History / Culture / Tour Spots in Western Area Area

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Western Area

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Haruna Shrine

4.5

365 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Harunasanmachi 849

This shrine is located in Harunasan-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma prefecture. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Emperor Youmei over 1,400 years ago, and provides divine favors for successful businesses and crops. The inner shrine and various buildings have been a designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and the shrine’s Yatate-sugi (cedar trees) are designated a Natural Monument of Japan.

After an hour and fifteen minute journey from Takasaki station we discovered that the shrine was closed. The premises were open so we could walk around but the main shrine had a screen so couldnt...
Takasaki Byakui Daikannon

4.0

166 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Ishiharamachi Guanyinshan

A symbol of Takasaki City, the Takasaki Byakui Daikannon is a giant reinforced concrete statue of the Buddhist bodhisattva Kannon (Guanyin) which was erected in 1936. The white gown the statue is wearing represents the pure heart that is needed to attain enlightenment. 41.8 meters tall and approximately six thousand tons in weight, the statue was the biggest of its kind in Asia when it was first constructed. The interior of the statue is lined with 20 figures of the Buddha and high priests; visitors can also climb up to the statue’s ninth floor (shoulder height). In recent years, the statue has come to be popularly known for providing luck in finding love and marriage, and on Valentine’s Day, the Red Thread Prayer Festival is held at the statute, referencing the invisible red thread of fate said to tie true lovers together.

I actually visited before cherry blossom in Gunma, but they have some early bloom species, and when taken with the statue, the effect is very breathtaking. Other than that, entrance to the temple is...
Usuitouge Tetsudo Bunka Mura

4.0

135 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Pref. Annakashi Matsuidamachiyokokawa 407-16

This is a railroad theme park located in Annaka City’s Matsuida Town established on the site of the former JR Yokokawa Locomotive Depot rail yard. The main attraction is the locomotive engineer experience in which visitors can drive a real 108-ton electric locomotive (reservation required). Inside the park is a Railway Museum where visitors can learn about the history of the now-abandoned Usui Line and the Railway Display Hall which houses more than 30 valuable train cars. Visitors can ride a steam locomotive that goes around the park, a miniature steam locomotive and a trolley train, making this park popular among both children and railroad fans alike.

Just a great place to visit. Come early and see a lot. Best days are with clear weather. Due to COVID-19, the visitors has reduced.
Myougi Jinja

4.5

97 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Tomiokashi Myougimachimyougi 6

This shrine is located on Mt. Myogi’s eastern foothills in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture. It received considerable adoration from the Tokugawa shoguns, as it is located to the north-west of Edo, representing the calm Inui Tenmon gate. Built in 537, the exquisite black-lacquered main hall is a national Important Cultural Property. The area is famous for weeping cherry trees in spring and fall leaves in autumn.

We went here to get our new car blessed, for safe driving and hopefully to not have accidents. We requested the praying before hand, then after submitting payment, we entered the inner shrine. The...
Gunma Museum of Natural History

4.5

76 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Pref. Tomiokashi Kamikuroiwa 1674-1

This natural history museum located in Kamikuroiwa, Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture focuses on the history of life starting with Earth’s origin and Gunma Prefecture’s natural environment. Among the dynamic, popular exhibits are a full scale moving model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a diorama of a beech forest. Kids love learning from the many hands-on exhibits too. In addition to the permanent exhibits, there is also a special exhibition room, an astronomical observatory, a learning room, and an information corner.

This is a really great natural history museum. It is not a big museum but the collection is well displayed and presents a comprehensive overview of geology, age of dinosaurs, regional natural history...
Ichinomiya Nukisaki-jinja Shrine

4.0

71 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Tomiokashi Ichinomiya 1535

The main hall of Ichinomiya Nukisaki-jinja Shrine, with a history of 1,500 years, became a National Important Cultural Property in 1912. The god believed to have founded Japan, Futsunushinokami, and Himeohkami, guardian deity of sericulture and weaving are enshrined here. Futsunushinokami is famous because his name also appears in the Nihon Shoki, the Chronicle of Japan. There are many highlights to see including the worship hall and tower gate which were registered as national Important Cultural Property in 1976. It is approximately 20 minutes by car from Tomioka Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway.

