首都圏から９０ｋｍ、群馬県の南西部に位置する藤岡市。関越自動車道と上信越自動車道・北関東自動車道がクロスする交通の要衝である。最南部には、首都圏の水がめ「下久保ダム」があり、春には桜や市の花である「藤の花」が優雅に咲き、秋から冬にかけては、国指定名勝天然記念物の桜山に可憐な「冬桜」が咲く、花と緑と清流に恵まれた山紫水明な地です。
　また、藤岡市は古くから発展し、国内でも注目されている七輿山古墳や史跡、養蚕業の先進地として「高山社」も有名です。埴輪や国分寺の瓦を焼いた窯跡が残され、特産の藤岡瓦にはその伝統が伝えられています。
　平成１８年１月１日に鬼石町と合併し、現在の藤岡市となりました。

Fujioka City is situated in the south-western part of Gunma and within 90km of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area. The city has been on an important transportation hub as the Kanetsu, Joshinetsu, and Kitakanto expressways run through it. However, it's also a place of outstanding natural beauty. There's the Shimokubo Dam at the southern tip of the city, which supplies water to Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures. Beautiful flowers grow throughout the year in Fujioka including cherry blossoms in spring and the Japanese wisteria, which is the city flower. Fujioka City also has cherry trees that bloom in fall and winter. Mt. Sakurayama Park has been designated as natural monument of scenic beauty and will be covered with pink cherry blossoms in the middle of winter.
Fujioka is an old city, and you'll find many places of historic interest. They include Nanakoshiyama ancient tombs, Takayama-sha, a training facility of an advanced sericultural industry back in the 1880's, and remains of kiln that baked clay figures and roofing tiles for the provincial monastery, of which the technical know-how has been passed on to become the city's specialty, now known as Fujioka roofing tiles.
The city of Fujioka had merged with Onishi Town as of January 1, 2006, to become the present-day Fujioka City.

◆竹沼　Lake Takenuma

　４．３ｋｍの湖周に約１，０００本の桜が植えられ、「竹沼の千本桜」として知られる桜の名所です。鏡のような深緑色の湖面と、映し出された桜色のコントラストはとても美しく、自然の造形芸術といえるほどです。湖周の散策やボートに乗って湖上からの花見も楽しめます。夜はライトアップもします。

The 4.3km circumference of Lake Takenuma is surrounded by about 1,000 cherry trees. These trees are appropriately known as "the thousand cherry trees of Takenuma" and have become one of the most well-known cherry-blossom viewing spots in town. The smooth deep green surface of the lake reflects the contrasting pink cherry blossoms as if it were a piece of artwork painted by nature. You can enjoy the beautiful view by walking along the shore or rowing a boat on the lake. At night, cherry blossoms are illuminated for an equally spectacular view.

◆藤岡ふじまつり　Fujioka Wisteria Festival

　「ふじの咲く丘」には、２５０ｍの藤棚と、世界各種４５種類のふじ見本園があります。ほのかな香りを漂わせ、風になびく薄紫の藤棚は、ナイアガラの滝を連想させるほど見事で市の花として、藤岡市をアピールしています。４月下旬から５月上旬には、「ふじまつり」を開催しています。夜間は、ライトアップし、幻想的なムードに包まれます。併設されている「ふじふれあい館」は、藤をテーマにした資料館です。

On Wisteria Hill, there is a 250-meter long pergola covered in blooming Japanese wisteria as well as a wisteria garden with 45 different types of wisterias from around the globe. The pale purple flowers emit a subtle fragrance and when the flowers sway in the wind, it is reminiscent of Niagara Falls. Wisteria is the city flower of Fujioka and is frequently used in PR events and materials. The Wisteria Festival is held annually from the end of April to the beginning of May. In the evening, the wisteria-covered pergola is illuminated. There is also a wisteria museum on the premises.

