Tambara Plateau is a nature-rich highland resort located at an elevation of around 1,300 meters in northern Numata City, Gunma Prefecture. Situated on the foothills of Mount Hotaka, the plateau is blessed with diverse natural environments, including beech forests, wetlands, and a mountain lake.
The area attracts visitors throughout the year. Despite being relatively accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area, Tambara offers magnificent mountain scenery and crisp, refreshing air, making it one of the notable forest resorts in the Kanto region.
Tambara Plateau has been developed as Tambara Forest Resort, extending through national forests at elevations between approximately 1,200 and 1,550 meters.
In spring, the fresh green leaves of the beech forests create a beautiful setting for forest bathing and relaxing walks. Summer brings a cool climate that makes Tambara a popular summer retreat, while autumn transforms the mountainsides into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
In winter, the plateau receives high-quality powder snow, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding.
One of Tambara’s greatest attractions is the freedom to choose how you enjoy the landscape. Visitors can take a peaceful walk surrounded by nature or enjoy more active outdoor pursuits in the mountains.
Tambara Wetland is a valuable wetland surrounded by Japanese beech forests characteristic of the Sea of Japan climate on the foothills of Mount Hotaka. Its rich plant life has earned it the nickname “Little Oze,” in reference to the famous Oze wetlands.
The wetland can generally be explored from late April through late October. Soon after the snow melts, from late April to early May, Asian skunk cabbage comes into bloom, announcing the arrival of spring.
Wooden boardwalks make the wetland easy to explore, and a complete circuit takes approximately one hour. In early summer, a variety of alpine plants, including cottongrass and Nikko daylilies, bloom across the wetland. In autumn, the grasses turn warm shades of red and gold.
The area is also home to a wide variety of wildlife and plants, including the Japanese serow, a nationally designated Special Natural Monument of Japan.
Buna-daira, located at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters, is home to towering beech trees estimated to be more than 400 years old.
The forest takes on a different appearance with each season: soft fresh greenery in spring, cool shade in summer, and golden foliage in autumn.
The opportunity to experience such an impressive mature beech forest relatively close to central Tokyo is one of the distinctive attractions of Tambara Plateau.
From June through September, the ski slopes open as Tambara Lavender Park during the summer season. Approximately 50,000 lavender plants bloom across the highland, covering the landscape in shades of purple.
Early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties flower in succession, allowing visitors to enjoy the lavender fields over an extended period.
At an elevation of around 1,300 meters, Tambara remains pleasantly cool even in summer, with an average temperature of approximately 20°C, making it an ideal place to escape the summer heat.
A summer mountain lift allows visitors, including children and older travelers, to explore the park without strenuous walking. Lavender soft-serve ice cream is also a popular local treat.
Lake Tambara and Tambara Dam form one of the central scenic features of the plateau.
Tambara Dam is a 116-meter-high central-core rockfill dam built exclusively for hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1981, it operates as a pumped-storage power facility, using Lake Tambara as its upper reservoir in conjunction with Fujiwara Dam on the Tone River system.
Environmental considerations were incorporated into the construction of the dam. For example, measures were taken to reduce the height of the dam in order to minimize its impact on wetlands upstream.
The dam embankment is currently open to visitors during the daytime, offering impressive views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
In autumn, the colorful foliage reflected on the surface of Lake Tambara creates a particularly beautiful scene, attracting many photography enthusiasts.
During winter, the area operates as Tambara Ski Park, offering a long ski season from late November through early May.
Its high elevation provides dry, high-quality powder snow. Approximately 80% of the courses are designed for beginners and intermediate skiers, making the resort popular with families and people learning to ski or snowboard.
The resort has several lifts, including pair lifts and quad lifts, as well as restaurants, lodges, and other visitor facilities.
A dedicated snow-play area is equipped with a snow escalator, allowing even young children to enjoy sledding in a comfortable and convenient environment.
During the summer season, camping is also available, allowing visitors to spend time surrounded by nature beneath a spectacular star-filled sky.
The clear highland air and peaceful surroundings provide an opportunity to escape from the noise and bustle of everyday life.
Hiking and nature observation are also popular in the surrounding area. Visitors come to explore the local ecosystem and observe insects and wild birds.
Tambara Plateau is approximately 30 minutes by car from the Numata Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
During the summer season, free shuttle buses operate from Jomo-Kogen Station and Numata Station. Local bus services are also available.
The center house provides parking and restroom facilities and serves as a convenient base for exploring the plateau.
Tambara Plateau offers something different throughout the year: Asian skunk cabbage in spring, lavender in summer, colorful autumn foliage, and snow activities in winter.
This beautiful highland destination combines abundant natural environments with facilities designed for visitors to enjoy the landscape. Each visit can bring a new discovery and a different experience.
From quiet walks through ancient forests and wetlands to active outdoor adventures, Tambara Plateau offers many ways to enjoy the mountains and nature. It is one of Gunma Prefecture’s distinctive highland resorts and a rewarding destination in every season.