榛名山の東麓にひらけた榛東村は、東西約10㎞、南北約4.5㎞と細長い形をしており、面積は27.94k㎡、宅地や農地が集中する東南部の平坦地、中部のゆるやかな傾斜地、北西部の山間地からなっています。群馬県のほぼ中央に位置し、周囲は前橋市、高崎市、渋川市、吉岡町と接しいてます。
地理的条件や年間の降水量が少ない為、かつては水源に乏しかった地域でしたが、今では用水路の発達で豊かな田園が広がり、農業を中心に商工業が発達してきました。
近年では、観光やレジャーをとり入れた産業も伸びており、また上越新幹線や関越自動車道を利用し経済交流が活発になってきており、豊かな自然を活かしながら、より便利でで安心して暮らせる地域へと発展しています。

Shinto Villade is situated at the eastern foot of Mt.Haruna-san and extends 10km from east to west and 4.5km from north to south in a rectangular shape. The south-eastern part is mostly houses and farmlands and rolling hills occupy the central part whereas the nouth-western part is landscaped by mountains. Shinto Village is right in the middle of Gunma Prefecture and borders the cities of Maebashi, Takasaki, Shibukawa, and Yoshioka Town.
Shinto Village's geographical conditions and its small annual precipitation forced its residents to deal with water shortages. However, agricultural waterways have been built since, and today, Shinto Village has cultivated tens of thousands of rice paddies. Farming has become the primary industry of the village along with trade and manufacture.
Of late, service sectors, including tourism and recreation are growing. The Kanetsu Expressway and the Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train) have helped to boost economic activities in the area. Shinto Village is becoming a place where residents enjoy the benefits brought about by a more convenient and safe community while making the most of the rich, natural environment.

◆卯三郎こけし 　Usaburo Kokeshi

　卯三郎こけしの生産量は、年間約20万個。日本国内のみならず、一部海外にも輸出し多くのお客様に親しまれております。卯三郎こけしは木の自然の木目を生かし、彫刻や焼き絵の技法を取り入れ落ち着いた中にも新しさがあるのが特徴です。工房・創作こけし工芸館ともに見学無料です。売店では、こけしや花瓶のみならず伝統的玩具やお椀、箸なども販売しています。
　『世界にたったひとつだけのこけしを作ろう』－絵付け体験教室を行っています。白い木地に、自由に描いてください。こけしの形でも動物マンガのキャラクター、風景、いろいろ考えて思い出に残るこけし作りにチャレンジ!! 簡単にかけます。
http://www.usaburo.com/

200,000 Usaburo kokeshi dolls are produced annually for not only domestic markets but also for international ones. The Usaburo kokeshi are made in such a way that allows the natural wood-grain to show through and uses traditional techniques of engraving and poker work. Each kokeshi is painted and decorated into a form intended to calm everyone's heart. Visit their factory and the museum for free. In addition to kokeshi dolls, they sell Japanese traditional furniture, bowls, and chopsticks as well.
Decoration workshops are given under the slogan of "Make your own unique kokeshi-the only one in the world." At the workshop, you will be decorating the white surface of a kokeshi just the way you like it. It's simple. Your shoices can be an ordinary kokeshi doll, your favorite anime character, or beautiful scenery. Be creative, and make the kokeshi doll one of your most memorable accomplishments. Click the URL address below for their English Website.
http://www.usaburo.com/index3.htm

◆ハルナグラス 　Haruna Glass

　「ハルナグラス」の前身、「田島クリスタル」は1903年高崎市に設立し、1987年榛名山の東麓の自然豊かな現在地に工場を移転しました。歴史あるガラスづくりの技法を今に伝える文化の発信地となっています。工房見学は無料で、別棟のショップには、工房で作られた可愛らしいガラス作品が並んでいます。
　ハルナグラスでは、伝統工芸としての本格的なガラス作りが体験できるほか、簡単に楽しめるコールド体験プログラムも用意しています。森の中の工房で、あなたもつくる楽しみを味わってみませんか。
http://www.harunaglass.com/

