Gunma attractions: what should I see and where should I bathe?
Choose Tomioka Silk Mill to explore a factory that reeled silk from cocoons, or Shorinzan to paint a daruma yourself. At Takasaki museums and galleries, explore history and art exhibitions running on your date. In Kusatsu, walk Yubatake or see Netsunoyu's yumomi performance. Choose Gozanoyu for indoor baths from two sources and a lounge, Otakinoyu for a large indoor bath and an outdoor bath, or Sainokawara for a spacious outdoor soak overlooking park scenery.
Attraction admission, hours and access
Tomioka Silk Mill
富岡製糸場
Tomioka Silk Mill preserves brick storehouses and the building where silk was reeled from cocoons. Explore the long storehouses and spacious, column-free reeling building to understand the factory's scale. Take Joshin Railway from Takasaki to Joshu-Tomioka and walk from there, allowing time for return trains and your visit.
- AdmissionIndividual adult admission JPY 1,000. High school and university students JPY 250 with student identification; elementary and junior high school students JPY 150. A regular adult guided tour costs JPY 200 extra.
- Hours09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. Closed 29–31 December. Individual visitors do not need reservations.
- Getting thereAfter leaving the JR gates at Takasaki, go left on the west side to Joshin Railway. Get off at Joshu-Tomioka and walk about 15 minutes. The train journey is listed as about 40 minutes. Joshu-Tomioka · 上州富岡
- Visit tipsCheck guided-tour start times on your visit day. Bring student identification for student discounts.
Official visitor informationSilk mill accessIndividual reservation informationTomioka Silk Mill storehouses and reeling building highlights
Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon
Byakue Dai-Kannon高崎白衣大観音
Separate a walk to view the statue's exterior from climbing the stairs inside. Arrive before the admission deadline if you want an interior visit.
- AdmissionStatue interior: high school students and older JPY 300; junior high school students and younger JPY 100.
- Hours09:00–17:00, closing at 16:30 in November–February. No regular closing days.
- Getting thereFrom Takasaki Station west exit bay 8, take Gururin Kannonyama route 14 via Kataoka to Byakui Kannon-mae. Return on route 13 towards Takasaki Station. Adult one-way fare is JPY 200; check your date's timetable and on-site signs.
- Visit tipsIf arriving late, see the exterior and move the interior visit to another morning. The interior visit involves stairs.
Byakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hoursKannonyama official mapCurrent Kannonyama route 14 outward timetableKannonyama walking mapGururin basic fare and JPY 100 sections
Kusatsu Yubatake
Yubatake湯畑
Walk through Yubatake's hot spring square and surrounding streets. A square walk and bathing are separate activities; bathe at your accommodation or a separate bathing facility.
- AdmissionYubatake square is free to visit. Check prices separately at nearby accommodation, performance venues and baths.
- HoursYubatake square is accessible 24 hours. Check operating hours separately at nearby accommodation, performance venues and baths.
- Getting thereFrom JR Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, take a JR bus towards Kusatsu Onsen. Yubatake is about a five-minute walk from the bus terminal. Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi · 長野原草津口
- Visit tipsGive walks and meals around Yubatake their own time. For an evening walk, choose nearby sections, and check restaurant hours separately from square access.
JR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal and Yubatake accessTourist informationJR bus route guide
Netsunoyu
熱乃湯
In front of Yubatake, see yumomi, the cooling of hot spring water with wooden boards, and a dance performance. Watching differs from bathing or a separate hands-on yumomi activity.
- AdmissionAdults JPY 700; elementary school students JPY 350. Tickets are sold on site from 30 minutes before the performance; reservations are not accepted. Pay in cash or with PayPay.
- HoursRegular performances: 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 15:30, 16:00 and 16:30. Check the calendar for changes and temporary cancellations on your date. Match your Kusatsu arrival to the session you want to see.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal is five minutes. Look for the performance venue sign in front of Yubatake.
Performance admission and ticket conditionsPerformance calendar by dateOfficial access
Gozanoyu
御座之湯
Gozanoyu has baths fed by the Yubatake and Bandai sources, plus a large free lounge for bathers. Admission is paid; private rooms cost extra.
- AdmissionAdults JPY 900; children JPY 450; medium paid locker JPY 100. Bring your own towel.
- HoursApril–November: 07:00–21:00. December–March: 08:00–21:00. Last entry is 20:30. Bathers can use the large lounge 09:00–20:00 at no extra charge.
- Getting thereLook for the facility sign southwest of Yubatake. Use the tourism association's map together with official access guidance.
- FacilitiesWashing areas, shampoo, body wash and hair dryers are provided. There is no outdoor bath or towel rental. Paid private rooms and yukata rental are optional extras.
