Walk Through A Town That Has Strong Vestiges of the Medieval Japan
The Obata castle town is located in Southwest of Gunma prefecture, and its center district, Obata is used to be a castle town of Obata Domain which was under the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo period. Obata district including some historical buildings and local events have been kept officially as important cultural things to hand down to posterity.
The ambiance of the castle town of the Obata clan, which was ruled by Oda family (a famous samurai family) during the Edo period (1603-1868), is preserved here. The castle town was developed along a waterway called "Ogawazeki", which has a title of the best water in Japan. (Though, Currently you not allowed to drink the water.) There are many spots to visit such as the castle, samurai’s houses, and the road.
It is also famous for the cherry trees lining the streets, and the Castle Town Obata Cherry Blossom Festival with Warrior Procession is held every April, which is the biggest festival in Kanra town. The main event of the festival is “Samurai’s procession”. The troops belong to Oda clan who ruled the district before Edo period and is one of the most well-known samurais. During the festival, they are walking around the streets in the morning. Other than the procession, there will be some events such as dance performance, Japanese drums, technique of drawing a sword, and a tea ceremony in the open air.
Other than the festival, there are other pleasant things to do around Kanra town. Rakusan-en is a Daimyo Garden which was created in the early Edo period by Oda clan. It is recognized as a national scenic beauty of Japan. There are beautiful ponds, stones, and tea houses. You will be able to see traditional Japanese style garden which expresses the wish for the peace and feel calm in a quiet place.
The ambiance of the castle town of the Obata clan, which was ruled by Oda family (a famous samurai family) during the Edo period (1603-1868), is preserved here. The castle town was developed along a waterway called "Ogawazeki", which has a title of the best water in Japan. (Though, Currently you not allowed to drink the water.) There are many spots to visit such as the castle, samurai’s houses, and the road.
It is also famous for the cherry trees lining the streets, and the Castle Town Obata Cherry Blossom Festival with Warrior Procession is held every April, which is the biggest festival in Kanra town. The main event of the festival is “Samurai’s procession”. The troops belong to Oda clan who ruled the district before Edo period and is one of the most well-known samurais. During the festival, they are walking around the streets in the morning. Other than the procession, there will be some events such as dance performance, Japanese drums, technique of drawing a sword, and a tea ceremony in the open air.
Other than the festival, there are other pleasant things to do around Kanra town. Rakusan-en is a Daimyo Garden which was created in the early Edo period by Oda clan. It is recognized as a national scenic beauty of Japan. There are beautiful ponds, stones, and tea houses. You will be able to see traditional Japanese style garden which expresses the wish for the peace and feel calm in a quiet place.
