Gunma Access Guide*All times are approximate.

Ueno
Station(Tokyo)

Ueno
Station(Tokyo)

Ueno
Station(Tokyo)

Tokyo
Station(Tokyo)

Tokyo
Station(Tokyo)

Tokyo
Station(Tokyo)

2 hr 20 min
JR Limited ExpressKusatsu-Shima

2 hr
JR Limited Express
Kusatsu-Shima

1 hr 40 min
JR Limited Express
Kusatsu-Shima

1 hr 10 min
JR Joetsu
Shinkansen

1 hr 10 min
JR Joetsu
Shinkansen

NaganoharaKusatsuguchi
Station25 minNakanojo
Station15 minShibukawa
StationJomo-Kogen
StationJomo-Kogen
Station50 min
JR Joetsu /Hokuriku Shinkansen

25 minBusTakasaki
StationBusKusatsu
Onsen
Bus
Terinal

5 min
Yubatake
Walk

Lake Shima

Bus25 minBus45 min
BusNumataStation20 minBusVisitGunma
GUNMA
OFFICIAL TOURISTGUIDEIshidangaiguchi
Bus Stop

Tanigawadake
RopewayStation

1 hr 25 min

35 minOze Tokura

BusShorinzan
IriguchiBus StopBus

5 min
Walk

Hatomachitoge
PassShorinzan
DarumajiTempleKusatsu Onsen
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Instagram

YouTubeOfficial Website

Bathedin Beauty
Welcome to Gunma

Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku

Lake Shima

Explore the natural beauty of Gunma, renowned for its hotsprings, mountain scenery, and outdoor adventures. Gunma isa year-round destination with onsen towns, world-class snow
resorts, whitewater rafting, canoeing, canyoning, andspectacular hiking trails. Experience Japanese bathing culture,
traditional festivals, local cuisine, and authentic crafts, within
an hour of Tokyo.

Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski ResortWatarase Keikoku Railway

NIIGATA

Where isGunma?

Yuzawa2
Minakami

1
Kusatsu

5Oze

Nikko

3ShimaTOCHIGI

4
Kanazawa

YuzawaNagoya

Nikko

Ikaho

Karuizawa

6Gunma Gateway

Tokyo
Karuizawa
OsakaNAGANO

Gunma is north of Tokyo and is easily accessibleby train and bus. The Joetsu and Hokuriku
Shinkansen lines connect Tokyo to Takasaki,Gunma's transport gateway, in under an hour.
You can wake up in Tokyo and be skiing in themountains or relaxing in an onsen bath inGunma before lunch.

YAMANASHIIndex

Relaxation
P.5-6

Nature&Outdoors
P.7-8
3

SAITAMA

1

Main
Destinations

Kusatsu P.9

2

Minakami P.10

TOKYO

3

Shima P.11

4

Ikaho P.12

5Oze P.13

6

Gunma Gateway P.14
4

Relaxation
Gunma is the ideal destination for relaxation. Bathe in natural hot
springs and bask in the natural beauty of your surroundings.
Gunma's abundant, mineral-rich hot springs make it Japan's
premier destination for onsen bathing. From large onsen towns
like Kusatsu and Ikaho to more secluded spots like Hoshi Onsen,
there's much to explore. Relax in historical wooden bathhouses,
enjoy open-air bathing, or savor a private onsen experience ata traditional inn.

1 Kusatsu

2 Minakami
3 Shima

1 Kusatsu

Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan's most famous onsen resorts,
has a rich bathing tradition. Mineral-rich spring water
gushes from Yubatake, a hot spring field in the town
center, feeding the many indoor and outdoor baths.

4 Ikaho

2 Minakami

2 Minakami

3 Shima

4 Ikaho

Hoshi Onsen Chojukan

Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku

Shima Onsen

Ikaho Onsen

This beautiful heritage inn is located in Joshin'etsukogen
National Park, surrounded by nature. The peacefulatmosphere and historical baths have long attracted
artists and writers to this 140-year-old haven.

