Takasaki is Gunma’s largest city, conveniently located in the centre of Honshu, and served by a number of expressways and shinkansen lines. Popular Takasaki tourist destinations include Shorinzan Daruma-ji temple, Kannonyama with its Byakui statue, and Mount Haruna with its nearby shrine.
Takasaki sightseeing brochure:
http://www.takasaki-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/en_pamphlet01-28.pdf
Monte DORAGO sells a wide variety of cheeses imported weekly from France and Italy, such as Camembert, Roquefort, Parmigiano, Mozzarella, etc. The owners explain many ways to prepare cheese dishes, and make recommendations based on your favourite cheeses. Tasting is also available.
Opening hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Kannonyama Family Park is a huge area where kids can enjoy riding on the long slider and jumping on the “fuwa-fuwa” domes. Adults can enjoy 1 – 1.5 hour walking trails in the south of the park. Playing with the water fountain is a lot of fun in Summer.
HYGGE TIMES is the park’s cafe, serving drinks and light meals, such as soups, pita sandwiches, and cakes.
No admission/parking fee
https://www.instagram.com/hyggetimes.jp/
Sobakkui is located near Seisuiji in the Kannonyama area, where you can enjoy a nice view over Takasaki city. It serves authentic handmade soba noodles on handmade ceramic art plates.
Opening hours: 11:30-15:00 (Lunch) / 18:00- (Dinner Only when reserved)
Closed on Tuesdays and every fourth Wednesday
Pricing: from ¥750 Soba Plate
Warmth is a recently opened, stylishly rustic coffee shop that offers a wide variety of beans for all tastes, along with baked goods (e.g. muffins, pound cake etc.) and a turntable playing the staff’s musical picks. Beans and associated coffee making products are also available to buy.
Opening hours: 12:00-19:00 Wed. Thu. Fri. / 10:00 – 18:00 Sat. Sun.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Take Out is available.
https://www.instagram.com/warmth_takasaki/
Near Byakui Kannon statue there is a long-running family business that, as well as traditional daruma, geta sandals, chopsticks and wood crafts, sells a wide range of hand-made baskets and bags. Their raw materials include bamboo, mountain grapevines, and rattan. Prices for the bags are high, but would be considerably higher at a department store. It is fun to browse the variety of crafts in this charmingly cluttered old shop.
Opening hours: 11:00-17:00
Tel: 027 ( 322 ) 6599
Website: N/A
Gunma Herbs has two restaurants in Takasaki; its established Yachiyo-machi location and the recently opened, more central Miyamoto-cho branch which is just 700m from Takasaki station, opposite the well known Suzuran department store.
The restaurants serve a wide range of authentic Indian dishes, and can accommodate less adventurous guests (e.g. fussy children) with pasta and hamburgers. Prices are very reasonable and the menu includes vegetarian-friendly selections. Most dishes include dairy ingredients however, so vegans should enquire before ordering.
The larger Yachiyo-machi branch offers three seating options (tatami, raised tatami and conventional chairs and tables).
Opening hours: 11:00-15:00(Lunch) 17:00-22:00(Dinner)
Closed on Wednesdays (Yachiyo-machi) / Saturdays (Miyamoto-cho)
Pricing: from ¥780 Lunch Set
https://www.dan-b.com/gunmaherbs1/
https://tabelog.com/gunma/A1001/A100102/10022609/
This original shop sells handmade, organic, and natural goods, including cosmetics, fair-trade clothes, snacks, and accessories. The owner is committed to non-chemical products. Hand-dripped coffee and the store’s own organic coffee beans are also available for purchase.
Opening hours: 11:00-19:00
Holidays vary, check the website before traveling.
A small, tucked away cafe converted from an empty house. It serves a delicious selection of home-made cakes, scones, muffins, sandwiches, and tantalizing desserts.
Holidays vary, check the website before traveling.
Pricing: from ¥200 per scone
Take Out is available.
https://www.instagram.com/cafe_tonaka/
A spacious, trendy restaurant serving health-conscious, part-organic food in a relaxed atmosphere. The lunch menu includes a vegetarian dish.
Opening hours: 11:00-22:30 (LO.21:30)
Closed on Tuesdays
Pricing: ¥990 Lunch Plate
https://www.sally-restaurant.com/
Itoya Coffee Takasaki serves coffee and sweets and sells coffee beans and coffee related goods in a renovated old pharmacy building.
Itoya has other cafes in Kiryu-city.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Pricing: from ¥400 Coffee
Take Out (Coffee) is available.