Tajima Crystal, the predecessor of Haruna Glass, was established in Takasaki City in 1903. In 1987, Haruna Glass moved its factory to the eastern foot of Mt. Haruna-san where it is surrounded by the abundant natural landscapes. Haruna Glass conveys the long history of the art of glass-making to the present. A free factory tour is given, and in a separate building there are displays of lovely glass works made in the factory. Haruna Glass offers two different types of workshops: one is to experience full-fledged traditional glass-making, and a simpler version. Discover the pleasure of creating glassworks at these wonderful workshops in the woods.
http://www.harunaglass.com/

◆榛東ぶどう郷 　Shinto Budo-kyo Pick-Your-Own Grape Parks

　夏から秋にかけての代表的な味覚である『ぶどう』。榛東ぶどう郷の観光ぶどう園では、ぶどう狩りが楽しめます。開園期間は、８月上旬から１０月上旬（一部の園では、１０月中旬）までの約２ヶ月間で、デラウェアや巨峰など２０種類ほどのぶどうが栽培されています（各園によって栽培品種は異なります）。
その味といえば、”みずみずしさと、甘みと酸味が程よく熟成された美味しさ”と評判で、安心・安全・美味しいぶどうの栽培に取り組んでいます。収穫したばかりのぶどうの味は格別ですので、ぜひ、お立ち寄りください。
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/budouen/index.htm

Grapes come into season in summer and autumn. Shinto Budo-kyo is a complex of many pick-your-own-grape parks in Shinto Village. They aru open from the beginning of August to the middle of October. Over the 2-month period, you can enjoy 20 different types of grapes, including Delaware and the Kyoho large grape. Different parks grow different grapes, so find your favorite. Grapes from Shinto Village are very popular for their juiciness, and their blend of sweetness and tartness. Grape farmers have been working very hard to grow these delicious grapes. Grapes fresh from the pick-your-own -grape parks are the best grapes you can ever ask for. Please visit the Shinto Budo-kyo.
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/budouen/index.htm

◆耳飾り館　Shinto-Mura Museum of Earrings

　茅野遺跡から発見された縄文の耳飾りは、時を超えて現代の人々に大きな驚きと感動を与えました。榛東村耳飾り館はこの素晴らしい発見をきっかけに誕生したものです。各国の耳飾りの展示はもちろん、耳飾りに関する全ての情報を収集した､世界で初めての耳飾り専門館です。
　展示室では、「現代」「歴史」「縄文」の３つのコーナーに分かれ、縄文の耳飾りを中心に､年代、タイプ、形等、幅広い角度から集められた世界各地の耳飾りと資料が展示されています。
　「人と耳飾り」をテーマに、長い暮らしの中で刻まれてきた、さまざまな耳飾りとのかかわりをわかりやすく紹介し、耳飾りの持つ謎と魅力に触れていただくものです。
　また、体験学習コーナーでは、勾玉作りや土器の拓本、縄文布織りなど、古代体験やアクセサリー作りのメニューが用意され、開館時間中いつでも参加できます。
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/sisetu/sisetu03.htm

Earrings worn in the Jomon Period (BC145-BC10) were excavated from the Kayano Remainds and sent shockwaves of amazement and sensation to the people living in the world today. Shinto-Mura Museum of Earrings was built to exhibit these wonderful discoveries. The collection of the museum includes earrings from around the world as well as a lot of information about earrings, making it the one and only museum solely dedicated to the collection of earrings.
Showpieces are classfield into three parts; namely, present-day, history, and Jomon Period. The earrings from Jomon Period as the main feature, exhibitions are shown by age, by type, and by shape. Exhibitions inclued earrings and relevant materials of all variety from all corners of the world. With the theme of "people and earrings", the museum introduces its interpretation of how people have been involved with earrings in simple terms and explains the mystery and charm of earrings.
The museum workshops offer a variety of choises, where you can experience all sorts of activities involving earrings such as making comma-shaped gems, making an ink impression of earthenware, and weaving Jomon-era cloths. Workshops are offered during museum hours, and no reservations are necessary.
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/sisetu/sisetu03.htm