High in the mountains, Takaragawa Onsen has been arevered healing retreat since ancient times. Unwind in theindoor and outdoor onsen baths that line the riverbanks,
immersing yourself in the changing seasons.

This charming town is known for its mineral-rich onsen
water and the beautiful blue color of Lake Shima. Indulge inoutdoor baths at Shima Seiryu no Yu, and explore thenearby rivers, lakes, and mountains.

Ikaho Onsen is a historic hot spring town located halfway
up Mt. Haruna. Its main attraction is a 300-meter-longstone stairway lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, andtraditional inns.

Narita Airport

56

3 Shima

5 Oze

1 Kusatsu

6 Gunma Gateway

Lake Shima

Oze National Park

Yoshigadaira Wetlands

The intense cobalt color of Lake Shima is due to the clarityof the Shima River water. Explore the lake by canoe andenjoy the striking contrast between the blue lake and thesurrounding forest.

Oze National Park is a beautiful hiking destination in themountains of northern Gunma. Elevated boardwalks protect
the marshland, which formed during an ice age around
10,000 years ago.

The Yoshigadaira Wetlands in Joshin'etsukogen National
Park are covered with Erman's birch trees and dotted withmirror-like ponds. In fall the birch leaves turn an intense
golden yellow, delighting hikers.

Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura
Cherry Blossom Festival
Each spring, more than 1,000 cherry trees bloom along a
stretch of road near the base of Mt. Akagi. Food stalls andevents create a vibrant atmosphere, and the blossoms are
illuminated at night.

5 Oze
2 Minakami
3 Shima
1 Kusatsu

Nature&Outdoors

6 Gunma Gateway

Experience the natural beauty of Gunma in every season. Hike
mountain trails, paddle in crystal-clear waters, and explore
protected wetlands.
Gunma's imposing peaks, dramatic gorges, and spectacularlakes are a haven for outdoor activities. Enjoy hiking, rafting,and canoeing in the warmer months, or skiing andsnowboarding in winter. Experience the changing colors of theseasons, from pink spring blooms and lush summer greens ofsummer to vibrant fall foliage and winter whites.

2 Minakami

Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort
Explore the legendary backcountry and side-country
terrain at this resort on Mt. Tanigawa. With high-quality
natural snow, Tenjindaira is a favorite winter getaway forskiers and snowboarders of all levels.

78Kusatsu Onsen
This picturesque town is one of Japan’ s best-known hot
spring destinations. Try the public hot springs, including
traditional baths like Gozanoyu and Otakinoyu, andSainokawara Open-Air Bath.

1 Kusatsu

Kusatsu

Mt. Tanigawa
Mt. Tanigawa is a popular hiking
destination in warmer months and abackcountry ski spot in winter.

Rafting in Minakami

Takaragawa
Onsen Osenkaku

The Tone River is one of Japan's
premier whitewater rafting
destinations. Navigate the exhilarating
rapids with expert guides on half or
full-day courses.

High in the mountains, Takaragawa
Onsen has been a revered healingretreat since ancient times. Unwind in
the indoor and outdoor onsen baths
along the riverbanks.

Minakami
Minakami is a leading destination for outdoor adventure. Experience world-class skiing,
whitewater rafting, and mountain hiking. The town has plentiful natural hot springs,
including the riverside baths at Takaragawa Onsen, one of Japan's most scenic bathing
spots. Minakami is also renowned for its crafts, which you can experience throughworkshops and activities at Takuminosato.

2 Minakami

This famous hot spring area is steeped in tradition. The heart of the town is Yubatake, agushing hot spring water field. Watch the centuries-old practice of yumomi, using wooden
paddles to stir and cool onsen water. Hike the spectacular mountains and nature trails
around Kusatsu or, in winter, take to the ski slopes.

9Netsunoyu

Yoshigadaira Wetlands

Manza Onsen

The water at Kusatsu Onsen is too hotfor bathing, so it is cooled at
Netsunoyu by stirring with wooden
paddles. This method, known as
yumomi, is accompanied by folk songs
as a public show.

