Shibukawa City, Gunma群馬県渋川市
Living in Shibukawa City, Gunma
We have Summarized the livability of Shibukawa City, Gunma.
CENTRAL AREA中部地域
CONTENTS
- What kind of place is Shibukawa City?
- Shibukawa CityPR video
- How is the traffic situation in Shibukawa City?
- How are the rent and land prices in Shibukawa City?
- How is childcare and education in Shibukawa City?
- How about shopping in Shibukawa City?
- How about jobs and recruitment in Shibukawa City?
- Shibukawa City’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
What kind of place is Shibukawa City, Gunma?
Ikaho Ropeway
Shibukawa City is a city rich in hot springs and historical tourist spots.
Located in the center of Gunma Prefecture, Shibukawa City has a rhombus shape, bordered by Takayama Village and Nakanojo Town to the northwest, Higashiagatsuma Town and Takasaki City to the west, Haruno Village and Yoshioka Town to the southwest, Maebashi City to the southeast, and Showa Village and Numata City to the northeast. The population is approximately 74,000, with about 32,000 households (as of August 2022).
Shibukawa City is situated in the heart of Gunma Prefecture, earning it the nickname “the belly button of Japan.” In 2006, the old Shibukawa City merged with Ikaho Town, Komochi Village, Onojo Town, Akagi Village, and Kitakitsune Village to form the new Shibukawa City.
The city is famous for its tourist attractions, including Ikaho Onsen, which has various types of hot springs attracting many visitors year-round. Surrounded by beautiful nature, Shibukawa City offers views of Akagi Mountain and Haruna Mountain, where the Tone River and Azuma River converge.
Shibukawa City is home to historically significant cultural assets, such as the Kanai Higashura Ruins, known for miraculous discoveries. The Artenade is an arts walkway featuring museums and art galleries for cultural engagement. The city also boasts a rich variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with famous flower spots that reflect Japan’s four seasons. Local specialties include Ikaho Tsuru Crafts and Gunma Kokeshi, designated as Gunma’s hometown crafts, along with the nationally famous Akagi Beef and Mizusawa Udon. Shibukawa City is an attractive area with abundant nature and many tourist spots.
PR video of Shibukawa City, Gunma
Let’s take a look at the heart of Japan – Shibukawa City, the past, present and people, and nature
Shibukawa City Promotional Video: Flowers that play the music of spring in Shibukawa
Shibukawa City Promotional Video: Luxurious Autumn Colors – Autumn in Shibukawa
The charm of Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps
How is the traffic situation in Shibukawa City?
Shibukawa Station
Shibukawa City is extremely convenient both by train and car! It has good access to the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Two train lines will be available in Shibukawa City: the JR Joetsu Line and the JR Agatsuma Line.
In addition to Shibukawa Station, which is the terminal station of the JR Joetsu Line and the JR Agatsuma Line, there are eight stations in the city: Onokami Onsen Station, Onokami Station, Sobojima Station, and Kanajima Station on the JR Agatsuma Line, and Tsukuda Station, Shikishima Station, and Yagiwara Station on the JR Joetsu Line.
By using the JR Joetsu Line and the Shinkansen, you can access Tokyo Station in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
In addition, Shibukawa Station is the nearest station to Ikaho Onsen and is also a base for sightseeing at Mount Haruna.
There is a station square around Shibukawa Station, where buses to Ikaho Onsen and other destinations stop.
At the bus stop in front of the station, you can use local buses to Maebashi Station and Takasaki Station, as well as the Shibukawa Town Bus operated by Shibukawa City.
Express buses such as the Joshu Yumeguri and Tokyo Yumeguri buses also depart and arrive here, providing good access to Tokyo.
The Kan-etsu Expressway runs north and south through Shibukawa City, with the Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange and Akagi Interchange.
From the Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange on the Kan-etsu Expressway, you can access central Tokyo in about two hours.
In addition, the main roads in Shibukawa City are National Route 17 and National Route 291, which run from Maebashi City in the south to the north of Shibukawa City, and National Route 353, which runs from Midori City in the east to the west of the city.
As important roads connecting the north and south of Kanto, many vehicles are constantly running on these roads.
There are many train stations within the city, so it is convenient to travel by train within the city. There are many spacious roads and parking lots, so it is also comfortable to go out by car. There is also easy access to the expressway.
There aren’t many trains, so the main way to get around is by car. Many roads get congested depending on the time of day, so if you do travel by car, be careful about the time.
How are the rent and land prices in Shibukawa City?
Shibukawa City: Urban and mountain areas coexist, but the prices are very different
The average rent for apartments and condominiums in Shibukawa City (as of September 2022) is approximately ¥49,000.
The average rent for a studio apartment is ¥32,000, while for 1K to 1LDK units, it averages around ¥45,000, and for 2K to 2LDK units, it is about ¥50,000.
With a budget of ¥60,000, you should be able to find a decent property.
As for land prices in Shibukawa City (as of September 2022), the average is ¥85,000 per tsubo.
Around Shibukawa Station, the price is ¥145,000 per tsubo, ¥108,000 around Yagihara, ¥105,000 around Ikaho Town, and ¥72,000 around Kitakikan Town.
In areas further from the city center, such as Onojo Onsen and Sobojima, land prices can be below ¥50,000 per tsubo, indicating significant variation in land prices across the city.
Whether you prefer a spacious garden with a custom home or prioritize convenience near the station, both lifestyles can be achieved here.
There are many rental properties and new constructions in the area, so you can enjoy searching for a property with many options. Land prices are also cheap in some areas, so it is also recommended for those who want to build their dream home by custom-making.
Since this is a car-oriented area, it is more convenient to have parking for two or more cars.
How is childcare and education in Shibukawa City?
Shibukawa Skyland Park
Shibukawa City is a city with a wide variety of educational institutions, from nursery schools to high schools, making it a great place to raise children with rich sensibilities.
In Shibukawa City, there are 13 nurseries, 8 kindergartens, 14 elementary schools, 9 junior high schools, and 4 high schools.
The city is home to many recreational spots and museums where children can play.
‘Skyland Park’ (渋川スカイランドパーク), located between Shibukawa Station and Ikaho Onsen, features attractions like a Ferris wheel, roller coasters, haunted houses, and mazes, making it a popular leisure spot for local families with children at affordable prices.
Additionally, places like the Takehisa Yumeji Ikaho Memorial Museum and the Hara Museum Arc provide enriching environments to foster children’s creativity.
Shibukawa City offers a unique supplementary benefit of an additional ¥10,000 on the standard childbirth and childcare allowance of ¥420,000.
The city’s child medical expense subsidy covers children under 18 (up to March 31 after they turn 18) for both outpatient and inpatient care.
The ‘Single-Parent Family Medical Expense Subsidy System’ provides financial support for medical expenses based on insurance for those raising children up to 18 years old in single-parent families.
There is plenty of nature and leisure facilities, so there is a great environment for children to enjoy.
If you need to travel to a slightly further area for your children’s lessons or cram school, you may need to be picked up and dropped off by car due to the infrequent train services.
How about shopping in Shibukawa City?
National Route 353
Shibukawa City: A city where you can eat fresh mountain vegetables anytime
Shibukawa City in Gunma Prefecture has many shopping facilities, making it a convenient area for shopping.
Within the city, there is Belc Shibukawa, a large supermarket closely connected to the community.
It offers a wide range of products, from fresh food to daily necessities, so you can find everything you need.
With a spacious parking lot accommodating 175 cars, it’s easy to shop by car, which is another attractive feature.
Shibukawa City also has many direct sales outlets for agricultural products.
The Onojo Specialty Products Direct Sales Center sells fresh vegetables sourced locally at very reasonable prices, making it popular with families.
The Akagi Agricultural Products Direct Sales Center offers a variety of seasonal vegetables at affordable prices, perfect for bulk purchases.
The Akagi Maitake Center Direct Sales sells maitake mushrooms and local processed products, allowing you to purchase flavorful maitake. Look for the cute maitake sign as a landmark.
The Shibukawa Specialty Products Center offers local specialties such as Mizusawa udon, Yunohana manju, and creative kokeshi dolls. The olive oil, imported directly from Shibukawa’s sister city, Foligno in Italy, is a specialty that is quite popular. They also carry goods featuring Gunma-chan, the prefectural mascot character.
There are supermarkets and direct sales stores scattered around the area, so you will have no trouble shopping for food and daily necessities.
It is made up of what are known as “commonly seen stores,” so if you want to do some fashionable shopping, you’ll need to go to other areas.
How about jobs and recruitment in Shibukawa City?
Shibukawa City: A city with a wide variety of jobs unique to a tourist city
Shibukawa City has many commercial facilities such as shopping stores and restaurants that are in line with the tourist destinations, so you can often find job listings for customer service jobs.
Numata City also has an industrial park, so you can find job listings for manufacturing and transportation jobs, as well as part-time work doing simple tasks.
You can also find job listings for caregivers, cram school teachers, nurses, and more, so this is a recommended area for those looking for work nearby.
Shibukawa City, Gunma’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
Shibukawa City, Gunma’s unique relocation assistance and relocation subsidy system
| Shibukawa City Migration Support Fund New Life Support Project for Migration and Settlement Trial Stay Subsidy for Prospective Migrants |
Shibukawa City, Gunma’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system
Shibukawa City, Gunma’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies
| School support Shibukawa City Scholarship Loan Program |
