Itakura Town, Gunma群馬県板倉町

Living in Itakura Town, Gunma

Watarase Retarding Basin

We have Summarized the livability of Itakura Town, Gunma.

What kind of place is Itakura Town, Gunma?

Raiden Shrine

Itakura Town: A town rich in nature and beautiful scenery

Itakura Town, located in the southeastern part of Gunma Prefecture, belongs to the Oura District.
It is situated at the border of Gunma, Tochigi, and Saitama Prefectures, surrounded by Tatebayashi City and Meiwa Town to the west, Tochigi’s Fujioka Town to the north and east, and Kazo City in Saitama Prefecture to the south.
The population is approximately 13,000, with around 5,800 households (as of September 2022).

To the west of Itakura Town lies the Watarase Yusui Land.
Covering an area of about 33 km² and having a perimeter of approximately 30 km, it is a large water reservoir shaped like a heart.
When nearby rivers, such as the Watarase River, experience heavy rainfall, this reservoir helps to reduce the flow downstream by storing excess water.
The area resembles a vast lake, frequented by people running or cycling around it, as well as those enjoying windsurfing or SUP yoga by the waterside.
The surrounding nature remains untouched, providing opportunities to observe various animals, plants, and insects.
In particular, the area is known for its many wild birds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.

A notable site in Itakura Town is the Raiden Shrine, recognized as the head shrine of the Raiden deity, one of the three thunder gods of the Kanto region. The Raiden Shrine Main Shrine is famous for its blessings of wealth, musical talent, beauty and longevity, and good fortune, making it a well-known power spot.

Local specialties include eel, catfish, and cucumbers, with catfish dishes being a local delicacy and cucumbers boasting one of the highest production levels in the country.
Other specialties include cyclamen and roses.

How is the migration support in Itakura Town?

Subsidies of up to 1 million yen are available! Relocating to Itakura New Town

The town of Itakura is implementing the “Itakura New Town Relocation Support Project,” which provides a combined total of up to 1 million yen in “Itakura New Town Relocation Support Grants” and “Itakura Town Housing Acquisition Support Grants” to people who purchase land within Itakura New Town, located near Itakura Toyo University Station, build a house, and relocate.

PR video of Itakura Town, Gunma

Itakura Town City Promotion Video

Itakura Town City Promotion Video (digest version for promoting migration)

Watarase Retarding Basin Promotional Video (Full Version)

How is the traffic situation in Itakura Town?

Itakura Toyo University Station

Itakura Town is a town with plenty of access to other areas by train or car.

Itakura Town is served by the Tobu Nikko Line, with the Itakura Toyo University Mae Station in operation.
The Tobu Nikko Line runs north to Tobu Dobutsu Koen Station and south to Tobu Nikko Station.
By transferring at Kurihashi Station to the JR line, commuting to Ueno Station takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and to Shinjuku Station about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it possible to travel to Tokyo for work or school.

Itakura Town operates a community bus system, which includes the Tatebayashi-Itakura Line and the Tatebayashi-Itakura North Line. It also runs between the west exit of Itakura Toyo University Mae Station and the Itakura Town Hall, as well as between the west exit of Itakura Toyo University Mae Station and Azalea Mall. Although it operates only on weekdays, the service is free of charge.

The main roads include National Route 354 and several major local roads and general prefectural roads.
Nation Route 354 runs east to west through the center of the town and is an important thoroughfare connecting the western part to Isesaki City and Takasaki City, and the eastern part to Saitama Prefecture.
The major local roads include Tochigi Prefectural Road, Gunma Prefectural Road, Saitama Prefectural Road, and Ibaraki Prefectural Road No. 9, which connects Sano and Koga, as well as Gunma Prefectural Road and Tochigi Prefectural Road No. 57, which connects Tatebayashi and Fujioka.
General prefectural roads include Routes 363 to 373, with routes such as the Toguita-Iwata-Okasato Line, the Jojikawa-Itakura Line, and the Itakura-Momitani-Tatebayashi Line, along with the Ebisese-Iino Line, the Mugikura-Kawamata Station Line, and the Ebisese-Tatebayashi Line.

  • There is also a train line, making it easy to access neighboring areas by train or car.

  • As trains run infrequently, it is more convenient to live by car.

  • How are the rent and land prices in Itakura Town?

    Itakuracho is a town with a well-organized transportation network and low land prices, making it a recommended place for those considering building a custom home.

