Oizumi Town is located in Ora District in southeastern Gunma Prefecture, on the northern edge of the Kanto Plain. Covering an area of approximately 18.03 square kilometers, the town borders Ora and Chiyoda towns to the east, Ota City to the west and north, and Kumagaya City in Saitama Prefecture across the Tone River to the south.
The landscape is largely flat, with little difference in elevation. On clear days, visitors can see the Three Mountains of Jomo—Mount Akagi, Mount Haruna, and Mount Myogi—in the distance, creating an open and spacious atmosphere.
Oizumi was formed in March 1957 through the merger of Koizumi Town and Okawa Village. Although it is the smallest municipality in Gunma Prefecture by area, it has developed into an important industrial town with one of the highest values of manufactured goods shipments in northern Kanto.
At the same time, the town has invested in parks, streetscapes, and green spaces such as Izumi Greenway, creating an attractive and comfortable environment surrounded by greenery.
Oizumi has a population of approximately 40,000 and is the most populous town in Gunma Prefecture. Its population density is also among the highest of municipalities in the northern Kanto region.
One of the town’s most distinctive characteristics is its large international population. Foreign residents account for around 20% of the population, with people from more than 50 countries living in the community. The town is particularly known for its large Brazilian and Peruvian Japanese communities, as well as residents from countries such as Nepal, Vietnam, and Bolivia.
A major turning point came with the revision of Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee-Recognition Act in 1990, which created the “Long-Term Resident” status and made it easier for people of Japanese descent, including Japanese Brazilians, to work in Japan.
Many people initially came to Japan for employment, but some eventually settled in Oizumi because of its safety, educational environment, and convenient daily living conditions. Today, foreign residents are an important part of the local community.
The town promotes the concept of “community development through orderly coexistence”. Initiatives include a multicultural community center and the publication of municipal information in Portuguese, helping residents from different cultural backgrounds access essential information and services.
These efforts have contributed to the development of a community in which people from different countries and cultural backgrounds live and support one another.
Oizumi’s industrial development can be traced back to the prewar period, when the Nakajima Aircraft Company Koizumi Plant operated in the area.
After World War II, the town built on this technological foundation and attracted major companies, including Fuji Heavy Industries, now SUBARU, and Sanyo Electric, now part of Panasonic.
Today, numerous companies connected with the electrical equipment and automotive industries continue to operate in the town, forming an important part of its economy.
Supported by stable tax revenues, Oizumi has maintained one of the strongest fiscal positions among municipalities in Gunma Prefecture. Its relatively high proportion of working-age residents also contributes to its character as a vibrant industrial community.
One of Oizumi’s most important historical sites is the former site of Koizumi Castle, also known as Tomioka Castle. The castle is traditionally believed to have been built in 1489 and the site has now been developed as Shironouchi Park.
Parts of the former inner and outer moats and earthen ramparts remain, offering visitors a glimpse of the castle’s original defensive structure.
In spring, approximately 300 cherry trees bloom throughout the park, making it a popular cherry-blossom viewing destination. The park also features a mini zoo and children’s play area, making it a relaxing destination for families.
Shironouchi Kofun, an ancient burial mound, has also been relocated and reconstructed within the park, allowing visitors to experience the layers of history stretching from ancient times through the medieval period.
Running through the center of Oizumi, the approximately 4-kilometer-long Izumi Greenway is one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks.
Around 30,000 trees representing approximately 100 species, including zelkova and cherry trees, line the greenway. Water channels and sculptures are also placed along the route, creating an attractive promenade.
Pedestrian and bicycle paths are separated, allowing visitors to enjoy walking and cycling in a comfortable and safe environment.
Izumi Greenway has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Roads and one of the 500 Most Beautiful Walking Routes in Japan. The greenway was developed using land formerly occupied by a military railway, making it a symbol of both the town’s history and its transformation.
The Tone River, which flows along the southern part of the town, provides beautiful scenery in the morning and evening.
In spring, young salmon are released into the river, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the area’s natural environment.
Oizumi also has several distinctive parks, including Oizumi Central Park, Goseisaku Park, and Izumi Comprehensive Park. These spaces feature grassy areas, sports facilities, observation towers, and other amenities, making them suitable for everything from everyday walks to active recreation.
Historic religious sites can be found throughout Oizumi, including Koizumi Shrine, Hojuin Temple, Kotokuji Temple, and Jojuin Temple.
The main hall of Koizumi Shrine is designated as an important cultural property by Oizumi Town and is particularly notable for its intricate carvings.
Hojuin Temple preserves what is said to be the oldest stone Jizo Bodhisattva statue in the town, providing a tangible connection to the area’s long religious history.
Numerous ancient burial mounds can also be found throughout Oizumi, including the Furumi-Haramamae No. 1 Kofun. Artifacts excavated from these sites can be viewed in the exhibition room at Bunka Mura, offering insights into human activity in the area since ancient times.
Held every July, the Oizumi Festival is the town’s largest annual event. The streets come alive with floats, portable shrines, traditional folk dancing, and other performances, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the community.
The Shajitsu Festival, held in spring and autumn, features the traditional Tangin Ritual, in which boiling water is used in a ritual to seek divine guidance. This ceremony has been designated an important intangible cultural property by Oizumi Town.
Other traditional events include Hatsuyama, Sengoku Sasara Dance, and Yoshida Nishisato Kagura, which continue to preserve local performing arts and customs.
In recent years, multicultural events such as the Iki-na Sekai no Gourmet Yokocho have also been held, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy food and cultural traditions from different countries.
Oizumi Bunka Mura includes a large hall, exhibition hall, and museum facilities where concerts, exhibitions, and displays of historical materials are held.
The concert hall is equipped with a Bösendorfer piano and is also known for its high-quality acoustics.
The Oizumi Municipal Library has a collection of approximately 120,000 items and includes an international library. It serves as an important place for learning and cultural exchange in this multicultural town.
The Tobu Koizumi Line runs through Oizumi, with Higashi-Koizumi, Koizumi, and Nishi-Koizumi stations serving the town.
The local road network is laid out in a grid-like pattern, with broad main roads lined with trees. Although there are no expressways directly within the town, interchanges on the North Kanto Expressway, Tohoku Expressway, and Kan-Etsu Expressway are located nearby, providing convenient access to the Tokyo metropolitan area and other parts of the region.
Oizumi Town may be small in area, but it brings together a remarkable combination of industry, international culture, history, nature, and community life.
While its manufacturing industries provide an important economic foundation, Oizumi has also developed into a notable example of multicultural coexistence in Japan.
Historic castle ruins and ancient burial mounds, tree-lined greenways filled with seasonal flowers, lively traditional festivals, and international food and cultural events all reveal different sides of the town.
For visitors, Oizumi offers opportunities to discover how different cultures and traditions can come together within a single community. It is a distinctive destination in southeastern Gunma where history, industry, nature, and multicultural life exist side by side.