Mt. Mozawa is a volcano towering on the border between Niigata Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, standing at an elevation of 2,145 meters. Its flat mountaintop features an approximately 4-square-kilometer plateau wetland, which is a well-known habitat for alpine flora. The eastern foothills plain, as well as the Mozawa Ski Resort, Kagura Sansa Ski Resort, and Mikuni Ski Resort, form a vast...
Niigata City is the capital of Niigata Prefecture and the largest city on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu Island in Japan. It is also one of the most famous tourist cities on the island. Located northwest of Tokyo, just 300 kilometers away, it boasts an extensive transportation network including an international airport, an international port, the Shinkansen (bullet train), and highways. Every…
Senboku Onsen is located in Murakami City, the northernmost part of Niigata Prefecture, and was discovered by accident during oil drilling in the early 20th century. The onsen faces the Sea of Japan and is known for offering the experience of soaking in hot springs while enjoying pine forests, sunsets over the Sea of Japan, and delicious local cuisine such as salmon and seafood — a perfect combination of relaxation, scenic beauty, …
Mount Hyuga is a volcano located in Yahiko Village, Nishikasugai District, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Situated on the Sea of Japan side of the Echigo Plain, its striking form rising directly from the coast gives it a unique presence. It is one of the most well-known volcanoes in Niigata Prefecture. The entire mountain is embraced by the sea and plains, offering visitors expansive views of its beautiful scenery...
Mount Haruna is a dormant volcano located in Gunma Prefecture in the northern part of the Kanto region of Japan. It experienced major eruptions in 495 AD and over the following 30 years. It is one of the Three Mountains of Jōmō (上毛三山), which refers to three major mountains within Gunma Prefecture: Mount Akagi, Mount Haruna, and Mount Myōgi. These peaks hold significant importance in the hearts of the people of Gunma, and their names often appear in the school songs of many junior and senior high schools in the prefecture.
Mount Asama is a composite volcano made of andesite that straddles Agatsuma District in Gunma Prefecture and Kitasaku District in Nagano Prefecture, with an elevation of 2,568 meters. It has taken its current form after numerous eruptions. Active since hundreds of thousands of years ago alongside other nearby volcanoes, Mount Asama continues to exhibit volcanic activity on Kama-yama at its summit, with the most recent...
Jōetsu City is a city located in the central part of the Hokuriku region of Japan, in the western part of Niigata Prefecture (Jōetsu area). It was established in 1971 through the merger of two cities, Takada and Naoetsu, and is currently classified as a special ordinance city. Jōetsu's diverse range of museums offers an excellent opportunity to learn about the city’s development history and culture, including the Jōetsu City Aquarium Museum…
Kamo City is a city located in the central part of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, known as "Little Kyoto of Echigo." It was officially established as a city on March 10, 1954. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and bordering the Niigata Plain to the west, the city is graced by the Kamo River, which originates from the Sakuradake mountain range within the prefectural nature park. The harmonious blend of river and mountain scenery creates an elegantly tranquil northern cityscape. …
Minamiuonuma City is a city in the Chūetsu region of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It was established on November 1, 2004, through the merger of two towns in Minamiuonuma District: Rokka and Ōtari. This is a city that can be enjoyed all year round, featuring sightseeing facilities where you can experience the charm of olden, beautiful Japan, as well as ryokan (Japanese inns), minshuku (family-run guesthouses), and more.
Nagaoka City is the second-largest city in Niigata Prefecture and a designated Special City. It hosts industries such as general machinery, electronics, precision machinery, and textiles, and is home to Nagaoka University of Technology. Designated as a technology-intensive city in 1984, it is now striving for balanced development in production, research, education, and housing. The city has numerous museums, including the Niigata Prefectural...
Shibata City is a city in the Sakushiro region of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1947, it is home to Keiwa Gakuen University. The city's goldfish float is a traditional Japanese toy that features a goldfish lantern mounted on a wheeled cart and is the last remaining form of its kind in the world. Shibata Castle is an ancient castle in Shibata City...
Mount Tanigawa is a peak located at the border between Gunma and Niigata prefectures. Together with the surrounding Mount Mantaro, Mount Sendokura, and Mount Mokuradake, it is collectively referred to as the Tanigawa Range. It consists of two peaks with elevations of 1,963 meters and 1,977 meters respectively. The mountain features steep cliffs and complex terrain, serving as the watershed between Japan’s eastern and western river systems. Influenced by air masses from both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean…
Nozori Lake is a highland lake located in the northwest of Gunma Prefecture and the northern part of Rokugō Village, surrounded by mountains ranging from 1,514 to 2,000 meters above sea level. It originally was a pond within a wetland but was formed after the construction of the Nozori Dam (Nozori Dam), built for hydroelectric power generation in the mid-20th century. Nozori...
Ikaho Onsen is located at the foot of Mount Haruna in central Gunma Prefecture and has long been renowned as a famous hot spring. Historical records from ancient texts document the presence of this hot spring, making it a very ancient one. Originally, Ikaho Onsen only had what was known as the "Golden Spring" due to its uniquely colored water, which turned tea-brown in color due to the oxidation of iron content in the spring quality...
Both plum blossoms and cherry blossoms belong to the Prunus genus of the Rosaceae family. These flowers are deeply intertwined with Japanese life and play a significant role in the country’s landscaping. Viewing cherry and plum blossoms in spring is among Japan’s most vibrant seasonal events. In Japan, Gunma Prefecture ranks second in plum tree production nationwide, trailing only Wakayama Prefecture, and is the top producer in eastern Japan. The Akiwa Plum Blossom Grove is one of the largest such groves.
Kusatsu Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort located in Kusatsu Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. With a history spanning over a thousand years, it is counted among Japan’s Three Famous Springs, alongside Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture. The spring quality of Kusatsu Onsen is exceptionally high, being 100% natural with no heating, boiling, dilution, or cooling...
Mount Akagi is located in Gunma Prefecture in the northern part of the Kanto region of Japan and is a dormant volcano. It is an isolated volcanic island formed by the subsidence after the collision of the Pacific Plate and the Okhotsk Plate. Along with two other mountains in the northeastern Kanto region — Mount Haruna and Mount Myogi — it is collectively known as the "Jomo Sanzan" or "Three Mountains of Jomo." "Jomo" is the abbreviated form of "Joumou," the old provincial name for Gunma Prefecture, which was formerly called Joumou Province.
Maebashi is a city located in the central-southern part of Gunma Prefecture and the northwestern part of the Kantō region in Japan. It serves as the prefectural capital of Gunma Prefecture. The city was established in 1892, became a special ordinance city on April 1, 2001, and attained core city status in 2009. In 1999, it hosted the World Indoor Athletics Championships. Additionally, it is also home to...
Takasaki City is a city in the southwestern part of Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1990, it serves as the transportation hub of the region and is known as the hometown of Daruma, representing the Buddhist saint Bodhidharma, who in modern times is also seen as a symbol of good fortune. The city's cultural facilities include the Gunma Prefectural Museum of Modern Art, the Takasaki City Museum of Art, the Takasaki City History and Folklore Museum…
Isesaki City is a city in southern Gunma Prefecture, Japan. In 2007, it was elevated to the status of a special ordinance city along with the neighboring city of Ota, making it one of the few cities in Gunma Prefecture with a still-growing population. It is the fourth-largest city in Gunma Prefecture and is also home to Jōbu University. Isesaki City is the birthplace of Japanese male manga artist Mitsuru Adachi…