20 Parks in Gunma worth your time

Numata Park offers historical castle grounds, river views, and diverse flowers, making it a worthwhile visit.

What it is

• Large, hilly green space overlooking two rivers.
• Site of 16th-century Numata Castle, later administrative center.
• Converted into a park in 1926 by Kume Taminosuke.

What to see

• Isolated parts of castle fortifications remain.
• Wide variety of flowers bloom between April and October.
• Views over Tone River valley toward Mt. Hotaka and Tanigawa range.
• Ubukata House, a 17th-century merchant’s house, now a museum.
• Short section of inner moat and some ramparts.
• 400-year-old cherry tree on former watchtower foundations.

When to go

• April to October for blooming flowers.
• Spring for cherry tree blooms.

Official site

www.city.numata.gunma.jp

Read more about Numata Park

Maebashi Park offers a unique pond, gardens, and a children's amusement park.

What it is

• An urban park in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Hosted the 2020 Tokyo Olympics torch relay celebration.
• Main venue for the 2008 National Urban Greenery Fair.

What to see

• Sachinoike Pond, shaped like Gunma Prefecture.
• Lunapark, a children's amusement area.
• Green Promenade Area and Japanese Garden.
• A waterside stage zone.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Maebashi Station.
• 20-minute walk from Chuo Maebashi Station.
• Several bus lines stop at Maebashi Park bus stop.
• MyBus stops at Rinbokaku-mae, one minute away.

Official site

www.city.maebashi.gunma.jp

Read more about Maebashi Park

A unique snake zoo and research center, offering a fascinating look at these often-misunderstood reptiles.

What it is

• A specialized zoo dedicated to snakes.
• Owned and operated by the Japan Snake Institute.
• Researches and utilizes venomous snakes.
• Manufactures serum for Yamakagashi snake venom.

What to see

• Exhibits of venomous and large snakes from around the world.
• Outdoor enclosures housing snakes and turtles.
• Specialized greenhouses for various snake species.
• A museum with skeletal specimens and taxidermy.
• A venom extraction room demonstrating habu snake venom collection.
• White Snake Kannon statue for memorializing snakes.

Official site

www.snake-center.com

Read more about Japan Snake Center

See 10,000 azaleas, some 800 years old, at this historic park.

What it is

• A general and urban park in Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• Designated a national scenic spot.
• Known locally as Hanayama.

What to see

• Over 10,000 azalea plants of 50 species.
• Some azaleas are over 800 years old.
• Preserves old Edo Kirishima azalea trees.
• A 4D theater opened in 2015.

When to go

• Hosts the Tatebayashi Azalea Festival annually.

Getting there

• 10-minute bus ride from Tobu Isesaki Line Tatebayashi Station.

Official site

www.city.tatebayashi.gunma.jp

Read more about Tsutsujigaoka Park

Ota Stadium is a large municipal sports complex, recently updated with a prize-winning gymnasium.

What it is

• A municipal park in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Owned and managed by Ota City.
• Athletics stadium completed in March 1974.
• Civic gymnasium opened in 1981.

What to see

• Athletics stadium with 8 lanes, Class 3 certified track.
• Baseball field, renovated in 2002 to all artificial turf.
• Soccer and rugby field, completed in 1976.
• Sub-ground for baseball, softball, soccer, or athletics.
• Ota City General Gymnasium, opened April 6, 2023.
• New gymnasium won the Good Design Award in 2024.

Address

群馬県太田市飯塚町1059 Map

Read more about Ota Stadium

Luna Park is a historic amusement park with free admission and 10-yen rides.

What it is

• Amusement park in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened on November 1, 1954.
• Official name is Maebashi City Central Children's Park.
• Name derived from a poem by Sakutaro Hagiwara.

What to see

• 8 large rides and 11 small rides.
• Rides in use since the park's opening.
• Oldest existing electric wooden horses in Japan.
• Mokuba-kan and former radio tower are cultural properties.

What to know

• Admission is free.
• Small rides cost 10 yen per person per ride.

