Best 10 Must-Visit Onsens & Hotels In Gunma, an Area with Renowned Onsen!

Gunma is one of Japan's leading onsen resorts. It is easily accessible from Tokyo and is perfect for day trips or overnight trips. Gunma is rich in onsen, including the four famous onsen (Kusatsu, Shima, Minakami, and Ikaho), so why not take a trip to the hot springs on your next vacation? You can go on a quick trip alone, or invite your female friends, family, or boyfriend to enjoy a onsen trip to the fullest. Let's head off to Gunma, where you can indulge in a relaxing onsen!

The appeal of onsen is that they warm your body and soul and make you feel even more beautiful. Everyday stress is gone at once, and it's a happy destination for busy girls. This time, we will introduce 10 onsen areas in Gunma, from famous onsen to little-known onsen, and recommended inns. By all means, please refer to it when you visit onsen powerhouse.

It was named "Shiman Onsen" because it is said to be a "spiritual onsen that cures 40,000 illnesses." It is characterized by its smooth texture, and is said to be good for the stomach and intestines when swallowed, and is said to be good for the skin when ingested. Shima onsen, which is surrounded by mountains on all sides, is attractive for its large-scale nature. If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, the rich nature will heal you.

The main building of Sekizenkan, which is designated as an important cultural property of the prefecture, is particularly famous for Shima onsen. A long-established ryokan with over 300 years of history. The main building is the oldest wooden hot spring inn in Japan, and is a spot where you can feel the history that has accumulated over time. In addition, it is said to be one of the image models of the bridge that appears in the Ghibli movie "Spirited Away", and tourists can often be seen taking pictures.

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A retro world spreads out in the onsen town. The charm of Shima onsen is that there are no convenience stores or family restaurants, and there is no traffic to the point where it gets crowded, so you can relax. By all means, why not take a leisurely stroll through the old-fashioned warmth of onsen town?

This is "onsen Lake" at the very back of "Shiman Onsen". It's a highly transparent and mysterious blue, and it seems that your heart will be purified at once. Before long, it was named “Shiman Blue” and has become a popular spot for posting on social media.

"Shiman no Ouketsu" is designated as a natural monument of Gunma. They were created by carving out mortar-shaped stones from the riverbed over tens of thousands of years, and there are eight of them, large and small. The potholes are like sculptures created by nature...you can feel the dynamic nature typical of Shima.

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The "Shima Onsen Sekizen Honkan" that I introduced earlier is said to be the model for the bathhouse that appears in "Spirited Away," and is admired by movie fans and onsen fans who say, "I want to stay there at least once!" It's ryokan. The building, which has been designated as Gunma Important Cultural Property, has a wonderful nostalgic atmosphere day and night. You can soak in onsen fed directly from the source at Genroku-no-Yu, a registered tangible cultural property of this country, and at Mori-no-Yu, where you can enjoy the colors of the trees surrounded by nature. If you're going to stay at Shima onsen, you'll want to stay at a quaint ryokan like this.

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``Tokiwasure no Yado Yoshimoto'' overlooking the Shima River is a retro-modern ryokan where you can enjoy Gunma 's specialties and soak in the soothing onsen. Located a little far from onsen town, it has a total of 8 rooms, giving it a very cozy feel. The large public bath has an indoor bath and an open-air bath, where you can fully enjoy the Shima onsen, which is highly effective for beautifying your skin. There are rooms with open-air baths and free private baths with lovely stained glass windows, so it's perfect for when you want to relax in a private space.

"Kusatsu onsen" is one of Japan's top three onsen springs. Yubatake, located in the center of the onsen town, is always bustling with communal baths, footbaths, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It is called "Yubatake" because it is a place where "Yunohana" is collected.

The Yubatake, which is lit up from around sunset until around 24:00, has a different look during the day and at night, and it never ceases to attract tourists. It is exactly like a symbol of "Kusatsu onsen". Kusatsu's hot springs are strongly acidic and do not require disinfection. Gunma's representative culture, "Jomo Karuta," is also touted as "Kusatsu Yoitoko, a medicinal onsen."

At Kusatsu onsen, you can enjoy hot water drawn from 6 main sources. The hot spring source is almost 50 degrees Celsius, so you can't bathe in it. In order not to dilute the effects of onsen, the water is not added to the hot springs, and the temperature is lowered by yumomi, a sight unique to Kusatsu. There is also a place where you can observe "Yumomi".

