When to travel?
The difference in temperature and precipitation is huge in Gumma, depending on where you are. The mountain side is generally cooler with more rain, which can be snow during wintertime, while the temperature on the plain land could reach up to 40 degrees during summertime, with a strong and dry windy weather in winter.
Best season: Mar-Nov (June is monsoon, Aug could be hot)
Snow activity: Dec-Apr
Cherry blossom: end of Mar-mid Apr
Foliage: Oct-Dec
Events / Festivals
Jan: Daruma market (だるま市), Takasaki 高崎
Aug: Kiryu Yagibushi festival (桐生八木節祭), Kiryu 桐生
Aug: Isesaki festival (伊勢崎祭り), Isesaki 伊勢崎
Sep: Ikaho festival (伊香保祭), Ikaho 伊香保
Oct: Minowa castle festival (箕輪城祭), Takasaki 高崎
Touristic spots
Capital city: Maebashi (前橋)
Maebashi is the capital city of Gumma. However, the neighbor city Takasaki has more population. They are like rivals. People say that the cultural and political hub is in Maebashi while transportation and commercial hub is in Takasaki.
Takasaki (高崎)
Takasaki is located right on the important place that connects city to city. Even now, Takasaki station is a cross point that connects Tokyo to other cities in the Hokuriku region, which could be the station that you have to change the train.
The city had Maebashi castle which was already demolished; however, the city still has a lot of historical monuments that you have to see.
Mt. Shirane (白根山)
The mountain located at the western end of Gumma, called Mt. Shirane, is known for its amazing view. The height of the mountain is as high as 2160 meters, and it is an active volcano.
The most brilliant view of the mountain would be a crater lake Okama (お釜). Mysterious blue color attracts people’s attention.
Lake was created because of the active volcano. The depth is around 300 meters and the temperature of the water is around 18 degrees.
Morinji temple (茂林寺)
There is a famous Japanese fairy tale, and it is said that the story came from this temple. An animal called Tanuki appears as a main character in the tale, which is an endemic species of Japan.
Oni Oshidashi (鬼押し出し)
This rare view was created after the eruption of Mt. Asama (浅間山), an active volcano. Lava from the mountain has flooded out and got cooled down.
Fukiware waterfall (吹割の滝)
This is a very unique waterfall that you cannot see in other places. Unlike other waterfalls, Fukiware waterfall has a gap between the river and water goes down to the ground from the gap, from the height of about 7meters. You can visit Oigami Hot spring (老神温泉) as well.
Mt. Myogisan (妙義山)
Myogisan is one of the three best mountains in Gumma, as well as one of the three mysterious views in Japan. There are some peaks of the mountains in a row, so that it is difficult to tell which is the highest. The heights of the mountains are around 1100 meters.
Kusatsu Hot spring (草津温泉)
One of the most famous hot springs in Japan. What makes it so special is that they have what is called Yubatake (湯畑), which literally means a field of hot water, to obtain minerals of the hot spring.
Ikaho Hot spring (伊香保温泉)
Another well-known hot spring of Gumma.
After going up 365 steps on the steep mountain, you will be able to see this old hot spring. Ikaho is one of the must-go hot springs in Japan, as their scenery will surely let you feel that you are really traveling in Japan. It is not sure when exactly the hot spring was opened, but the name can be seen in the poetry written more than 1300 years ago.
Many shops and restaurants are available next to the steps.
Manza Hot spring (万座温泉)
This hot spring is not as famous as Kusatsu or Ikaho, however, there is a ski resort nearby. People come to this place to enjoy skiing, as well as taking a hot spring to warm up the body after the snow activity.
