Visit Gunma prefecture: Onsen in north of Tokyo - Pocket guide

2019年 07月04日


Overview of Gunma prefecture

The prefecture of Gunma is located in the centre of the wide region of Kanto, only 1 hour by Shinkansen in the north of Tokyo. Situated in the heart of the high mountains and surrounded by numerous volcanos, you will find the fresh air in this prefecture which is very accessible to go.

Places not to be missed

  • The city of Kusatsu, is well known as one of the famous location of "onsen" in Gunma, but also in whole Japan. Situated in the west part of the prefecture, this city provides many public onsen from the Mt. Shirane located only several kilometres. 

  • The Fukiware waterfall, called Fukiware no taki in Japanese, was born by the eruption of the volcano long time ago. Today, the waterfall is 7m of height and 30m of width gives the breathtaking spectacular.

  • The Chatsubomi moss park is located in the centre of the prefecture. You will find the moss invades all over the park. There is a kind of magical atmosphere as there is a mixing of the mists and small cascades are produced regularly.


   
Kusatsu onsen                                   Fukiware no taki

 
 Moss park

Events / festivals

  • The fireworks of Mt. Akagi-Yama, when the summer arrives, a big festival is organized in Mt. Akagi. Hundreds of lanterns are floated in the lake and for the ending of the event, the fireworks start in the fields.

  • The festival of Numata, called Numata matsuri is the festival of the huge masks of several metres height are carried to the shrine surrounded by 1000 dancers.

The fireworks on the lake


Culinary Specialties

  • Tsukemono, means "pickled things" are the small accompaniments generally eaten with rice, with drinks or as garnish of several dishes, in particular in the gastronomic cuisine "Kaiseki". 

  • The mizuwara udon, is a type of udon very common in Gunma. Prepared with the ingredients originating only from Gunma, the mizuwara udon is one of the most eaten dishes in the region.

  • The konnyaku (Konjac) : is a geratinous paste made by water and konjac flour and it has very low calories, so that it is very appreciated for the diet. 


   
Tsukemono                                                              Udon

 
​​​​​Konnyaku


Activities to do

  • The traditional dance yumomi: Many times per day, in the city of Kusatsu, this unique dance is performed. It is danced for cooling the water (at the beginning, it is 90°C), so in order to make it possible to bathe in the water, the bathwater is stirred with long planks by singing and by dancing in traditionnal way.

  • Paint an original daruma is an interesting and pleasant experience. The daruma is a little figurine made by paper-mâché in a rounded form representing a Buddhist monk. In the Japanese culture, the daruma is a lucky charm brings the prosperity.

  

Yumomi                                                     Daruma



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