渋川市は、日本そして群馬県のほぼ中央部、雄大な関東平野の始まる位置にあたり、古くから交通の要衝として栄え、豊富な水資源を生かした工業、山地の開拓による農業や、首都圏の奥座敷となる観光・温泉などを主産業としてきました。
　市の南側は県都前橋市に隣接し、東京都心まで１２０ｋｍ《高速道路(関越自動車道渋川伊香保IC)利用で約２時間、JR上越線及び新幹線利用で約１時間１０分》の距離にあります。
　主な交通網としては、JR上越線・JR吾妻線の２路線が通り、それぞれ４駅があります。また道路は、南北に関越自動車道と国道１７号、東西に国道３５３号が通り、関越自動車道には渋川伊香保ICと赤城ICがあります。
　地形は、赤城山・榛名山・子持山・小野子山に囲まれ、利根川と吾妻川の流れによって形成された谷地とともに、標高差が概ね１，４００ｍ以上となる起伏に富んだ地形を有し、地区の大半が自然的土地利用で占められています。

Shibukawa city is located in the center of Gunma Prefecture. Marking the beginning of the magnificent Kanto plain, it is known as an outdoor paradise to the greater metropolitan area and has a long history as an transportation hub. The abundant water resources which are used for industrial development, the mountainous land which is used for farming, and the plentiful hot springs which make it a popular tourist attraction result in Shibukawa becoming a tourist hot spot..
The southern portion of Shibukawa is adjacent to Prefectural Capital, Maebashi. Located about 120 km away from Tokyo, it takes about two hours by car on the Kan-etsu express highway, and about one hour and ten minutes by train on the Joetsu Line and Shinkansen (bullet train) to get to the big city. The main train lines are the Joetsu Line and the Agatsuma Line. There are four stations on each line. The major roadways are the Kan-etsu Expressway (Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange, Akagi Interchange) National Route 17, and National Route 353.
The land is surrounded by Mt.Akagi, Mt.Haruna, Mt.Komochi and Mt.Onoko. There are valleys formed by the flow of the Tone river and the Agatsuma river. It is full of peaks and valleys where the differences in altitude is no less than 1,400m. The land is used in natural use for the most part.

◆温泉エリア　Spa Area

　伊香保温泉のメインストリートは、約４３０年の歴史を誇る石段街。３６０段の石段が約３００ｍにわたって続き、両側の店をのぞきながら、そぞろ歩きが楽しめます。石段には与謝野晶子の『伊香保の街』の歌が刻まれ、途中にはお湯の流れを観察できる小間口観覧所が４ヶ所あります。
　石段街を上ったところには伊香保神社があり、町を一望できます。さらに５００ｍほど上ると、毎分約４，０００リットルの湧出量を誇り、「子宝の湯」として知られる「黄金の湯」源泉湧出口と、露天風呂があります。
　このエリアには、徳冨蘆花記念文学館、竹久夢二記念館、伊香保御関所跡、旧ハワイ国公使別邸、さらには日帰り浴場「石段の湯」など見どころがいろいろ。不如帰駅からロープウェイに乗れば、上州の山々の素晴らしいパノラマが楽しめます。

Ikaho Hot Springs is characterized by the unique "Stone Steps", which run 300 meters in length, and are comprised of 360 steps in all. Numerous gift shops on both sides can be enjoyed while ascending or descending the steps. The famous poet, Yosano Akiko's poem "The Streets of Ihako" is engraved into the steps. You can also look through four windows set into the stairway and watch water flow below the stairs.
At the top of the steps one finds Ikaho Shrine. 500 meters further up, one finds the 'Ogon-no-yu' hot spring known as 'Kodakara-no-yu' where 4,000 liters of thermal water flow to a public open air bath each minute. At the base of the steps, there is an old barrier which was once a traveler's rest spot. In addition, the summer residence of the Minister of the former Kingdom of Hawaii can also be seen nearby. One can also find in this area the museum of Tokutomi Roka, a novelist, Takehisa Yumeji and other Japanese artists. For those who wish to take day trip, there is a public bath, "Ishidan-no-yu", making this area ideal for touring. From Hototogisu Station one can ride the ropeway to the top of the mountain for a fabulous panoramic view of the region.

