Must-Visit Northern Kanto: Top Attractions in Gunma and Tochigi Based on Real Reviews | Japan Travel Guide

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Currently, Hotel Reviewn by GMO is running the "Viewn Japan Coast-to-Coast Campaign" to celebrate the first anniversary of our service launch!
(For details, click here)
We've gathered top tourist destinations and gourmet information from across Japan that will stir your wanderlust, as shared on our official X account. Invited by the cheerful spring weather, where shall we venture next during our time off? We're here to deliver that excitement! 🚄💨

Kusatsu Onsen (Kusatsu City, Gunma Prefecture)

On a slightly overcast early morning, just walking through the white steam rising from the Yubatake (hot water field) will gently warm your heart at Kusatsu Onsen. Surrounded by the scent of sulfur while soaking in the morning tranquility at "Sainokawara Rotenburo" (outdoor hot spring), you'll encounter blissful moments that feel as if time has stopped. As you leisurely stroll through the hot spring town, the gentle sweetness of onsen manju (hot spring steamed buns) will softly caress your cheeks from the souvenir shops lining the stone-paved streets, bringing an involuntary smile to your face.

At dusk, surrender yourself boldly to the large bath at "Otakinoyu," and as you gaze at the changing colors of the sky from the outdoor bath dappled with sunlight filtering through trees, the day's fatigue seems to melt away. Finally, enjoy a post-bath beer at a retro hot spring inn and savor local mountain vegetable cuisine—your hot spring experience will surely be etched in your memory as unforgettable. ♨️

When staying in Kusatsu, visit "Kusatsu Onsen Gensen Ichinoyu"! It's close to Yubatake with yukata rental available—a thoroughly satisfying hotel!

It would be lovely to relax at the hotel first, then head out for a stroll to the tourist attractions ✨

Source: Kusatsu Onsen Portal Site (https://www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/top.php)

Gunma Safari Park (Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture)

Once you pass through the zebra-striped gate, you're in what feels like the savanna itself. Whether you leisurely drive in your own car or entrust yourself to the thrilling jeep bus, the experience is extraordinary. Looking up close at a giraffe's neck, feeling an elephant's breath tickle your nose, and witnessing lions walking with majestic dignity fills your chest with the thrill and excitement of the extraordinary.

The Night Safari that begins after sunset reveals nocturnal companions quietly stirring in the flashlight beams, showing a mysterious side different from daytime. The moment you feel the forest's breath while becoming one with the animals is truly the climax of a great adventure! 🦁✨

Source: Gunma Safari Park (https://www.safari.co.jp/)

Nasushiobara (Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture)

Embraced by deep forests, Nasushiobara is a luxurious natural garden where the expressions of the four seasons change vividly. During the fresh green season, walk the dappled sunlight trails while listening to birdsong, and when autumn arrives, the burning autumn leaves spread out like a painting. In the crystal-clear air, stretching your legs brings a refreshing coolness to your skin, and an exhilarating sense of liberation from daily life envelops your entire body.

The time spent at charming hot spring inns, savoring fresh mountain vegetable dishes harvested locally and a glass of Nasu Highland beer, is exceptional. At night, join a stargazing tour and let your heart be captivated by the galactic brilliance of the star-filled sky. 🌌🍺

The recommended hotel in Nasu Onsen is "Nasu Onsen Hotel Harvest Nasu." With excellent large baths, pool, and ping-pong facilities, you can enjoy yourself all day long.

The delicious buffet is also essential!

Source: Nasushiobara Tourism Bureau (https://nasushiobara-kanko.jp/)

Ashikaga Flower Park (Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture)

"Ashikaga Flower Park," invited by the fragrance of wisteria swaying in the spring breeze, is like a kaleidoscope of flowers. Walking under the flower clusters glowing pale purple in the morning light, you're enveloped in a fantastical feeling as if flower spirits are gently passing by. From the gentle daytime scenery to the illuminations emerging in the evening darkness, this flower garden that changes expression with time is fresh no matter how many times you visit.

During the limited-time "Great Wisteria Festival," the illuminated wisteria tunnel colors the night sky, offering a mystical walk as if passing through stardust. Let your heart dance with the flower petal shower performance while feeling the magic of spring with your entire body. 🌸✨

Source: Flower and Light Paradise Ashikaga Flower Park (https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/)

Kirasse (Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture)

Open the doors of "Kirasse" and you'll find a gourmet wonderland where the diverse charms of Utsunomiya gyoza gather in one place! First, warm up your stomach with classic pan-fried gyoza and boiled gyoza. Then try the unique lineup like cheese gyoza and lemon gyoza, and you'll surely be amazed by the new possibilities of gyoza.

In the hands-on experience corner inside, learn the tips of stretching dough and wrapping ingredients from professionals. The moment of emotion when you cook up your own original gyoza will undoubtedly become the best memory of your trip! On your way home, take a frozen gyoza set as a souvenir for a gyoza party with family and friends to look forward to. 🥟💖

Source: Utsunomiya Gyoza Association Official Site (https://www.gyozakai.com/kirasse/)

North Kanto Version: Introducing Tiger-kun and Gyoza

When it comes to Utsunomiya, it's known for gyoza! The background to this fame is said to have begun when soldiers from the 14th Division of the Imperial Army, who returned from Manchuria after the war, brought back and spread authentic gyoza.
Additionally, Tochigi Prefecture has thriving vegetable production of Chinese cabbage and Chinese chives, creating an environment conducive to making ingredient-rich, healthy gyoza. The harsh inland climate also contributed to gyoza being favored as a source of stamina 💪
In the 1990s, city employees confirmed Japan's highest gyoza consumption through household surveys and formed the "Utsunomiya Gyoza Association," launching city-wide PR efforts that made the name resonate nationwide, establishing it as one of Japan's representative gyoza destinations 🥟

The North Kanto version of the regional Tiger-kun, featuring designs packed with expressions from various parts of Japan, shows him intently gazing at a large gyoza 🥺 His adorable expression, where you can almost see drool forming, tells the story of how delicious Utsunomiya gyoza is.

Every time you hold it, you feel the love for that region's climate and gourmet food, making it the perfect companion that lets you feel the afterglow of your travels anytime. Please take Tiger-kun with you on your next travel itinerary! 🐯🎁

Summary

The "Viewn Japan Coast-to-Coast Campaign" features travels that let you enjoy Japan's charms with all five senses—from mystical steam-filled strolls at Kusatsu Onsen, to thrilling animal drives at Gunma Safari Park, seasonal nature experiences in Nasushiobara, dreamlike wisteria flower corridors at Ashikaga Flower Park, and the gyoza gourmet wonderland that unfolds at Utsunomiya's "Kirasse." Furthermore, regional Tiger-kun keychains expressing the local character of each area will further enhance your wanderlust. If you're unsure where to go, use this summary as reference and head out to experience the "excitement" of a Japan coast-to-coast adventure on your next holiday!