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Japanese Allium (Shimonita negi) in Annaka, Gunma prefecture, Japan.
Shimonita Town Hall
Shimonita town center area Aerial photograph.1975
Photo by Modeha
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Shimonita

Gunma, Japan · Asia

About Shimonita

Shimonita is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Iwado, 29km from Mount Haruna Touge.

Shimonita is in Gunma, Japan, with about 7,100 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Iwado, about 7 km away.

Shimonita (下仁田町, Shimonita-machi) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 August 2020, the town had an estimated population of 7,058 in 3,292 households, and a population density of 37 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 188.38 square kilometres (72.73 sq mi). Shimonita is famous for its

Read more konjac and Welsh onion.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Shimonita

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see near Shimonita?

Within an hour or so of Shimonita: Usui Pass (19 km), Mount Haruna Touge (29 km), Kusatsu Yubatake (48 km), Mishaka Pond (49 km).

Are there any good drives near Shimonita?

The nearest famous roads are Usui Pass, Mount Haruna Touge and Venus Line.

Where is Shimonita?

Shimonita is in Gunma, Japan, about 7 km from Iwado.

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Quick Information

Population
7,058
Continent
Asia
Country
Japan
Region
Gunma
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Coordinates
36.2167, 138.7833

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Japan

Police
110
Ambulance
119
Fire
119
Driving side
left

Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.

Full driving guide for Japan

Tags

AsiaJapanGunmaTown

Worth the detour from Shimonita

7 notable places within an hour's drive.

mountain pass

Usui Pass

Historic pass on the old Nakasendo route between Gunma and Karuizawa, packed with 180-plus corners and the brick Megane-bashi viaduct. Another Initial D battleground beloved by drivers and rail historians alike.

19 km · about 20 min drive

famous road

Mount Haruna Touge

The winding climb to Lake Haruna in Gunma, immortalised as 'Mount Akina' in Initial D. Gentle hairpins, a crater lake at the top, and constant pilgrimages by fans of Japan's street-racing manga.

29 km · about 35 min drive

photogenic

Kusatsu Yubatake

The steaming timber sluice at the centre of Kusatsu, where 4,000 litres a minute of highly acidic spring water is cooled across wooden channels before reaching the baths. Floodlit and clouded in steam after dark.

48 km · about 55 min drive

photogenic

Mishaka Pond

A small irrigation reservoir whose acidic, iron-rich water holds a still green surface mirroring the birch and larch on its bank. It became famous as the subject of a Higashiyama Kaii painting.

49 km · about 55 min drive

famous road

Venus Line

A 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.

54 km · about 65 min drive

mountain pass

Shibu Pass

At 2,172 m this is the highest point on any Japanese national highway, on Route 292 between Nagano and Gunma. In spring the road is cut through snow walls several metres high.

55 km · about 65 min drive

landmark

Bessho Onsen

A thousand-year-old spa at the foot of the Nagano hills, ringed by ancient temples including a rare octagonal three-storey pagoda. Three small public baths still serve the village for a few coins.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Shimonita

  • 19 kmUsui PassHistoric pass on the old Nakasendo route between Gunma and Karuizawa, packed with 180-plus corners and the brick Megane-bashi viaduct. Another Initial D battleground beloved by drivers and rail historians alike.
  • 29 kmMount Haruna TougeThe winding climb to Lake Haruna in Gunma, immortalised as 'Mount Akina' in Initial D. Gentle hairpins, a crater lake at the top, and constant pilgrimages by fans of Japan's street-racing manga.
  • 54 kmVenus LineA 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.
  • 55 kmShibu PassAt 2,172 m this is the highest point on any Japanese national highway, on Route 292 between Nagano and Gunma. In spring the road is cut through snow walls several metres high.
  • 78 kmLake Kawaguchi ViewpointA lakeside viewpoint where Mount Fuji reflects perfectly in still waters, especially stunning during autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons.
  • 79 kmKachi Kachi Ropeway Viewpoint (Lake Kawaguchi)A mountain-top station reached by ropeway above Lake Kawaguchi, offering a bird's-eye view of the lake with Mt Fuji dominating the skyline.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Shimonita.

Karuizawa

🇯🇵 Japan

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25 km awayPop. 372,973

Saku

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27 km awayPop. 99,131

Takanomachi

🇯🇵 Japan

28 km awayPop. 10,218

Miyota

🇯🇵 Japan

28 km awayPop. 15,562

Hirobaba

🇯🇵 Japan

28 km awayPop. 14,216

Kanekomachi

🇯🇵 Japan

29 km awayPop. 37,107

Tamamura

🇯🇵 Japan

31 km awayPop. 36,367

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence