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Maebashi, a city encompassed in grand natural surroundings, is located in the northwestern corner of the Kanto Plain, the flattest expanse of land in Japan. Towering over its northern approach are the mountain ridges that divide the Japanese archipelago geographically into a Pacific and a Japan Sea watershed. Water that flows down from them accumulates to form one of Japan's greatest rivers, the Tonegawa, which flows along Maebashi's western flank on its way south to the Pacific. There are creeks and streams flowing crisscross through the city, giving it a liquid, soft feeling. The water is pure and abundant and Maebashi has earned a reputation for having delicious drinking water.
A mere 100 kilometers from Tokyo, it's less than a one-hour ride by Shinkansen to Maebashi station. From there, a 10-minute walk north along the zelkova-lined streets leads to the district where all the local government offices are located, including the city hall and Gunma's prefectural office. Since the establishment of Maebashi castle in the 15th century, the area grew as a castle town. It became the prefectural seat when Maebashi was incorporated in 1892 and has served as the center of political, economic and cultural activities ever since.
The new prefectural office building, which was completed in September 1999, stands prominently on the banks of the Tonegawa. At the very top of this building is an observation deck, and just one floor below is a restaurant and an exhibition room featuring locally-produced goods and food products. Open to the public all year round, it's the place to go for information regarding Maebashi and Gunma. |
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| Streets lined with zelkova trees, a type of elm, await passengers getting off at Maebashi station |
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| This statue of Sakutaro Hagiwara, which stands in front of the Museum of Literature, is a fitting symbol of Maebashi's rich literary tradition |
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