安中市は平成18年3月18日に旧安中市と松井田町が新設合併して誕生した市です。群馬県の西部に位置し、西は長野県軽井沢町と接しています。
　古くは東山道、近世には中山道の宿場、関所がおかれるなど交通の要衝であり、現在も市内に新幹線駅1駅、高速道路IC2ヵ所と立地条件に恵まれ、交通・輸送の要所として栄えています。
　現在安中市では、磯部温泉や旧碓氷峠など恵まれた環境を活かした観光事業の発展、交通の便を利点とした商・工業の充実などのために、様々な施策が進められています。
「豊かな自然と歴史に包まれて　ひとが輝く安らぎのまち」をテーマによりよいまちづくりを目指します。
・位置（市役所）　　東経138度53分　北緯36度19分
・標高（市役所）　　海抜180ｍ
・面積　　　　　　　276.34平方キロメートル

The (new) City of Annaka was born on March 18, 2006, when the old Annaka City merged with the Town of Matsuida. It's located on the western part of Gunma adjacent to first-class resort, Karuizawa of Nagano Prefecture.

Annaka has been on an important part of the road since ancient times. In the Edo Era (1603-1867), one of the major Interstate Highways of the time ran through the city, making it possible to flourish as a post town and for the government of the time to set up a checkpoint. Today, with a Shinkansen bullet train stop and two major expressway exits, Annaka enjoys its convenient location to remain as a key place of traffic and transportation.

The City of Annaka has been taking a number of measures to bring in more tourism businesses by using its rich natural environment such as Isobe Onsen and old Usui Hill and to bolster local economy at the same time by taking full advantage of its convenient location.

In striving to better serve the people of Annaka, we came up with a theme, which goes: "Blessed by a rich natural environment and cultural heritage, people of Annaka are lively and have peace of mind."

Location (of the city hall): Long. 135°53' E Lat. 36°19' N 180 meters above sea level Covers an area of 276.34 square kilometers

◆秋間梅林祭　Akima Bairin Festival

秋間梅林は50haの丘陵に約35,000本の紅白梅が咲く梅の園。その秋間の里で、春の訪れを告げる秋間梅林祭を開催しています。期間中は、モデル撮影会、和太鼓演奏、ちびっ子餅つき大会などの各種イベントが行われ、多くの観光客で賑わいます。
場所：秋間梅林（西上秋間）
時期：2月中旬～3月下旬

Over 35,000 plum trees are planted on the hillside of Akima, and the pink & white blossoms last about a month, during which the festival takes place. It's an annual event, and various types of programs including photographic contest with professional models, Japanese drum performance, rice-cake making by children, attract many visitors.
When: Mid-February to End of March
Where: Akima Plum-Grove Park in Nishi Kamiakima

◆咲前神社の太々神楽　Daidai Kagura at Sakisaki Shinto Shrine

春祭りに奉納されてきた神楽で、市の重要無形文化財に指定されている。舞が12座、笛3名、太鼓1名、鉦鼓1名、舞者7名で、舞に合わせた装束と面を着け、祭物を持って舞います。
場所：咲前神社（鷺宮）
時期：4月1日

A designated city important intangible cultural heritage, Daidai Kagura is a sacred Shinto music and dance performance dedicated to the Sakisaki Shinto Shrine during its spring festival. It consists of 12 different dances played by seven dancers, three Japanese flutists, a drummer, and a hand drummer, who are clad in costumes, wear masks, and hold Shinto festival articles representing the significance of each of the dance performances.
When: April 1st
Where: Sakisaki Shrine in Saginomiya

◆安政遠足（侍マラソン）　Ansei Toashi (AKA Samurai Marathon)

毎年5月の第2日曜日に「安政遠足侍マラソン」が行われます。アイデアあふれる仮装姿で、旧安中城址→杉並木→茶屋本陣→碓氷関所跡→坂本宿と、ゴールの熊野神社まで旧中山道を駆け抜けます。
場所：安中城址（安中文化センター）～熊野神社
時期：5月第2日曜日

Runners dressed in unique costumes participate in this annual event. The marathon course starts at the old Annaka Castle and finishes at Kumano Shrine via Nakasendo, the Interstate Highway of Edo Era.
When: The second Sunday of May
Where: Start: Annaka Castle or Annaka Cultural Center

◆碓氷関所祭り　Ansei Toashi (AKA Samurai Marathon)

歴史ある碓氷関所跡の保存と関所文化を伝承するため、毎年5月の第2日曜に開催されています。祭りの会場でもある関所跡は同日に開催している「安政遠足」の通過地点にもなっています。
場所：碓氷関所跡（松井田町横川）
時期：5月第2日曜日

This festival is conducted to preserve both the remains and treasured culture of old Usui Sekisho(Checkpoint) and to pass them on to future generations. It is scheduled to coincide with Samurai Marathon and included in the marathon route.
When: The second Sunday of May
Where: Remains of old Usui Sekisho in Yokokawa, Matsuida Town

◆ポピーまつり　Poppy Festival

秋間梅林の一角にある観梅公園はポピー（ひなげし）の咲く花畑。約５，０００㎡の敷地を埋め尽くす花畑で、まるでおとぎ話の世界に迷い込んだような光景が広がります。
場所：観梅公園（西上秋間・上後閑）
時期：5月上旬～６月上旬

As part of the grand Akima Plum-Grove Park, sprawling fields of poppies fill the 5,000-square-meter hillside, making you feel like you were in wonderland.
When: Mid-May to Beginning of June
Where: Kanbai Park (Nishi Kamiakima/Kamigokan)

◆碓氷峠ほたるの里まつり 　Usui Hillside Firefly Village Festival

松井田町の地元青年団が中心となり、10年前からホタルを増やす活動を実施しています。現在では地域住民の皆さんと協同で毎年「ホタルまつり」を実施しています。当日は屋台が10店ほど出店され、19時頃からホタルが飛び始めます。ホタルの見頃は6月下旬～7月上旬の20時～21時頃。
場所：碓氷峠の森公園（松井田町坂本）
時期：6月下旬～7月上旬

The local youth association has been proliferating fireflies in the area for the last ten years. Now they organize annual firefly festival, together with the people from Matsuida Town. There will be food stands, and the gleam of fireflies can be seen from around 7p.m. Fireflies can be observed most often from mid-June to early July in the evening between 20:00 and 21:00 hours.
When: End of June to Beginning of July
Where: Sakamoto, Matsuida Town

◆磯部簗　Isobe Yana (is the name of a restaurant designed to serve special sweet fish dishes and refers to fish trap)

アユの旬は6月～9月。生きているアユをその場で塩焼きや刺身にしてくれます。各定食・ランチの他、単品料理の鮎塩焼き、稚鮎の唐揚げなど多彩な鮎料理が揃っています。
※磯部簗で使用している鮎は栃木県・群馬県産の養殖鮎です。
場所：磯部温泉内（磯部一丁目）
時期：6月下旬～9月中旬

Sweet fishes are in season from June to September. At Isobe Yana, they serve sweet fish dishes cooked fresh from the tank. (They are cultured sweetish in Tochigi and Gunma prefectures.) Menus include grilled, deep-fried, or fresh sweet fish in fixed meal or a la carte. The place is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day between June 27 and September 13. (In the case of 2009) When: End of June - Mid-September
Where: Isobe Onsen

◆碓氷湖まつり　Lake Usui Festival

物産展や、小学生の写生展示、マスのつかみどりなどのイベントに加え、群馬県の防災航空隊による防災訓練も実施されます。
場所：碓氷湖（松井田町坂本）
時期：海の日（7月第3月曜日）

