Minakami Town, Gunma群馬県みなかみ町

Living in Minakami Town, Gunma

Suwa Gorge

We have Summarized the livability of Minakami Town, Gunma.

What kind of place is Minakami Town, Gunma?

The Tone River flows through Minakami Onsen town

Minakami Town is a popular leisure destination with plenty of nature, even from overseas.

Minakami Town is located in the northernmost part of Gunma Prefecture, and shares the border with Niigata Prefecture.
It is surrounded by Nakanojo Town and Takayama Village to the south, Numata City, Kawaba Village, and Katashina Village to the east, and Uonuma City and Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture from the north to the west.
The area is characterized by large mountains on both sides of the townscape, and basically no plains.
The population is about 16,000, and has been declining in recent years.

The area around Minakami Town is known as one of the areas that receives heavy snowfall due to the high mountains.
In addition to hot springs, there are ski resorts and other facilities, making it a popular place for skiers and snowboarders.
There are many hot springs in Japan, but one of the most famous hot springs in the Kanto region is Minakami Onsen in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture.
However, that was a long time ago, and now the bustle of the past is gone, with hotels and inns that have closed down moving around.

The area also has a long history, with ruins from the Jomon period having been excavated.
Originally, the current Kanto Plain was said to have been at the bottom of the sea until about 10,000 years ago, and people could only live in slightly higher altitudes like Minakami, which is why the ruins were excavated.
Minakami Town, which is full of various attractions, is a popular area with people from overseas, and is a town that attracts a lot of attention in Gunma Prefecture.

PR video of Minakami Town, Gunma

Minakami Town’s seasonal scenery, food, and hot springs

The perfect life in Gunma: Introducing immigrants from Minakami Town (two-base life)

Let’s go back to the stars! Tanigawadake “Night Cruise in the Sky”

How is the traffic situation in Minakami Town?

Minakami Station

Minakami Town is a town with easy access by train and Shinkansen.

If you are considering moving to Minakami Town, having a car is essential for daily life.
Since the southern part of the town has flat plains, major roads run through this area.
You can use National Route 17, National Route 291, and the Kan-Etsu Expressway to access Niigata to the north and Saitama and Tokyo to the south.
However, many parts of Minakami Town have steep terrain, which may increase fuel costs. Additionally, as it is a heavy snowfall area, winter tires are a must.

In terms of rail transport, Minakami Town is served by the Shinkansen and the JR Joetsu Line.
The Shinkansen station is Jomokogen Station, but it is a small station where only local Shinkansen trains stop. Not all Shinkansen trains stop here.
The JR Joetsu Line has six stations: Gokan, Kamimoku, Minakami, Yubiso, and Doai stations. Minakami Station is relatively larger and frequently used by tourists, as express trains also stop there.
With plenty of stations in Minakami Town, getting around by train is quite convenient.

Buses cover the local area, but they run infrequently and primarily serve areas not covered by the railway.

  • There are five stations in the area, including Minakami Station on the JR Joetsu Line. There is also a Shinkansen station, so transportation by train is excellent in the surrounding area.

  • It is a mountainous area with few roads, so travelling by car is not very convenient.

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

    Minakami Town: A town where you can realize your dream home with a spacious garden

    The average price for a rental apartment in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture is about 30,000 yen for a 1K and about 60,000 yen for a 3DK, but there are not many apartments or condominiums available. You may also be able to see rental properties in detached houses instead of apartments or condominiums, so you need to be prepared to search widely.

    The average land price in Tone District, which includes Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture, is said to be around 17,000 yen per tsubo. As the area is mostly mountainous, you should expect land prices to be around 100,000 yen per tsubo in residential areas within walking distance of stations.

  • Housing prices, including rent, are relatively low in this area, meaning that the financial burden of living related to housing is low.

  • There is snowfall in the winter, so anyone considering settling here should be prepared for the adverse effects of winter.

    How is childcare and education in Minakami Town?

    Suwa Gorge Rafting

    Minakami Town is a town full of excitement and where you can enjoy the outdoors with your children.

    Most of Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture is mountainous, offering a rich environment of dynamic nature with abundant greenery, rivers, and mountains.
    You can enjoy activities such as skiing, snowboarding, rafting, and canyoning right in the mountains, making it an ideal place for healthy and active child-rearing.

    Minakami Town offers a birth celebration grant. For the first and second child, a cash grant of ¥20,000 is provided, ¥100,000 for the third child, and ¥30,000 for each child on their first and second birthdays.

    The child medical expense subsidy in Minakami Town covers outpatient care for children up to age 18 (until March 31 after turning 18) and inpatient care for children up to age 18.
    The single-parent family medical expense support provides partial reimbursement for medical expenses based on insurance for children up to age 18 (until March 31 after turning 18) in single-parent families.
    Additionally, Minakami Town offers entrance support funds, providing ¥20,000 worth of local currency for elementary school entry and ¥40,000 for junior high school entry.

    Minakami Town has a marriage and new life support subsidy for those starting a new life in the town. Up to ¥300,000 is provided to cover part of the costs for purchasing a new or used home, rental fees, or moving expenses.
    Additionally, the town offers the child-rearing family housing subsidy program, which provides up to ¥1,000,000 for new construction, renovations, or housing purchases to promote settlement among child-rearing families.

  • Surrounded by mountains, with famous hot spring towns and ski resorts, it is an environment rich in nature where you can raise your children freely. The area is proactive in supporting the child-rearing generation with childbirth gifts and child medical expenses.

  • There is the JR Joetsu Line, but it runs infrequently, so if children are going out alone they will need to be picked up and dropped off by car.

    How about shopping in Minakami Town?

    Takumi no Sato Roadside Station

    Minakami Town is a town with plenty of shopping spots, from food to souvenirs

    Shopping spots in Minakami Town are concentrated along the main roads, National Route 291 and National Route 17, near the train station.
    With a variety of stores ranging from individual shops to supermarkets, you should have no trouble finding groceries and other necessities.

    The locally popular Sun Mall has two locations in Minakami Town and has long been loved by the locals.
    Sun Mall Minakami Store offers a range of products for tourists, including foods and snacks for skiing and barbecuing, as well as alcohol and souvenirs, attracting many visitors.

    Additionally, there are supermarkets like Beisia and drugstores like Kawachi, providing a comprehensive selection of food and daily necessities.

    Minakami Town also has two roadside stations: Roadside Station Takumi no Sato and Roadside Station Minakami Mizukikokan. These stations offer not only souvenir shopping but also dining options and hot springs.

    Shopping spots in Minakami Town are concentrated along the main roads, National Route 291 and National Route 17, near the train station.
    With a variety of stores ranging from individual shops to supermarkets, you should have no trouble finding groceries and other necessities.

    The locally popular Sun Mall has two locations in Minakami Town and has long been loved by the locals.
    Sun Mall Minakami Store offers a range of products for tourists, including foods and snacks for skiing and barbecuing, as well as alcohol and souvenirs, attracting many visitors.

    Additionally, there are supermarkets like Beisia and drugstores like Kawachi, providing a comprehensive selection of food and daily necessities.

    Minakami Town also has two roadside stations: Roadside Station Takumi no Sato and Roadside Station Minakami Mizukikokan. These stations offer not only souvenir shopping but also dining options and hot springs.

  • There are plenty of supermarkets so you won’t have any trouble buying food and daily necessities. There are also many small shops scattered around, including souvenir shops that are unique to hot spring towns, making it convenient.

  • There are no large shopping malls, so if you want to enjoy shopping, you will need to go to nearby areas.

  • How about jobs and recruitment in Minakami Town?

    Minakami Town: Find jobs unique to the tourist area

    Minakami Town is a tourist area, so you can find jobs specific to resorts, such as outdoor guides, hotel staff, etc. Agriculture is also active, so you can also find job openings for farm work.

    Minakami Town, Gunma’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

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

    Minakami Town Shinkansen Commuting Subsidy Minakami Town Rental Car Subsidy for Relocating and Teleworking

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

    Minakami Town Vacant House Bank Subsidy system for new housing construction and renovation Subsidy for earthquake resistance diagnosis and repair of wooden houses Housing Improvement Subsidy Program for Child-Rearing Families

    Minakami Town, Gunma’s unique childcare support system

    Birth and birthday gift

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

    Admissions Support Fund Support for establishing a communication environment for home learning Pre-admission payment system for new school supplies EIKEN Examination Fee Subsidy System
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