Shibukawa

Shibukawa (渋川市 Shibukawa-shi) is a city located in the extreme northwest of the Kantō Plain, in the center of landlocked Gunma, Japan. Encompassing the juncture of the Tone River and Agatsuma River, it is about 120 km from Tokyo. Due to its location at the geographical center of the nation, Shibukawa is known as the Bellybutton of Japan (日本のおへそ, nihon no oheso).

Shibukawa originally grew to prosperity as an inn town, but even today is in a central location between Numata and Maebashi. Also, anyone going to a number of famous hot spring resorts, such as Kusatsu, Shima, or Ikaho must pass through Shibukawa.

As of May 31, 2011, the city had a population of 84,160 with 31,289 households and a density of 350.05 persons per km². The total land area is 240.42 km².

The city was founded on April 1, 1954.

In Initial D, both the Fujiwara Tofu Store and the Esso Gas Station are located in Shibukawa.