Bouun is a luxury and traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan) at Kusatsu hot spring (onsen), conveniently located within walking distance of Yubatake and Sainokawarayu. Its bath is clean, large and has good spring quality. Many areas of the hotel are decorated with beautiful flower arrangements.
Daisyo Gokokuji temple was established in 1216 and associated with Keishoin, the mother of the fifth shogun Tsunayoshi. She donated the the temple’s 41 Buddhist statues , whose restoration is currently underway. To date, nine of them have been returned. It has a beautiful traditional Japanese garden that was renovated in the spring of 2021. In a temple hall, there is a contemporary ceiling painting of a dragon.
Opening hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed Tuesday to Thursday
Reservation is necessary on weekdays.
Admission fee:
Kashigi is a quiet and sophisticated restaurant with unique and delicious Japanese cuisine. It is a luxury venue suitable for special occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays, or a business dinner.
Opening hours: 17:00-24:00
Closed on Sundays
Due to the limited number of seats, reservation is recommended.
Pricing: from ¥5,000 for A la carte dinner (w/o tax)
https://www.facebook.com/kashigi.takasaki/
There are a lot of Udon (Japanese noodle) restaurants in Mizusawa, between Ikaho and Shibukawa, of which Tamaruya is among the very best. It is always crowded, especially at Autumn leaf changing time. However, seats are plentiful and you won’t need to wait long. English menu is available.
Opening hours: 9:00-15:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Pricing: from ¥1,000
http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~tamaruya/menu.html
Awatama serves completely vegan course meals. All dishes are made with naturally grown, pesticide-free vegetables and organic, non-refined ingredients. The full course can be amended to accommodate most allergies. The calm and comfortable restaurant is made of wood and has a wood-burning stove.
Opening hours: 11:30-15:00 17:00-22:00
Reservation is mandatory and accepted up to 17:00 of the day before
Pricing: from ¥3,800 Course meal (w/o tax)
Mahaloha’s meals are 100% Vegan. They use only plant-based ingredients to provide delicious, healthy, and ethical food and sweets. They aim to be a restaurant that is kind to people, the environment, and animals.
Opening hours: 11:00-17:00 (Last Order 15:00)
Closed from Mondays to Thursdays
Due to the limited number of seats, reservation is recommended.
Pricing: ¥1,300 Lunch Plate
https://ameblo.jp/mahalohavegetablecafe/
Gallery Art G opened in 1995 in Iwaoshi-machi, before moving to its present Shigoka-machi location in 2002.
The gallery specializes in print works, particularly woodcut prints and etchings, regularly showcasing works by popular Gunma artists Junko Nagano, Miho Ikeda and Miho Takahashi.
One feature of the venue’s original architecture is its windows, included at the request of gallerist Yoriko Denda, making it more welcoming and less oppressive than some galleries.
Gallery Art G holds an average of seven exhibitions per year, but is closed mid-summer and mid-winter, so check the website for their current schedule.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 on exhibition days
No admission fee
http://www.gallery-artg.com/index.html
Baimai is a small curry restaurant, situated in Moto-machi, Takasaki city, 20 minutes walk from Takasaki Station. It serves Thai curry and spice curry plates. Sometimes vegan curry is available. Check the website for this week’s menu.
Opening hours: 11:00-15:00 (Last Order 14:30)
Schedule varies. Check the website for updates.
Pricing: from ¥1,200 Curry Plate
Take Out (Bento Box) is available.
https://www.facebook.com/baimai88/
There are 3 Katsutetsu restaurants, 2 in Takasaki and 1 in Fujioka. Katsutetu serves set meals with Tonkatsu (Fried Pork in breadcrumbs), rice, miso soup and shredded cabbage. The rice, soup and cabbage can be replenished free of charge. Suitable for family dining.
Opening hours: 11:00-22:00
Closed on 12/31, 1/1
Pricing: from ¥1,500 set meal
Take Out (Bento Box) is available.
https://www.gunlabo.net/shop/?q=%E3%81%8B%E3%81%A4%E5%93%B2#search-result
Kurashiya is a small, traditional private home cafe run by a chemical-sensitive woman. Lunch is traditional Japanese home made food, that’s healthy and can be made vegan-friendly. The restaurant opens only on Wednesdays, and diners are subject to a number of conditions, see below .
Opening hours: 12:00-18:00
Closed from Thursday to Tuesday
Reservation is required for lunch two days in advance.
Pricing: ¥1,500 Lunch Plate
IMPORTANT!
The cafe is a chemical-free space. Please refrain from using synthetic detergents, fabric softeners, fragrances. In addtion, customers are requested not to visit if they have had a perm or dyed their hair within the past two weeks. The owner reserves the right to refuse admission. The cafe is also a “digital detox area”. There is no wi-fi. Please turn off your cell phone before entering the cafe.
The owner doesn’t speak English. Please visit together with a Japanese speaker.