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Established in the middle of the Edo period, the long-established ryokan" Hotel Ichii Ichii" is located in front of "Yubatake", which is indispensable to Kusatsu onsen. Among the three buildings, the main building, the annex, and the west building, the rooms in the main building where you can see the hot water field are the most popular. Of the six hot springs at Kusatsu onsen, two are drawn from the Yubatake-mae Shirahata hot spring and the Shiraneyama Bandai hot spring. hey. During your stay, you may even meet the famous proprietress who is full of hospitality.

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Kusatsu onsen Boun is a natural onsen ryokan with excellent access, about a 3-minute walk from the hot onsen town of Yubatake. In the large public bath, you can enjoy 2 hot spring sources in 6 baths such as "Bandai no Yu" and "Sai no Yu" here. There are also guest rooms with open-air baths where you can enjoy onsen as much as you like. It is also attractive that you can have dinner in your in-room dining or private dining.

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"Minakami onsen" is the center of Minakami onsen at the foot of Mt. Tanigawa. The hot water is colorless and transparent, and has no peculiarities and does not irritate the skin. There are also places where you can enjoy foot baths and hand baths for free, so you can casually enjoy onsen. Of course, day-trip onsen are also popular♪

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“Minakami onsen” has developed as a onsen area that spreads along the upper reaches of the Tone River. The Tone River, which flows through onsen town, is a beautiful valley. In Minakami, which was loved by many poets and cultural figures such as Akiko Yosano and Osamu Dazai, you can relax as much as you want while gazing at the majestic beauty of the valley.

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Traveling on the steam locomotive train at "SL Gunma Minakami" is also recommended♪The train runs from Takasaki Station to Minakami Station, and at Takasaki Station you can see where the steam locomotive enters the line and how it is connected. The operating days change depending on the month, such as weekends and holidays, so be sure to check in advance before going. You can see valuable SL such as "D51" and "C61".

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The charm of ``Gensen no Yado Matsunoi'' is the finest raw onsen that have been aged using geothermal heat over many years! These three atmospheric hot springs, Hotaru Akari no Yu, Tsukiakari no Yu, and Hiakari no Yu, have an open-air bath, an indoor bath, a standing bath, and a standing bath with natural water directly from the private source. You can enjoy onsen. There is also a private open-air bath (for a fee), so you can fully enjoy the finest onsen in a private space. There are 232 guest rooms with a calm atmosphere, and there are many types, so you can choose according to your purpose. You can play table tennis, read books, and enjoy the pool in the summer.

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Komori ryokan “Hotaruyuki no Yado Shobun” has 9 guest rooms with open-air baths. This "INAKA Suite" in the main building is a superb space with a wooden deck and an open-air bath. The biggest attraction of the inn is the meal. "Yamabito Cuisine" uses plenty of local ingredients, and you can enjoy the blessings of the land, such as freshwater fish, branded meat, and mushrooms, which bring out the best in the deliciousness of the ingredients. It is also a great point that you can enjoy it in a private room. Why don't you spend a relaxing time while feeling the warmth of the wooden architecture?

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Aratashi Minakami offers a view of the clear Tone River from all guest rooms. The inn is surrounded by rich nature, so you can have a relaxing stay. All rooms are luxuriously equipped with balconies and open onsen hot spring baths like this one. In addition, there is an indoor bath and an open-air bath where you can soak in a onsen with the murmuring of a mountain stream as background music. It is also recommended to use the state-of-the-art autororyu sauna to fully enjoy your time♪ For dinner, let's enjoy seasonal and local ingredients in a casual style at the restaurant.

"Ikaho onsen" is an old hot spring that is said to have been discovered more than 1900 years ago by the volcanic activity of Mt. Haruna Futatsudake. The spring quality is "Kogane-no-Yu", a dark brown sulfate spring that has long been known as "Kodakara-no-Yu", and "Shirogane-no-Yu", which is transparent and contains metasilicic acid, which is said to be good for beautiful skin. You can enjoy two types of hot water.

The stone steps, which can be said to be the symbol of "Ikaho onsen", is a popular tourist spot because it is excellent for photos. The charm of "Ikaho onsen" is that you can enjoy the emotional atmosphere of onsen town centered here. There are 365 stone steps in the hope that onsen will be crowded 365 days a year.

There is a red drum bridge "Kajikabashi" at the source of "Ikaho onsen". Especially during the fall foliage season, the nostalgic atmosphere and the elegant foliage are a perfect match. The best time to see them is from late October to mid-November. It's even more beautiful when lit up, so it's an irresistible spot for camera girls.

