From Urban Culture to Natural Wonders: Explore Tokyo and Gunma in 4 days
Gunma Prefecture offers the perfect balance of adventure and tranquility in the great outdoors, being home of one of Japan's most celebrated hot springs, the renowned Kusatsu Onsen, as well as breathtaking mountain landscapes like Mt. Tanigawa, which offer thrilling outdoor activities such as water rafting and ziplining.
We encourage you to spend a day immersing yourself in arts and traditional culture in Tokyo, and then move to Gunma Prefecture to enjoy all the local natural treasures the prefecture has to offer, for the perfect 4-day trip to discover a deeper side of urban and rural Japan.
Day 1: Art and culture in Tokyo
Starting off the adventure with a day in Tokyo, we recommend lunch at a kaiseki-style traditional vegetarian lunch, known as "shojin ryori," at Daigo in Minato ward. Established in 1950, the restaurant is housed in a sukiya-style building at the foot of Atago Mountain.
After being led to a horigotatsu (a sunken floor table) overlooking a Japanese garden by a kimono-clad attendant, you will dine on a light and refreshing meal of seasonal vegetarian ingredients. Savoring a thoughtfully prepared meal in such a tranquil and authentic setting is one of the main appeals of the dining experience at Daigo.
Continuing your culture and arts experience in Tokyo, next head to Shinohara Furin Honpo to craft your very own "Edo Wind Chime" (furin), in this factory founded in 1915 which has been creating wind chimes for over 100 years using traditional methods passed down since the Edo period.
You can choose designs to paint on your wind chime, such as Japanese pine tree (matsu), or other traditional designs. This fun workshop is even popular with the locals as well, and you can look forward to making your very own souvenir with unique traditional Japanese charm!
Finally, arrive at the distinctive art hotel, PARK HOTEL TOKYO, where a wide variety of art pieces featuring different Japanese aesthetics are showcased throughout the hotel, allowing you to fully appreciate the subtle beauty and power of Japanese culture. Over 90% of the guests are international travelers, and the hotel offers extensive multilingual support to ensure a comfortable stay. When you arrive at your room, you'll be transported to another world by the exquisitely decorated walls and luxurious furniture. Have a rest in this unparalleled art hotel, and get ready for a day of local charms and adventures in Gunma Prefecture.
Day 2: Thrills and delicious food in Gunma
On Day Two, in just two hours by train and bus you can arrive at Mt. Tanigawa, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Midway up the mountain is a spot called Tanigawadake Joch, a true paradise in the sky that's easily reached by a combination of ropeway and lift.
You can begin your journey with an exhilarating electric bike ride through Ichinokurasawa at the foot of the mountain, taking in the fresh air and majestic nature. Next take the ropeway straight up to an elevation of 1,500 meters, where a 360-degree panoramic view awaits. The snowy landscapes are spectacular, and the summer green season is also highly recommended.
After taking in Gunma's breathtaking nature, next head to the View Terrace Tenjin where you can savor a piping hot gratin baked inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread, covered with a savory white sauce and a generous amount of melted cheese. Decadent and rich like a fondue, it's a perfect lunch to enjoy while taking in the breathtaking views of Mt. Tanigawa and the changing seasons.
Next we recommend a stay at the resort hotel Minakamikogen Hotel 200, a comfortable hotel stay that also offers active outdoor experiences. Here you can ride the exhilarating Minakami Kogen Forest Zipline, located high over the vast hotel property, and feel like a bird flying through the air!
After enjoying the activities, you can relax both your mind and body at the hotel's footbath while taking in the beautiful scenery.
Day 3: Gunma fruits and hot springs
Start off your third day with delightful all-you-can-eat grape picking (budogari) at the hands-on fruit theme park Minakami Fruits Land Mogitore, where various kinds of fruit picking can be enjoyed all four seasons. In autumn, there are many varieties of grapes available that vary in sweetness, and you can eat to your heart's content. The vast grounds of the park are home to orchards, a cafe, a restaurant, and a treehouse. You can also enjoy handmade sweets and dishes made with local ingredients.
Next we recommend rafting on the Tone River amidst the magnificent nature of Minakami. Even beginners can feel at ease with the support of experienced guides who help you ride in your individual rafting boat. In the spring, the melting snow makes for a thrilling, powerful ride, while in the summer, you can even play in the river. Each season offers its own unique kind of fun. Feel one with nature and create special memories in this exciting outdoor experience.
After rafting you can enjoy a local cuisine known as Okkirikomi, a simple and hearty Gunma specialty that features wide, flat raw noodles stewed with seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. The noodles are made with no salt, so the flour melts as they stew, creating a rich and flavorful broth imparted with the essence of the ingredients. The dish has a rich umami for an authentic Japanese food experience. This great local dish is highly recommended when traveling in Gunma.
Finally head to one of Gunma's most famous hot spring resorts, Kusatsu Onsen, known for its abundant, high-quality water, which naturally gushes from the source at over 32,000 liters per minute. The symbolic "Yubatake" (hot water field) located in the center of the town captivates visitors with its magical, steamy appearance.
The highly acidic water of Kusatsu Onsen has strong antibacterial properties and has been said since ancient times to cure everything but lovesickness. The hot spring town is dotted with historic inns, public baths, and footbaths, allowing you to enjoy the hot spring culture as you stroll through the town. Surrounded by beautiful nature in all four seasons, enjoy one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts, which offers a place to heal both mind and body.
Day 4: Hot springs and silk heritage in Gunma
On the final day of your trip you can visit the famous facility Netsunoyu to enjoy the daily YUMOMI and Dance show. This show, performed six times a day, features the traditional "yumomi" technique, used to cool the hot water, and a dance that incorporates it, allowing you to experience the charm of this historic hot spring town with all five senses. Inside the building filled with the scent of wood and the echoes of the "yumomi" song, you'll get an up-close look at this unique part of Kusatsu's culture, as the technique is demonstrated and explained.
Next move to the Tomioka Silk Mill to spin your own silk thread in a "zaguri" experience. The Tomioka Silk Mill is a historic mechanized silk factory designated as a World Heritage Site and an Important Cultural Property, symbolizing Japan's modernization. The factory has been well-preserved since its establishment and is known as a globally valuable structure. At the "zaguri" experience, you can hand-reel raw silk from a cocoon yourself and then take home the beautiful silk thread and spool as a souvenir. It's a great place to experience a significant part of Japan's industrial history.