Gozanoyu current prices and loungeGozanoyu lockers, towels and facilities FAQGozanoyu location and accessGozanoyu baths from two hot spring sources
Sainokawara Open-air Bath
Sainokawara Open-Air Bath西の河原露天風呂
At Sainokawara Open-air Bath, soak in a spacious outdoor bath overlooking the park's natural surroundings. Separate a park walk from paid bath admission. The facility FAQ's roughly 12-minute walk from Yubatake to the bath ends at a different point from the sightseeing route's roughly ten-minute walk to the park entrance.
- AdmissionAdults JPY 800; children JPY 400. Towels cost extra. The child category covers ages three through elementary school.
- HoursApril–November: 07:00–20:00. December–March: 09:00–20:00. Last entry is 19:30.
- Getting thereFrom Yubatake, follow Sainokawara Street into the park, then continue through the park following signs to the outdoor bath.
- Visit tipsRather than rushing to bathe around your arrival bus time, leave time for an outdoor bath the next morning. Check maintenance closure notices.
Outdoor bath prices and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers and facilities FAQOfficial walking route to the parkSainokawara spacious outdoor bath and nature views
Otakinoyu
大滝乃湯
Otakinoyu offers both a large indoor bath and an outdoor bath. The three- and four-night Kusatsu B itineraries give it a separate day rather than combining it with another bathing facility.
- AdmissionAdults JPY 1,200; paid coin locker JPY 100. Private rooms, privately reserved baths and towels cost extra.
- Hours09:00–21:00, last entry 20:00
- Getting thereFollow signs from Yubatake. The official walk takes seven to eight minutes; register for bathing at the facility entrance.
Otakinoyu prices and hoursOtakinoyu walking access and lockersOtakinoyu access
Kusatsu Nettaiken
草津熱帯圏
Observe animals in Kusatsu Nettaiken's tropical dome. The four-night Kusatsu B itinerary gives it a separate day alongside the baths. Animal contact events differ from regular admission visits.
- AdmissionAdults JPY 1,300; high school students JPY 1,000; children aged four and over JPY 800.
- Hours08:30–17:00, with no regular closing days. Ask the facility about last entry before visiting.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal takes about 12 minutes. Follow the tourist map and on-site signs to the entrance.
Tourism association: Nettaiken admission, hours and walking accessKusatsu Nettaiken official facility name and events
Gunma Prefectural Museum of History
群馬県立歴史博物館
At Gunma Prefectural Museum of History, explore the special exhibition of Noh costumes alongside permanent exhibits. Recheck admission when exhibitions change.
- AdmissionJPY 1,000 adult admission covers the 115th special exhibition, 18 September–23 November 2026, and permanent exhibits. This differs from JPY 300 for permanent exhibits alone when no special exhibition is running.
- Hours09:30–17:00, last entry 16:30. Monday is the usual closing day; check the official opening calendar and special exhibition dates for your visit.
- Getting thereFrom Takasaki Station east side, take Gururin route 9, 10 or 15 to Gunma-no-Mori. Adult bus fare is JPY 200; the museum is about a five-minute walk from the stop.
- Visit tipsAfter the exhibits, rest in the park and return to Takasaki. The history museum and modern art museum are different facilities in the same park.
History museum 2026 special exhibition and admissionHistory museum 2026 opening calendarHistory museum access and facilities
Museum of Modern Art, Gunma
The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma群馬県立近代美術館
Take your time with modern Japanese and Western art at the Museum of Modern Art, Gunma. It shares a park with the history museum, but has a different building and exhibits. The collection exhibition described below runs for a limited period; check exhibitions and admission for your date.
- AdmissionStandard adult admission to the 19 September–8 November 2026 collection exhibition is JPY 300. Group discounts and other special exhibitions have different prices; check separately.
- Hours09:30–17:00, last entry 16:30. This exhibition closes Mondays and on 24 September and 13 October, but opens on Mondays 21 September and 12 October.
- Getting thereFrom Takasaki Station east side, take Gururin route 9, 10 or 15 to Gunma-no-Mori. Adult fare is JPY 200. Follow the park map and modern art museum signs to the correct building.
- Visit tipsThe park opens 08:00–17:30 in October. Rest in the park after the exhibits, then return to the Gunma-no-Mori stop. Check facility last entry, park hours and return buses separately.
Modern art museum 2026 collection exhibition and admissionModern art museum access and bus timetables in both directions
Shorinzan Darumaji Temple
少林山達磨寺
Choose daruma painting at Shorinzan Darumaji to see daruma around the grounds and paint one yourself.