◆しんとうワイナリー　Shinto Winery

　北関東有数のぶどうの産地「榛東ぶどう郷」。地元栽培の巨峰ぶどうを使用したワインや甲州ぶどうを原料としたワインなど７種類のワインを醸造・販売しています。国産ぶどう100％の良質な味わいを飲み比べてみませんか。
　梅や山ぶどうを使用したフルーティなワインもあります。
試飲・工場見学は随時、無料にて受け付けていますので、ぜひ　一度お越しください。
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/sisetu/sisetu04.htm

Shinto Budo-kyo Pick-Your-Own Grape Park is one of the largest in the Northern Kanto region. Home-grown kyoho large grapes and Koshu grapes are used to brew seven different wines for sale. How about tasting a fine wine brewed from 100% domestic grapes?
Shinto Winery also uses Japanese plums and wild vines to brew fruity wines. Free winery tour and tasting are offered throughout the year from 9 to 5.
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/sisetu/sisetu04.htm

◆しんとう温泉ふれあい館　 Shinto Onsen Facility Futrsi Hall

　入浴後は、体がポカポカ温まると評判の「しんとう温泉」。地下1,400ｍから汲み上げているナトリウム・カルシウム塩化物泉は神経痛、筋肉痛、うちみ、慢性消化器病、慢性皮膚病などに効果があります。一般入浴とジェットバスのほか、多機能シャワーや打たせ湯、日本庭園付きの露天風呂からは眺望が楽しめ、お風呂を楽しんだ後は、88畳敷の多目的ホールへ。ぬれ縁越しに外の景色を眺めながらゆっくりとくつろげます。
玄関前には、無料の足湯もあります。
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/sisetu/sisetu01.htm

Fureai Hall has been very popular with both locals and tourists for being very effective to warm them up. Calcium trisodium salt onsen waters are piped up from 1,400m below ground and are effective against illnesses like neuralgia, myalgia, bruising, chronic digestive organ diseases, and chronic skin diseases. There are multifuctional showers, a swimming bath, and utase-yu or a cascade bath in the hall. From the outdoor bath, you have a beautiful view of a Japanese garden. After the onsen, you can go to an 88-tatami-mat room as large as a football field to rest while enjoying the outside view.
These's a free foot bath near the foyer of the hall.
http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/sisetu/sisetu01.htm

○お車でお越しの場合

○JRでお越しの場合

By car from Tokyo:
Kanetsu Expressway Nerima IC to Maebashi IC (Approx. 60 min.)
Approx. 30 min. from Maebashi Exit
Kanetsu Expressway Nerima IC to Shibukawa-Ikaho IC (Approx. 65 min.)
Approx. 25 min. from Shibukawa-Ikahoi Exit

By car from Niigata:
Kanetsu Expressway Niigata-Nishi IC to Maebashi IC (Approx. 150 min.)
Approx. 30 min. from Maebashi Exit
Kanetsu Expressway Niigata-Nishi IC to Shibukawa-Ikaho IC (Approx. 145 min.)
Approx. 25 min. from Shibukawa-Ikahoi Exit

By JR trains from Tokyo:
Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train Tokyo to Takasaki (55 min.)
Change to Joetsu Line
Takasaki to either Gunma Soja or Yagihara Station
Approx. 20 min. by car

By JR trains from Niigata:
Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train Niigata to Takasaki (75 min.)
Change to Joetsu Line
Takasaki to either Gunma Soja or Yagihara Station
Approx. 20 min. by car

For further information, contact:

Shinto Village Office
Industrial Development Section
790-1, Ooaza Arai, Shinto-mura, Kita Gunma-gun, Gunma-ken 370-3593
Phone: (0279) 54-2211
URL: http://www.vill.shinto.gunma.jp/