Gunma Prefecture is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Oze National Park includes areas in the northeast of the prefecture and extends across Gunma and neighboring prefectures. Oze is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including large mammals, birds, and insects. Its natural appeal is reflected in a landscape that also provides a habitat for different groups of animals.

Marshland Boardwalks and Mountain Views

In spring, summer, and fall, Oze is a popular hiking area. Elevated wooden boardwalks cross the marshland and run around the pond. The marsh, water, and elevated pathways combine to shape the hiking landscape here. This gives the area a different natural character from Mt. Tanigawa, where elevation, hiking routes, and places to visit take center stage.

At 1,977 meters, Mt. Tanigawa is a popular hiking route and destination from July to November. The season dates highlight different aspects: Oze is a hiking area as early as spring, while November is still within the stated period for Mt. Tanigawa. Summer and fall are shared seasonal points of reference for the two nature destinations.

The Tanigawadake-Joch Ropeway offers another way to experience Tanigawa. The ride to Tenjindaira Station takes 15 minutes. The station is at an elevation of 1,319 meters and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The figures describe different things: 15 minutes is the journey time, while 1,319 meters is the station’s elevation. Along with the views, they give the ropeway ride its own appeal alongside the hiking route and destination.

Your options for exploring nature differ, too: in Oze, the boardwalks across the marshland and around the pond shape the hiking area; at Mt. Tanigawa, you can also enjoy a hiking route and destination, as well as a ropeway ride to Tenjindaira Station. This lets you consider the landscape and the type of nature experience together.

Yumomi and Yakimanju

You can watch a Yumomi performance at Netsunoyu Hall. Onsen workers cool the water using wooden boards to the rhythm of a folk song. Movement and music are part of the same process: the beat accompanies the cooling, while the boards move the water. This combination of a specific technique and musical rhythm is what makes Yumomi a distinctive cultural performance.

Gunma’s Yakimanju also offer a glimpse of the regional cuisine. The sweet buns are skewered, grilled over charcoal, and coated with a rich, sweet miso paste. Preparation is part of what defines this specialty: the sweetness of the buns and paste meets the charcoal grilling. This is a different way to experience local character from Yumomi, where the performance takes center stage.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

Gunma Prefecture is about 50 minutes from Tokyo by high-speed train. Actual travel time may vary depending on the service; the approximate figure gives you an initial idea of the journey. Once there, the seasonal nature destinations, Yumomi performance, and Yakimanju offer different ways to plan your trip around your interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Takasaki, Agatsuma District, Minakami, Maebashi, Kiryū, Kawawa, Numata, Ueno, Ora District, Tone District, Agatsuma District, Isesaki, Shibukawa, Fujioka, Tsunago, Tomioka, Tone District, Annaka.

For the main travel overview: Japan.