Kawaba Village, Gunma群馬県川場村
Living in Kawaba Village, Gunma
We have Summarized the livability of Kawaba Village, Gunma.
TONE-NUMATA AREA利根沼田地域
CONTENTS
- What kind of place is Kawaba Village?
- Kawaba VillagePR video
- How is the traffic situation in Kawaba Village?
- How are the rent and land prices in Kawaba Village?
- How is childcare and education in Kawaba Village?
- How about shopping in Kawaba Village?
- How about jobs and recruitment in Kawaba Village?
- Kawaba Village’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
What kind of place is Kawaba Village, Gunma?
Kichijoji
Kawaba Village: A town with new spots and quaint old temples』
Kawaba Village, located in the Tone-Numata region in the northwest of Gunma Prefecture, belongs to Tone District.
It is an area surrounded by Minakami Town to the north, Numata City from the west to the south, and Katashina Village to the east.
With a population of about 3,400 people and around 990 households, it is a small town (as of Reiwa 2).
The population is declining, and there is a trend of low birthrates and an aging population.
Kawaba Village in Gunma Prefecture is an area known for its agricultural production, especially rice.
Thanks to clean water and temperature differences between day and night, the rice grows strong and is of very high quality.
The Koshihikari rice produced in Kawaba Village is called ‘Yukihotaka‘, rich in minerals and with excellent flavor.
The new rice is so popular that it sells out quickly and receives high ratings even in online sales.
Kawaba Village in Gunma Prefecture also has hot springs and ski resorts, attracting many tourists.
The number of visitors increases on weekends, with many coming from outside the prefecture due to the nearby highway interchange.
In recent years, the village has been focusing on tourism. Although the area has long been famous for its agricultural products, hot springs, and ski resorts, there was a challenge in effectively promoting these attractions.
However, with the establishment of ‘Michi-no-Eki Kawaba Denen Plaza‘, the situation has greatly improved.
Previously, Kawaba Village struggled to promote its charm nationwide, but now Michi-no-Eki Kawaba Denen Plaza is actively spreading the word, and it is frequently featured on TV and in magazines.
There is a farmers’ market where you can buy fresh local vegetables and fruits, as well as restaurants that use local ingredients.
In addition, there are a bakery and a café, making it a place for families and couples to enjoy.
Kawaba Village is also home to ‘Kichijoji‘, a temple founded during the Nanboku-chō period, with a deep history connected to the village.
The temple grounds are adorned with more than 100 types of flowers throughout the seasons, earning it the nickname ‘Temple of Flowers’.
In spring, flowers such as water lilies, cherry blossoms, and hydrangeas bloom, creating a beautiful landscape.
At the temple’s main hall corridor, visitors can enjoy matcha tea and traditional Japanese sweets in the style of the Edo Senke school, attracting many tourists.
PR video of Kawaba Village, Gunma
Kawaba Village Spring
Kawaba Village Summer
Kawaba Village Autumn
Kawaba Village: Late Autumn and Winter
How is the traffic situation in Kawaba Village?
Okutone Hot Springs Highway
Kawaba Village is a town where there are no trains, so you need to have your own car.
There are no trains running in Kawaba Village.
Therefore, if you want to use a train, you need to travel to a nearby area.
The nearest station is Numata Station on the JR Jōetsu Line in Numata City, and while a car is necessary, there is a community bus that runs between Kawaba Town and Numata Station, providing access to the station.
However, since there are only 5 to 6 buses per day, it is not very convenient.
A private car is essential in Kawaba Village.
There are no national highways running through the town, and there are no major roads with heavy traffic, so driving is generally comfortable.
However, since there is a ski resort in Kawaba Village, it becomes busy during the ski and snowboard season, so you should be prepared for seasonal traffic.
Summers are cool and pleasant, but winters can be cold, with many days of heavy snowfall.
When snow piles up, the roads become completely covered, and driving is impossible without snow removal.
Many of the locals are responsible for snow removal, with some working in construction or agriculture during the rest of the year and taking on snow removal as a side job during the winter months.
For those without a car, there is a convenient bus that goes to Numata Station.
There is no train service to the area, so if you want to travel by train, you will need to take a bus to a nearby station.
How are the rent and land prices in Kawaba Village?
A street lined with apple orchards
Kawaba Village is a town where you can live a life beyond your imagination, with a spacious garden and everything you want.
There are no condominiums in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, and rental apartments are also scarce.
Occasionally, an apartment becomes available, with a rent of around 40,000 yen for a 1K unit.
Most of the residents of Kawaba Village live in detached houses, and many households own fields or rice paddies, which is a characteristic of this area.
