Takasaki City, located in the south-central part of Gunma Prefecture, is a core city whose population surpasses that of the prefectural capital, Maebashi. As the largest city in Gunma, Takasaki enjoys a strategic geographic location and has long served as a key transportation hub. Historically, the Nakasendō and Mikuni Kaidō routes intersected here, and today, the city is connected by major highways (Kan-Etsu and Kita-Kantō Expressways) and high-speed rail lines (Jōetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen), making it one of Japan’s most prominent transportation centers. Takasaki Station serves as the prefecture’s primary transit hub and is often referred to as the gateway to Maebashi.
During the municipal mergers of the Heisei era, Takasaki expanded its jurisdiction by incorporating surrounding towns and villages such as Kurabuchi, Misato, Gumma, Shinmachi, Haruna, and Yoshii. This not only broadened the city's area but also elevated it to become the most populous city in Gunma Prefecture. While Maebashi functions as the administrative center, Takasaki focuses more on commerce and transportation, together forming a dual-core urban structure within the prefecture.
Takasaki’s metropolitan population is around 530,000, the largest in Gunma. Since 2010, it has been considered part of the Maebashi Urban Area, which now exceeds the Utsunomiya and Tsukuba metro areas in scale, making it the largest in the northern Kantō region. Land values—both commercial and residential—are the highest in the prefecture.
Historically, Takasaki was a castle town of the Takasaki Domain and a prominent post town (Takasaki-juku) along the Nakasendō. It was once the fourth largest post town in Japan, reflecting its past prosperity. Districts such as Tamachi, Hommachi, and Shinmachi were once bustling market areas, and the local saying "If you want to see Edo, go to Takasaki’s Tamachi" reflects the city’s vibrant atmosphere at the time. The artisan culture also flourished here, as evidenced by place names like Kajichō, Sayachō, and Shiroganemachi, all tied to traditional craftspeople.
Takasaki is also Japan’s largest producer of Daruma dolls, with many Daruma workshops lining National Route 18. The city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, boasting a local symphony orchestra, hosting the Takasaki Marching Band Festival, and branding itself as a "City of Music." Additionally, thanks to the efforts of the Takasaki Film Commission, the city frequently appears in films, TV dramas, and music videos, and it also hosts the annual Takasaki Film Festival, showcasing its artistic and cultural vitality.
