20 Museums in Gunma worth your time

Explore local history, art, and the unique architecture of this museum in Tomioka City.

What it is

• Opened in 1995 in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Designed by Yanagisawa Takahiko + TAK Architects and Urban Planners.
• Exhibits local archaeology, folk materials, and art.
• Features a memorial gallery for painter Ichiro Fukuzawa.

What to see

• Continuous semi-circular vaulted roofs are a design highlight.
• Three exhibition rooms dedicated to painter Ichiro Fukuzawa.
• One room recreates Ichiro Fukuzawa's atelier.
• Displays works by local artists, modern to contemporary.
• Archaeological and folk materials from Tomioka City.

When to go

• Open 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed on Mondays and during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Take a taxi from Joshu-Tomioka Station.
• Take a taxi from Isobe Station.

Official site

www.city.tomioka.lg.jp

Read more about Tomioka City Museum / Fukuzawa Ichiro Memorial Gallery

Explore space and science at this museum, honoring Japan's first female astronaut.

What it is

• Municipal science museum in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 1991 as Tatebayashi City Children's Science Museum.
• Renamed for Japan's first female astronaut, Chiaki Mukai.

What to see

• Large planetarium with a 23m dome and 240 seats.
• Planetarium projects 25,000 stars.
• Exhibits space shuttle and astronaut Chiaki Mukai items.
• Astronomical observatory with a 20cm Coude refracting telescope.
• Displays the Subaru Plane, made by Yuichi Onishi.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Tobu Railway Tatebayashi Station.
• 15-minute drive from Tohoku Expressway Tatebayashi Interchange.

Address

群馬県館林市城町2番2号 Map

Official site

www.city.tatebayashi.gunma.jp

Read more about Mukai Chiai Children's Science Museum

This art museum showcases modern Japanese Western-style paintings and Western art, including rare collections.

What it is

• A registered art museum in Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 1989, exhibiting Eiji Okawa's collections.
• Building expanded and renovated by Kan Matsumoto.

What to see

• Over 6,500 items, mainly modern Japanese Western-style paintings.
• Largest collection of Shunsuke Matsumoto and Hideo Noda.
• Representative works: Matsumoto's "Town" and "Canal Scenery."
• Western art by Picasso, Miro, Rouault, and Ben Shahn.
• Library, garden, cafe, and museum shop.

Getting there

• 13-minute walk from JR Ryomo Line Kiryu Station.
• 8-minute walk from Joshin Electric Railway Nishi-Kiryu Station.

Official site

okawamuseum.jp

Read more about Okawa Museum of Art

This private museum showcases a diverse art collection, including Japanese and Western masters, in a unique architectural setting.

What it is

• A private museum founded in October 1997.
• Houses the personal art collection of Yabuki Isao.
• Yabuki Isao was the founder of Ginza Ten-ichi.
• The building is the last work of architect Yoshimura Junzo.

What to see

• The two-story museum building itself.
• Four Reiko portraits by Kishida Ryusei.
• Paintings by Yasui Sotaro and Fujishima Takeji.
• Works by Umehara Ryuzaburo and Kumagai Morikazu.
• Ukiyo-e bijinga, Pablo Picasso, and Auguste Renoir.
• Ceramics by Kawakita Handeishi and Kitaoji Rosanjin.

Getting there

• A 7-minute drive from Minakami Station.

Read more about Ten-ichi Museum

Arts Maebashi is a modern art museum in a renovated building, easily accessible by foot.

What it is

• An art museum in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened on October 26, 2013.
• Designated as a museum equivalent facility.

What to see

• Building was a renovated Seiyu Livin Maebashi WALK.
• Renovation designed by Mizutani Toshihiro Architectural Design Office.
• Building has 9 floors above ground, 1 basement floor.
• Seven galleries, from 1st floor to 1st basement.

When to go

• Open from 11:00 to 19:00.
• Closed on Wednesdays.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Maebashi Station North Exit.
• 5-minute walk from Chuo Maebashi Station.

Official site

www.artsmaebashi.jp

Read more about Arts Maebashi

Outdoor railway museum in Gunma, preserving Usui Pass railway history with unique experiences.

What it is

• Outdoor railway museum in Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened on April 18, 1999.
• Constructed on the former Yokokawa driving district site.
• Official nickname is PoppoTown.