◆水沢　エリア　Mizusawa Area

　水沢寺を中心とするエリアで、伊香保温泉街から車で１０分ほどの距離にあります。水沢寺は「水沢観音」の名で親しまれ、約１，３００年の歴史がある古刹。門前には名物・水沢うどんの店が１０数軒並んでいて、それぞれ伝統の味を競っています。

Mizusawa Temple is located about 10 minutes by car from Ikaho Hot Springs. The temple boasts a 1300 year history and is well-known for its "Mizusawa Kannon" (goddess of mercy). The temple is always crowded with pilgrims.
Near Mizusawa Temple, over 10 noodle shops serve the popular "Mizusawa Udon" noodles. The shops compete with each other in presenting their traditional dishes, taking pride in their unique recipes.

◆アルテナード　Artenade

　シャンソン・ライブ、パリのカフェ、フランス直輸入グッズやモネの庭園など楽しさいっぱい。館長は日本シャンソン界の第一人者、芦野宏氏

The museum has a cafe and a garden inspired by the impressionist Monet and offers live chanson shows (on weekends and holidays). The director of the museum is Japan's leading chanson singer.

　触れる彫刻作品がいつも展示され、美術を身近に感じられる街中のオアシス。桑原巨守の彫刻作品を中心とした常時展示のほか、企画展示も随時開催。

Visitors are always allowed to touch the exhibited sculpture work. The centrally located museum is an "oasis in the urban city." Many dynamic sculpture works by Kuwahara Hiromori are on permanent display. The project exhibition is also open all the time.

　 "見て､　触って、写真が撮れる" 遊び心が詰まったトリックアートの美術館。トリックアート作品を全面的に入れ替え大充実！！TV.CMでも大活躍の猿劇場や、天然温泉の足湯も楽しめます。

Have fun with the musuem's trick art display. where you can view, take pictures, and even touch the displays. The trick art work has been completely replaced and greatly improved! You can also enjoy the monkey theater's well-known TV commercials and a foot bath which uses natural hot spring water.

　標高４６０ｍの山と緑に囲まれた眺望抜群の遊園地。高さ５０ｍの大観覧車からは上越の山並みや関東平野が一望できます。

Located on a green hill at an altitude of 460 meters, Shibukawa Skyland Park offers a lovely view from the 50-meter-high Ferris wheel. You can see the beautiful Kanto Plain and the mountains of Gunma from there.

　アール・ヌーヴォーの巨匠、ガレ・ドームのガラス工芸品やグリューベールの大型ステンド、ルイ・マジョレルの家具・書斎を展示しています。

The exhibits include samples of art nouveau glass works of the Dome brothers, a large-scale stand of Gruber, and the furniture and study room of Louis Majorelle.

　動物とのふれあいやアウトドアスポーツが楽しめます。日本一のスケールを誇るシープドッグショウや牛の乳搾り教室を毎日実施。

In this extensive space, you can enjoy playing with animals, various outdoor sports, milking cows, and sheepdog races.

　東京品川にある原美術館の別館で、国内外の現代アートを展示。磯崎新設計によるモダンな建物も見どころ。

An annex of the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Shinagawa, Tokyo, this museum exhibits various works of Japanese modern art. The museum building is highly valued as one of the best large wooden buildings in the world.

　愛した伊香保の地で終焉を迎えた蘆花の生涯が展示室で見られます。温泉で体を癒し、文学館で心を癒してください。

You can see the life of Roka Tokutomi in this exhibition room, who faced the end of his life in his beloved Ikaho. Take a dip in a hot spring and heal your mind in a literary pavilion.