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"Kishon Ryokan onsen" is a hot onsen inn that is convenient for sightseeing and walking. A long-established ryokan that was founded in the 4th year of Tensho, more than 440 years ago, and has been loved by many passengers. When you step into the hotel, you will be enchanted by the atmosphere of the Taisho era.In the open-air baths and open-air baths made of Japanese cypress, you can enjoy 100% free-flowing "Kogane-no-Yu". There is also a footbath that was used as a filming location for the movie "Thermae Romae" in the place facing the stone steps, so be sure to visit it.

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At the resort hotel "Ikaho onsen Hotel Tenbo", there is this spacious communal bath of 1,000 tsubo. You can relax your mind and body in the bath, making it perfect for a relaxing trip. There are guest rooms with open-air baths and private baths (for a fee), so it is recommended for those who want to bathe in their own space. There are footbaths, table tennis, a pool (summer only from mid-July to late August), and a children's room.

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Wagokoro no Yado Omori is conveniently located near Ikaho Ropeway Station for sightseeing. You will be welcomed by a large noren curtain and paper lanterns, and you will surely feel a sense of security in the old-fashioned atmosphere. We are most proud of this rooftop open-air bath, which is the best in "Ikaho onsen". From the open-air bath at an altitude of 800m, you can see mountains such as the Tanigawa mountain range, and it is full of openness. There is also a private open-air bath (for a fee), so you can take a bath while having the great outdoors all to yourself. Dinner is an elegant kaiseki meal that uses locally produced ingredients for local consumption and that you can enjoy with your eyes and your tongue. It is also attractive that there is a plan where you can enjoy it in a private room or in your room ♪

"Manza onsen" is located at an altitude of 1,800m, and many inns have open-air baths so that you can enjoy the superb view. The hot water is cloudy and yellow, and the sulfur content is said to be top class in Japan. It is colorless and transparent immediately after it comes out, but it turns milky white when it comes into contact with air. There are more than 20 types of hot springs, and it boasts an abundant flow of about 5.4 million liters per day. You can expect a beautiful skin effect, so I'm happy for women.

The dynamic and powerful “Karabuki” is a symbolic existence of “Manza onsen”. You can see volcanic gas containing water vapor rising from the hillside of a small mountain that used to be an eruption crater. Please recharge your power at a spot where you can feel the power of nature.

The yubatake at Manza onsen is smaller than the yubatake at Kusatsu onsen, but the 80-degree hot water of Ubayu overflows from the hot spring source, reaching approximately 5.4 million liters a day. I'm here. Hydrogen sulfide gas is emitted, so be sure to stay safe and do not enter the restricted area.

This lake, with its mysterious emerald green surface, is Yugama, a crater lake located at the summit of Mt. Shirane. With a diameter of approximately 300m and a depth of approximately 30m, the impressive sight is truly a sight to behold. On a sunny day, the contrast with the blue sky makes it look even more beautiful. Depending on the eruption alert level, you may be prohibited from entering within 1km of the Yugama crater, so it's best to check before heading out.
*As of March 2024, it is not possible to tour the Yugama due to mountain entry regulations. Entrance to the nearby promenade is also prohibited.

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Nisshinkan 's biggest attraction is its nine natural onsen onsen. The most popular is Gokurakuyu, a panoramic open-air bath that is highly praised by onsen enthusiasts.You can enjoy milky white cloudy water while looking out at the starry sky at night and the seasonal nature during the day. The hotel has a wide variety of guest rooms, from standard Japanese rooms to modern Japanese-Western rooms and stylish Western rooms. For dinner, revitalize your body from the inside out with a buffet of more than 40 dishes designed with health and nutrition in mind.

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"Manza Onsen Manza Hotel Juraku" is an inn in the highlands, just like a villa. Relax and enjoy the mountain resort in the interior where you can feel the warmth of wood. From the open-air bath "Unkai no Yu", which features milky white water, you can see the Manza scenic spot "Sorabuki", which is truly a superb view. You can enjoy your bathing time while watching the magnificent scenery from this indoor bath. Why don't you forget your daily busyness and refresh yourself at a hotel surrounded by nature?

Akagi onsen, located halfway up Mt. Akagi, is an atmospheric onsen with a history of over 300 years. The spring quality is a bicarbonate spring that is said to be effective against gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatism, and neuralgia. It is said that it is sometimes called "Joshu's medicinal bath" because it improves metabolism and promotes health. It's a small onsen, so you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of a secluded hot spring.

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The transparent hot spring turns yellowish green when exposed to air and oxidizes. Let's heal your tired body from traveling slowly in the onsen flowing directly from the source.

