Gunma Trip Tips

History

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), many private silk mills were established here in Gunma, including the Tomioka Silk Mill, and the sericulture industry developed. Sericultural techniques evolved, and the area attracted attention as a raw silk production center. The “Tomioka Silk Mill and Silk Industrial Heritage” contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan’s silk industry and is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. The Gunma silk and textile industry was also facilitated by the construction of railroads, and the opening of the Takasaki and Ryomo lines contributed to its development. registered in 2014, this world cultural heritage site focuses on the technological innovations that made possible the mass production of raw silk and international technological exchange.

Culture

One of Gunma Prefecture’s traditional crafts is the Takasaki Daruma, which has a history of more than 200 years. It features a face with a picture of a crane and a turtle, and is popularly known as a “lucky daruma. There are also a variety of other traditional crafts, including textiles, woodwork, bamboo and metalwork, ceramics, glassware, Japanese paper, devil tiles, Daruma dolls, and creative Kokeshi dolls, and efforts are being made to train successors.

Gunma Prefecture’s climate and soil are well suited for wheat cultivation, and local gourmet foods made from flour such as udon, yaki manju, pasta, yakisoba, and monja are well-loved. Another attraction is the availability of fresh and delicious vegetables and meat at affordable prices.

Gunma Prefecture is also one of Japan’s leading hot spring destinations, with more than 100 hot spring resorts. Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shiman, Manza, and many others boast unique hot springs.

Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is characterized by its highly acidic spring water and has a long history as a therapeutic hot spring. It is particularly famous for its “jikan-yu,” or high-temperature hot spring baths, where a large amount of hot spring water gushes out naturally over a short period of time. The hot water from the Yubatake source is highly acidic, with a pH of 2.1. This highly acidic hot spring has a strong bactericidal effect and is good for skin diseases and neuralgia. Kusatsu Onsen boasts the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan, and the hot spring water is free-flowing and highly effective in sterilizing and warming the body. The hot spring resort area is known for its restaurants and lively nightlife.

Kusatsu Onsen Portal Site  

Ikaho Onsen

There are two distinctive hot springs in Ikaho Onsen: “Golden Hot Spring” and “Silver Hot Spring. These hot waters, which are mild and gentle to the skin, have attracted many people to the area for recuperation and relaxation. Ikaho Onsen is also mentioned in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest anthology of waka poems. This anthology contains nine poems about Ikaho, indicating the antiquity and deep history of the hot spring resort.

Shibukawa Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association  

Kusatsu-Shirane volcano

Kusatsu-Shirane volcano is located on the border between Gunma and Nagano prefectures, and is much visited by tourists for seasonal sightseeing, mountain climbing, and skiing in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. This volcano is one of the most active in Japan, with 13 eruptions recorded since 1805 until 1982. Kusatsu-Shiranesan is the collective name for the mountains that include Shiranesan, Hon-Shiranesan, and Aenomine, and there are several craters near the summit. The largest, Yugama, in particular, is known for its diameter of about 300 meters and depth of about 30 meters. However, Hon-Shiranesan erupted in 2018, and as of 2023, the Yugama and the surrounding walking trails are off-limits due to mountain entry restrictions.

Kusatsu Onsen Portal Site  

Sai-no-Kawahara Park

Sai-no-Kawahara Park, a short distance from Yubatake, boasts 500 square meters of open-air baths and footbaths, and is a popular spot for strolling, visiting shrines, and enjoying nighttime lighting. Sai-no-Kawahara actually means “the riverbank of the Sai. Sai no Kawahara” refers to the riverbank where children who die before their parents are said to go. There is an old Japanese tale about a child who tries to build a pagoda by piling up pebbles to make a memorial service for his parents, but is constantly crushed by demons. However, please be assured that this is not a scary place where demons appear. It is just an old legend. The park’s fountainhead has a temperature of 44.9 °C and a PH of 2.1. The water is clear, similar to the fountainhead at Yubatake, and has a moderate gush rate of 1,073 liters per minute.