    The average rent for apartments and condominiums in Itakura Town (as of September 2022) is approximately ¥37,000.
    The standard layout is 1LDK or larger, and with a budget of ¥50,000, you can find a decent property.
    For single-family homes, 3LDK and 4K typically have rents just above ¥50,000, making them a cost-effective option compared to apartments and condominiums when considering space.

    For residential sales, newly built single-family homes with 4LDK to 5LDK are priced just under ¥20 million, while a 4LDK within a 15-minute walk from the station is around ¥25 million.
    Even used single-family homes, such as a 5LDK within a 10-minute walk from the station, are priced just above ¥25 million, but older properties can be found under ¥15 million or even below ¥10 million within a few minutes’ walk from the station.

    Looking at the overall land price trends in Itakura Town (as of September 2022), the average is approximately ¥56,000 per tsubo.
    The prices around Itakura range from ¥63,000 to ¥70,000 per tsubo, while around Iwata, it is ¥58,000 per tsubo, and around Otakajima and Nishioka, it is ¥41,000 per tsubo.
    Given that land is generally inexpensive, this area is recommended for those wishing to build custom homes with large gardens.

  • The average housing prices, including rent, are relatively low compared to areas in the central part of the prefecture, meaning that housing-related financial burdens in this area are minimal.

  • Since this is a car-oriented area, it is safer to have parking spaces or garages for two or more cars.

    How is childcare and education in Itakura Town?

    Toyo University Itakura Campus

    Itakura Town: A town with generous child-rearing assistance and subsidies

    Itakura Town has three nursery schools, two kindergartens, two elementary schools, one junior high school, and one high school.

    Itakura Town’s Child Medical Expense Subsidy covers children under 18 years old (up to March 31 of the year they turn 18), applicable for both outpatient and inpatient care.

    Itakura Town offers a Child-rearing Support Fund aimed at promoting child-rearing and settling down. This provides financial assistance at the time of birth and when starting elementary school for the first through third children.
    The amounts given at birth and upon entering elementary school are the same: ¥30,000 for the first child, ¥40,000 for the second child, and ¥60,000 for the third child.
    Additionally, the Diaper Voucher Program for Infants provides vouchers worth up to ¥24,000 for diapers for each child under one year old.
    There are also subsidies for purchasing child seats through the Child Seat Purchase Subsidy and the elimination of school lunch fees to reduce economic burdens, as outlined in the Free School Lunch Program for Elementary and Junior High Schools.

  • The rural landscape and natural surroundings make it a safe and relaxed environment to raise your children.

  • 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 Itakura Town?

    Folio Town Itakura

    “Itakuracho” is a town with a convenient shopping mall in front of the station.

    There are supermarkets, discount stores, clothing shops, general merchandise stores, and drugstores scattered around Itakura Toyo University Mae Station.
    The shopping mall “Folio Town Itakura” located at the station features Fressay Itakura Store, which is a supermarket open until 9 PM, making it convenient for those returning from work.
    Additionally, convenience stores are widely available throughout the town, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with everyday shopping.

  • Although it is a small town, there are many shopping spots so you will have no trouble buying food and daily necessities.

  • There are no large shopping malls, so if you want to enjoy shopping for fashion or miscellaneous goods, you will need to go to a nearby area.

  • How about jobs and recruitment in Itakura Town?

    Itakura Town: A town with many diverse companies and a wide variety of job openings

    In Itakura Town, you can find job vacancies for store customer service, nursing care, cram school teaching, and more.
    In addition, there is an industrial park in the town, so you can also find job vacancies for manufacturing and transportation, as well as part-time work doing simple tasks.

    Itakura Town, Gunma’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

    Itakura Town, Gunma’s unique relocation assistance and relocation subsidy system

    Itakura Town Relocation Support Fund Itakura Town Housing Acquisition Support Fund

    Itakura Town, Gunma’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system

    Vacant House Bank Itakura Town Housing Acquisition Support Project Itakura New Town Relocation Support Fund Itakura Town Housing Renovation Support Program Loan System for Workers

    Itakura Town, Gunma’s unique childcare support system

    Child-rearing Support Fund Child Seat Purchase Subsidy Diaper Voucher Program for Infants

    Itakura Town, Gunma’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies

    Scholarship Fund Half Subsidy for English Proficiency Test Fees
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