◆鬼石夏祭り 　Onishi Summer Festival

　７月中旬に２日間にわたって開催される１２０年の歴史を誇る夏祭りで、北関東最大規模といわれています。町内に５台の山車が揃う様は、秩父の夜祭に匹敵するとも言われ、勇壮な山車のお囃子でも知られています。見どころは、坂道で山車を一気に引き上げる「新田坂の駆け上がり」と５台の山車が交差点に会してお囃子を競演する「寄り合い」。その迫力は、見ている人を圧倒させるほどの迫力です。華やかな衣装を身にまとった人々の熱気は、暑い夏をより暑くさせ鬼石まつりを盛り上げています。

The 2-day summer festival has a 120-year history and is said to be one of the largest festivals in the Northern Kanto region. It is said that the sight of the five large floats lining the streets of Onishi rivals the sights of the famous Chichibu Night Festival. Highlights of the festival include watching participants race the five floats up a hill, Nitta-zaka, meeting at the top to play a musical competition called Yoriai. Performers dress up in gorgeous costumes and play with such intensity and power. The air of excitement these performers emit grows and creates one of the most climactic festival scenes in Onishi.

◆藤岡まつり 　Fujioka Festival

　７月中旬に２日間にわたって、藤岡地区の市街地で開催される市民参加型のお祭りです。初日は子供みこしと大人みこし、２日目は１３台の山車が市内を巡行します。このほか、歌と踊りの「Ｍ＆Ｄフェスタ」、藤岡まつりをサンバ調にアレンジした「ダンスＦＵＪＩＯＫＡウ～ハッ！」、約５００人が浴衣姿でおどりを披露するおどり大行進」などさまざまな催しや中国江陰市物産展示販売会・藤岡市物産店もあります。

All Fujioka citizens participate in the annual 2-day festival held in July. On Day 1, children carry small portable through the streets of Fujioka, alongside adults who carry much larger ones. 13 floats make their rounds on Day 2. Other attractions include "M&D" Festa" featuring singing and dancing; "Dance Fujioka Wow!"; a samba version of the Fujioka Festival; and a parade of approx. 500 citizens dancing in their yukata, or summer kimono. There will also be sales of local produce, both from Fujioka City and Ko-in City of PRC, a sister city of Fujioka.

◆土師神社の流鏑馬・花馬　Yabusame and Hanauma of Doshi Shrine

　１０月中旬に開催される土師神社の秋祭りでは、流鏑馬と花馬が奉納されます。「流鏑馬」では、武者姿の射手が馬上から放たれた矢が見事に的を射抜く様は見る人を圧倒させます。また、さまざまな花で背を飾った「花馬」の勇壮な走りや、子供達による獅子舞の奉納が行われます。
　土師神社は相撲の元祖とされる野見宿禰の祭神としており、境内には「土師の辻」（市指定史跡）と呼ばれる相撲の土俵があります。

In the middle of October, the Doshi shrine holds its autumn festival when Yabusame and Hanauma are dedicated. Yabusame is a traditional Japanese form of archery. Hanauma refers to the decorated horses. It is quite a sight to see mounted archers race towards and then shoot arrows at a target. Horses decorated with a variety of flowers trot gracefully inside the grounds. The festival is also dedicated to the Lion Dance, performed by local children.
Nominosukene, who is said to be the forefather of Japanese Sumo, is enshrined in Doshi Shrine. In his honor, there is an ancient sumo ring inside the grounds, which is designated as city historical site.

◆三嶋神社の夜祭　Night Festival of Mishima Shrine

　三嶋神社秋季大祭の前夜祭で、１１月１４日の夜に行なわれます。本社（下ノ宮）との間を神輿が渡御する様子は、祭りの古い形態を残して貴重です。花火や夜店も出て賑わいます。市指定重要民族文化財になっています。三嶋神社は、関東管領上杉顕定が伊豆の三嶋神社から分祀し、平井城の氏神として祀ったと伝わっています。

On November 14, the eve of the Autumn Festival of the Mishima Shrine, there is a procession of shrine priests carrying a portable shrine from shrine's annex to the main building. The procession represents an ancient style of Shinto shrine festivals and is rarely seen nowadays. It has been designated by the city as an important folk culture. There will be fireworks and stalls at the festival, attracting many visitors. Mishima Shrine is said to have been established by Akisada Uesugi, the governor of the Kanto region in the early 1500's. He is said to have moved the god of Mishima Shrine in Idzu and enshrined it in Fujioka as the guardian of his Hirai Castle.

