Showa Village is a peaceful rural village in Tone District, northern Gunma Prefecture, spreading across the northwestern foothills of Mount Akagi. The Katashina and Tone Rivers flow along the northern and western edges of the village, while magnificent river terraces formed over thousands of years shape much of the surrounding landscape.
As of 2025, Showa Village in Gunma Prefecture and Showa Village in Fukushima Prefecture are the only two municipalities in Japan officially bearing the name “Showa Village,” making the name relatively rare in Japan.
Blessed with fertile soil and abundant natural resources, Showa Village is one of Japan’s leading highland farming areas. It is particularly well known for its production of konjac potatoes, ranking first in Japan. Its convenient access to the Tokyo metropolitan area also allows fresh agricultural products to be delivered quickly, earning the village the nicknames “Vegetable Kingdom” and “the Kitchen of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.”
The village is also known for its beautiful rural landscapes and traditional houses. It was the first municipality in the Kanto region to join the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan, reflecting its distinctive countryside scenery and cultural heritage.
One of Showa Village’s greatest attractions is its expansive natural landscape. Mountains around the village include Mount Hotaka, the Tanigawa mountain range, and Mount Haruna, with several peaks rising to around 2,000 meters. The views of these mountains from the Akagi Highlands are particularly impressive.
The mountains change dramatically with the seasons, offering fresh greenery in spring, refreshing highland scenery in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snow-covered landscapes in winter.
The river terraces along the Katashina and Tone Rivers are another defining feature of the village. These striking landforms are among the most scenic examples of river terraces in Japan. People have lived in this area since the Jomon period, while the Tone River route flourished during the Edo period as part of the Numata Kaido road system.
Showa Village retains several large traditional sericulture farmhouses, including some with thatched roofs and others with large two-story structures that are believed to have originally had wooden-shingle roofs. Together with traditional storehouses, these buildings preserve the appearance of the village’s agricultural past.
Sericulture was once an important local industry, and the architecture of these houses reflects the lifestyle and economic activities of the communities that lived there. Different construction styles developed according to the period and location, providing an interesting glimpse into the changing history of rural life in the region.
In the Ogoe district, visitors can also see a historic horizontal water tunnel excavated entirely by local residents between 1886 and 1888. This large-scale project was undertaken to secure water for the community and demonstrates the determination and cooperation of local people during the Meiji period.
Located just after exiting the Showa Interchange, Roadside Station Agri-Mu Showa is an experiential roadside station where visitors can enjoy activities such as agricultural harvesting experiences and bicycle rental.
Fresh locally grown vegetables and regional specialties are also available, making it a convenient place to experience the agricultural character of Showa Village through food and hands-on activities.
Shunsaikan offers a wide selection of fresh agricultural products, including vegetables harvested that morning.
The market’s appeal lies in its fresh produce and the opportunity to see where the food comes from, with products sold directly by local growers.
The Showa Autumn Festival has been held since 1998 as a major event promoting Showa Village as one of Japan’s leading agricultural areas.
Many local residents take part, creating a lively community celebration that showcases the village’s agricultural culture and local spirit.
Showa no Yu is a day-use hot spring facility surrounded by greenery and clear mountain streams. Soaking in the warm waters while enjoying the peaceful natural surroundings provides a relaxing way to recover from a day of sightseeing.
Yokohama City Youth Nature House Akagi Rinmaigakuen is an accommodation facility designed for outdoor activities and group experiences in nature. Priority is given to Yokohama residents, but general visitors may be able to use the facility when space is available.
The village offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. At the Comprehensive Sports Park and Fureai Green Park, visitors can enjoy activities such as tennis and large playground equipment.
At Showa no Mori Golf Course, golfers can play while enjoying views of the mountains of the Jomo region.
Thousand-Year Forest J-wings Sports Center offers soccer facilities as well as a variety of adventure programs.
For a more exhilarating experience, visitors can try motorized paragliding and fly above the vast agricultural fields of the “Vegetable Kingdom.” The Akagiyama Funagahana Hiking Trail is also relatively easy to walk and is suitable for enjoying a leisurely nature hike.
Showa Village has three viewpoints from which visitors can enjoy panoramic views of mountains included among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.