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Akagi Onsen Hotel, surrounded by nature, is located halfway up Mt. Akagi, Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. We are particular about providing the rich ingredients of cloudy water that has been passed down since Genroku 13, flowing directly from the source. Choose a room according to your preference, from a room with a great view that takes advantage of the location, or a luxurious villa room (pictured) with a sleeping bath and cypress bath. Dinner is simple local cuisine that lets you feel the seasonal flavors. The river fish dishes are very flavorful and you can't get them anywhere else.

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The 19-room onsen ryokan “Akagi Kogen onsen Yamaya Sogetsu” is a quiet hidden ryokan that only adults can stay at. The interior of the hotel has a modern Japanese interior, and there are various types of guest rooms, including rooms in the main building, separate rooms, and this annex, all of which are designed with a sense of privacy. All rooms have open-air baths or semi-open-air baths, so you can spend your time without hesitation. onsen is a mixture of hot water from two sources, "Te no Yu" and "Shima no Yu", and the mellow texture is impressive. There is also a plan where you can have breakfast and dinner in your room, so it's perfect for a stay.

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It is said that the place name Sarugakyo is said to have originated from the year of the monkey when Uesugi Kenshin, a military commander in the Sengoku period, was on his way to the Kanto region. . According to the legend of the opening of the hot spring, a monkey helped a child who was badly burned by putting him in onsen. Surrounded by greenery, Sarugakyo onsen is a treasure trove of fascinating episodes and has a quiet atmosphere, so you can have a relaxing adult trip. It's also a popular tourist spot where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as camping and kayaking in addition to relaxing in onsen.

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"Sarugakyo onsen" has an abundant amount of hot water, and inns that offer open-air baths and free-flowing hot springs are lined up along "Akatani Lake." The water is clear and colorless, and has a soft texture like lotion. The spring quality is a calcium-sodium sulfate spring, which is expected to be effective for rheumatism, wounds, arteriosclerosis, fatigue recovery, etc. It is said that there are many repeaters who visit for long-term medical treatment.

This is the promenade of Lake Akaya where you can see the beautiful surface of the lake and the mountains. Take a leisurely stroll while looking at the charming onsen town. The simple natural scenery will surely make you feel rich. There is also a boat platform, a park, and an observatory on the promenade, making it perfect for dates and family trips♪

A popular tourist attraction in the area is the outdoor experience where you can fully enjoy the nature of each season. You can enjoy kayaking on Lake Akaya or snow activities in Satoyama, no matter what season you visit. After working up a sweat, onsen are sure to be irresistible.

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Warashi no Yado Shojuen, which boasts a vast site of 2,400 tsubo, is a luxurious onsen inn with only 13 rooms in a one-story house that makes the most of its spaciousness. With the wood-burning stove in the lounge and the sunken kotatsu in the room, you'll be able to relax just by being in the building. Please enjoy the "hospitality" with this chartered bath that you can enter without worrying about time and delicious food. It is also famous as an inn where the folktale of "Zashikiwarashi" has been preserved since ancient times.

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Onyado Mikawaya is a quiet onsen ryokan with a limited number of 10 rooms. Inside the hotel, there are 5 private baths like this one that you can take a bath at any time, and you can enjoy 7 different types of baths. It's nice that you can have your meal in a private room♪ All the tables have an irori fireplace, so you can enjoy charcoal-grilled local meat and vegetables. Relax your mind and body in a space away from the hustle and bustle.

At Oigami onsen, long ago, when the mountain god of Akagi (snake) and the god of Mt. Nikko Nantai (centipede) fought, when the god of Mt. Akagi was shot with an arrow and pierced the foot of Mt. Akagi with an arrow, the hot water mysteriously boiled. It is said that it was the beginning. It is said that when the god of Mt. Akagi was soaked in the hot water, his wounds healed and he was able to drive away the god of Mt.

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The quality of onsen water is gentle on the skin, and is said to be good for skin inflammation and wound healing. Depending on the hotel or ryokan, the hot springs have different effects and colors, so it is recommended that you try to find onsen that suits you.

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At Oigami onsen, the Orochi Festival is held every May. In addition, once every 12 years, the world's longest serpent mikoshi appears in the zodiac year of the snake. With a length of 108m, it was recognized as a Guinness World Record in 2013. It is an important event based on the origin of "Oigami onsen", and the sight of parading through the onsen town of "Oigami onsen" is a masterpiece!