As of September 2022, the average land price in Kawaba Village is about 31,000 yen per tsubo (approx. 3.3 square meters), making it quite affordable.
In recent years, new homes have been built around the Joshu-Tomioka area, with an increase in new detached houses aimed at families.
Since the land is inexpensive, the lots for detached houses are very spacious, often with enough room to park multiple cars or even to play baseball or soccer in the yard.
Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, has many forests and woods, so there is little land available for commercial use.
However, with new spots like Kawaba Denen Plaza as a hub, there is a possibility that more families will move to the area to work, so there are signs that the area may gradually become more vibrant in the future.
The average rent and housing prices are relatively low in this area, making it an ideal place for those who wish to live in the mountains.
There are few properties available, and it is difficult to find the right home, especially for rent. There is a lot of snow in the winter, so those considering settling here should be prepared for the adverse effects of winter.
How is childcare and education in Kawaba Village?
Akari Kawaba Rural Campsite
Kawaba Village: A town that offers great support to those raising children
Kawaba Village has one nursery school, one kindergarten, one elementary school, and one junior high school, but there is no high school.
It is a popular area for relocation from urban areas, with abundant natural surroundings.
While there is snowfall in winter, the activities at the ski resort are very appealing.
Snowboarding, which gained attention during the Winter Olympics, is particularly popular, attracting high-level snowboarders from across the country.
Additionally, several rivers flow through the village, centered around the Usune River, providing an active environment for river activities and camping.
Kawaba Village offers a child-rearing support grant, providing ¥100,000 for the birth of the first child, ¥200,000 for the second child, ¥300,000 for the third and fourth children, and ¥1,000,000 for the fifth child and beyond.
Additionally, ¥50,000 is granted upon enrollment in elementary school and ¥50,000 upon enrollment in junior high school.
The village’s welfare medical system covers children under 18 years of age (until March 31 after turning 18) for outpatient and inpatient care.
The medical expense reimbursement system for single-parent families provides partial coverage of medical expenses based on insurance for those raising children up to 18 years of age (until March 31 after turning 18).
Although there is no high school in Kawaba Village, there is a program to subsidize the bus fare to Numata Station for high school students living in the village who attend high school in other areas, known as subsidy for purchasing commuting passes for high school students.
Surrounded by mountains, this is an environment rich in nature where you can raise your children in a relaxed atmosphere. This is an area that actively supports the child-rearing generation, offering things like birth congratulations grants and school support grants.
If children go out alone, they will need to be picked up and dropped off by car. There are areas with few street lights, so be careful when children are walking around at night.
How about shopping in Kawaba Village?
Kawaba Countryside Plaza
Kawaba Village is home to Kawaba Denen Plaza, a roadside station that ranks highly.
The main shopping spot in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, is undoubtedly the Michi-no-Eki Kawaba Denen Plaza.
It consistently ranks high in the Kanto area’s roadside station rankings, often taking the top spot.
There are three main reasons for its popularity.
First is its high convenience.
It is located about 10 minutes by car from the Numata IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, making it very accessible, and the parking lot is spacious, allowing for comfortable parking.
It also features parking spaces for large buses, making it a popular stop for sightseeing tours.
Another reason for its popularity is that visitors can purchase local ingredients at low prices.
Fresh vegetables harvested locally can be bought on the same day, and visitors can enjoy dishes made with abundant local vegetables on-site.
While there are no shopping malls in Kawaba Village, Route 120 in the neighboring area is lined with supermarkets and restaurants, so as long as you have a car, you should have no trouble finding general groceries and daily necessities.
You can buy fresh groceries at the roadside station.
You’ll need a car to go shopping in this area.
How about jobs and recruitment in Kawaba Village?
Kawaba Village: A town with many leisure and nursing jobs
There are almost no mass retailers other than Kawaba Denen Plaza in Kawaba Village, so if you are looking for a job as a shop staff member, you will have to look for job openings at roadside station shops.
There are many hotels and leisure spots, so you can find job openings for those kinds of jobs.
In particular, in the winter, you will be able to find job openings for seasonal staff at ski resorts and other places.
Kawaba Village is characterized by its many nursing homes, so you can frequently find job openings for care workers.
Kawaba Village, Gunma’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
Kawaba Village, Gunma’s unique relocation assistance and relocation subsidy system
| Kawaba Village Relocation Support Fund |
Kawaba Village, Gunma’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system
| Housing renovation subsidy program Dispatch of wooden house earthquake resistance diagnosticians |
Kawaba Village, Gunma’s unique childcare support system
| Childcare support grant Child seat purchase subsidy program |
