes covered with approximately 80 million cosmos flowers.
The opportunity to experience changing scenery and seasonal flowers close to everyday rural life is one of Itakura’s most appealing characteristics.
Gunma Water Village is a spacious fishing park covering approximately 100,000 square meters, where visitors can enjoy fishing for crucian carp and other activities.
At the Itakura Gliding Field, visitors can watch gliders soar into the open sky, offering an exhilarating spectacle. The Itakura Golf Course provides a riverside golfing experience along the Tone River floodplain.
Tenjinike Park also offers facilities for barbecues and water play, making it a popular destination for families.
Itakura hosts a variety of events throughout the year, beginning with New Year’s shrine visits in January, Setsubun festivals in February, the Raiden Grand Festival in May, the Itakura Festival in summer, and cultural and commercial festivals in autumn.
The Itakura Festival in August is particularly lively. A small catfish mikoshi is carried through the town, while fireworks light up the summer night sky, creating a festive atmosphere that brings the local community together.
The main railway station serving the area is Itakura-Toyodaimae Station on the Tobu Nikko Line. Community buses also operate within the town.
Itakura has convenient transportation connections with the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its high rate of commuting to the capital region is also an indication of the town’s strong accessibility to major urban centers.
Surrounded by the Tone River and Watarase River, Itakura is a town where a long history of living with water coexists with rich wetlands, beautiful rural landscapes, and a vibrant tradition of local faith and culture.
The traditional water village culture represented by agi boats and mizuzuka, the religious heritage of Raiden Shrine and Takatori Tenmangu Shrine, seasonal flowers, and the vast reed beds of the Watarase Retarding Basin all offer visitors different ways to experience the character of the town.
For travelers looking to escape the bustle of the city and experience a slower pace of life, Itakura provides an opportunity to discover the natural and cultural beauty of southeastern Gunma. A visit offers a chance to experience firsthand a landscape and way of life shaped by water, greenery, and history.