At Okutone Winery, visitors can learn about wine production carried out locally, from grape cultivation through fermentation and brewing.
In autumn, the Chojahara Buckwheat Field is covered with countless white buckwheat flowers. The Marriage Forest features cherry trees planted by newly married couples as symbols of their hopes for the future.
Other attractions include Omuro Cherry Tree, the Great Zelkova of Unsho-ji Temple, the ruins of Nagaisaka Castle, and Kajiya-ji Tumulus Park, where natural scenery and local history come together.
At the Ichigo ECO Mega Solar Observation Hill, visitors can look out over one of the largest mega-solar facilities in the Kanto region. The sight of 166,716 solar panels arranged across the landscape is impressive and highlights another aspect of Showa Village’s environmental initiatives.
Mount Akagi, rising to the southeast of Showa Village, is one of the Three Mountains of Jomo. Its appearance changes beautifully with the seasons.
From the Akagi Highlands, visitors can enjoy expansive mountain views. On clear days, the mountain ridges stand out sharply against the sky.
Spring brings fresh greenery, summer offers cool highland scenery, autumn transforms the mountains with colorful foliage, and winter creates a beautiful snow-covered landscape. The area is therefore attractive throughout the year.
Mount Hotaka, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, is another prominent peak visible from Showa Village.
The mountain rises dramatically beyond the village’s broad agricultural fields, creating one of the area’s most characteristic landscapes. It is an especially appealing sight for photographers and travelers exploring the countryside by car.
The river terraces of Showa Village are among its most distinctive geographical features. They were formed through the long-term erosion of the Tone and Katashina Rivers, creating broad elevated areas above the river valleys.
The contrast between the cultivated fields spreading across the terraces and the clear rivers flowing below creates a striking landscape. The area also provides a sense of the long history of human settlement, dating back to the Jomon period.
Large traditional sericulture farmhouses with thatched roofs and two-story designs remain in parts of the village. Along with traditional storehouses, these buildings preserve the appearance of an earlier agricultural landscape.
They are valuable cultural features that tell the story of Showa Village’s history as a center of sericulture. The different architectural styles found throughout the village also reflect changes in local life over different periods.
The horizontal water tunnel in the Ogoe district was excavated by local residents during the Meiji period to secure water for everyday use.
This ambitious community project reflects the determination and cooperation of the people who lived here more than a century ago. Today, the site offers a quiet glimpse into the history of rural infrastructure and community life.
The Chojahara Buckwheat Field covers approximately one hectare. In autumn, countless white buckwheat flowers bloom across the field, creating a spectacular landscape that resembles a vast white carpet.
With the blue sky and surrounding mountains as a backdrop, the flowering field provides one of the most distinctive seasonal views in Showa Village.
The Omuro Cherry Tree is one of the village’s representative solitary cherry trees. In spring, its blossoms create a beautiful contrast with the remaining snow on the surrounding mountains.
The Great Zelkova of Unsho-ji Temple is designated as a natural monument by Gunma Prefecture. According to local tradition, the ancient tree once helped protect the temple from fire, adding a layer of folklore to its impressive presence.
The Ruins of Nagaisaka Castle stand on a steep cliff and preserve the history of the Warring States period. The site is also associated with the tradition that Uesugi Kenshin once established a camp here.
At Kajiya-ji Tumulus Park, visitors can see a reconstructed ancient burial mound and even enter the stone burial chamber. Valuable grave goods were excavated from one of the largest burial mounds in the area, offering an opportunity to learn about the ancient history of the region.
This observation area offers a panoramic view of a mega-solar facility considered one of the largest of its kind in the Kanto region.
The sight of 166,716 solar panels arranged across the landscape is striking and represents Showa Village’s efforts to make use of renewable energy.
Showa Village is a rural destination where magnificent natural scenery, productive agriculture, and local history come together in harmony.
Visitors can admire vast agricultural fields and beautiful mountain landscapes, experience local food and rural culture, and discover the warmth of village life. Because the scenery changes with every season, Showa Village offers something new to discover each time you visit.
Come and experience the rich landscapes, agricultural culture, and peaceful atmosphere of Showa Village, the “Vegetable Kingdom” at the foot of Mount Akagi.