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10 Things to Do in Gunma in Winter

Fruit Shrines Historical Site Onsen Handicrafts Parks Lake Illumination Fish Snow Temples & Shrines Ski & Snowboard Night Views Japanese Winter Gunma Kanto
10 Things to Do in Gunma in Winter

In addition to being one of Japan's major ski and snowboard centers, Gunma offers hot springs, winter illumination and cultural activities to warm up the colder months.

Minakami Onsen Area

Minakami Onsen Area

There are 18 hot springs with different characteristics in Minakami Town.

Access: Accessible from JR Jomo Kogen Station and JR Minakami Station.

Yumomi at Kusatsu Onsen

Yumomi at Kusatsu Onsen

At Atsunoyu, a facility at Yubatake, visitors can experience the Kusatsu Onsen tradition of yumomi (stirring hot water to lower its temperature).

Access: 25 min. by bus from JR Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station

Mt. Akagi-yama

Mt. Akagi-yama

Akagi-jinja Shrine and Lake Onuma rest atop this mountain, where visitors can fish for wakasagi (Japanese smelts) in winter.

Access: 70 min. by bus from JR Maebashi Station.

Illumination at Gunma Flower Park

Illumination at Gunma Flower Park

Visitors can enjoy the lights of 1 million LED lamps and projection mapping at this park.

Access: 10 min. by taxi from Ohgo Station on the Jomo Electric Railway.

Illumination at Lake Haruna

Illumination at Lake Haruna

Laser beams and illumination embellish Lake Haruna.

Access: 60 min. by taxi from JR Takasaki Station.

Usaburo Kokeshi Dolls

Usaburo Kokeshi Dolls

Visitors can try decorating original Japanese kokeshi dolls.

Access: 20 min. by taxi from JR Gunma Soja Station.

Decorating Daruma Dolls

Decorating Daruma Dolls

Takasaki City in Gunpa Prefecture leads Japan in production volume of Daruma dolls, which have been produced in the area for 200 years.

Access: 20 min. by bus from JR Takasaki Station.

Three Stelae of Kozuke

Three Stelae of Kozuke

The three stelae (inscribed stone slabs or pillars) of Tago, Yamanoue and Kanaizawa are the oldest in Japan.

Access: Located within Takasaki City.

Strawberry Picking

Strawberry Picking

At tourism farms, visitors can enjoy picking strawberries—including Yayoi Hime, an original variety developed in Gunma Prefecture—and tasting them on the spot.

Access: Various parts of Gunma Prefecture.

Snow Activities

Snow Activities

Visitors can enjoy snow activities, such as skiing and snowshoeing, in areas near hot spring resorts.

Access: Various parts of Gunma Prefecture.