What to see

• Exhibits railway vehicles and materials from Usui Pass.
• Displays valuable JNR era vehicles.
• Railway museum building.
• Trolley train operates on abandoned Shin'etsu Main Line.

Getting there

• Located immediately after getting off at Yokokawa Station.
• About a 10-minute drive from Matsuida Myogi IC.

Address

群馬県安中市松井田町横川407-16 Map

Official site

www.usuitouge.com

Read more about Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park

A 1917 timber-framed stone office building in Kiryu serving as a Japan Heritage site and local cultural property.

What it is

• The former office of the Kiryu Twisting Silk Company built in 1917
• A timber-framed stone structure designated as a Kiryu City Important Cultural Property
• The only remaining building from a once large factory site
• A constituent cultural property of a Japan Heritage site

What to see

• Exterior walls finished with cement plaster
• A roof currently covered with iron plates
• The original slate tile roof design
• The current headquarters for the Kiryu City Cultural Properties Protection Division

Official site

www.city.kiryu.lg.jp

Read more about Kennen Kinenkan

A private museum in Ikaho Onsen, dedicated to artist Takehisa Yumeji, showcasing his diverse works.

What it is

• A private art museum in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 1981, dedicated to artist Takehisa Yumeji.
• Houses over 16,000 items by the artist.

What to see

• Paintings, prints, and design drafts.
• Diaries and sketchbooks of the artist.
• Antique dolls and tableware.
• The main building, Taisho Roman no Yakata.
• The Yumeji Kurofune-kan building.
• The Shin-kan Gizan-ro, a Japanese architectural building.

Getting there

• About 25 minutes by bus from Shibukawa Station.

Official site

yumeji.or.jp

Read more about Takehisa Yumeji Ikaho Memorial

Explore Kiryu's textile heritage in a historic factory, with hands-on dyeing and weaving.

What it is

• A textile museum managed by Morihide Textile Co., Ltd.
• Utilizes a former factory building.
• Dedicated to Kiryu-ori textiles.
• Factory buildings constructed around 1924.

What to see

• Exhibits of Kiryu-ori materials, looms, and tools.
• Former factory buildings, a National Tangible Cultural Property.
• Textile collections, certified Industrial Heritage.
• Adjacent Morihide Textile factory can be toured.

What to do

• Experience indigo dyeing.
• Experience hand weaving.

Address

群馬県桐生市東4-2-24 Map

Official site

www.morihide.co.jp

Read more about Textile Museum Yukari

Explore a beautifully preserved 1931 wooden school building, a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

What it is

• A memorial hall in Midori City, Gunma Prefecture.
• The original school opened in May 1873.
• The current wooden building was rebuilt in 1931.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2001.

What to see

• Two-story Western-style wooden school building.
• Exterior is original, except for aluminum sashes.
• Bust of Kichiro Imaizumi, who donated funds.
• Learn about Wasaburo Ishihara, lyricist and principal.

When to go

• Reopened on August 1, 2023.

Read more about Former Hanawa Elementary School Memorial Hall

This museum, built on a historic temple site, explores the unique tradition of 'divorce temples'.

What it is

• A museum in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Built on the site of Mantoku-ji Temple.
• Mantoku-ji Temple was known as an Enkiri-dera.

What to see

• The facility has an 'Enkiri Kawaya'.
• The 'Enkiri Kawaya' has black and white Japanese-style toilets.

Getting there

• About 35 minutes walk from Serada Station.
• About 20 minutes by taxi from Fukaya Station.
• About 15 minutes from Isesaki Interchange by car.
• About 50 minutes from Tatebayashi Interchange by car.

Official site

www8.wind.ne.jp

Read more about Enkiri-dera Mantoku-ji Shiryō-kan

Learn about Shibusawa Eiichi, a key figure in modern Japanese industry, at this museum.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Shibusawa Eiichi.
• Operated by Fukaya City.
• Located in Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture.

What to see

• An Android Shibusawa Eiichi is on display.
• Reservations are required to see the Android.
• The museum is on the banks of the Shimizugawa River.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Getting there

• 20-minute taxi ride from JR Takasaki Line Fukaya Station.
• Fukaya City Community Bus stops at the museum.

Read more about Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum

Explore local history, from volcanic eruptions to ancient pottery, at this village museum.

What it is

• A history museum in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 1983 to preserve local heritage.

