Northern part of Gunma

In Northern part of Gunma, there are a lot of famous Onsen (hot spring), e.g. Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima, Manza, and it is rich in nature e.g. Oze, Tanigawa-dake, Fukiwarino-taki.

Torihei

Torihei serves several Japanese-style chicken dishes, including its signature bento box, and has many branches throughout Gunma. Torihei is popular among local people.

Opening hours: 11:00-21:30

Pricing: from ¥800 set meal

Take Out (Bento Box) is available.

https://www.torihei.co.jp/

Tanigawadake (mountain)

Tanigawadake is one of the most popular mountains for climbers.

After a 10-minute ropeway ride from Doaiguchi Station at the foot of the mountain, take the lift to Tenjin Pass. From Tenjin Pass, it takes about two and a half hours of walking along the ridge to reach the summit.

At the foot of the mountain there are gentle paths and you can enjoy walking with nice views of the valley and mountain streams.

http://www.tanigawadake-rw.com/tanigawadake/

Tambara Shitsugen (wetlands)

Tambara Shitsugen is known as “Little Oze”, where visitors can observe marshland plants in each of the four seasons.
It takes about two hours to get there from the center of Tokyo, and the main pathway begins near the parking lot and takes about one hour to walk, so it can be enjoyed by all ages. If you walk a little further, you will come to “Beech Flat”, a forest of giant beech trees.

https://www.numata-kankou.jp/activity/nature/tanbara_shitsugen/index.html

Hōshi Onsen

Hōshi Onsen is a traditional hot spring in the mountains of Minakami. There are three baths, the largest of which is for mixed bathing. The onsen is of the type known as “hitou”, a Japanese term meaning “secret hot spring”.

One-day hot spring and lunch is available.

http://www.hoshi-onsen.com/

Ikeda Miho

Tsukiyono-machi-born artist Miho Ikeda graduated with a masters degree from Tokyo Gakugei University in 2003. The following year she moved to Italy, where she studied fine art and sculpture at The Academy of Carrara. Miho remained in Italy for 17 years, refining her woodcut printing technique before returning home to Gunma in 2021.

In 2021 Ikeda set up Studio Miho in Numata, North Gunma, where she recently became the city’s first Ambassador of Art. As well as her prints, Miho specializes in acrylic painting and illustration.

http://ikedamiho.com/

Bouun

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.

https://www.hotelboun.com/

Tamaruya

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