Tanigawa, Yagisawa Dam, and Minakami Onsen, sightseeing events such as Tanigawa-dake Mountain Festival, Yassa Festival, and Mozaemon Jizoson Bon Festival, and local gourmet foods such as konjac, local sake, and konjac cuisine are available in the Minakami area.
Minakami is the northernmost town in Gunma Prefecture and is surrounded by magnificent nature such as Mt. Tanigawa-dake Tenjin-daira Ski Resort, Minakami Kogen Ski Resort, Okutone Snow Park, and many other ski resorts.
Tanigawa-dake Tenjin-daira Ski Resort offers good snow quality due to its high elevation, and winter sports can be enjoyed for a long period of time from December to May. Okutone Snow Park is conveniently located 10 km from the Minakami Interchange on the Kanetsu Expressway and is visited by many skiers and snowboarders, from beginners to seasoned veterans. It is open until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and days before national holidays, which is another reason for its popularity.
Around Lake Akaya is Sarugakyo Onsen, where many resort hotels and inns are located. This sulfate chloride spring is effective for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and rheumatic diseases.
Okutone is also home to Okutone Winery, modeled after a boutique winery in California. The winery is located in the middle of vineyards and offers not only wine tasting, but also home-style cooking using local ingredients on a wooden deck terrace.
There is also the Okutone Suigen no Mori forest with its thick beech trees, which will surely heal you with negative ions.
There are various activities on the water, such as rafting and paragliding, and experienced staff are on hand to help beginners. Also, the Tanigawa-dake ropeway connecting Tsuchiaiguchi to Tenjin-daira offers spectacular scenery. The Michi no Eki Suikikikan has an aquarium, climbing facilities, and soba noodle making experience.
At the foot of Mt. Tanigawa, the alkaline simple hot springs of Minakami Onsenkyo offer spectacular views of the mountains, and there are an abundance of day-trip hot springs where visitors can casually stop by. Around Minakami Onsenkyo, there are many handmade buckwheat noodle restaurants that use fresh spring water, so you can taste the aromatic buckwheat noodles.
The soba restaurants in Minakami Onsenkyo are highly regarded throughout Japan and have been introduced in various media such as gourmet magazines and information programs. There are also kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot) and café restaurants, which are crowded with many tourists.
Tsukiyono Vidro Park is a glass-themed park in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. The complex brings together a glass factory, the Glass Art Museum, a glass workshop, a glassware shop, and a local craft beer restaurant, offering visitors many different ways to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of glass. Visitors can watch skilled artisans at work, create their own original glass pieces, and a...»
Tsukiyono Craft Beer is a local beer brewed inside Tsukiyono Vidro Park, a glass-themed park in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. The beers are made using the area's clean, clear water and are inspired by traditional European beer styles. The brewery works in partnership with a brewery in the Czech Republic, incorporating elements of European brewing culture while making use of the natural resourc...»
Nama Dorayaki is a local specialty sweet from Gunma Prefecture that differs from traditional dorayaki by sandwiching smooth fresh cream between its soft, fluffy pancakes instead of the usual sweet red bean paste. In recent years, it has attracted attention around Minakami Town in Gunma as a creamy alternative to the classic Japanese confection....»
Mount Tanigawa-dake is a celebrated mountain standing on the border between Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture and Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture. Rising to 1,977 meters, it forms part of the Mikuni Mountains and lies within the Joshin'etsukogen National Park. Mount Tanigawa-dake has long attracted mountaineers and nature enthusiasts and is included on numerous lists of Japan's notable mountain...»
Minakami Onsen-kyo is the collective name for the numerous hot spring areas spread mainly around the Minakami district of Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. The area has also long been known as the Okutone Hot Spring Resort. Located near the headwaters of the Tone River, the region is surrounded by rich natural scenery. A variety of hot spring resorts can be found along river valleys and on river t...»
Sarugakyo Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in Sarugakyo Onsen, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. It is one of the renowned hot spring areas that make up the Minakami National Health Spa Resort. Nestled between the Tanigawa and Mikuni mountain ranges, the hot spring town stretches along the shores of Lake Akaya. The combination of magnificent mountains, the tranquil lake...»