ナビに従って急傾斜の道を上ると、石段と鳥居、駐車スペースがありますが、石段がキツいかたは側道から鳥居の裏、総門の手前まで車で行くことができます。そのあとは逆に石段を下る変った造り。御朱印帳に観光地の御朱印があると、ここの御朱印をいただけない（普通でしょうか）とのことで、係のかたがざっとチェックしていました。ミニ日光東照宮といった趣ですが、静かな良いところです。
Nakanotake-jinja Shrine

4.0

45 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Kanragunshimonitamachi Kamiosaka 1248

This shrine is located 15 minutes from the Joshin-etsu Expressway Matsuida-Myogi Interchange, and the Todoroki Iwa of Mt. Myogi is enshrined here. It consists of the Nakanotake-jinja Shrine where Yamato Takeru no Mikoto is enshrined and Nakanotake-daikoku Shrine where Okuninushi no Mikoto and Daikoku are enshrined. There is a 20-meter-tall Daikoku statue within the grounds. Its appearance holding a sword is unusual and is said to dispel disease, misfortune and evil spirits as well as bring good fortune. On Kinoene, there is a temple festival, the god of which is well-known for watching over young baseball players who are aiming for the Koshien tournament, and the baseball charms and votive pictures are very popular.

車で伺いました。側に広大な無料の公園駐車場があるのでそこに。神社を目的に来た人だけでなく、ちょっと休憩がてら寄る人もいるので、無駄に人が多い。境内には巨大な大黒様がいて残念な景観に・・。ただ目的の轟岩はやはり圧巻です。岩なんですが溶岩石なので、巨石というより断崖絶壁っていう感じです。本殿はなく、拝殿から直接御神体を拝する原初の信仰。シビれます。ご祭神は、ヤマトタケル。御神体が轟岩な...
Minowa Castle Ruins

3.5

43 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Misatomachihigashiakiya ・ Nishiakiya

These famous castle ruins are located approximately 30 minutes from the Kan’etsu Expressway Takasaki Interchange and Maebashi Interchange. Minowa castle was built in the Sengoku Period by Nagano Narimasa. It was known as an impregnable castle that prevented Takeda Shingen’s attacks numerous times but was abandoned in the time of Ii Naomasa. The ruins of the castle gate, wall and drainage system remain, and many are unchanged from when the castle was governed by Ii Naomasa. It was designated as a national Historic Site in 1987 and selected as one of Japan’s top 100 castles. There is a battle event every year in October, during the Minowa Castle Festival, where the warriors form two groups, Takeda side and Nagano side, which try to attack and defend the castle.

郭馬出門が復元されていました。また堀が深く重厚な造りだったのでしょう。関東管領の上杉憲政の配下の名将、長野業正の居城です。スタンプはここにないので注意が必要です。
Takasaki Castle

3.0

62 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Takamatsuchou In the castle park

These castle ruins are located approximately 15 minutes on foot from the JR Takasaki Station, or alternatively, five minutes by bus. They are the remains of Minowa Castle, built in 1598 by Ii Naomasa, by command of Tokugawa Ieyasu. At the time of its building, the castle covered a vast area, with the bailey alone covering over 165 square kilometers. However, presently, only the three earthen walls and moat, tower and eastern gate remain. The tower was used to store weapons and food and is the only remaining castle structure to remain standing in the prefecture. The surrounding area, including the castle ruins is maintained as a castle ruins park, and is a popular cherry viewing spot. The cherry blossoms are lit up in the evening.

This castle is a 10 min walk from the Takasaki station. Surrounded by buildings and an auditorium the castle is situated in the middle of a manicured garden (are there any unkempt gardens in Japan...
The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma

4.0

40 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Watanukimachi 992-1

"This art museum is located in a prefectural park in Gunma Prefecture, next to the Gunma no Mori bus stop, accessible by the City loop bus from the JR Takasaki Station. It contains around 2,000 pieces of diverse modern art, ranging from Japanese works, such as Sotaro Yasui's ""Ashi wo arau onna"" and foreign artists such as Claude Monet's ""Water Lilies"". Events including exhibitions in the exhibition room which straddles two floors, lectures in the auditorium and workshops are held on the second floor. A restaurant and a shop selling accessories and other items are also located on the first floor."

