UTSUNOMIYA CITY宇都宮市
KANUMA CITY鹿沼市
SAKURA CITYさくら市
NAKAGAWA TOWN那珂川町
TAKANEZAWA TOWN高根沢町
KAMINOKAWA TOWN上三川町
NASUKARASUYAMA CITY那須烏山市
NASUSHIOBARA CITY那須塩原市
NASU TOWN那須町
SHIOAYA TOWN塩谷町
YAITA CITY矢板市
OTAWARA CITY大田原市
NIKKO CITY日光市
ASHIKAGA CITY足利市
SANO CITY佐野市
TOCHIGI CITY栃木市
MIBU TOWN壬生町
OYAMA CITY小山市
NOGI TOWN野木町
SHIMOTSUKE CITY下野市
HAGA TOWN芳賀町
ICHIKAI TOWN市貝町
MOOKA CITY真岡市
MASHIKO TOWN益子町
MOTEGI TOWN茂木町
Takanezawa Town is located in the central-eastern part of Tochigi Prefecture, covering an area of approximately 70.87 square kilometers. It borders Sakura City to the north, Nasu Kuroyama City to the east, Haga Town to the south, and Utsunomiya City to the west. The population is about 28,000, with approximately 12,000 households (as of January 2024). Located about 100 km from Tokyo, most of the town consists of flatland. The western part features a commercial district and residential areas, while the eastern part is characterized by the hills of the Yamizo Mountain Range. The central area comprises a vast rice paddy region, accounting for about 60% of the town. In the southwestern part lies the “Goryo Ranch,” known for producing agricultural products used by the Imperial Family. There are several theories regarding the origin of the town’s name, including one suggesting it derives from a valley at the foot of Mount Takahara, and another claiming it is named after Takanezawa Shin’emon Fujiwara Kanekichi, who governed the area in the late 14th century.
Takanezawa Town was established in 1958 through the merger of Kitakanezawa Village and Akutsu Town. The current town center is around JR Hōshakuzuri Station, featuring modern architectural landmarks such as the station building designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma and the “Chokkura Plaza,” which have become symbolic of the town. Moreover, to the west of the station lies the “Kinugawa Green Park,” a vast area along the banks of the Kinugawa River, cherished as a place for sports, leisure, and relaxation for the townspeople.
“The Roadside Station Takanezawa Genki App Village” is located along Prefectural Road 434 and is a newly renovated facility that reopened in 2020. In addition to typical roadside station features like a direct sales shop for agricultural products and restaurants, it also includes hot spring facilities, accommodations for glamping, and places for agricultural processing experiences and forestry experiences, making it a popular multi-functional facility. The historical site “Odaki-san” was designated as a town cultural asset in 2001. It refers to the spring pond in the lowlands of the Gogyō River in Kamitakanezawa, known for its clear water, schools of small fish, and lush aquatic plants. It has also been selected as one of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries’ “Hundred Selected Waterways” representing the town.
Takanezawa-cho has three stations: Shimotsukehanaoka Station and Niida Station on the JR Karasuyama Line, and Hoshoji Station, which has access to both the JR Karasuyama Line and the JR Tohoku Main Line. Takanezawa-cho’s main roads are National Route 4 and National Route 408, which run north and south through the eastern part of the town, and are a busy road with a lot of traffic. Kanto Bus operates the local bus routes within Takanezawa-cho. The town also has its own transportation system, the Tan Tan-go, which provides transportation to and from users’ desired locations within a set area. This system can be used with a reservation in advance for a flat rate of 100 yen per trip, and can be used to transport people between major facilities and hospitals in the town and their homes.
It is conveniently located a short distance from the nearby city of Utsunomiya by train or car.
If you don’t have a car, you may find it inconvenient to have limited mobility.
According to information from a real estate information website, the average rent in the city for a newly built apartment within a 10-minute walk from the station is about 57,000 yen for a 1K apartment and 63,000 yen for a 2K apartment. The average land price per tsubo is about 100,000 yen per tsubo. Detached houses are the norm in Takanezawa Town. Houses built on relatively large lots are scattered throughout the town center and surrounding areas.
