Midori City Outline

Midori City was established through the merging of Kasakake (Nitta-gun), Omama (Yamada-gun), and Azuma (Seta-gun) on March 27, 2006 and stands as the 12th new city formed in Gunma Prefecture in 48 years.Located in eastern Gunma Prefecture and 100km from Tokyo, Midori City occupies 208.42 km2 and shares boarders with 7 cities in both Gunma and Tochigi Prefecture including Kiryu and Nikko City.Geographically, the area extends north to south and is home to the Watarase River originating from the Ashio mountains to the north and flows from the northeast to southeast of the city.The main region in the town of Azumais formed along the banks of the Watarase River,the upper region of which forms the Kusaki Dam to the north and supplies the Tokyo metropolitan area.The area spanning the central to southern region is a result of the Omama Fan, formed by the clear waters of the Watarase River.The "mama" from the town name Omama derives from the name given to the sloping cliff formed by Watarase River's river terrace and it is deeply rooted in the psyche of the locals for the key role the river plays in their lives.

Midori City has developed as a trading centre for people dealing in silk and as a post station situated along the Akagane Road which was used to transport copper from the Ashio Copper Mine. Even today the region acts a key transport junction adjoining Nikko City (Tochigi Prefecture) to Tokyo via Saitama Prefecture on national highway 122 servicing north and south, and Mito City (Saitama Prefecture) to Maebashi and Takasaki City via national highway 50 servicing east to west. With the opening of the Otayabuzuka Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway in the southeast area of the city, improved access to the interchange is expected to bring about added convenience and further regional development. In addition to the JR Ryomo Line and Tobu Railway's Kiryu Line connecting passengers to Tokyo, Midori City also boasts the Jomo Electric Railway and the Watarase Keikoku Railway as a mode of transport commonly used by the locals. In fact, the Watarase Keikoku Railway provides valuable media coverage to areas along the railway line, frequently featured on travel shows.

Midori City's prominent attractions include the Tomihiro Art Museum, home to the magnificent water paintings of artist Tomihiro Hoshino, art that expresses the value and warmth of life. And akin to the beauty of Kanto's Yabakei Gorge, Takatsudokyo Gorge commands breathtaking scenic views as the seasons change along the Watarase River. As for defying Japanese history books, the discovery of the Iwajuku Ruins in Midori City has brought forward evidence of a Japanese Stone Age culture. Additionally, the Omama Gion Festival established during Edo's Kanei Era and held annually between August 1 and 2, and the Kibune Shrine in Omama in the New Year attract a great number of visitors each year.