Things to Do in Gunma
Hand-picked sights and experiences across Gunma, with day trips from Tokyo.
When to catch the colours in Gunma?
Average red maple, golden ginkgo and cherry blossom dates for Gunma, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.
- Red maples
- Leaves turnDec 8
- Peak viewingDec 8 – Dec 22
- Golden ginkgo
- Leaves turnNov 27
- Peak viewingNov 27 – Dec 11
- Cherry blossom
- First flowersMar 29
- Full bloomApr 5
Where to look next?
The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Gunma first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot springs above all: Kusatsu — arguably Japan's most celebrated onsen town, with its steaming yubatake in the centre — plus Ikaho's stone steps and Minakami's riverside baths and outdoor sports. It's Tokyo's mountain bath-house.
Yes — direct highway buses run from Tokyo, and the town itself is walkable: the yubatake, the free public baths, and the yumomi water-stirring performance are all in the centre. Stay a night; onsen towns switch on after dusk.
They're year-round, but snow season is the classic: steaming open-air baths with white hills around. Autumn foliage in Minakami and around Haruna is the other peak — book ryokan early for weekends in both.