Maebashi, Capital city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Maebashi is the capital of Gunma Prefecture and spreads at the foot of Mount Akagi, crossed by the Tone River system. The city sits in a wide basin ringed by mountains to the north and west, with low buildings and broad roads running through residential and commercial neighborhoods.
The area developed from Umayabashi, a Nara period settlement near a bridge with horse stables. In 1649 a castle town was established here, becoming the political and economic center of the region and remaining the prefectural capital to this day.
The name comes from a Nara period bridge with horse stables and still hints at the practical origins of the settlement. Streets in the center are laid out in wide patterns and lead to riverside parks where locals walk and spend time in calm green spaces.
Travelers reach the station from Tokyo in about 70 minutes using the Shinkansen and a regional connection at Takasaki. The city is easy to explore on foot or with local buses that run regularly between the station and the center.
The Hatsuichi festival takes place every January 9th and brings hundreds of daruma dolls in many colors and sizes onto the streets. Vendors and visitors gather in the center to buy the round charms and enjoy the open winter atmosphere.
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