Tsumagoi, Mountain village in Agatsuma district, Japan.
Tsumagoi is a mountain village in the Agatsuma district of Gunma Prefecture, situated in the northwestern highlands between Mount Asama and the Joshinetsu-kogen National Park. The settlement spreads across a high plateau and covers slopes and valleys shaped by volcanic ash.
The village was formed on April 1, 1889, as part of the administrative reforms during the Meiji Restoration, when Japan introduced its modern system of municipalities in rural districts. Over the following decades, the settlement remained connected to farming and textile craft, gradually adapting its structure to modern needs.
The settlement takes its name from the weaving tradition that shaped local life for centuries and remains visible in some forms of local craft. In this high-altitude community, agriculture plays a central role, with fields of cabbage appearing across the landscape between July and September.
The settlement sits at about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in altitude, so prepare for cooler temperatures and stronger winds, especially in spring and autumn. The best time to visit is summer, when roads are clear and fields are green, while winter months often bring snow and limited access routes.
The soil consists of volcanic ash that falls from nearby Mount Asama, creating natural drainage that is ideal for growing cabbage at high altitude. During harvest season, trucks fill with fresh cabbage heads that are then shipped to many regions across Japan.
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