Official site

www.lunapark-maebashi.com

Read more about Luna Park

This park offers a zoo, amusement rides, and cherry blossoms, making it a fun stop for families.

What it is

• A municipal urban park in Kiryū City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Opened in 1916 as a town-managed park.
• Includes a zoo and an amusement park.
• Zoo started wildlife rescue efforts in 1952.

What to see

• Zoo with 129 species and 797 animals.
• Amusement park rides.
• Observation deck.
• Ferris wheel.

When to go

• Known as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

Getting there

• Accessible from Kiryū Station.
• Accessible from Nishi-Kiryū Station.

Official site

www.city.kiryu.lg.jp

Read more about Kiryū-ga-oka Park

Shikishima Park offers sports facilities and a rose garden, recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.

What it is

• A large urban park in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Developed as a sports ground in 1925.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks in 1989.
• Managed by both Gunma Prefecture and Maebashi City.

What to see

• Athletic field, soccer field, and swimming pool.
• Shikishima Park Makura Techno Rose Garden.
• Silk Memorial Hall.

When to go

• Silk Memorial Hall is open weekends and holidays.
• Silk Memorial Hall is open from April to November.

Official site

www.shikishima-park.org

Read more about Shikishima Park

Japan's highest-elevation zoo, home to diverse reptiles and unique animal exhibits.

What it is

• A zoo in Gunma Prefecture, opened October 10, 1970.
• Japan's highest-elevation zoo.
• One of few privately-owned zoos in Japan.
• Utilizes geothermal heat from hot springs.

What to see

• Most reptile species and individuals in Kanto region.
• Approximately 250 species and 1000 animals.
• Monkey Paradise with Japanese macaques in an open-air bath.
• Five zones: Main Building, Museum, Outdoor Exhibits, Tropical Dome.
• New Animal Interaction Building opened July 25, 2024.

Read more about Kusatsu Tropical Wonderland

Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park offers diverse mountain and plateau recreation, including skiing and hot springs.

What it is

• Japan's 15th national park, designated for its natural beauty.
• Spans Gunma, Nagano, and Niigata prefectures.
• Features diverse terrain from volcanic activity.
• Theme is 'Recreation World Colored by Mountains and Plateaus'.

What to see

• Non-volcanic structural mountains with cliffs.
• Serpentine vegetation on mountain slopes.
• Many hot springs, including Shima and Tanigawa Onsen.
• Shibu Hell Valley hot spring, a natural monument.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park

Explore ancient burial mounds and historic residences in this urban park, one of Japan's 100 Historical Parks.

What it is

• An urban park in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Selected as one of Japan's 100 Historical Parks.
• Contains the Ōmuro Kofun Group, a national historic site.

What to see

• The Ōmuro Kofun Group of ancient burial mounds.
• Ruins of a powerful clan's residence.
• An Akagi-style house from the late Edo period.
• Recreated Jomon period dwellings.
• The Umeki ruins.
• The Former Sekine Family Residence, an important cultural property.

Official site

www.city.maebashi.gunma.jp

Read more about Ōmuro Park

A large rose garden with 600 varieties, perfect for a relaxing stroll among beautiful flowers.

What it is

• A rose garden in Shikishima Park, Maebashi City.
• Opened in 1971 with 200 varieties and 2,000 roses.
• Renovated from 2008 to 2008, expanding its collection.

What to see

• 600 varieties and 7,000 rose plants.
• The park covers an area of 4.5 hectares.
• Maebashi Sericulture Memorial Museum, built in 1912.
• Museum is a Gunma Prefecture Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Open year-round for visitors.

Address

群馬県前橋市敷島町262 Map

Official site

www.city.maebashi.gunma.jp

Read more about Maebashi Shikishima Park Rose Garden

Gunma Kodomo-no-kuni Park is a large urban park with a children's hall and planetarium.

What it is

• An urban park in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
• Its official name is Gunma Prefectural Kanayama General Park.
• Construction began in 1979, developed until May 1996.

