GUNMA PREFECTURE

GUNMA HOTELS

GUARANTEED LOWEST RATES

GUNMA MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Kusatsu is a town located on a 1200m high plateau in Gunma Prefecture, but close to the border with Nagano Prefecture. Kusatsu is famous for its traditional style Onsen (hot springs).

Maebashi is the capital of Gunma Prefecture and is located at the base of Mt Akagi on the north eastern corner of the Kanto Plain. Maebashi is only one hour from Tokyo by train. Maebashi attractions include the Akagi Nanmen Senbon-Zakura which is a two kilometer long line of cherry blossom trees, which is a spectacular site in spring. Maebashi is surrounded by many pick your own apple, strawberry and blueberry farms. Maebashi is also famous for its pork dishes.

GUNMA CASTLES

Iwabitsu Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located on Mt Iwabitsu in Higashigatsuma Gunma Prefecture. Iwabitsu Castle was contructed by the Azuma Taro Sukefusa in 15th century. In 1615 Tokugawa Ieyasu declared that each province could only have one castle, so Iwabitsu Castle was dismantled, so Ueda Castle could be retained. Today only earthworks from Iwabitsu Castle remain.

Minowa Castle was a flatland style Japanese Castle located in Takasaki Gunma Prefecture. Minowa Castle was constructed in 1526 by Nagano Narimasa and cover an extensive forty seven hectares. In 1566 Minowa Castle was besieged by the Takeda clan in what is now know as the Siege of Minowa. Minowa Castle fell during a failed counter attack led from the castle, with control of the castle passing to one of Takeda Shingen's generals Naito Masatoyo. In 1598 Minowa Castle was abandoned when Ii Naomasa moved his base to Takasaki Castle. Today some stone walls and earthworks is all that remains of Minowa Castle.

GUNMA GARDENS and PARKS

Akaginanmen Cherry Blossoms, also known as Akaginanmen Senbon-zakura, which literally means 1,000 cherry blossom trees on the Southern side of Mt Akagi, however this saying doesn't mean literally 1,000, it is frequently more. The Akaginanmen Cherry Blossoms forms a north/south 2km long tunnel of blossom in mid April. Akaginanmen Cherry Blossoms is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Mt Akagi is located in Gunma Prefecture.

Mt Sakurayama Park, located in Fujioka Gunma Prefecture, is famous for its 7,000 cherry blossom trees that flower in winter (November and December) and again in Spring (April). In April around 10,000 cherry blossom trees that flower. Mt Sakurayama Park is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.