There are many detached houses with large lots, so you may be able to find a home at a relatively reasonable price. This is an attractive area for those who want to live in an environment rich in nature.
There are few apartment complexes or condominiums, and suburban housing is the norm.
Takanezawa Town has 7 nursery schools, 2 kindergartens, 6 elementary schools, 2 junior high schools, and 1 high school. The “Child Medical Expense Subsidy” is available for children under 18 years old (until March 31 of the year they turn 18) for both outpatient and inpatient treatments, covering full costs (with some exclusions). Child allowances are provided as follows: 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old, 10,000 yen for the first and second children aged 3 years and older until they start elementary school, 15,000 yen for the third child and beyond, and 10,000 yen for junior high school students (with some income restrictions).
Takanezawa Town also offers unique childcare support programs. The “Birth and Childcare Support Fund” provides 50,000 yen during pregnancy and another 50,000 yen after childbirth, paid in two installments. The town operates the “NIKO♡NIKO Parenting App,” which disseminates information related to childcare. Other initiatives by the town include facilities such as the “Rengesō Childcare Support Center,” which provides a space for interaction and consultation for parents with preschool-aged children, and the “Family Support Center,” where those seeking help with childcare and those willing to assist can become members and engage in mutual support.
There are many childcare facilities and children’s centers, so there are plenty of places and facilities where parents and children can play together.
There are few educational institutions beyond high school. There is also less childcare support compared to other neighboring areas.
Takanezawa Town does not have large shopping malls or department stores, but shopping facilities are scattered mainly along major roads. Especially along Prefectural Road 10, there are supermarkets, drugstores, home improvement stores, and clothing shops, providing an environment where daily necessities can be readily obtained. While there are three JR stations, there are few shopping facilities nearby. Since it is adjacent to Utsunomiya City, a major city in the prefecture, having a means of transportation like a car significantly expands shopping options. The roadside station “Takanezawa ‘Genki Up Village’” features a local agricultural produce direct sales shop and restaurant, offering local specialties such as rice, fresh vegetables and fruits, processed goods, and the popular dish “Takanezawa Champon.” The facility also includes hot spring facilities, glamping sites, and an information center that provides details about the town, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
There are roadside stations and JA direct sales outlets where you can get fresh local agricultural products at low prices.
There are hardly any fashionable clothing stores or restaurants, and the area relies on neighboring municipalities.
The average annual income in Takanezawa Town is 3.35 million yen. The main industry in Takanezawa Town is agriculture, primarily rice cultivation. Major agricultural products include wheat, soybeans, strawberries, grapes, and pears. Job opportunities related to agriculture are rare, but the town has established support for new farmers, including generous benefits for those starting out in agriculture, such as “Support for New Farmers.” The “Youth Farmer Support Payment (Management Start Type)” provides support to new farmers facing management risks, offering up to 1.5 million yen per year for a maximum of five years until their operations stabilize. The “Youth Farmer Support Payment (Preparation Type)” offers support to aspiring farmers who focus on training to acquire agricultural skills and management know-how, providing up to 1.5 million yen per year for a maximum of two years. The “Youth and Young Adult Farming Fund” is an interest-free funding assistance program. (With a maximum limit of 37 million yen and a repayment period of up to 12 years) This program is a welcome initiative for households considering agriculture as a new job. Other job opportunities may include roles closely related to daily life, such as education, healthcare, and nursing, as well as retail and food service positions. The town also provides an entrepreneurship support facility called “CREATORS DEPARTMENT” located in front of Hōshakuji Station. They support new entrepreneurs by offering a “trial entrepreneurship facility” that can be rented for up to two years and a multipurpose plaza where they can set up booths during events.
We provide substantial support for new entrants in agriculture. In recent years, we have also been offering business support within the town.
There are few companies in the town, so the number of job openings is less than in other areas.