- AdmissionRegular temple visits are free. Daruma painting costs JPY 1,500 for a 12 cm daruma or JPY 2,000 for 15 cm. Separate prayers and souvenirs are excluded.
- HoursThe Daruma Hall opens 09:00–17:00. Activity registration is 10:00–15:30; reserved start times are 10:00–15:00. The activity venue closes at 16:00. Snow or typhoons may suspend the activity.
- Getting thereFrom Takasaki Station west exit bay 4, take Gururin Shorinzan route 1 to Shorinzan-iriguchi. The official walk from the stop to the temple is about five minutes, followed by around 200 stairs beyond the main gate to the upper activity venue.
- Activity reservationsOne person or more can participate without a reservation; groups of ten or more must book. The activity takes about 30 minutes, plus waiting time. Same-day cancellations and no-shows incur a 50% cancellation fee, and late arrival may mean losing your place.
Gunma official tourism: regular Shorinzan temple visitsDaruma painting registration, prices and reservationsShorinzan facility hours and accessGunma official tourism: west exit bay 4 and walking accessShorinzan timetable revised in 2025 and west exit bay 4
Takasaki City Museum of Art
高崎市美術館
At Takasaki City Museum of Art and the former Inoue residence, explore art exhibits, the house interior and garden together. Their proximity to the station suits a last-day visit before returning. The figure exhibition applies only to the dates below, and residence interior hours differ from museum hours.
- AdmissionDuring the Human Figure exhibition, 10 October–13 December 2026, standard adult admission is JPY 300, including the former Inoue residence. This ticket is separate from the Museum of Modern Art, Gunma.
- HoursMuseum hours: 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; Fridays until 20:00, last entry 19:30. Residence interior: 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00. Garden in October–November: 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; December closing 17:00, last entry 16:30. October 2026 closing days for this exhibition are 13, 19 and 26 October.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Takasaki Station west exit is about three minutes.
- Visit tipsFor both the museum and residence, you can visit the house interior after lunch during its 14:00–16:00 opening. Afterwards, take your return train from Takasaki Station.
Takasaki City Museum of Art Human Figure exhibition and admissionRecheck Takasaki City Museum of Art, Inoue garden seasonal hours and October 2026 closuresTakasaki City Museum of Art access and hoursHotel Metropolitan Takasaki: station to sixth-floor receptionHotel Metropolitan Takasaki check-in and luggage storage FAQOctober 2026 JR return journey check record
Frequently asked questions
Does Sainokawara Open-air Bath cost JPY 600?
The facility operator's guidance checked on 8 October 2026 lists adult admission at JPY 800. Towels and other bathing facilities cost extra.
Official sources and check dates
- Hotel Metropolitan Takasaki: station to sixth-floor reception ·
- Hotel Metropolitan Takasaki check-in and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Current Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable ·
- Gururin basic fare and JPY 100 sections ·
- Kannonyama walking map ·
- Byakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours ·
- Silk mill access ·
- October 2026 JR return journey check record ·
- Performance calendar by date ·
- Performance admission and ticket conditions ·
- Outdoor bath prices and hours ·
- Outdoor bath walking access, lockers and facilities FAQ ·
- Gozanoyu current prices and lounge ·
- Gozanoyu lockers, towels and facilities FAQ ·
- Gozanoyu location and access ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Individual reservation information ·
- Kannonyama official map ·
- Tourist information ·
- JR bus route guide ·
- Official access ·
- Official walking route to the park ·
- Otakinoyu prices and hours ·
- Otakinoyu walking access and lockers ·
- Otakinoyu access ·
- Tourism association: Nettaiken admission, hours and walking access ·
- Kusatsu Nettaiken official facility name and events ·
- Shorinzan timetable revised in 2025 and west exit bay 4 ·
- History museum 2026 special exhibition and admission ·
- History museum access and facilities ·
- Modern art museum 2026 collection exhibition and admission ·
- Modern art museum access and bus timetables in both directions ·
- Takasaki City Museum of Art Human Figure exhibition and admission ·
- Takasaki City Museum of Art access and hours ·
- Shorinzan facility hours and access ·
- Daruma painting registration, prices and reservations ·
- History museum 2026 opening calendar ·
- Gunma official tourism: regular Shorinzan temple visits ·
- Gunma official tourism: west exit bay 4 and walking access ·
- JR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal and Yubatake access ·
- Recheck Takasaki City Museum of Art, Inoue garden seasonal hours and October 2026 closures ·
- Tomioka Silk Mill storehouses and reeling building highlights ·
- Gozanoyu baths from two hot spring sources ·
- Sainokawara spacious outdoor bath and nature views ·