These protected wetlands are home toa variety of endangered species,
including ospreys, Japanese blacksalamanders, and rare mosses andalgae.

Manza Onsen has some of thehighest-altitude hot springs in Japanand is popular for skiing in winter.

Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort
With high-quality natural snow, Tenjindaira is a favorite
winter getaway for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
10

ShimaMt.Haruna

Ikaho Open-Air BathKajika Bridge

Mt. Haruna (1,449 m) has popular hiking
trails that lead around a large caldera
lake and to the summit. On a clear day,you can see Mt. Fuji to the south.

Indulge in a refreshing bath at thispublic hot spring, fed by the iron-richwaters of the Kogane no Yu "golden"
spring.

Near the top of Ikaho Onsen's iconicstone steps, this vermilion bridge is abeautiful spot to appreciate theseasonal scenery.

Shima is a secluded retreat that exudes an old-world Japanese charm. Unwind at Shima
Seiryu no Yu, a public onsen with scenic open-air baths with panoramic views of thesurrounding mountains and the Shima River. Kayak across the bright blue water of Lake
Shima and see the waterfalls of the Shima River.

Ikaho
On the eastern slopes of Mt. Haruna, Ikaho has a traditional onsen town known for its stone
stairway lined with shops, restaurants, and traditional inns. Beyond the famous hot springs,
there are many local hiking trails and scenic sites such as Lake Haruna.

Lake Shima
Lake Shima is famed for its cobalt-blue water. It is a
popular destination for canoeing and kayaking, withbeautiful forested shores.

4 Ikaho

3 Shima

Shima Onsen

Shima Potholes

Shima Seiryu no Yu

Nestled in the mountains of northern
Gunma, Shima Onsen has over 40 hot
springs that supply the town's
charming traditional inns.

The eight smooth pools in the riverbedof the Shima River were formed bythousands of years of erosion.

This public bath at Shima Onsen
combines the main attractions of
Shima: mineral-rich onsen water andgorgeous natural scenery.

Ikaho Onsen
The ancient onsen town is located on the slopes of Mt.
Haruna, and is known for its iron-rich “golden water,” andclear “silver water.”

1112

Oze National Park

5Oze

A stunning hiking destination during the warmer months,
the marshlands are adorned with white skunk cabbage
flowers in spring and yellow daylilies in summer.

Akagi Nanmen
Senbonzakura
Cherry Blossom Festival

Tomioka Silk MillRinkokaku

Each spring, approximately 1,000
cherry trees bloom near the base of Mt.
Akagi. Food stalls and evening
illuminations create a vibrantatmosphere.

Established in 1872, the factory playeda crucial role in Japan'smodernization during the Meiji era(1868–1912). It is a UNESCO World
Heritage site.

Three elegant wooden buildingsin Maebashi once served as astate guest house for VIPs. Themain building was constructed in1884.

Gunma Gateway
Takasaki, Tomioka, and Maebashi are cities in southern Gunma within easy reach of Tokyo.
Takasaki Station is less than an hour from Tokyo on the Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen. These
cultural hubs are great bases for exploring the prefecture and providing connections to its
more remote reaches.

OzeGunma Gateway
6Oze is a national park in northern Gunma known for its beautiful marshlands, which formed
during the ice age around 10,000 years ago. Some of the original plant species from that
period continue to flourish. Elevated boardwalks make hiking around Ozegahara Marsh andOzenuma Pond easy and enjoyable.

Shorinzan Darumaji Temple
The temple was built in 1697 and is believed to be thebirthplace of Japanese daruma, which are symbols ofperseverance and good luck.

13Lake Sugenuma

Fukiware no Taki Falls

Kawaba Onsen

The lake is one of the clearest in Japanand is perfect for exploring by canoe.

The waterfalls in Katashina Gorge are
7 meters high and 30 meters wide. A
nearby suspension bridge provides avantage point to view the falls fromabove.

Unwind at a charming rural onsen
village with easy access to Kawaba Ski
Resort. There are five natural springsin the village which supply the onsen.
14