広々とした空間に幾何学的に壁や柱が配置されている、展示品も勿論ですが建物自体も興味深い構造になっている美術館です。建物自体が大きいだけでなく複数ある各展示室自体も広々としているため、常設展・企画展を合わせて鑑賞しても1時間は簡単に過ぎてしまいます。 1階と2階の2階構成となっており、1階で主に企画展、2階で常設展が展示されています。特に2階は展示室によっては広さだけでなく天井の高さもあり、特に天窓...
Tomioka Silk Mill

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Tomiokashi Tomioka 1-1

When Japan first began trading with countries around the world in the late Edo period, silk was its biggest export. The Tomioka Silk Mill was founded as a model mill in 1872 by the Meiji government with the aim of improving the quality and productivity of silk production. The first buildings were timber-frame and brick construction, a pattern which continues to be used almost unchanged today. The site is filled with ways to learn about its history, including guided tours and a smartphone guide. The group of buildings from the time when the mill was first opened is designated Important Cultural Properties and National Treasures and was also collectively registered as a World Heritage Site in 2014.
Kanna Dinosaur Center

4.0

23 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Pref. Tanogunkannamachi Kagahara 51-2

This dinosaur exhibition hall is located in Kanna Town, Tano County, Gunma Prefecture. It features displays of fossils including dinosaur footprints and aquatic organisms. The main attraction is their live theater with dynamic robot dinosaurs. Also popular is the reproduced Tyrannosaurus skeleton that you can touch and ride, and a fossil excavation workshop (must be booked in advance).

神流町恐竜センターという名前からはどんな施設なのかわかりにくいと思います。神流町立自然史格物館という名前の方がフィットすると思います。入場料は800円で、本館と別館の2つの建物に恐竜や化石に関する資料が展示されていました。本物の化石や恐竜のレプリカが想像していた以上に展示されていて、とても楽しめました。ただ富岡市にある群馬県立自然史博物館と比べると展示が少ないのに入場料が高いのは気になりました。館...
Takasaki Tower Museum of Art

4.0

28 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Takasaki-shi Sakaecho 3-23 Takasaki Tower 21

An art museum located within the Takasaki Tower 21 high-rise building at the east exit of Takasaki Station in Sakae-cho, Takasaki City. Their collection includes works by modern Japanese painters such as Yokoyama Taikan and Uemura Shoen as well as active Japanese painters who hail from Gunma. Special exhibitions are also held in the museum.

私が行った時、「山」というタイトルの展覧会を開催していた。入場者は、私入れて１０人ぐらい。この展覧会は、日本画の力作が５３点展示してあったが、これしか見に来ないのでは寂しい。私除き、全員地元に住む常連らしかった。駅前にあり、アクセスが良い。学芸員さんは品がよく好感が持てる。けど、宣伝不足という印象。一般の入場料は、５００円と高くないし、展示されている絵画には、巨匠作もある。宣伝を...
Gunmaken Gokoku Shrine

4.0

20 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Notsukemachi 2000

This shrine is located approximately eight minutes by car from Takasaki Station's West Exit. Over 40,000 souls of people lost during the war are enshrined here. In 1909, the Gunma Shokonkai was formed and every year, they held a remembrance festival in the Eireiden (Hall of Heroic Spirits) in Takasaki Park until an institutional reform of 1939 when the shrine was established, and the souls enshrined here in 1941. In addition to the main shrine with its simple copperplate roof, built in the Nagare-zukuri style, there are also several memorial monuments in the grounds. Also, in addition to the Tsukinami no Matsuri Festival held every month, many other rites are conducted on the spacious grounds, and it is possible to have a Shinto wedding here.

妙義方面から向かいましたがナビでなかなか辿り着けず、必死で探しました。多くの地の護国神社を参拝しています。群馬県の護国神社も静寂という言葉がぴったりな開けた境内でした。スッと背筋が伸びるような雰囲気を感じます。
Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Hanadakamachi 296

The Shorinzan Darumaji Temple is famous for the Festival of the Seven Herbs of Spring, where they pray for the ideal direction. This festival of seven herbs began over 200 years ago during the Tenmei period by commoners seeking salvation from famine. The festival occurs every year on January 6 and 7.
Usui Sekisho (Checkpoint)

3.5

29 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Annaka-shi Matsuidamachi Yokokawa 573-2

A historic site located along Prefectural Route 92 in Yokokawa, Matsuida-machi, Annaka City. The Edo Shogunate established the Sekisho Checkpoints in 1623 to monitor people and luggage traveling along the Nakasendo Road (called the former Nakasendo Road in current times) which was a key route for transportation. The Sekisho building has been restored and there is also an exhibition room displaying historical materials located within the Asaojaya Teahouse near Yokokawa Station. Annually in May they hold the Usui Sekisho Festival.

