36 Hours in Maebashi

Take the afternoon to explore Maebashi on foot. Arts Maebashi an art museum with a cafe and gift shop where you can buy art and cute trinkets by creators from across Japan. Less than a 5-minute walk away is Maebashi Galleria, an art space and residence complex that houses some of Japan’s most respected independent galleries. Nearby, nostalgic shops sit side-by-side with modern boutiques on Chuo-dori, the main shopping street. Stroll along the Hirose River that runs through the city to explore the cafes and boutiques that dot its path. One of the highlights along the south bank of the river is the sculpture “Taiyo no Kane” (Bell of the Sun), created in 1966 by the late artist Taro Okamoto.

Overlooking the river is Rinkokaku, a complex of three beautiful wooden buildings, the oldest of which dates back to 1884. The surrounding traditional-style garden adds to the classic feel.

How to get to Rinkokaku

A ten-minute drive north along the river is Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden. During the Spring Rose Garden Festival and the Autumn Rose Garden Festival, the park’s roughly 7,000 roses of approximately 600 different species are illuminated. Visit this romantic spot just before sunset to see the roses by day, then lit up as it gets dark.

After exploring the art, architecture and natural beauty of Maebashi, stay at the art-infused Shiroiya Hotel, which inspires with its avant-garde architecture, original artworks, and innovative modern cuisine.

Get an early start for a half-day of hiking. Driving to the Akagi Visitor Center from central Maebashi takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, you can take a combination of local buses. Start the hike at the Mt. Kurobi Trailhead, a 20-minute walk away. The trip up Mt. Kurobi (1,828 m), Mt. Akagi’s tallest peak, is relatively beginner-friendly and takes around 90 minutes.

Mt. Akagi’s peaks surround Lake Onuma, a deep-blue caldera lake. Rent a boat to explore the lake and visit Akagi-jinja Shrine, a vermillion shrine on a half-island on the shore.

To extend your stay here, camp at the lakeshore campgrounds or stay in one of the inns around the lake. To get back to central Maebashi, hike back down the Akagi Visitor Center, or take a bus back to Maebashi Station.

How to get to Mt. Akagi

Wind down by feasting on a Maebashi specialty: pork. The area produces lots of high-quality pork, and its popularity is evident–many restaurants have a local pork dish. Try it in Japanese dishes like stews, katsu, ramen, hot pot, and curry, or in a variety of international and creative preparations.

Gunma Flower Park + is a 35-minute drive from the center of Maebashi. Take a relaxed walk around its serene gardens filled with plants from around the world. Its English and Japanese gardens are always beautiful, but the seasonally changing main display steals the show—especially in spring when various colors of tulips create a colorful carpet.