Local products and elementary school children's pictures will be displayed. A trout catching competition and other fun events will also be offered. The Gunma Prefectural Air Disaster Prevention Squadron will showcase a fire drill.
When: 3rd Monday of July
Where: Lake Usui (Sakamoto, Matsuida Town)

◆磯部温泉祭　Isobe Onsen Festival

15日に行われる花火大会は半世紀以上も続いている歴史のある花火大会。また、14日は盆踊りと利き酒大会、15日は子供みこし、16日は灯籠流しと水中花火が行われます。
場所：磯部温泉内（磯部一丁目）
時期：8月14日～16日

Fireworks on the 15th dates back more than a quarter of a century. Bon dances and sake tasting competition are the main attractions on the 15th. On the 16th, main attractions are the lantern floating and fireworks shot by pyrotechnists who are standing in a river.
When: August 14, 15, & 16
Where: Isobe Onsen (Isobe 1-chome)

◆安中市菊花大会　Annaka City Chrysanthemum Exhibition

会場には大菊盆養、盆栽、懸崖など、市内の菊花会員や愛好家が丹精込めて育てた約700点の作品が展示されます。磯部温泉を訪れる観光客の皆さんの目を楽しませてくれます。
場所：磯部公園内（磯部一丁目）
時期：11月上旬～11月中旬

Approximately 700 pieces of beautiful chrysanthemum either carefully groomed as bonsai or grown in the shape of waterfall by the city enthusiasts will be on display. Tourists who are visiting Isobe Onsen will certainly enjoy them.
When: Beginning to mid-November
Where: Isobe Park

◆ふるさとまつり　Hometown Festival

作品展、講演会、小学生のマーチングパレード、山車みこし、農業まつりなど各種イベントが行われます。
場所：松井田文化会館（松井田町新堀）ほか
時期：10月中旬

Various events will be offered, including artwork exhibition, lecture meeting, parade of floats and elementary school marching band, and agricultural fair.
When: Mid-October
Where: Cultural Hall of Matsuida Town and other venues

◆ろうばい祭り　 Winter Sweet Festival

時季になると松井田町上増田地区の上細野原には、栽培面積2.5ha、1,000株10,000本のろうばいが咲き乱れます。開花期間は12月中旬から3月初旬まで。期間中は切花や地元特産物の販売が行われるほか、祭りの当日は郷土芸能が披露されます。
場所：ろうばいの郷（松井田町上増田）
時期：1月上旬

More than 1,000 winter sweet trees are planted in the land of 2.5 hectare in town. Starting from mid-December through early March, 10,000 branches will be in full bloom, during which these branches and other local delicacies will be on sale and local performing arts will be shown.
When: Beginning of January
Where: Village of Winter Sweet in Matsuida Town

◆仙ヶ滝不動祭り　 Sengataki, Matsuida Town

昔、松井田城ではこの仙ヶ滝から水を引いていました。その松井田城が落城する際、「おせん」というお姫様がここまで逃げてきて、滝に身を投げたという伝説があります。滝つぼ周辺には、不動明王をはじめ神々が祀られています。
場所：仙ヶ滝（松井田町土塩）
時期：3月下旬

When a feudal lord had his fort in Matsuida, Sengataki Waterfall was their water supply. Legend has it that his princess named O-sen was on the run after the enemy took over the Matsuida Fort. When she managed to escape as far as the Sengataki Waterfall, she had thrown herself into the basin. A number of gods, including Fudo Myo-oh, the god of fire, are enshrined near the basin.
When: Sengataki, Matsuida Town
Where: End of March

By car

Kanetsu Expressway

Takasaki Exit

Jyoshinetsu Expressway

Tomioka/Matsuida-Myogi/Usui-Karuizawa Exits

By train

JR Hokuriku Shinkansen Bullet Train

Annaka-Haruna Station

JR Shinetsu Line

Annaka/Isobe/Matsuida/Nishi
Matsuida/Yokokawa Stations

By bus

Local bus services are available.