今の群馬県と長野県の間にある関所跡です。本当の関所があった場所ではなく、郡役所の跡地に関所の門を移設したものです。駅弁の「峠の釜飯」のおぎのやからも歩いて行ける場所ですので、セットで訪れても良いと思います。
Fuji Fureaikan

3.5

10 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Fujioka-shi Fujioka 2690-7

毎年五月の連休には藤の花と藤娘を観に出かけます。みかぼみらい館の周辺一帯に広がる藤の花は誠に壮観で綺麗なものです。花とともに藤娘も素晴らしい！このコラボがたまらなく実に見ごたえがありますヨ。
Arafune Cold Storage

4.0

16 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Pref. Kanragunshimonitamachi Minaminomaki Yashiki Ko 10690

This silkworm egg storage facility was built in 1905. Its refrigeration technology using naturally cooled air allowed the silviculture cycle, which traditionally had been annual, to be done several times a year. From 1905 until the 1930s it boasted the largest storage capacity in Japan. It still maintains its chilled environment today. A nationally designated historic site, it’s also registered as part of the “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites” World Heritage Site.

神津牧場の奥の方に駐車場がありそこから900m急坂を降ります帰りはこれを30分以上かけて登ることになるので時間配分をよく考える必要があります入場料500円の世界遺産エリア、ガイドの方がいて、いろいろ解説してくださいました重要なのはここの風穴の冷風で蚕蛾の卵を冷蔵して、出荷の時期を調整したので、年に3-4回、蚕を孵化させることができて、養蚕農家、その集結場所である富岡製糸場の効率が飛躍的に向上...
NIPPON SILK CENTER

3.0

9 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Pref. Takasakishi Kanekomachi 888-1

This museum is located in Kanekomachi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture. It was created for the purpose of conveying the wonderfulness of traditionally-made silk. There are panels showing the collection of silkworm cocoons, creating raw silk thread and scientific talks on silk thread, in addition to DVD showings concerning the subject. There are also experience classes for visitors to try their hand at making silk coasters and luncheon mats. There are also exhibitions for people to display their own works, seminars and workshops held in the museum.

蚕の生態や製糸に関する展示や絹を使った作品の展示など、シルク全般につい展示している施設です。自分のペースで見学したかったのですが、展示館に入った途端に説明員のおじさんが寄ってきました。説明を聞くのをお断りしたところ、人を馬鹿にするようような惨い言葉を吐き捨てられました。とても不愉快でしたが、このような傲慢な人を相手にしてもしょうがないので、無視をして見学しました。説明を聞きたい人にだけ説明し、説明...
Takehisa Yumeji Atelier

3.0

9 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gunma Takasaki-shi Harunakomachi 848

A workshop and museum located next to the Lake Haruna Kohan-no-Yado Memorial Park in Harunako-machi, Takasaki City. The former workshop of painter Takehisa Yumeji, one of the premier examples of the Taisho Roman style of painting, has been restored here on a hill on the western side of Lake Haruna. Inside materials are on display including a chronological table of the artists life.

榛名湖畔の公園のすぐ上に、竹下夢二さんのアトリエがありましたので、行ってみました。残念なことに休刊日らしく建物の中に入る事が出来ませんでしたので、ガラス越しに中をのぞく程度でした。昭和５年にここにアトリエを造り活動したのですが、建物自体は復元されたもので、当時の物ではない様子でした。

Gunma Western Area

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Gunma Areas

Gunma prefecture is synonymous with onsen. Natural hot spring water sources throughout the prefecture have given rise to a series of small onsen towns, each set among luscious mountains. At Kusatsu, Ikaho, and Minakami, traditional indoor and outdoor bathing experiences are served hand in hand with irresistible onsen-themed food, including steam-cooked eggs and custard pudding.