◆桜山公園の冬桜　 Cherry Blossoms in Winter at Mt.Sakurayama Park

　国の名勝天然記念物に指定されている桜山には７，０００本の冬桜が、１１月から１２月にかけて見頃となります。桜と紅葉の競演はとてもコントラストが素晴らしく、カメラを片手に訪れる人も多い。また、桜山の登山口にある日本庭園は、特産の三波石１，５００ｔを使って池と清流を組み合わせた本格的な池泉廻遊式庭園です。日本の美的空間がここに。
　春には４月に再び花を咲かせる「二度咲き」の珍しい冬桜とソメイヨシノと合わせて１万本の桜が咲き誇ります。桜山全体が桜で薄紅色に染まった様子は、スケールも大きくまさに絶景です。

7,000 cherry trees that bloom in winter are planted in Mt. Sakurayama. Cherry blossoms are at their best in November and December, and they stand in stark contrast with autumn leaves, attracting many visitors and photographers. There's a large Japanese garden at the start of a trail up Mt. Sakurayama with a pond and a brook in the center. The garden is designed to allow visitors to walk through, rather than just look at it from a distance. 1,500 tons of local Sanbaseki stones are used to create a landscape of Japanese beauty.
In April, the cherry trees bloom again, so they blossom twice annually. A total of 10,000 cherry trees bloom in spring, making the entire mountain seem literally cherry pink. It is worth seeing.

◆鬼恋節分祭　 Onikoi Setsubun Festival

　鬼石と言う地名にちなんで、全国各地から追い出された鬼を呼び込もうという「鬼のふるさと」鬼石ならではのユニークな節分の行事です。お祭り広場を舞台に「福は内、鬼も内」の掛け声で豆をまく「鬼呼び豆まき」や、鬼とのじゃんけん大会、とっちゃなげ汁のサービスなどが行われます。

On February 3 or 4, people in Japan celebrate the Setsubun Festival. Setsubun is celebrated by throwing roasted soybeans at invisible demons in and outside their house while calling out "In with the fortune; out with the demon" in order to cleanse their house and their family of evil influences and wish for their well-being throughout the year. As the name of Onishi township of Fujioka City in Chinese characters includes oni or demon, the city has come up with a unique idea of welcoming all of the displaced demons to Onishi on Setsubun Day. The Onishi Setsubun festival events include an Onishi version of bean-throwing by calling out "In with the fortune; in with the demon" instead of out with the demon", and playing "rock, paper, scissors" with Oni. Also, a local dish of Tocchanagejiru, a miso soup with vegetables, potatoes, mushrooms, and dumplings will be offered free of charge.

◆土と火の里公園
　 Tsuchitohinosato Park (Japanese artifact workshops)

　染色（藍染め・型染め）、ガラス、陶芸、竹細工、瓦工芸の体験ができる工芸体験施設です。工芸体験のない初心者でも専門家の親切な指導で、世界に一つだけの作品を３０分から１時間ほどで作ることができます。山々の緑と、清流　鮎川に囲まれた大自然の中にあり、子供から大人まで楽しめます。

At the park, you can enjoy creating dyed fabric (indigo dyeing, design dying, etc.) glass-work, pottery, bamboo crafts, and tile work. Even if you are a beginner, with the help of the full-time professional staff, you can create a unique piece of artwork in just half an hour or so. The park is surrounded by mountains and the Ayukawa river, and it's a place for both young and old to spend a full day enjoying being creative.

