[Gunma Travel Guide] Set Off on a Luxurious Healing Trip for Adults

Located in the northernmost part of Gunma, the Tone-Numata area is home to scenic spots such as valleys and marshlands, where you can enjoy spectacular seasonal views and outdoor activities.
If you go hiking in Oze National Park, home to the largest highland marsh in Honshu, you will encounter a wide variety of natural scenery, including over 900 kinds of flowers, surrounding mountains, virgin forests, ponds, and waterfalls.
This area is also known for its many hot spring destinations, including Minakami Town, which alone has 18 hot spring areas.
There are also many hidden hot springs, where you can enjoy an extraordinary stay at a ryokan surrounded by abundant nature.

Located in northwestern Gunma, the Agatsuma area is one of the prefecture’s richest regions in terms of hot spring destinations.
Popular hot spring resorts such as Kusatsu Onsen, Shima Onsen, and Manza Onsen are found here, along with many others with their own unique appeal and water qualities.
Kusatsu Onsen is especially popular, boasting not only the highest volume of naturally flowing spring water in Japan but also six different spring sources.
The hot spring town itself is full of things to see, including the Yubatake, where large amounts of hot spring water gush out, and the traditional Yumomi Show, giving visitors many ways to enjoy the area.
Of course, that is not the Agatsuma area’s only attraction.
There are also many distinctive sightseeing spots, such as Agatsuma Gorge, a scenic valley with beautiful gorge views, Onioshidashi Volcanic Park, where you can admire art-like formations created by hardened lava, and Lockheart Castle, which was relocated from Scotland and restored.

The western area of Gunma, stretching across the southwestern part of the prefecture, is home to many historical heritage sites.
Among them, the World Heritage Site Tomioka Silk Mill is one of the must-visit attractions.
It was Japan’s first mechanized silk mill, and it still retains its original appearance from the time it was established.
Obata Castle Town, where traces of an Edo-period castle town remain, is also highly popular. You can feel a distinctly Japanese atmosphere here through samurai residences standing along rows of cherry trees and Rakusan-en, a Japanese garden designated as a place of scenic beauty.
Of course, there are also places here where you can experience Gunma’s deep natural beauty, especially Mount Myogi, one of Japan’s Three Great Unusual Scenic Spots and a famous autumn foliage destination.

In Gunma’s central area, you can enjoy seasonal flowers and fruits in a mild climate.
Of Gunma’s three most famous mountains, two, Mount Akagi and Mount Haruna, are located in the central area.
At Lake Onuma, a caldera lake formed by volcanic eruptions, you can also enjoy activities such as camping and smelt fishing amid beautiful natural surroundings.
There are many places with a calm atmosphere for sightseeing, such as Kakumanbuchi Marsh, where you can see rare alpine plants and marsh plants, Ikaho Onsen, known for its retro hot spring town and autumn leaves, and Kezoji Park, decorated with cherry blossoms and azaleas.

Gunma’s eastern area is industrially active, yet it is also home to many townscapes, historic sites, and ruins that let you feel a sense of history.
Particularly famous are Morinji Temple, which appears in Japanese folktales, Koizumi Inari Shrine, known for the tallest torii gate in Gunma, and Kiryu Shinmachi, a district designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The area around the Watarase River is rich in nature, and you can encounter a variety of landscapes, including Tsutsujigaoka Park, where over 10,000 azalea plants of 100 species bloom.
If you visit the eastern area in autumn, be sure to stop by Houtokuji Temple as well.
More than 100 maple trees are planted in the temple grounds, and you can see the beautiful “floor momiji,” in which the autumn leaves are reflected on the floor.

The first day of this model course starts with a shrine visit.
Experience Gunma’s great outdoors in a gorge, then enjoy one of Japan’s Three Great Hot Springs, Kusatsu Onsen, along with its charming hot spring town.
Soak in a hot spring after a long day of walking and treat yourself to the ultimate relaxation.

On day 2, visit some of Gunma’s popular sightseeing spots that you could not fit in on the first day.
Enjoy a scenic highland drive, then explore Gunma’s local food, a World Heritage Site, and a unique theme park.

Ikaho Onsen has been loved since ancient times, even appearing in the Manyoshu, and is said to have also been cherished by literary figures such as Yumeji Takehisa and Roka Tokutomi.
The symbol of the town is its 365 stone steps, lined on both sides with shops selling crafts and local products.
Another feature of Ikaho Onsen is that two types of spring water flow here: Kogane no Yu and Shirogane no Yu.

Shima Onsen is a hot spring area located in western Gunma, in the Agatsuma area.
It has been loved as a therapeutic hot spring resort since the 700s, and legend says its sacred waters can cure 40,000 illnesses, which is why many people have long visited for healing stays.
The main spring qualities at Shima Onsen, also known as a “beauty bath,” are chloride springs and sulfate springs.
They are said to help with neuralgia, skin problems, stomach ailments, and beautiful skin.
Because it lies within a national park, the surrounding area has clear streams, waterfalls, and lakes, allowing visitors to enjoy not only seasonal scenery but also activities such as canoeing.
The waters of Lake Shima and Oku-Shima Lake shift in color from turquoise blue to cobalt blue and are known as “Shima Blue,” a striking景色 that is especially popular.

Manza Onsen lies at an elevation of 1800 m at the foot of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane in the northwestern part of the prefecture.
As a highland resort area within Joshinetsu National Park, it is an appealing hot spring destination year-round, offering a cool escape in summer and skiing in winter.
Many inns at Manza Onsen have open-air baths with excellent views, so you can enjoy a wonderfully open bathing experience surrounded by the great nature of the national park.

Mizusawa udon is one of Japan’s three great udon varieties and enjoys wide recognition.
Though the noodles are somewhat thin, they have a pleasant bite and firmness, and they go down smoothly.
The glossy, silky texture is a signature characteristic of Mizusawa udon.
Because the flavor and taste of the wheat spread strongly in your mouth, you can truly appreciate the original taste of udon.
The dipping sauce is often soy sauce-based or sesame-based, though it varies by shop.
If you visit Ikaho Onsen, which is as popular as Kusatsu Onsen, be sure to try Mizusawa udon.

Yakimanju is a dish made by skewering manju buns, coating both sides with a rich, sweet miso sauce, and grilling them until lightly charred.
It is common to use plain manju without filling, but some shops also offer yakimanju filled with sweet red bean paste.
The soft texture of the bun and the sweetness of the miso sauce are accented by the fragrant char, making each bite even more appetizing.
It is also perfect for eating on the go, so be sure to try it at least once.

Sauce katsudon is a dish of breaded pork that is deep-fried, dipped in a sweet and savory sauce, and placed on top of rice.
Gunma is a major producer of pork, with over 30 varieties of branded pork.
Because of this, pork dishes are deeply rooted in the local food culture.
Although sauce katsudon was born in this pork-producing region, it is actually said to have originated at an eel restaurant.
It is said that when they used a sauce made by blending Worcestershire sauce into eel sauce, it became popular, and more restaurants began serving dishes with the same sauce.
The combination of the special sauce and the flavor of the pork is excellent.
Try it early in your trip to give yourself energy for exploring more spots.