Gunma
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Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake
Central hub of Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan's premier natural hot spring sources. Over 4,000 liters per minute gush from the Yubatake, creating an atmospheric scene of steaming vapors and sulfur fragrance available 24 hours. Surrounded by footbaths, souvenir shops, and Netsunoyu hall featuring yumomi performances, with evening light-ups.
Address: 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津
Access: About 2 hours 30 minutes by express and local bus from Maebashi Station
Transportation: 30 minutes by local bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. Tire chains required in winter.
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Tomioka Silk Mill
Japan's first government-operated model silk reeling factory established in 1872. Brick cocoon warehouses and reeling halls remain in their original form, teaching the history of silk technology modernization at this World Heritage site. Guided tours and automated reeling machine demonstrations are popular, with special nighttime illuminations.
Address: 群馬県富岡市富岡1-1
Access: About 1 hour 15 minutes by train and on foot from Maebashi Station
Transportation: 10-minute walk from Joshu-Tomioka Station.
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Oze-ga-hara Hiking
Japan's largest highland marsh. Wooden boardwalks are maintained for beginners to enjoy seasonal views of mizubasho, nikko-kisuge, and autumn grasslands. Bear bells required, and due to vehicle restrictions, shuttle buses from Tokura are mandatory.
Address: 群馬県利根郡片品村戸倉
Access: About 2 hours by car from downtown Maebashi to Tokura parking lot, then 25-minute shuttle bus
Transportation: Round trip from Hatomachi-toge to Yama-no-hana takes about 6 hours.
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Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps Street
365 stone steps lined with ryokan inns, shooting galleries, and tamakonnyaku shops in an atmospheric hot spring town. Mid-stairway Ikaho Shrine offers matchmaking prayers, and golden-hued hot spring water flows from the source at the top.
Address: 群馬県渋川市伊香保町伊香保
Access: 20 minutes by bus from Shibukawa Station
Transportation: Bus service reduced in winter.
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Lake Haruna and Haruna Ropeway
Caldera lake and outer rim mountains at 1,100m elevation. The ropeway to the summit offers panoramic views of the Kanto Plain. Popular as a summer retreat and for ice fishing wakasagi in winter.
Address: 群馬県高崎市榛名湖町
Access: About 1 hour 20 minutes by local bus from Takasaki Station
Transportation: Beware of icy roads in winter.
Model Courses
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2-Day Famous Hot Springs and World Heritage Tour
Efficient driving course visiting the two major hot springs of Kusatsu and Ikaho plus Tomioka Silk Mill.
- World Heritage tour
- Yubatake light-up
- Lakeside stroll
- Stone steps stroll and hot springs