◆三波石峡　 Sanbaseki Stone Canyon

　江戸時代から庭石として珍重されてきた銘石三波石。産地の三波石峡は、緑色片岩と呼ばれる巨岩・奇岩が約１．５ｋｍにわたり、自然のままの美しい姿を見せています。緑・黄・白が織りなす美しい模様の三波石は、それぞれ「銘石四十八石」に名前がつけられています。水は冷たく清らかな流れは、夏にマイナスイオンを浴びるには、絶好の場と言えます。学術的にも貴重で、国の名勝天然記念物に指定されています。また、三波石峡のすぐ上流には下久保ダムがあり、下から見上げるのも面白いです。

Sanbaseki stone, green stone, has been a very popular garden rock since the Edo Era (1603 – 1867). Sanbaseki Stone Canyon is the home of these stones, and you can see natural Sanbaseki Stones in all sizes and shapes within the 1.5km canyon. Sanbaseki stones have a beautiful pattern in green, yellow, and white. In 1742, 48 of the stones were named for their extremely large size and/or unusual shape. The river that runs through the canyon is pure and cold even in the summer, making it an ideal place for taking a negative ion baths. The canyon is also important scholastically and has been designated as a natural monument of scenic beauty. There is a reservoir and a dam upstream, a short distance from the canyon. You can enjoy an extraordinary view looking up toward the top of the Shimokubo Dam from down below.

◆下久保ダム・神流湖　 Shimokubo Dam and Kannako Reservoir

　下久保ダムは、藤岡市と埼玉県神川町にまたがる神流川に建設されたダムで、規模としては矢木沢ダムに次ぐ大規模なダムで、堤体の長さは６０６ｍでコンクリートダムとしては日本一の長さです。ダム湖は「神流湖」と命名され、緑色の水を満々とたたえています。春にはソメイヨシノが咲き誇り、秋には、色とりどりの紅葉が鮮やかに湖面を彩ります。ボート遊びやへらぶな釣りも楽しめます。
　また、ダムの堰堤から、下流にある三波石峡が一望できます。

Shimokubo Dam was constructed on the Kannagawa River that runs through the city of Fujioka and the adjacent Kamikawa-machi Town of Saitama Prefecture. Being the second largest dam in Gunma after the Yagisawa Dam in Numata City, the dam extends for 606m, the largest concrete dam in the country. The reservoir has been named Lake Kannako and is filled with river water that looks green. In spring, Lake Kannako is surrounded by Someiyoshino cherry trees in full bloom. Autumn leaves reflect off the mirror-like surface of the lake. In the lake, you can row a boat or fish for crucian carp. If you go up the levee, you'll get a bird's eye view of Sanbaseki Stone Canyon.

◆温泉　 Hot Springs in the city

藤岡市には小規模ですが５か所の温泉があります。このうち３カ所には旅館があり、他の２か所には日帰り温泉施設があります。それぞれ特色ある泉質・設備で、憩いのひと時を提供しています。

There are five places where you can enjoy onsen, although in small scale, three of which offer accommodations. The other two are daytime onsen facilities. Each of these facilities offers their original services and spring quality.

◆車でお越しの場合
　上信越自動車道「藤岡ＩＣ」（関越自動車道練馬ＩＣから約５５分、上信越自動車道佐久ＩＣから約５２分）
◆電車でお越しの場合
　上越新幹線高崎駅下車、ＪＲ八高線に乗り換え群馬藤岡駅下車
　ＪＲ高崎線新町駅下車、日本中央バスで約１０分

By car:
Fujioka Exit of Joshinetsu Expressway (55 minutes from Nerima via Kanetsu Expressway or 52 minutes from Saku via Joshinetsu Expressway)
By train:
Take Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train and get off at Takasaki Station. Change there to JR Hachiko Line and get off at Gunma Fujioka Station or Take JR Takasaki Line and get off at Shin-machi Station, and it's a one-minute bus ride from there. (Nihon Chuo Bus).