Kusatsu Onsen – Sai-no-Kawahara Open-air Bath  

Oze National Park

Oze National Park is a newly created national park created by dividing part of Nikko National Park, and spans the four prefectures of Gunma, Fukushima, Tochigi, and Niigata. Ozegahara, Oze swamp, and the summit of Hiuchidake Mountain are designated as national special natural monuments. The area is an alpine region with unique topography and weather, and is home to more than 900 plants and a wide variety of animals. Oze is also of great academic value and is strictly protected as a special protected area of a national park, a special natural monument of cultural heritage, and a Ramsar Convention wetland.

Oze National Park  

Kawaba Denen Plaza

Kawaba Denen Plaza is located in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, and is a collection of local attractions. Surrounded by nature, the spacious grounds include a farmer’s market where you can buy fresh vegetables and fruits, a restaurant using local ingredients, a bakery, and a pizza house, as well as playground equipment for children and a little children’s slope. Located at the foot of Mt. Muson, this town site offers a full day of fun and an abundance of delicious local food.

Denen Plaza Kawaba  

Okirikomi

Okirikomi is a traditional Gunma Prefecture dish consisting of a wide range of noodles made of wheat and stewed with local vegetables and mushrooms. It is said that the name comes from the process of “cutting” into the noodle dough with a knife. Gunma Prefecture is a flour-growing area, and the dish developed using the local wheat and vegetables; in 2014, it was adopted as an intangible folk cultural asset as “Gunma’s Flour Food Culture, Okirikomi,” and has been carefully passed down as part of the local food culture.

Suiton

Suiton is a traditional dish of Gunma Prefecture, a warm soup eaten during the cold season. Dough made from kneaded flour is torn or rolled by hand, placed in the soup, and stewed with daikon radish, carrots, pork, and potatoes. There are different names and ingredients used depending on the region. In Ota City, rice flour is commonly used and is called “tochanage soup. In Fujioka City, wheat flour is used and has its own name, “tochanage-jiru. There are many other names and variations, and each region has formed its own unique culture.

Mizusawa udon

Mizusawa udon is known as one of the three best udon in Japan, along with Inaniwa udon in Akita and Sanuki udon in Kagawa. These udon noodles are made with wheat, pure water, and salt, and are characterized by their clear gloss and smooth texture. The noodles are slightly thicker, white and transparent, with a slippery texture and strong firmness. Generally, it is served cold as zaru udon, and the style of serving varies from store to store, such as soy sauce or sesame sauce. Try the Mizusawa udon while enjoying the differences between stores.

Himokawa udon

Himokawa udon is a traditional dish of Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, characterized by its wide noodle and sticky texture. These udon noodles are made using high-quality wheat from Gunma and water from the clear Kiryu River. Using water from the Kiryu River, these authentic handmade udon noodles are matured for a long time and carefully cut by hand, one by one with a knife. Compared to regular udon, string noodles are wider and flatter in shape. The width of the noodle varies from store to store, ranging from 5.0 mm to over 15 cm. Because they are so much wider than the udon noodles we usually eat, they are a very flavorful and special experience.

Yaki Manju

Yaki Manju, a specialty of Gunma Prefecture, is a B-class gourmet dish made by baking a plain manju with no filling, coated with a sweet and spicy miso sauce. It is a food unique to Gunma Prefecture and was once a local delicacy, but has become popular in other prefectures as a tourist attraction. Each store uses a different miso paste and secret sauce, and visitors can enjoy comparing tastes. Yakimanjyu (grilled manju) is a specialty unique to Gunma and can only be enjoyed in the prefecture.

Winter sports

Ski resorts located in Gunma Prefecture are popular for their easy access from central Tokyo and abundant snowfall. Kusatsu International Ski Resort, Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort, Tanbara Ski Park, and Kawaba Ski Resort are particularly famous and can be enjoyed including day trips and overnight stays. Of these ski resorts that the author has visited, Kusatsu International Ski Resort is a particular favorite, with its 8-km long runs and spots with the smell of hot springs along the way, making it a very varied ski slope. In addition, the proximity of the Kusatsu Onsen resort allows skiers to relax in the hot springs after skiing before heading home, a feature that is highly appreciated. I personally consider Kawaba Ski Resort to be the one with the best park for improving technique.

Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort  

Yumomi

The source of Kusatsu Onsen is extremely hot and usually cannot be bathed in as is. However, if water is added to the spring water, the effects of the hot spring water will be diminished. For this reason, “yumomi” was invented as a way to lower the temperature of the hot spring water while maintaining the benefits of the hot spring water. Yumomi is a method of lowering the temperature of the hot spring water to a certain level by placing a 180-cm board in the source and rubbing it, which has the advantage of softening the water. When performing yumomi, the “Kusatsu Yumomi Uta” is sometimes sung.

Yumomi and Dance Show｜Kusatsu Onsen Atsunoyu  

Public bath

Public bathhouses for enjoying Kusatsu’s out-spa culture are facilities managed and operated by local residents for the use of local people. They are also generally called “communal bathhouses” or “public bathhouses. Some facilities are also open to tourists. Shirohata-no-yu” near Yubatake is the most famous, and “Chiyo-no-yu” and “Jizo-no-yu” also offer hot spring therapy “jikan-yu. However, bathing hours are limited at all public bathhouses, so you must check in advance. Normally, bathing is free, but if you wish to reserve a private bath, advance reservation is required and a fee will be charged.

Manners in public bath

• Greet other guests as they enter and exit the bathroom.
• Towels are not provided, so be sure to bring your own.
• Before soaking in the bathtub, be sure to pour the water over the bathtub to remove perspiration and clean the bathtub.
• When pouring hot water, sit down to avoid splashing hot water.
• When leaving the bathhouse, wipe yourself well first to avoid wetting the floor of the changing room.

None of these are rules, but rather considerations for other customers, and we hope that you will take this opportunity to learn the Japanese spirit.

Shirohata no Yu  

Chiyo no Yu  

Jizo no Yu  

Rafting

The appeal of rafting is the thrill and exhilaration it provides, and going down the rapids while splashing through the water provides the excitement of a roller coaster ride. The Tone River in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, is a spot where rafting can be enjoyed at a nationally high standard. The course used upstream in particular offers a wide variety of attractive points, including rapids in spring due to melting snow and calm waters where visitors can enjoy river sports.

ACTIVITY JAPAN  

Spring

1. Watarase Gorge Railway and Cherry Blossoms
   • Watarase Gorge Railway is a beautiful local railroad that runs along the Watarase River.
   • Especially in spring, cherry blossoms and peach blossoms brightly color the line, making it a spectacular line for cherry blossom viewing.
   • A trolley train also operates, allowing visitors to travel while enjoying the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms and peach blossoms.
2. Cherry blossoms on Akagi Mountain and Senbonzakura
   • Every April, cherry blossoms are at their best at the foot of Mt. Akagi
   • Akagi Minami-Men Senbon-Zakura is a 1.3 km-long cherry blossom tunnel and one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Gunma.
   • The adjacent Miyagi Senbonzakura no Mori (Thousand Cherry Blossoms Forest) is also beautiful and well worth a visit.
3. Yata River Tour (Itakura Town)
   • Itakura-cho is a water town surrounded by rivers, and the “Farewell Boat Yata River Tour” is held in spring and fall.
   • This event is a slow boat ride around the Yata River in a lift boat operated by a 5-meter-long bamboo pole.
   • It is a valuable experience to feel Gunma’s water culture.
4. Tomioka Silk Mill and nighttime cherry blossoms
   • Tomioka Silk Mill was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2014.
   • Buildings that retain the atmosphere of the Meiji era are illuminated by the cherry blossoms at night, creating a beautiful scene.
   • At night, the red brick buildings harmonize with the cherry blossoms, creating a sense of time travel.
5. Kanna Carp Streamer Festival (Kanna Town)
   • Kanna Carp Streamer Festival is held every year in GW at Kannagawa.
   • Visitors can enjoy the powerful sight of approximately 800 carp streamers swimming in the sky.
   • The event is a family-friendly event with local gourmet food and stage shows.