Hoshi Onsen is a secluded hot spring located in Nagai, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Situated at an elevation of approximately 800 meters near Mikuni Pass, this traditional hot spring retreat stands quietly amid the mountains. Surrounded by the rich natural environment of Joshin'etsukogen National Park, visitors can enjoy a peaceful stay accompanied by beautiful seasonal mountain...»
Naramata Dam is an important dam located in Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Built on the Naramata River, a tributary of the Tone River system, the dam plays an important role in flood control, water resource management, and power generation. Surrounded by the mountains and forests of northern Gunma, Naramata Dam is also an attractive destination for visitors interested in dams, en...»
Aimata Dam is a gravity-type concrete dam located in Aimata, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. It was built on the Akaya River, part of the Tone River system, one of Japan's major river systems. The dam is managed by the Kanto Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and is one of the upstream dams that help support the water resourc...»
Yagisawa Dam is a multipurpose dam located in Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, near the uppermost reaches of the Tone River. Standing 131 meters high, it is a large arch-shaped concrete dam and one of the most important water-resource facilities in the Tone River system. Managed by the Japan Water Agency, the dam serves a wide range of purposes, including flood control, municipal wa...»
Marunuma Dam is a hydroelectric power dam located in Katashina Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. It was built on the Otaki River, a tributary of the Katashina River in the Tone River system, and is currently managed by TEPCO Renewable Power. Standing beside the beautiful Lake Marunuma and surrounded by mountains and forests, the dam blends naturally into the landscape while maintaining a s...»
Mount Hotaka is a 2,158-meter-high mountain located on the borders of Minakami Town, Kawaba Village, and Katashina Village in Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. It is a Quaternary composite stratovolcano and is widely recognized as one of the representative peaks of the Joshu region. To distinguish it from Mount Hotaka in the Northern Alps, it is also commonly called Joshu Hotaka or Joshu Hotaka-ya...»
Minakami Town is the northernmost municipality in Gunma Prefecture, located in Tone District along the border with Niigata Prefecture, known as the Jōetsu Border. It is the largest municipality in Gunma by area, with extensive forests covering much of its territory. The landscape ranges from satoyama foothills at around 300 meters above sea level to towering peaks reaching more than 2,000 meters....»
Doai Station is a station on the JR East Jōetsu Line in Yubiso, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. Located at the foot of magnificent Mount Tanigawa, the station is famous throughout Japan for its unusual structure and is affectionately known as the “Mole Station,” or “Japan’s deepest station.” Combining the appeal of a mountain destination with the atmosphere of a railway heritage site, Doai Stati...»
Michi-no-Eki Tsukiyono Yaze Shinsui Park is a nature-rich roadside station in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, located along Gunma Prefectural Route 61. Thanks to convenient access from Tokyo via the Kan-Etsu Expressway and the Jōetsu Shinkansen, it can be reached in approximately one hour, making it a popular stop for sightseeing and scenic drives....»
Michi-no-Eki Minakami Mizukikokan is a roadside station located along National Route 291 in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. It was formerly known as Michi-no-Eki Minakami Mizukikokan under the town's former name of Minakami-machi. Set in a nature-rich environment at the foot of Mount Tanigawa, the facility is located in the upper reaches of the Tone River, an important source of water for the To...»
The Yaze Ruins are the remains of a settlement dating from the Late to Final Jōmon Period, approximately 3,000 to 2,500 years ago, located in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. Designated as a National Historic Site, the ruins offer a valuable insight into the daily lives and spiritual practices of people who lived in the upper reaches of the Tone River. The site occupies a riverside terrace overlo...»
Michi-no-Eki Takumi no Sato is a roadside station located along Gunma Prefectural Route 53 in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. The facility includes a farm produce market, souvenir shop, dining facilities, and other services offering a wide selection of local specialties and handmade products. Located at the entrance to Takumi no Sato, the roadside station is an ideal starting point for exploring...»
