Ōra, Gunma

Ōra (邑楽町) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 26,267 in 10,382 households, and a population density of 840 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 31.11 sqkm.

Geography
Ōra is located in the extreme southern corner Gunma prefecture, bordered by Tochigi Prefecture to the north.

Surrounding municipalities
Gunma Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture
 * Ōta
 * Tatebayashi
 * Ōizumi
 * Chiyoda
 * Meiwa
 * Ashikaga

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Ōra peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.

History
The villages of Nakano, Takashima and Nagae were created within Ōra District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. On March 1, 1955, Nakano and Takashima merged to form the village of Nakajima. Nakae merged with neighboring Tominaga and Eiraku to form the village of Chiyoda. However, on September 30, 1956 the former Nakae village was transferred from Chiyoda to Nakajima, and Nakajma was renamed Ōra on January 1, 1957. Ōra was elevated to town status on April 1, 1968.

Government
Ōra has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Ōra, together with the other municipalities in Ōra District contributes three members to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Gunma 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Education
Ōra has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Gunma prefecture Board of Education.

Railway
Tōbu Railway –Tōbu Koizumi Line
 * Hon-Nakano - Shinozuka

Local attractions

 * Ōra Symbol Tower
 * Matsumoto Park
 * Tatara Marshland