Mt. Haruna

Mt. Haruna

A good place to hike and camp 

Mount Haruna, as it turns out is a great place to do all kinds of things, not just hike and camp. My first trip there was to see the beautiful fall leaves. Subsequent visits introduced me to more of what this mountain and lake have to offer. Hot springs, hiking, boating, horseback riding, go carts, food, Haruna Shrine, amazing winter illuminations... there is something for every season and interest. 

 I really liked Haruna Shrine. It gets really busy on the weekends because it is a supposed "power spot" but the natural beauty of the area is fantastic in any season. They also have a special kind of omikuji that is blank when you buy it, but characters appear when you put it in water. I don't put too much faith in fortune tellers, but it is kinda fun anyway. :)

The winter illuminations are totally worth the icy drive up, but take LOTS of warm clothes! It is so SO cold! 

Mt. Akagi

The long slopes 

Mt. Akagi 

Mt. Akagi is fairly close to Maebashi and as a result has a bit more going on. For our first visit to Akagi, we decided to visit Akagi Shrine, and Doitsu-mura. 

Akagi Shrine was really nice. The trees around the shrine created an atmosphere of calm, and peace with nature. 

Doitsu-mura on the other hand was like so many Japanese attempts to re-create foreign culture... a huge mess. They had New Zealand sheep, Mexican desserts, and a go-cart track... What about this was German again? Oh yeah the sausage. They did have good sausages. My friends (who has been to Germany) said were pretty close to the real thing... But I think its a little unfair to call yourself a "German Village" if only your sausages are German... 

Further trips to Akagi included the Senbon-zakura cherry blossoms, and the Gunma Flower Park. All worth the trip up the long sloped roads.  

 

Senbon Zakura Cherry Blossoms

Gunma Flower Park Winter Lights Event

Maebashi

Maebashi, the capitol of Gunma

the city of raw silk

Being that Maebashi is the capitol city I have been there countless times for work meetings, shopping, and cherry blossoms in the spring. For our photo we decided to go to the Kencho. It's not silk related, but it is very Maebashi. 

 

 

  The Kencho building is I believe the tallest building in Gunma, and it certainly stands out. Once you are out of the mountains, it is the most prominent land mark on the horizon. One of my friends learning Japanese often mistakenly calls it the Kancho (enema), so we now have a running joke that it is "kancho-ing" the sky.

Monument of Tago

The old monument of Tago

telling us of ancient times  

Not gunna lie... this location was a bit... underwhelming. It was an old rock, in a little hut, and you weren't allowed to take photos inside the hut.  There as a group of people there when we went, so we weren't even able to get into the hut to really see it up close. 

The memorial hall/museum near the monument of Tago was interesting though because there was more information and history about the marker stone and related items and events.

Tomioka Silk Mill

The silk mill in Tomioka City

first in Japan  

It's amazing to think something so light weight and strong comes from the cocoon of a worm... 

Many places in Gunma are historically famous for their production of silk. For myself, who has only really ever learned about the process for producing cotton, learning about silk was pretty interesting. If you have a chance, I recommend checking out Tomioka's silk mill. It's a great way to spend a rainy afternoon when outdoor activities aren't as much fun.

Nukisaki Shrine

Dating far back in history

Nukisaki Shrine 

Almost all shrines in Japan are built so that you have to walk "up" to them, ie climb stairs or a hill or something. Nukisaki however is situated so that you have to walk "down" to it. That may not seem very interesting to most people, but it is pretty rare, and for a nerd like myself, an interesting difference. 

 

Mt. Miyogi

Draped in the reds and golds of autumn 

Gorgeous Mt. Miyogi 

Miyogi is a jagged and slightly intimidating mountain. Most people I know who have climbed it said they found it a little unnerving, so my visit to this mountain was pretty laid back. My friends and I visited a shrine near one of the mountains parking areas. 

The shrine had a giant gold statue, of some sort of deity which was interesting but it was really the nature of Miyogi that was most memorable. Beautiful flowers, butterflies, and even some colorful lizards were high points of this trip for me.