Isesaki has a population of about 209,000 as compared to Springfield's 156,000. Isesaki's population has been increasing each year, and the City is now the fifth largest in the Gunma Prefecture. The City is located in a flat area at the center of the Japanese island, 100 km from Tokyo. There are seven ponds as well as numerous branches of three rivers, the Hirose River, the Kasu River, and the Tone River. In Winter, the seasonal wind called "Karakkaze" blows, but the weather is otherwise comparatively mild throughout the year.