Gunma’s wide-ranging accommodation options include traditional ryokan inns clustered around its onsen towns and Western-style hotels around major stations and ski resorts. Get closer to nature by opting for riverside glamping or embed yourself in the local culture at a minshuku or farm stay.
Properties certified as Gunma Excellence are those that go the extra mile for foreign tourists, with language support and meal consultation options. Gunma Excellence accommodations are available in most parts of the prefecture.
See all Gunma Excellence-certified facilities here.
Nearly all of Gunma’s main destinations have at least a few hotels. Hotels tend to provide Western-style beds and do not require you to take off your shoes at the entrance. Compared to more Japanese-style options, a hotel stay provides more flexibility when it comes to meals. Unlike a ryokan stay, hotel stays in urban areas within the region generally do not include meals, meaning you are free to dine on-site or try restaurants in the surrounding area. Hotels are most common in more urban parts of Gunma, as well as at ski resorts and major onsen areas.
A ryokan is a traditional-style inn. You can choose from a variety of room types, from traditional Japanese style rooms with tatami mat flooring and futon beds to Japanese style rooms with beds. You are provided with slippers and yukata to wear throughout your stay. Most of Gunma’s ryokan feature natural onsen baths. A stay at a ryokan typically includes two set meals: breakfast and dinner. This not only gives you a chance to sample a range of local cuisine, but is particularly useful in remote areas with few restaurants. Ryokan are an especially popular option in and around onsen towns.
Wake up immersed in Gunma’s nature and culture. Gunma has glamping options that include chic tents with full beds, cabins, and pods. Farm stays offer the chance to stay somewhere rural, where other accommodation is few and far between. You’ll stay with a local family and see the day-to-day lives of local farmers. Some farm stays allow you to pitch in on harvesting crops and preparing food.
Family-run bed and breakfasts called minshuku are an affordable way to experience Japanese hospitality. Expect shared bathrooms and lots of character. Minshuku can be found in most of Gunma’s onsen towns. You can also find Western-style pensions as well as guesthouses, which are somewhat similar to youth hostels and may feature dormitories, shared bathrooms, and basic kitchen facilities. They can be found in Gunma’s main transport hubs, such as Takasaki, as well as in some onsen towns and ski resorts.
Level up your stay in Gunma by opting for its luxury properties. Luxury options include high-end ryokan inns, hotels, and even glamping facilities. Read our story on the most luxurious experiences in Gunma for more inspiration.