Summer

1. Hakoshima Hotaru-no-Sato
   • The area around Hakoshima Spring has been selected as one of the 100 best springs in Japan and is known as a habitat for fireflies.
   • Fireflies are at their best in mid-June, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of genji botaru and heike botaru performing together.
   • Natural fireflies dance and dance energetically, and the beauty of nature can be enjoyed.
2. Tanigawa-dake and ropeway
   • Tanigawa-dake, located on the border between Gunma and Niigata prefectures, offers beautiful nature in each of the four seasons.
   • The Tanigawadake ropeway offers spectacular views from the sky.
   • June is beautiful with fresh green foliage, and the scenery surrounded by the green of the mountains attracts visitors.
3. Tanbara Lavender Park
   • At the summer-only “Tanbara Lavender Park,” 50,000 lavender plants are in full bloom.
   • Visitors can enjoy lavender soft serve, perfect for hot days, and so popular that more than 60,000 units are sold during the season.
   • You can enjoy a pleasant moment in the rich fragrance and beautiful flower garden.
4. Summer Nature in Oze National Park
   • Summer in Oze is a beautiful season when the flowers of the marshlands, such as cotton grass and Nikkou sedge, are in full bloom.
   • Visitors can enjoy the characteristic flowers of the marsh while feeling the pleasant breeze.
   • Oze has rules for nature conservation, which must be checked on the website or bulletin board before visiting.

Autumn

1. Myogi Shrine
   • Located 10 minutes by cab from Matsuida Station and 15 minutes from Isobe Station, Myogi Shrine is the largest power spot in Gunma Prefecture.
   • It is also a nationally designated important cultural property, creating a sacred atmosphere.
2. Ikaho Onsen
   • Ikaho Onsen, known as one of the three best hot springs in Gunma, is recommended to visit during the chilly season.
   • Visitors can enjoy shopping and dining while ascending the stone steps, and enjoy the atmosphere of a hot spring resort with the Ikaho Shrine and footbaths.
3. Manza Onsen
   • Located halfway up Mt. Shirane at an altitude of 1,800 meters, this is one of the most famous alpine hot springs in the country.
   • In the fall, the entire mountain is covered in autumn leaves, creating a spectacular view. The hot spring is a high-temperature acid sulfur spring and is said to be effective for gastrointestinal, rheumatic, and respiratory diseases.
   • While there are modern hotels, there are also inns that retain the atmosphere of a therapeutic bathhouse.

Winter

1. Kusatsu Onsen
   • Kusatsu Onsen, located in Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture, is one of the “three best hot springs in Japan” and features an abundance of hot water and highly effective hot springs.
   • It is especially attractive during the winter months, when visitors can soak in the source of the cold and enjoy shopping and eating in a way that only a small town can offer.
2. Lake Haruna
   • Lake Haruna, located near the Ikaho Hot Springs in Gunma Prefecture, is a caldera lake at an altitude of 1,100 meters.
   • Visitors can enjoy beautiful seasonal scenery and a variety of leisure activities such as boating and fishing. The lakeside is decorated with cherry blossoms, azaleas, and autumn leaves.
   • In winter, fishing for wakasagi (smelt) on the lake is especially popular, and the lake, created by the eruption of Mount Haruna, is attractive for its seasonal nature.
3. Winter sports
   • There are numerous ski resorts in Gunma Prefecture. Tanbara Ski Park and Marunuma Kogen Ski Area are suitable for beginners. Marunuma Kogen Ski Area is the place for long rides.
   • Kawaba Ski Resort is recommended for intermediate skiers and above because of its courses and parks that take advantage of the complex terrain.
   • Everyone will love Kusatsu Onsen International Ski Resort, whether you are a beginner or an intermediate or advanced skier, whether you are a couple or a family.

Shinkansen

Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to JR Takasaki Station. The trip takes about one hour. If you are heading to Kusatsu, take the JR Azuma Line further from JR Takasaki Station to Naganohara Station, and then take a bus to arrive there in a few dozen minutes.

Joetsu Shinkansen  

Express Bus

Buses to Kusatsu run from major bus terminals such as Shibuya, Basta Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station Bus Terminal. The trip takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 10 minutes. If you have more time, you may be able to take a bus.

Bus Comparison Navi