What to see

• Exhibits on the 1783 Asama Volcano eruption.
• Excavated artifacts from Kamahara Village.
• Jomon period pottery displays.
• Materials about Tsumagoi Village's cabbage farming.
• Two spouted vessels from Imai Tohei ruins.
• Kamahara Kannon-do is located on the same site.

When to go

• Closed on Wednesdays and during New Year holidays.

Address

群馬県吾妻郡嬬恋村鎌原494 Map

Official site

www.vill.tsumagoi.gunma.jp

Read more about Tsumagoi History Museum

See inspiring flower and poem art by Hoshino Tomihiro in a modern, award-winning museum.

What it is

• Museum dedicated to painter and poet Hoshino Tomihiro.
• Opened in 1991, new building in 2005.
• Registered as a 'Michi-no-Eki' (roadside station).

What to see

• Exhibition rooms with Hoshino Tomihiro's art.
• Award-winning modern museum architecture.
• Museum shop and cafe on site.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed Mondays from December to March.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Kobe Station.

Official site

www.city.midori.gunma.jp

Read more about Tomihio Art Museum

See art by Kamachi Yamada, a poet and artist, at this museum in Takasaki.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to poet and artist Kamachi Yamada.
• Opened as a private museum in 1992.
• Reopened as a public museum in April 2014.

What to see

• Many works by Kamachi Yamada are exhibited.
• Animal paintings by Kamachi Yamada are preserved.
• A message from Kyosuke Himuro is displayed.

Getting there

• One-minute walk from the bus stop.
• About 25 minutes from Takasaki Interchange.
• About 20 minutes from Fujioka Interchange.

Official site

www.city.takasaki.gunma.jp

Read more about Yamada Kamachi Museum of Art, Takasaki

See a private collection of vintage Toyota cars in a historic textile factory.

What it is

• A private automobile museum in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 2003 by Katsuyoshi Maehara.
• Displays Maehara's personal collection of vehicles.
• Registered as a tangible cultural property in 2005.

What to see

• Toyota cars from the Showa 30s and 40s.
• Oil paintings in the gallery.
• Sawtooth roof factory of the former Iizuka Textile.
• Exterior walls made of Oya stone.

When to go

• Open on Sundays, but irregularly.

Official site

www.maehara20th.com

Read more about Maehara 20th Gallery and Museum in Kiryu

Learn about silk production and history at this unique industrial museum.

What it is

• An industrial museum dedicated to silk.
• Opened in 1998.
• Exhibits silk history, technology, and products.
• Offers experiential learning courses.

What to see

• Building exterior resembles a silkworm farm.
• Dedicated rooms for weaving and dyeing experiences.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 30-minute bus ride from Maebashi Station.

Official site

www.nippon-kinunosato.or.jp

Read more about Gunma Prefectural Nippon Silk Center

Watarase Nature Center: learn about local nature and culture, a good base for exploring.

What it is

• An information facility for the Watarase flood plain.
• It serves as a base for regional culture dissemination.

What to see

• Building constructed with Oya stone.
• Exhibits on flood plain vegetation.
• Over 300 types of butterfly and insect specimens.
• Multi-purpose room hosts concerts and exhibitions.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 16:30.
• Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and holidays.
• Closed December 28th to January 3rd.

Official site

www.town.itakura.gunma.jp

Read more about Watarase Nature Center

Dinosaur museum in Gunma Prefecture, featuring local and Mongolian dinosaur exhibits.

What it is

• Dinosaur museum in Kanna Town, Gunma Prefecture.
• Established for 'Dinosaur Kingdom' village revitalization.

What to see

• Main building with museum, shop, and cafeteria.
• Annex modeled after a Mongolian temple.
• Exhibits divided into nine zones.
• Trace fossils and local fossils.
• Mongolian dinosaur exhibits.
• Life-sized outdoor Tyrannosaurus replica.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.

Official site

dino-nakasato.org

Read more about Kanna Dinosaur Center

Explore Gunma's natural history and see dinosaur exhibits at this modern museum.

What it is

• A natural history museum in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 1978, re-established in 1996.
• Exhibits materials, specimens, and photos.
• Focuses on Gunma Prefecture's natural history.

What to see

• Real skeleton of a Camarasaurus.
• Life-sized moving model of a Tyrannosaurus.
• Diorama of a magnificent beech forest.
• Fossils from Gunma Prefecture.
• Exhibits on Earth's evolution, minerals, humans, and animals.

Official site

www.gmnh.pref.gunma.jp

Read more about Gunma Museum of Natural History