Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa
Did you know that Tokyo has two major international airports? If you have a layover in Japan, you may arrive at one airport and depart from another. The Tokyo Narita Airport and the Tokyo Haneda Airport are located approximately 80 km apart. This means you will want to allow at least 2 hours to travel …
How to Travel Between Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda Airport Read More »
Kusatsu Onsen is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. But it would be a waste if your trip to Gunma Prefecture ended at Kusatsu Onsen only, as there are many amazing destinations in the surrounding areas that may interest you!
Agatsuma Gorge (吾妻渓谷) is a must-visit scenic spot in Kawarayu Onsen. The stunning gorge tucked away in the mountains of Gunma is a designed National Place of Scenery Beauty. Especially during the autumn leaves and fresh green seasons, the sheer valley is so beautiful buried amongst the red and light green trees.
Yamba Dam (八ッ場ダム) at the south end of the Agatsuma Gorge is undoubtedly the most prominent landmark of Kawarayu Onsen. It can even be said that the construction of Yamba Dam made the hot spring town famous. While the dam has caused much controversy, its completion is definitely an asset to not only Naganohara Town …
The Best Guide to Yamba Dam and the Surrounding Attractions Read More »
One thing that many international tourists would love to experience in Japan is staying at a traditional ryokan. When you visit Kawarayu Onsen, Yamakikan (山木館), established in 1661, is the best ryokan in town for a taste of the traditional Japanese ambiance. On top of the wooden structure from a few centuries ago, Yamakikan is …
Yamakikan: The Most Incredible Ryokan in Kawarayu Onsen Read More »
Kawarayu Onsen in Agatsuma District in Gunma Prefecture is a hot spring town almost one thousand years old. It was first discovered in 1193 by Japan’s first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo (源頼朝), the founder of the Kamakura shogunate. Due to Kawarayu Onsen’s close proximity to Kusatsu Onsen, the town thrived as its Agariyu (上がり湯), where …
Kawarayu Onsen: A New Hot Spring Town With a Long History Read More »
Ikaho Onsen‘s township is quite compact. If you have two days allocated to the hot spring town, there are a couple more attractions nearby that you can consider visiting. Most of these scenic and unique spots can be reached by bus!
If you are interested in adding some traditional Chinese architectural elements to your itinerary, Bukkōsan Housui-ji (佛光山 法水寺), close to Ikaho Onsen and Shibukawa City Multipurpose Park, is a good choice. Bukkōsan is Taiwan’s largest Buddhist group. Housui-ji in Ikaho, completed in 2018, is its head temple in Japan. The mountainous view of Mt. Akagi …
Bukkōsan Housui-ji and the Spectacular Natural Scenery Read More »
On the southwest of Lake Haruna, Haruna Shrine (榛名神社) has been looking after the region since the late 6th century. The 30-minute walk on the approach from the torii gate to the main worship hall is so mysterious that some sort of sacred power is gained just by taking a short journey! This is especially …
Haruna Shrine: The Most Powerful Shrine in Gunma Prefecture Read More »
About 5km southwest of Ikaho Onsen, the Haruna area in Takasaki City is where many tourists would venture out to when they visit the hot spring town. In fact, it is the city’s most popular outdoor destination. The area is filled with stunning nature, suitable for various outdoor activities and a shrine with more than …
The Best Guide to Haruna Shrine, Mt. Haruna, and Lake Haruna Read More »