Minakami UNESCO Eco-Park is the common name for the Minakami Biosphere Reserve, a vast area centered on Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture and extending into parts of Uonuma City, Minamiuonuma City, and Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture. The reserve covers approximately 91,368 hectares, with forests accounting for more than 90 percent of the total area. Across elevations ranging from approximately...»
Minakami Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, and forms the central area of the wider Minakami Onsen hot spring region spreading across the southern foothills of Mount Tanigawa. Surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery and the beautiful river valleys of the clear-flowing Tone River, the area has long been known as a place for hot spring疗养 and relaxation. Tod...»
Kamimoku Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, known for its peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings. Several traditional inns stand along the clear waters of the Tone River, creating a tranquil setting reminiscent of an old-fashioned hot spring retreat rather than a bustling resort town. Thanks to its gentle feel and excellent moisturizing properties, the wa...»
Takumi no Sato is a rural experience-based tourism area in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. Located around the historic post town of Sukawa-juku on the former Mikuni Kaidō highway, the area offers visitors a chance to experience the traditional satoyama landscape and everyday culture of rural Japan. With convenient access from Tokyo, Takumi no Sato has become a popular destination where nature, c...»
Lake Akaya is a beautiful reservoir in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, created through the construction of the Aim ata Dam. Surrounded by the magnificent natural landscapes of the Tanigawa Mountain Range and Mikuni Mountains, the lake changes its appearance with every season and attracts visitors throughout the year. Sarugakyo Onsen spreads along the lakeshore, creating a scenic setting where mo...»
Sukawa-shuku Museum is a historical museum in Sukawa, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. It introduces the history of Sukawa-shuku, a former post town that flourished along the old Mikuni Kaidō highway. The museum stands on the former site of a waki-honjin, a secondary inn that provided accommodation for feudal lords and other high-ranking travelers when the main honjin was unavailable or insuffici...»
Urami Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Fujiwara, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. Also known as Hōrai Falls, it drops approximately 50 meters through a richly forested mountain landscape. The powerful flow of water cascading down the rocky cliffs makes Urami Falls an impressive natural attraction and a popular sightseeing spot in the mountains of Minakami....»
Tsukiyono Firefly Village is a renowned firefly-watching destination in Tsukiyono, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Located west of Jōmō-Kōgen Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen, the area stretches around Gakurinji Temple and is surrounded by rich natural scenery. Known as one of the largest natural habitats for fireflies in the northern Kanto region, the area features a walking trai...»
Tanigawadake Ropeway, now also known by the nickname Tanigawadake Yōho, is a popular sightseeing facility in Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. It offers an easy way to experience the spectacular natural scenery of Mount Tanigawa, one of Japan's celebrated mountain peaks. The ropeway connects Doai-guchi Station and Tenjindaira Station over a distance of approximately 2,400 meters, cl...»
A Relaxing Haven Surrounded by Nature and Hot Springs Mantenboshi no Yu is a day-use hot spring facility located in Sarugakyo Onsen, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. Perched on a hill overlooking Lake Akaya, it is surrounded by a rich natural environment that is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The surrounding mountains change their appearance with the seasons, while the deep blue waters of L...»
Okutone Lake is a man-made lake located in the uppermost reaches of the Tone River in Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by primeval forests of beech and oak, it is the largest lake in the Okutone area. Nestled among the deep mountains along the Gunma-Niigata border, the tranquil surface of the lake offers visitors a chance to experience the grandeur of the natural environ...»
Takaragawa Onsen is a secluded hot spring destination located in Fujiwara, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by the rich natural environment of the upper Tone River basin, it is situated along a mountain valley approximately 1 kilometer upstream from the Takaragawa River, north of the northern end of Lake Fujiwara, formed by Fujiwara Dam. The hot spring was once counted a...»
The House of Folk Tales and Kamishibai is a unique cultural facility located in the scenic hot spring resort of Sarugakyo Onsen in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. Situated near the beautiful shores of Lake Akaya, the facility offers visitors an opportunity to experience the charm of traditional Japanese folk tales and kamishibai picture-story shows. The facility houses more than 500 local folk t...»
