🕓 2024/9/23
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Gunma Prefecture is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Located inland in the Kanto region, Gunma attracts visitors from both Japan and abroad who come to enjoy its seasonal beauty. Popular tourist spots include Kusatsu Onsen and Shima Onsen, as well as Mt. Tanigawa, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains.
Gunma is also home to local cultural events such as the Takasaki and Tatebayashi Festivals. Additionally, it’s celebrated as a "food treasure trove," with specialties like Joshu beef, konjac, and yaki-manju.
For those visiting Gunma, here are three handpicked luxury hotels that promise a special stay.
Sekizenkan is a historic hot spring inn located in Shima Onsen, Gunma Prefecture, established in 1694 during the Genroku era. It is recognized as Japan’s oldest wooden hot spring inn and has been designated an important cultural property of Gunma Prefecture. Throughout its long history, Sekizenkan has offered a rich experience where hot springs and culture intertwine.
1. Architectural Charm and Historical Background
Sekizenkan’s "Genroku-no-Yu" bathhouse, constructed in 1930 in a Taisho Romanesque style, is notable for its distinctive arched windows. The design reflects a luxurious "Roman-style" aesthetic of the time, which remains well-preserved today.
Genroku-no-Yu also features a steam bath (the original form of a sauna), with two adjoining rooms offering a dark and tranquil atmosphere for relaxation. Natural spring water flows from the floor of the bath, providing a unique hot spring experience.
2. Room Features and Accommodation Styles
Sekizenkan has three wings, with the "Main Building" being Japan’s oldest wooden hot spring inn, allowing guests to enjoy the traditional "toji" (hot spring therapy) style. Rooms for toji guests are simple, and bedding is laid out and folded away by the guests themselves, recreating the culture of the Edo period. Meanwhile, "Kasho-tei" and "Sansou" offer more modern, luxurious rooms, some with "natural floor heating," where hot spring water flows beneath the floors.
3. The Appeal of Film Locations
Sekizenkan is said to have been one of the inspirations for Studio Ghibli’s film Spirited Away. The "Romantic Tunnel" in particular evokes the magical atmosphere of the tunnel leading to the otherworldly realm in the movie, making it a popular photo spot for fans. An elevator at the end of the tunnel enhances the feeling of entering another world, making this location especially appealing to fans of Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
4. Activities and Historical Tours
For guests staying at Sekizenkan, a guided tour of the inn’s history is offered. Led by the owner, the tour provides a fascinating insight into the rich history of Sekizenkan, which has been in operation since the Genroku era. The tour includes explanations about the inn’s architecture, accompanied by slides of old photos, offering visitors an engaging experience.
5. Dining Experience
Sekizenkan also takes great care in its dining offerings. Breakfast is served in the form of a healthy Shokado bento box, featuring local ingredients and dishes such as rice porridge, designed to be gentle on the body. For dinner, guests can enjoy seasonal "Shiki Gozen" meal plans, offering beautifully presented kaiseki cuisine made with local Gunma specialties.
Dishes such as Joshu beef and courses featuring matsutake mushrooms are available for those seeking a more luxurious dining experience.
Kusatsu Onsen "Naraya" is a traditional ryokan that was founded in 1877 (Meiji 10) and is known for its famous hot spring drawn from the "Shirahata" source, one of Kusatsu's most revered springs. Naraya blends history and tradition with modern comfort, providing guests with a peaceful stay while experiencing the charm of Kusatsu Onsen.
1. History and Hot Spring Source
Naraya was founded in 1877 and is one of Kusatsu's most historic ryokan. It uses water from the oldest source in Kusatsu, the "Shirahata" hot spring, which is highly acidic and known for its strong antibacterial properties, especially effective for skin conditions.
At Naraya, the management of the water’s temperature and cleanliness is carefully overseen by a "Yumori" (hot spring caretaker), preserving the quality of the spring water. The soft texture of the water is a hallmark of Kusatsu Onsen, making Naraya’s baths particularly popular.
2. Hot Spring Facilities and "Yumomi" Tradition
Naraya offers various hot spring facilities, including large public baths and private baths, where guests can fully enjoy the Shirahata spring that flows from the famous Yubatake (hot spring field). The tradition of "Yumomi" is also preserved here, where long wooden paddles are used to stir the water, adjusting the temperature. This traditional method of "moaning the water" softens its feel, making the unique acidic water gentler on the skin, one of Naraya's distinct appeals.
3. Cuisine Featuring Fresh Local Ingredients
Naraya serves exquisite kaiseki meals made with fresh ingredients sourced from Gunma Prefecture. Seasonal dishes are a highlight, with menus changing throughout the year to reflect the flavors of each season. Guests can savor local delicacies such as Joshu beef, wild vegetables from the mountains, and river fish, all prepared with traditional Japanese culinary techniques, enriching the dining experience during their stay.
