Many foreign visitors have not heard of Gunma Prefecture 群馬県 , the northernmost prefecture in the Kanto Plain on the main island of Honshu. However, it is an excellent choice for those who enjoy outdoor activities because it is easily accessible from Tokyo, yet boasts untouched natural beauty year-round. From spring flowers to summer greenery to fall colors to winter snow scenes, it draws photographers in every season. The tulips at Gunma Flower Park are spectacular in early spring and there are many top hot spring spas in the volcanically active mountains. Mt. Myogi 妙義山 (Myōgi-san), with unusual rock formations, is considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.
Mt. Miyogi in Gunma Japan (photo: ∞furbychan∞/flickr)
Groups of ancient burial mounds (Kofun) can be found in different places within Gunma prefecture, most notably the major burial mound groups: Hotoda, Shiroishi, and Yawata Burial Mounds. Also, historical shrines and temples such as Myogi Shrine, Haruna Shrine and Serada Toshogu and other historical architecture and cultural treasures can be found in settings not as busy and more serene than other parts of Japan..
Myougi-jinja shrine, Tomioka-shi city Gunma-ken Prefecture, Japan (photo: TANAKA Juuyoh/flickr)
The mountainous Gunma area has many ski resorts as well as attractions that include: Lake Nozori, Hara Museum Arc, Ikaho Sistina Trick Art Museum, Mount Haruna, Kusatsu Alpine-Plant Museum, Kusatsu Hot-Spring Museum, Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, Mount Tanigawa (one of JapaneseSearch.com‘s ‘Top 14 Spots for Autumn Color in Japan‘ and Mount Akagi to name a few. Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort has one of the longest ski runs in Japan and Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉 is not to be missed with its famous spas and ryokans. Gunma Prefecture has more than 200 onsen (hot springs), most notably the four onsen areas, Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, and Shima.
Kusatsu Onsen 草津
Gunma is one of the few landlocked prefectures in Japan, and as a result, it also has lower precipitation than most.
The Treasure Garden, Tatebayashi-shi city, Gunma-ken Prefecture, Japan (photo: TANAKA Juuyoh/flickr)
Traditional industries include horse breeding and sericulture, or raising silk worms. The production of silk was an important part of Gunma’s economy, and Tomioka Silk Mill was the first modern mill in the country, built with Italian and French assistance in the 1870s. Today, the electrical and transportation industries are very strong, with one of the most recognizable being Subaru in Ota city.
Naraya Ryokan – Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma, Japan (photo: Cheo70/flickr)
For more information: http://www.visitgunma.jp/en/ which also has a excellent Access section on how to get to various top spots in Gunma from Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station.
