Gunma群馬県

A textile center surrounded by celebrated mountains. Producing many renowned poets and novelists, this area also contains resorts.

Situated to the northwest of the Kanto Plains, Gunma abounds with awesome mountains and hot spring villages. The Ashio Mountain Range lies to the east, while Mt. Nikko-Shirane-san, Mt. Hotaka-yama's volcanic clusters, and several hot springs can be found to the northeast. Across the prefectural borders with Niigata and Fukushima lies Oze-ga-hara, an elevated marshland. This delightful mountainous region has inspired many celebrated poets and novelists prominent in the history of literature. In modern times, the sericulture industry flourished to produce prosperous textile towns such as Maebashi, the center of the prefectural administration, Kiryu, Isesaki, and other places.

The area boasts several fine hot spring frequented by tourists all year round. Kusatsu-onsen is known for its traditional 'yumomi' (hot spring stirring) dance and rich 'yubatake' (field of hot water); the spa of Ikaho is lined with hot-spring quarters along stone stairways frequented by literary giants through the years; and Minakami-onsen is resplendent with an overhanging stretch of Japanese-style hot-spring inns along the Minakami Valley.

Gunma is also blessed with other places known for their scenic beauty. Yugama is a crater lake of Mt. Kusatsu Shirane-san with unique milky green water; magnificent Mt. Tanigawa-dake is equipped with a ropeway that guides visitors to the summit; and Watarase Valley affords a magnificent view of nature from a slow-moving sightseeing train.