◆日帰り温泉施設　Hot spring of day trip facilities

◆佐久発電所の桜　Cherry blossoms in Saku power plant site

　真壁調整池から佐久発電所まで続く導水管周辺に約１００本の桜がみごとに咲き誇り、シーズンには近郷からの花見客でにぎわいます。
見ごろ・・・４月上～中旬

In spring about 100 cherry trees are in full bloom from the Makabe adjustment pond next to the Saku power plant. During the season a great number of peoples gather from the neighboring districts.
(Best time to view: Early April Mid April)

◆白井宿の八重桜　Double cherry blossoms of Shiroijuku

　中央を白井堰が流れ、８つの井戸など宿場町の面影を残す街並み。シーズンには１００本の八重桜が咲き誇り、武者行列や句会など、さまざまなイベントが催されます。
見ごろ・・・４月中～下旬

Shiroiseki is an irrigation channel which flows at the center of 8 ancient wells. Walking down the street, one can imagine what life was like in ancient times.
People parade through the streets dressed in ancient attire. In spring about 100 cherry trees are in full bloom.
(Best time to view: Mid AprilLate April)

◆長峰自然公園のツツジ　Azalea in Nagamine Park

　伊香保温泉～榛名湖間約５haに１２，０００株のツツジが群生し、シーズンはあたり一面を真っ赤に染め上げます。
見ごろ・・・５月中～下旬

The area between Ikaho hot spring and Haruna lake includes 5 hectares of Azaleas. When in full bloom it appears as though an artist has painted large red brushstroke on the ground.
(Best time to view: Mid MayLate May)

◆いちご狩り　Strawberry Picking

　１月上旬～６月上旬にかけて、赤城地区・子持地区でいちご狩りが楽しめます。また、いちごの直売所もあり、特製いちごシャーベットも販売されています。

In the Akagi and Komochi area, from early January to early June, strawberry patches are open for public picking. For a small fee you can pick strawberries. There are also small shops that sell strawberries and delicious strawberry sherbet.

◆ブルーベリー狩り　Blueberry Picking

　６月上旬から８月中旬にかけて、赤城地区・子持地区でブルーベリー狩りが楽しめます。美しい小さな紫色の果実は、その場で生で食べても、持ち帰ってジャムにしても美味しく食べられます。

The season for blueberry picking comes to the Akagi, and Komochi areas in early June and visitors can enjoy blueberry picking until mid August. You can eat your blueberries on the spot or take it home and make blueberry jam The beautiful small violet frluits will satisfy you.

◆石段ひなまつり　Stone steps doll festival

　伊香保温泉のシンボル石段街をひな段に見立てた特設ステージに、美しいひな衣装を身につけ、ほんのり薄化粧をした可愛い子ども雛たちが登場します。早春の伊香保温泉で、心温まる華やかなひと時をお楽しみください。
とき・・・３月３日に近い土・日曜日

Lovely children dressed like Hina dolls light up the stage. The stairs of the stone, that is the symbol of Ikaho Onsen, are used as the doll festival stage. It's sure to be an unforgettable moment for you.
(Time: Saturday, Sunday, nearest to March 3)

◆渋川へそ祭り　The bellybutton festival

　渋川市が日本列島及び群馬県のほぼ中央にあることから、「日本のまんなかへそのまち」を全国にPRするお祭りです。踊るたびに、お腹に書いた絵が伸びたり縮んだりするユニークな祭りです。
とき・・・７月第４金曜・土曜日

As the center, or "bellybutton" of Japan, Shibukawa holds this unique festival every year. People parade with faces painted on their stomachs and whenever they dance, their stomach expands and shrinks.
(Time: The fourth Friday and Saturday of July)

◆たちばな古里まつり　Thachibana Furusato Festival

　愛宕山ふるさと公園で開催される夏祭り。
古代行列や真壁調整池での湖上大花火大会が開催されます。水面に映える花火の美しさは格別です。
とき・・・８月上旬の日曜日

The summer festival is held in Atagoyama park. People parade dressed in ancient attire and watch large firework displays near Makabe lake. The reflection of the fireworks on the surface of the river is spectacular at night
(Time: Sunday, early in August)

◆渋川山車まつり　 Dashi Matsuri (float festival)

　渋川山車まつりは、江戸時代末期に八坂神社、惣鎮守八幡宮の例祭に諸町が練り物を出したことから始まりました。現在では、山車の造りと飾りの見事さで北関東一を誇っています。町ごとに趣向を凝らした山車が勢ぞろいし、町中を練り歩くさまは勇壮にして壮観。その威勢のよさから、別名「あばれ山車」の異名をとっています。
とき・・・隔年８月中旬

