Obata is located in south of Gunma prefecture and a part of Kanra Town.
The base of the castle town was built by Oda Nobukatsu, the son of Nobunaga. He and his descendants until 7th generation ruled Obata for 150 years. The canals, Samurai houses and the garden which all made by them are still remaining in the great conditions.
Ogawa Canal is chosen as one of 100 best water in Japan, and has many old Edo Style buildings. In Spring, it covered with beautiful cherry blossoms.
Rakusanen-garden was used to be Honmaru, the main bailey, of Obata Castle. The back garden was built by Oda Nobukatsu. When he built this garden, he hired the designer from Kyoto. Houses around this garden are in the ruins of Obata Castle, therefore the allocation of the houses are exactly the same as the castle.