Sarugakyo Sekisho Museum is a historical and cultural facility located in Sarugakyo Onsen, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. It makes use of the surviving remains of a checkpoint established during the Edo period and offers visitors a valuable glimpse into Japan's transportation and administrative history. The museum stands on elevated ground overlooking the scenic Lake Akaya. Part of the former o...»
The Mikuni Road & Yosano Akiko Museum, located in Sarugakyo Onsen in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, is a literary museum dedicated primarily to the life, works, and travels of Akiko Yosano, one of Japan’s most celebrated female poets. Surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery of the Okutone region, the museum offers a peaceful setting where visitors can explore Japanese literature and history....»
Gunma Cycle Sports Center is a unique bicycle-themed leisure facility located in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Affectionately known by locals as “Gunsai”, the center spreads across part of the scenic Omine Plateau and offers an exciting outdoor experience where children and adults can enjoy being active together. Unlike a conventional amusement park, bicycles are the main attraction here. The cente...»
Nagurumi Castle is a historic castle site located in Shimozu, Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Built on a steep cliff overlooking the upper reaches of the Tone River, this mountain castle made clever use of the surrounding natural terrain to create a formidable defensive position. Today, the site is maintained as the Nagurumi Castle Ruins. It was designated a Gunma Prefectural Historic Site in 1949, a...»
Gakurinji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Its formal name is Ominezan Chokeiin Gakurinji. Situated on elevated ground west of the Jōmō-Kōgen area, the temple offers views over the surrounding town and is surrounded by beautiful seasonal scenery. With a history spanning more than 500 years, Gakurinji is an important historic temple as well as a peaceful ...»
Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku is a renowned hot spring inn located in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, in the upper reaches of the Tone River. Surrounded by untouched mountain scenery and set along the clear waters of the Takaragawa River, the secluded inn offers an authentic secret hot spring experience in the heart of nature. Founded in 1923, Osenkaku has a long history as a traditional hot spring retre...»
Takaragawa Onsen Takaragawa Sanso is a day-use hot spring facility located deep in the mountains of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Takaragawa Onsen is renowned for its beautiful natural surroundings and long history, and Sanso provides an easy way to experience its famous hot springs without staying overnight. Along with the historic Osenkaku inn, founded in 1923, Takaragawa Sanso has welcomed visit...»
Okudaira Onsen Yushinkan is a day-use hot spring facility located in the lush mountain countryside of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Nestled in the mountains of the historic Mikuni area and surrounded by the soothing sounds of a flowing stream, it is a popular place for both local residents and visitors to enjoy an authentic Japanese hot spring experience. Surrounded by beautiful scenery throughout ...»
Teriha Gorge is a scenic gorge deep in the Okutone area of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Located in the upper reaches of a stream that flows into the Tone River system, the gorge is surrounded by dense forests and clear mountain waters. With its secluded atmosphere and unspoiled natural surroundings, Teriha Gorge is a place where visitors can experience the changing seasons in a peaceful mountain e...»
Taineiji Temple is a historic Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Sugawa, Minakami, Gunma Prefecture. Founded during the Kamakura period, the temple has a long history and stands quietly among the mountains in the Takumi-no-Sato area, one of Minakami's popular tourist destinations. Surrounded by peaceful natural scenery, Taineiji offers visitors an opportunity to experience both Japanese history ...»
The Former Tobe Family Residence and the Minakami Town Mizukami History and Folklore Museum, located in Yubara, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's history, architecture, and traditional way of life. The former residence is a well-preserved example of an Edo-period farmhouse, while the museum houses historical materials ranging from the Jo...»
The Kumokoshi Family Residence Museum is a historic museum located in Fujiwara, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. It preserves and presents the traditional way of life of people who lived in the mountainous areas of northern Gunma. The museum features a traditional thatched-roof farmhouse together with a large collection of household items, farming tools, and other objects that were...»
Located in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, the Tanigawadake Information Center is a facility where visitors can learn about the spectacular natural environment of Mount Tanigawa, its history, and the relationship between the mountain and the people who have explored and protected it. Opened in 2021, the center promotes the importance of enjoying the area's natural environment in a way that is bot...»