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“Itoen Hotel Oze Oigami Sanraku” where you can enjoy two different types of hot springs. The 10-tatami mat Japanese-style room in the main building is recommended as a healing space where you can view the magnificent beauty of the valley. Let's experience the difference in the quality of two types of springs: the weakly alkaline simple hot spring in the main building and the simple onsen in the annex. In the open-air bath in the main building, it's great to take a bath in the morning while gazing at nature. You can enjoy karaoke and table tennis for free in the hall, so it's perfect for families and groups!

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“Shisui onsen” is a place where you can enjoy “Oigami Onsen” flowing directly from the source. You can enjoy plenty of hot water that is soft to the touch in this large public bath and garden open-air bath. Feel the seasonal breeze and be healed to your heart's content. There is also a sauna, so let's sweat hard and aim for beautiful skin. The ingredients for dinner are not only fresh, but also pesticide-free. There is no doubt that you will be fully satisfied in the spacious hall where you can feel the warmth of Japan.

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"Tanigawa onsen" is called "Mimosusoyu" because of the legend that the goddess of Mt.Fuji, "Konohana Sakuya Hime" washed the hem of her robe with the water of the Tanigawa River and turned it into hot water. It is Furuyu that was called. For this reason, at the Tanigawa Fuji Sengen Shrine in the back of onsen town, Princess Konohana Sakuya is enshrined.

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"Tanigawa onsen" is a colorless and transparent onsen that has been gushing out steadily since the Edo period and has an abundant amount of hot water. The spring quality is an alkaline simple onsen, and you can expect more than 20 kinds of effects such as gastrointestinal diseases, gynecological diseases, and neuralgia. By slowly warming up, your tired feelings and body will recover.

In spring, the collaboration between Mt. Tanigawa and cherry blossoms is spectacular. Take a walk while admiring the beautiful scenery, and relax in onsen when you get tired. For those who want to stay active, it is recommended that you try bungee jumping from Suwakyo Ohashi Bridge, enjoy snow activities at Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort, and move your body while feeling nature.

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Bettei Senjuan is located in a quiet mountain area, and you can enjoy the scenery of Mt. Tanigawa, which has the beauty of each season. All rooms, including this special room, have an open-air bath where you can enjoy onsen flowing directly from the source, so you can enjoy your private space in luxury. You can also look forward to the kaiseki cuisine, which uses local seasonal ingredients and is gentle on the body and has a rustic taste. The hotel has a garden and a reading room, so it's perfect for those who want to spend a quiet adult vacation.

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Hinoki Minakami Sanso onsen, offers a magnificent view of Mt. Tanigawa from all rooms and baths. Once you step inside the building, you will be greeted by an observation lounge with a beautiful scenery that looks like a painting. onsen is free-flowing from a combination of three private hot spring sources, and the temperature is adjusted manually every day. The large public bath has this open-air bath where you can feel the great outdoors. In addition, if you choose a room with a semi-open-air bath, you can enjoy nature and the finest hot water all to yourself.

There is a legend that "Yuyado onsen" suddenly spouted out about 1,200 years ago while a great monk named Kosu Hoshi was reading a sutra. Because it is a small onsen town, it is free from crowds and noise. It is a hideaway recommended for those who want to spend a quiet time in a place where you can feel the change of the four seasons.

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This is a hot springs resort located along National Route 117 (Mikuni Kaido). It has retained its old appearance with the public baths as its main focus, and has a peaceful atmosphere as many locals visit. The springs are sulfate springs, which are said to be effective for burns and fatigue recovery, and are also known as "wound baths." The water in the four public baths is quite hot, so you'll feel incredibly refreshed after you've finished!
*Currently, use of the communal bath is limited to communal bath members. (As of February 2024)

It is said that there are many tourists who are fascinated by the elegant townscape of "Yuyado onsen" and come back again and again. Michi-no-Eki Takumi-no-Sato is a slightly unusual roadside station with handmade workshops and restaurants in a spacious village. The calm scenery of the warm satoyama is also attractive. You can also experience crafts such as woodworking and Japanese paper, and it looks like it will be a fun trip.

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``Yujuku Kanedaya'', which stands along the clear stream, is an inn with a history and taste that was founded in the first year of the Meiji era. At this large public bath, you can relax by taking a leisurely soak in the ancient hot springs, which have been open for 1,200 years. The fireflies are at their best in early summer, around June, so if you want to experience nature, be sure to visit.

Gunma is famous for its many onsen, and each type of hot spring has different effects, so it's fun to find onsen you want to go to depending on your constitution, mood, and sightseeing spots you want to visit. Gunma's onsen are easily accessible from Tokyo. If you feel like it, go on a hot spring tour!