Isesaki, Special city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Isesaki is a city in Gunma Prefecture on the northwestern Kanto Plain, roughly 100 kilometers from Tokyo. The Tone River marks the southern boundary of the city, separating it from Saitama Prefecture.
During the Sengoku period, the settlement served as a castle town around Akaishi fortress, controlled by the Yura clan. After Japan opened in the 19th century, a significant textile industry developed here, which thrived into the 20th century.
The city takes its name from the Ise Shrine, which has been revered here for centuries and remains a focal point for religious festivals today. Visitors can see traditional wooden houses in the streets of the old merchant quarter, where weavers once sold their fabrics.
Two rail lines run into the city: the JR East Ryomo Line and the Tobu Railway Isesaki Line connect it to Tokyo and other regional centers. Those arriving in summer months should bring sun protection and plenty of water, as temperatures can climb sharply.
In June 2022, the thermometer here reached over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), a rare temperature event for this region of Japan. Weather experts often cite this reading as an example of extreme summer conditions on the Kanto Plain.
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