Annaka, Gunma
# Annaka, Gunma

Annaka (安中市, Annaka-shi) is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2020, the city had an estimated population of 47,911 in 24,749 households, and a population density of 210 persons per square kilometre. The total area of the city is 276.31 $km^2$ (106.68 sq mi).

## Geography

Annaka is located in the southwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture at the very northernmost point of the Kantō Plain, bordered by Nagano Prefecture to the west. The Usui Pass connects Annaka with neighboring Karuizawa, Nagano.

* Mountains: Chausuyama (596 m), Mount Myōgi (1,103 m)
* Rivers: Usigawa, Tsukumogawa
* Lakes: Sakamoto Dam, Nakagi Dam

### Surrounding municipalities

Gunma Prefecture

* Takasaki
* Tomioka
* Shimonita

Nagano Prefecture

* Karuizawa

### Climate

Annaka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Annaka is 13.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1,227 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.5 °C.

## Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Annaka has recently declined after decades of relative stability.

## History

Annaka is located within traditional Kōzuke Province. During the Edo period, central Annaka was the jōkamachi of Annaka Domain, a feudal domain held by the Itakura clan under the Tokugawa shogunate. The area also prospered from its location on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. Post stations located within the borders of modern Annaka were: Itahana-shuku, Annaka-shuku, Matsuida-shuku and Sakamoto-shuku.

Annaka Town was created within Usui District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. On March 1, 1955, Annaka merged with neighboring Haraichi, Isobe and Itahana towns, and Higashiyokono, Iwanoya, Akima and Gokan villages. It was raised to city status on November 1, 1958. On March 18, 2006, the town of Matsuida, merged with Annaka. Usui District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

## Government

Annaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Annaka contributes two members to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

## Economy

Annaka is a regional commercial center and transportation hub. Toho Zinc operates a large plant in the city, as does Shin-Etsu Chemical.

## Education

Annaka has 12 public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private combined middle/high school.

## Transportation

### Railway

JR East – Hokuriku Shinkansen

* Annaka-Haruna

JR East – Shin'etsu Main Line

* Annaka - Isobe - Matsuida - Nishi-Matsuida - Yokokawa

### Highway

* Jōshin-etsu Expressway – Masuida-Myogi IC, Usui-Karuizawa IC, Yokogawa SA
* National Route 18

## Local attractions

* Ruins of Matsuida Castle
* Yanase Futagozuka Kofun, a National Historic Site
* Isobe Onsen
* Kirizumi Onsen
* Asazuma Art Museum
* Myogi Sanroku Art Museum
* Usui Pass
* Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park

## Sister-city relations

* Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada, friendship city since December 16, 2005
