PYRTPlan Your Road Trips
Create TripMy TripsCommunityMerchandise
PYRTPlan Your Road Trips
Create TripMy TripsCommunityMerchandise
I
Destinations
Home›Destinations›Iwado
AsiaJapanGunma

Iwado

Gunma, Japan · Asia

About Iwado

Iwado is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Shimonita, 36km from Mount Haruna Touge.

Iwado is a town located in Gunma, Japan. With a population of 1,611, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Iwado sits in Japan, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Tokyo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Iwado to your route.

About Iwado

Nanmoku (南牧村, Nanmoku-mura) is a village located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 February 2026, the village has an estimated population of 1,354 in 819 households, and a population density of 11 persons per km2. The total area of the village is 118.83 square kilometres (45.88 sq mi). Nanmoku, like many rural

Read more areas in Japan, has witnessed significant population decline since the mid-20th century. As of 2023, 67.5% of the population was over age 65 and the median age was 68.4, making Nanmoku the grayest village in Japan.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Iwado

Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.

Filter presets

Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.

Booking.comExpediaTripAdvisorHotels.comAgodaAirbnb

Compare before you book!

Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Iwado.

Explore the Area

Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Iwado.

Loading map...
Open in Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Iwado?

Iwado offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Iwado?

Plan your road trip to Iwado with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Iwado as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Iwado located?

Iwado is located in Gunma, Japan, Asia. The coordinates are 36.1667 latitude, 138.7333 longitude.

What is the population of Iwado?

Iwado has a population of approximately 1,611 people, making it a town in Japan.

Plan a Road Trip

Add to your itinerary

Start planning your road trip with Iwado as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Start Road Trip

What's Nearby?

Discover destinations like Tinder

Swipe through stunning destinations near Iwado. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.

Explore now

Quick Information

Population
1,611
Continent
Asia
Country
Japan
Region
Gunma
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Coordinates
36.1667, 138.7333

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Japan

Police
110
Ambulance
119
Fire
119
Driving side
left

Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.

Full driving guide for Japan

Tags

AsiaJapanGunmaTown

Worth the detour from Iwado

7 notable places within an hour's drive.

mountain pass

Usui Pass

Historic pass on the old Nakasendo route between Gunma and Karuizawa, packed with 180-plus corners and the brick Megane-bashi viaduct. Another Initial D battleground beloved by drivers and rail historians alike.

21 km · about 25 min drive

famous road

Mount Haruna Touge

The winding climb to Lake Haruna in Gunma, immortalised as 'Mount Akina' in Initial D. Gentle hairpins, a crater lake at the top, and constant pilgrimages by fans of Japan's street-racing manga.

36 km · about 40 min drive

photogenic

Mishaka Pond

A small irrigation reservoir whose acidic, iron-rich water holds a still green surface mirroring the birch and larch on its bank. It became famous as the subject of a Higashiyama Kaii painting.

42 km · about 50 min drive

famous road

Venus Line

A 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.

49 km · about 55 min drive

photogenic

Kusatsu Yubatake

The steaming timber sluice at the centre of Kusatsu, where 4,000 litres a minute of highly acidic spring water is cooled across wooden channels before reaching the baths. Floodlit and clouded in steam after dark.

52 km · about 60 min drive

landmark

Bessho Onsen

A thousand-year-old spa at the foot of the Nagano hills, ringed by ancient temples including a rare octagonal three-storey pagoda. Three small public baths still serve the village for a few coins.

56 km · about 65 min drive

mountain pass

Shibu Pass

At 2,172 m this is the highest point on any Japanese national highway, on Route 292 between Nagano and Gunma. In spring the road is cut through snow walls several metres high.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Iwado

  • 21 kmUsui PassHistoric pass on the old Nakasendo route between Gunma and Karuizawa, packed with 180-plus corners and the brick Megane-bashi viaduct. Another Initial D battleground beloved by drivers and rail historians alike.
  • 36 kmMount Haruna TougeThe winding climb to Lake Haruna in Gunma, immortalised as 'Mount Akina' in Initial D. Gentle hairpins, a crater lake at the top, and constant pilgrimages by fans of Japan's street-racing manga.
  • 49 kmVenus LineA 76 km free touring road across Nagano's Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara highlands, rolling over open alpine meadows at up to 1,959 m. One of Japan's best-loved drives for bikers and grand tourers.
  • 58 kmShibu PassAt 2,172 m this is the highest point on any Japanese national highway, on Route 292 between Nagano and Gunma. In spring the road is cut through snow walls several metres high.
  • 73 kmLake Kawaguchi ViewpointA lakeside viewpoint where Mount Fuji reflects perfectly in still waters, especially stunning during autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons.
  • 73 kmKachi Kachi Ropeway Viewpoint (Lake Kawaguchi)A mountain-top station reached by ropeway above Lake Kawaguchi, offering a bird's-eye view of the lake with Mt Fuji dominating the skyline.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Iwado.

Shimonita

🇯🇵 Japan

7 km awayPop. 7,058

Otomo

🇯🇵 Japan

10 km awayPop. 1,128

Manba

🇯🇵 Japan

17 km awayPop. 1,645

Tomioka

🇯🇵 Japan

18 km awayPop. 47,911

Obata

🇯🇵 Japan

18 km awayPop. 12,491

Karuizawa

🇯🇵 Japan

22 km awayPop. 20,023

Takanomachi

🇯🇵 Japan

22 km awayPop. 10,218

Saku

🇯🇵 Japan

23 km awayPop. 99,131

Plan a trip around Iwado

Asia road trip planner

Plan a Road Trip from Iwado

Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.

Start Planning
PYRT

The ultimate road trip planning platform. Discover 150,000+ destinations worldwide, plan scenic routes, and create unforgettable adventures.

Inspiration

  • Discover Trips
  • Travel Guides
  • Community

The Product

  • Calendar Planner
  • Integrations
  • How It Works
  • Collaboration Mode
  • Get the App
  • Merchandise: PYRT Supply Co.
  • Become a Creator
  • Trip Marketplace

Plan Your Trip

  • Road Trip Planner
  • Famous Routes
  • Planners by Country
  • Best Road Trip Planner App
  • Discover Road Trips
  • Events
  • Travel Guides
  • How It Works
  • My Trips
  • Community Groups

Company

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Support
  • Contact Us
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

© 2026 Plan Your Road Trips. All rights reserved.

•[email protected]
Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence