 Modern Shibukawa town was created in Nishigunma District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration.In 1896, Nishiguma District and Kataoka District merged to form Gunma District, Gunma; however, the area containing Shibukawa was separated out in October 1949 into Kitagunma District.On April 1, 1954, Shibukawa absorbed the villages of Furumaki, Kanashima and Toyoaki to become the city of Shibukawa.