4. Private Rooms for a Relaxing Stay
Naraya offers a variety of room types, from quiet, traditional Japanese-style rooms to luxurious suites with private open-air baths. The rooms with private hot spring baths are especially popular, allowing guests to enjoy a relaxing soak in a private setting. Additionally, many rooms offer stunning views of Kusatsu’s natural beauty or the iconic Yubatake, providing a special ambiance during your stay.
Shima Onsen "Shima Tamura" is a prestigious hot spring inn with over 500 years of history, located in the Shima Onsen region of Gunma Prefecture. The inn boasts seven private natural hot spring sources, with all baths being filled directly from these springs. The long-standing hot spring culture, combined with a harmony with nature, has provided visitors with exceptional relaxation and healing over the centuries.
1. History and Tradition
Shima Tamura, located in Gunma’s Shima Onsen, is a historic ryokan with 500 years of heritage. Dating back to the Muromachi period, it has flourished as a therapeutic hot spring inn (toji ryokan).
Shima Onsen itself was designated as Japan’s first National Health Resort in 1954, and Shima Tamura is widely known as one of the most traditional inns in the area. Guests can enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the surrounding environment, where the hot springs flow directly from the source, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
2. Seven Hot Springs and Free-Flowing Waters
Shima Tamura owns seven distinct hot spring sources, each offering a unique ambiance. All the hot springs are filled directly from these private sources, ensuring an abundant supply of water. Shima Onsen has long been celebrated for its therapeutic effects, particularly for relaxation and beauty benefits, offering a soothing experience for visitors. For those seeking more privacy, there are also private baths available, where guests can enjoy a quiet, peaceful soak.
3. Seasonal Kaiseki Cuisine
Dining at Shima Tamura is a highlight, with kaiseki meals prepared using fresh, local ingredients that showcase the seasons. Joshu beef and local mountain vegetables are especially popular, allowing guests to savor the seasonal changes through their meals. The kaiseki menu changes monthly, offering dishes that emphasize seasonal flavors, making dining at Shima Tamura an integral part of the overall experience.
4. A Blend of Tradition and Modern Comfort
The design of the inn seamlessly combines traditional Japanese architecture with modern comforts. Spacious rooms offer views of Shima Onsen’s natural beauty, providing an ideal environment for a peaceful stay. Room types include the purely Japanese-style "Suiyokan," the historic "Kinyokan," and the premium "Mokuyokan," all of which allow guests to fully appreciate the surrounding nature.
Guests can also enjoy walking around the inn or visiting nearby sightseeing spots, experiencing a perfect harmony between Shima Tamura’s rich history and the beautiful natural surroundings.
Bettei Senjyuan is a secluded hot spring inn located in Gunma Prefecture's Tanigawa Onsen, surrounded by the beautiful seasonal scenery of nature. Each room is equipped with an open-air bath, offering a luxurious and private experience in the hot springs. The inn has also been selected as a member of "Relais & Châteaux," a prestigious global association of luxury hotels, and is highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally.
1. Spectacular Scenery and Tranquil Location
Located in Tanigawa Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, the inn offers breathtaking views of the majestic Tanigawa-dake mountain and the Tanigawa Gorge. Surrounded by beautiful, ever-changing nature through the seasons, guests can relax in serene silence and rejuvenate both mind and body. The inn’s reputation extends globally, being a proud member of the French luxury hospitality group "Relais & Châteaux."
2. Private Rooms with Open-Air Baths
Bettei Senjyuan offers 18 guest rooms, each featuring its own open-air hot spring bath with water drawn directly from the source. This ensures a private and luxurious experience for each guest, allowing them to fully enjoy the rich waters of Tanigawa Onsen in the comfort of their own room.
The spring water contains calcium, sodium, sulfate, and chloride, with a slightly alkaline pH, making it gentle on the skin. It is particularly known for being easy on the body even after long soaks. Guests can relax and unwind while taking in the stunning views of Tanigawa-dake from the comfort of their baths.
3. A Dining Experience Featuring Gunma’s Local Cuisine
Bettei Senjyuan offers creative Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from the rich natural environment of Gunma. Dishes feature carefully selected local ingredients, including mountain and river delicacies, and Joshu beef, prepared with a harmonious blend of traditional and modern techniques.
The dishes are not only delicious but also visually exquisite, with delicate presentations that enhance the quality of the ingredients. Dining is usually served in private rooms, allowing guests to enjoy a quiet and relaxing meal while maintaining their privacy.
4. Relaxation and Hospitality
In addition to the luxurious guest rooms and hot springs, the warm hospitality of the staff is highly praised. From check-in to check-out, attentive service and thoughtful care ensure that every guest has a special stay. The inn also features a relaxation room and a garden perfect for strolling, where guests can enjoy the luxury of doing nothing at all, making it an ideal setting for a serene and indulgent escape.