Dashi Matsuri is where elaborately designed floats from different districts of the city parade through the streets. This festival started in the 19 century. The workmanship of the floats and their splendid ornaments are the best in the northern Kanto Region, and they are called "wild floats".
(Time: Mid-August in every other year)

◆伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバル　 Ikaho Hawaiian Festival

　日本で唯一、ハワイが独立国の頃の史跡「旧ハワイ王国公使別邸」が残り、今もハワイとの交流を深める祭典です。本場ハワイの優勝チームによる「メリーモナークショー」をはじめ、ハワイの伝統舞踊フラやハワイアンミュージックでお楽しみください。
とき・・・８月上旬

Since Ikaho is home to the historic site of the Minister of the former kingdom of Hawaii's summer home, a special Hawaiian festival is held every year. The festival deepens cultural exchanges. You can also enjoy traditional Hawaiian Hula dance and music performances by one of the winning teams from Hawaii.
(Time: the beginning of August)

◆そばの花・りんご狩り　 Buckwheat flower. Apple picking

　渋川市では秋から冬に掛けて、味覚の季節を迎えます。秋の行幸田そば畑では、可憐な白いそばの花が辺り一面に広がり、雄大な景色をつくります。
　渋川地区・子持地区・赤城地区の観光りんご園では、豊かな自然の中で育まれた甘くて芳醇なりんごが皆様をお待ちしております。

Autumn and winter is "the season of taste" in Shibukawa city. In autumn, the Miyukida area is host to the beautiful white Buckwheat flower. In full bloom, the flowers make for some magnificent scenery.
The Shibukawa, Komochi, Akagi apple orchards are open for public picking. for a small fee.

◆伊香保まつり　 Ikaho Festival

　伊香保温泉伝統の「樽みこし」や「本みこし」が勇壮に石段街を練り歩きます。数々の催し物でお楽しみください。また、９月１８日は、小説「不如帰」で知られる、明治の文豪徳冨蘆花の命日に因んだ蘆花祭・蘆花追悼茶会・湯くみ式などを開催します。
とき・・・９月１８・１９・２０日

At the traditional Ikaho hot spring festival, many elaborately decorated portable shrines parade bravely on the stone stepped street. At the anniversary of the great writer Roka Tokutomi's death on September 18th, there were a lot of events such as a tea ceremony, and a demonstration of the traditional method of getting water from a hot spring. Roka Tokutomi is known for his famous novel "Hototogisu" which brought attention to the area.
(Time: September 181920)

●ＪＲでお越しの場合
東京駅―（上越新幹線/約５５分）－高崎駅(乗り換え)
新潟駅―（上越新幹線/約８０分）－高崎駅(乗り換え)
高崎駅―（上越線・吾妻線/約２５分）－渋川駅(下車)
渋川駅―伊香保温泉　バスで２５分

By Train
From Tokyo
It takes approximately 55 minutes from Tokyo Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen to get to Takasaki Station. Change to a Joetsu Line train bound for Shibukawa and arrive at Shibukawa Station in 20 minutes.
From Niigata
It takes approximately 80 minutes from Niigata Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen to get to Takasaki Station. Change to a Joetsu Line train bound for Shibukawa and arrive at Shibukawa Station in 25 minutes.

●車でお越しの場合
練馬ＩＣ―（関越自動車道/約８０分）－渋川・伊香保ＩＣ（下車）
新潟西ＩＣ―（関越自動車道/約１４０分）－渋川・伊香保ＩＣ(下車)
長野ＩＣ－（上信越自動車道/約１２０分）－渋川・伊香保ＩＣ（下車）
渋川・伊香保IC―伊香保温泉　２５分

By Car
From Tokyo
It takes approximately 80 minutes by car on the Kanetsu Expressway from the Nerima Ramp Exit on the Shibukawa-Ikaho Ramp.
From Niigata
It takes approximately 140 minutes by car on the Kanetsu Expressway from the Niigata Nishi Ramp Exit on the Shibukawa-Ikaho Ramp.
From Nagano
It takes approximately 120 minutes by car on the Jo-shinetsu Expressway from the Nagano Ramp Exit on the Shibukawa-Ikaho Ramp.