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
Ashikaga City is located in the southwestern part of Tochigi Prefecture, covering an area of approximately 177.76 square kilometers. It borders Sano City to the north and east, Ota City, Tatebayashi City, and the Ora District to the south, and Kiryu City in Gunma Prefecture to the west. As of September 2023, the population is about 139,000, with approximately 61,000 households.
The city is situated about 80 km north of Tokyo, with the Ashio Mountains in the north, the Kanto Plain in the south, and the Watarase River flowing through the central area. It is known as the hometown of the Ashikaga clan, a powerful family active during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, and there are historical sites associated with the clan in the city, as well as the remains of Ashikaga School, Japan’s oldest school, which was referred to as “the University of Bando” by Francis Xavier. Moreover, the textile industry has flourished here since ancient times, with a history dating back to the Nara period, producing textiles called “kamoshikaori,” which were recorded as being taxed to the imperial court in the form of silk fabrics. In the Edo period, the main production method shifted to handcrafting products in factories, further developing the textile industry, and by the 1950s, Ashikaga, together with neighboring Kiryu City in Gunma Prefecture, became the leading production area in Japan. In 1889, the opening of the Tobu Railway accelerated infrastructure development, leading to the establishment of Ashikaga City in 1921.
Within Ashikaga City, there are numerous historical sites and museums where visitors can feel the remnants of the city’s rich history, including the nationally designated treasure Bannaji Temple, the Ashikaga City Museum of Art, and the Historical Site of Ashikaga School. These are popular spots for tourists. Another major attraction in the city is the Ashikaga Flower Park, featuring the symbol of the park, a 160-year-old wisteria tree, where visitors can explore and purchase rare plants. Additionally, the “Garden of Light Flowers,” held every October, is a highly popular event selected as one of Japan’s three major illuminations.
The Ryomo Line runs through Ashikaga City, which runs from Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture to Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, and has five stations: Tomita Station, Ashikaga Flower Park Station, Ashikaga Station, Yamamae Station, and Omata Station. The Tobu Isesaki Line also runs through Ashikaga City, which runs to Asakusa in Tokyo, and has five stations: Ken Station, Fukui Station, Tobu Izumi Station, Ashikaga City Station, and Yashu Yamabe Station.
Ashikaga City has National Route 50, which connects Sano City to the east and Ota City to the west, National Route 293, which runs from Ashikaga City through Sano City to Hitachi City in Ibaraki Prefecture, and National Route 407, which runs from Ashikaga City through Ota City to the south and Iruma City in Saitama Prefecture. The Kita-Kanto Expressway is served by a single highway, Ashikaga IC, which has only one entrance and exit. In Ashikaga city, Ashikaga City Bus operates local bus services. There are also express buses that can access Narita Airport, and long-distance buses that can access Kyoto, Osaka, Sendai, and other destinations.
Traveling by car is rarely congested, and there are many well-maintained expressways and national roads, making it convenient.
In many areas, trains and buses run infrequently, making public transportation not very convenient.
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 66,000 yen for a 1LDK and 86,000 yen for a 2LDK. The average land price per tsubo is about 100,000 yen per tsubo. While detached houses are the norm in Ashikaga city, there are also apartment complexes and condominiums. There are many detached houses in the suburbs, and an increasing number of apartment complexes in the city.
Ashikaga City is an area rich in nature, with many parks and green spaces. In particular, the area surrounding Ashikaga City is dotted with natural scenery and famous places, allowing you to enjoy nature.
Ashikaga City is somewhat far from the city center, so access to the city center may be limited. If public transportation is insufficient, commuting or going out may take a long time.
In Ashikaga City, there are 25 daycare centers, 16 kindergartens, 22 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools, 8 high schools, 4 junior colleges/universities, and 3 vocational schools. The Child Medical Expense Assistance Program provides full assistance for pediatric medical expenses for children under 18 years old (until March 31 after reaching 18 years) for both outpatient and inpatient care. Child allowances are provided as follows: 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old; 10,000 yen for the first and second child from 3 years old until before elementary school; 15,000 yen for the third child and beyond; and 10,000 yen for junior high school students.
Ashikaga City also has its own robust support systems. The Ashikaga City Childbirth and Child-rearing Support Grant Program includes “accompanied consultation support” and “financial support.” The “accompanied consultation support” provides individualized consultations for expectant mothers and mothers experiencing anxiety or concerns from childbirth to child-rearing. The “financial support” offers economic assistance related to childbirth and child-rearing, such as a childbirth support gift (50,000 yen per pregnant woman) and other gifts. Additionally, under the Ashikaga City Childbirth Celebration Grant, 100,000 yen is provided for each child after the third child. The Postpartum Mother Support Project includes a “Postpartum Care Program” that supports mothers and infants who cannot receive family support after childbirth, offering care for the baby and health management for mothers, as well as financial assistance for related costs. The Ashikaga Parenting App is a convenient tool that provides vaccination schedules, allows recording of children’s growth, and delivers parenting information.
The town offers generous support for child-rearing and an environment where parents can raise their children freely in nature.
There are fewer facilities and spots for children to play compared to other areas.
In Ashikaga City, shopping malls and supermarkets are scattered throughout the area. The Ashikota Town Ashikaga is located a 24-minute walk from Ashikaga Station and is a popular large shopping mall featuring a variety of stores, including supermarkets, general goods, clothing, sports gyms, medical facilities, and a movie theater. Additionally, there are about 20 supermarkets in the city, mainly including York Benimaru, Yaoko, and Yamaguchi Super, making it convenient for shopping for daily necessities.
There is a large shopping mall where you can find everything you need in one place. There are stylish select shops, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy shopping.
There are few spots where young people in their teens and twenties can enjoy shopping.
The average annual income in Ashikaga is 3.05 million yen. Ashikaga has long been known as a textile town. Cotton textile production was thriving from the Meiji to Taisho eras, but silk textile production became mainstream during the economic downturn. Since the Showa era, tricot and knitwear have also been produced. The textile industry is still firmly rooted as a local industry, but in recent years, commerce and industry such as aluminum, machinery and metals, and plastics have flourished, with over 1,400 small and medium-sized businesses scattered throughout the city.
Ashikaga City is home to a variety of industries, including retail, manufacturing, and services, and as a result, there are a relatively large number of job openings.
Commuting times and travel costs to the city centre may increase.
