Welcome to The Friendship Force of Ota・Gunma

 

 

Official club name : The Friendship Force of Ota・Gunma

President : Mr. Kyo Miyazaki
Secretary : Ms.Sumiko Imayasu
Email contact : miya1524@otv.ne.jp

About our club : Our club was founded in Ota City (population 218,000) of Gunma Prefecture in 1991.
There are about 25 families with membership in the Friendship Force of Ota・Gunma living in Ota City
and its neighboring cities and towns.
.

Region and climate : Gunma Prefecture is situated at what is almost the center of the Japanese archipelago.
Two thirds of the prefecture is mountainous, with mountains ranging across the northwestern Prefectural boarder.
The prefecture is blessed with a rich variety of nature such as; mountains 2,000 meters high, the marshlands of Oze,
many lakes, and the Tone River 's clear stream.

The city of Ota is situated in the north-west section of the Kanto Plain, far about 100km from the center of Tokyo ,
having a Pacific climate, with much rain in summer and little in winter.
The frequent occurrence of thunder in the summer and the strong winds in winter,
known as 'The Dry Winds', are characteristic of the area.
'The dry Winds' and the petticoat Government are well-known widely as the specialty in Gunma.
A long time ago, the sericultural industry was flourished in Gunma, and women had the initiative of family finance
with a big voice by leading the silk cultivation with womanly delicacy and hardworking, that is another characteristic of the area.

　

About the exchanges : We have had 19 inbound exchanges since 1992, and 3 outbound exchanges since 2005.
As for the inbound exchange, we recommend the ambassadors to visit us either spring or autumn for about a week.
The program of the inbound exchange we usually plan is one day city tour including the courtesy call on the mayor,
car manufacturing facility tour of Subaru, one day trip to Nikko of the world heritage,
another one day trip to mountain / lake area, cooking exchange and welcome party (or farewell party), etc.

Access to Ota : From Narita Airport : 3 hours to Ota Bus Terminal by shuttle bus 'Maple-go' at 4,300 yen per person.
　　　　　　From Tokyo (Asakusa station) : 90 minutes to Ota Station by limited express 'Ryoumo-go'
　　　　　　via the Tobu-Isesaki line at 1,830 yen per person.

Exchange History

Gunma Prefecture　 http://www.pref.gunma.jp/foreign/foreign_English.html

Ota city　 http://www.city.ota.gunma.jp/gyosei/0020a/007/01/english/e_index.html

Last updated Jan. 2014.