What to see

• Children's hall with a planetarium.
• Children's hall with a computer room.
• Children's hall with a science wonderland.
• Children's hall with a high-vision theater.
• Children's hall with a multi-purpose theater.
• Several paid play equipment.

Official site

gunma-kodomonokuni.jp

Read more about Gunma Kodomo-no-kuni Park

Explore a unique landscape of volcanic rock formations and a temple dedicated to eruption victims.

What it is

• A tourist facility in Gunma Prefecture.
• Displays a scenic area formed by lava flow.
• Began operations on July 1, 1951.
• Part of Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park.

What to see

• Lava flow from the 1783 Mount Asama eruption.
• Lava flow is 5km long, 1-2km wide, and 30m thick.
• Lava contains fragments of mountain rocks.
• Asamayama Kannon-do Temple built in May 1958.
• Temple mourns victims of the Mount Asama eruption.

Address

群馬県吾妻郡嬬恋村鎌原1053 Map

Official site

www.princehotels.co.jp

Read more about Onioshidashien

Kogen Chibamura was a resort with a hot spring, ski slopes, and camping, operating until 2018.

What it is

• A former resort facility established by Chiba City.
• Opened in July 1973, closed end of fiscal year 2018.
• Included a youth natural house and citizens' lodge.

What to see

• A forest camp and a ski resort.
• A hot spring, one of Minakami's 18 hot springs.
• Hot spring water is sulfur, calcium, sulfate cold spring.

When to go

• The hot spring reopened in 2024.

Read more about Kōgen Chiba Village

See rare moss thriving in acidic volcanic springs at this former iron mine.

What it is

• A park dedicated to Chatsubomigoke moss.
• Site of a former iron mine, operated 1943-1965.
• A volcanic crater with strongly acidic mineral springs.

What to see

• Chatsubomigoke moss, Japan's largest breeding ground.
• Iron bacteria thriving in the acidic water.
• Evidence of iron ore formation over 10,000 years.
• Remains of the former Gunma Iron Mine.

Read more about Chatsubomigoke Park

Lockheart Castle is a relocated Scottish castle, a unique European landmark in Japan.

What it is

• A stone theme park featuring a relocated European castle.
• Lockheart Castle was completed in Scotland in 1829.
• It was moved to Japan and restored between 1987 and 1993.
• Designated as a 'Lover's Sanctuary'.

What to see

• The restored Lockheart Castle, originally from Scotland.
• Japan's first relocated and restored European castle.

Official site

www.jrs-w.com

Read more about Marble Village Lockheart Castle

Gunma Flower Park is a large botanical garden with diverse floral displays and family-friendly areas.

What it is

• An experiential botanical garden.
• Opened in 1992.
• Covers 18.4 hectares.

What to see

• Five distinct areas.
• Rose garden and English garden in MINAMO area.
• Play equipment for children in HARAPPA area.
• 18-meter high park tower.
• Roses, hydrangeas, and clematis.

When to go

• Reopens in autumn 2025.

Official site

www.flower-park.jp

Read more about Gunma Flower Park

See dramatic 1783 lava flows from Mount Asama at this unique park.

What it is

• Park in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture.
• Established in August 1963.
• Dedicated to the scenic wonder of Onioshidashi.

What to see

• Onioshidashi: lava flow from 1783 Mount Asama eruption.
• Lava flow is 5 km long, 1-2 km wide, 30m thick.
• Lava flow consists mainly of andesite.
• A campground is located within the park.

Official site

www.asamaen.tsumagoi.gunma.jp

Read more about Asama Volcano Park

Oze National Park, 150 km from Tokyo, is a popular destination for day visitors, campers, and hikers.

What it is

• Japan's twenty-ninth national park.
• Established as an independent entity in August 2007.
• Result of public-led conservation efforts.

What to see

• Areas around Mt. Aizukoma and Mt. Tashiro.
• Popular destination for day visitors, campers, and hikers.

Getting there

• About 150 kilometers from Tokyo.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Oze National Park