Go Beyond the Baths with Gunma's Onsen Hopping Fair Events

At the start of the new year, the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen shuttle silently out of Tokyo Station. As they glide forward, skyscrapers give way to rolling hills. These trains are headed for Gunma Prefecture, where buses filled with travelers will trek into the heart of Onsen country to soak in steaming, medicinal baths.

*Arriving in Onsen Country, Gunma Prefecture.*

As part of Gunma Prefecture's Seven Great Onsen Hopping Fair ticket, each onsen hot spring will host special events to introduce the deep, unsung culture of this hidden paradise. Stretching hundreds of kilometers into the center of Japan, Gunma's rich heritage and fairytale scenery await.

Astounding Dolls in Oigami Onsen

Oigami translates to "Old God." This onsen is home to the world's longest portable snake god shrine. Weighing two tons and requiring 300 people to carry, this massive totem is only used once every 12 years, during the year of the snake. In 2025, the work will depart its newly built garage and parade through the town for the last time until 2037.

Visitors are invited to take part in the celebration by carrying a miniature version. In addition to the massive snake doll, Oigami onsen also takes care of local family Hina dolls. Used to usher in good luck for daughters, each doll has a special meaning and story. Guests are encouraged to solve the puzzle behind the display by correctly identifying each doll's position and special object.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Oigami Onsen web page.

Walk in Ancient Footsteps at Minakami Onsen

Just outside the Jomo-Kogen Shinkansen station, Minakami Onsen invites guests to go beyond the local hot springs and dive deep into Japan's ancient crafts. As part of a tie-up with the Onsen Hopping Pass, guests can visit Takumi no Sato, a recreated trading stop set against the foothills of the Minakami mountains.

*Takumi no Sato craft park in the Minakami mountains.*

In this craft park, visitors can enjoy walking around in a kimono and watching artisans craft traditional indigo-dyed goods, washi paper, and more, just as they would have been sold along ancient trading routes. Ticket holders will decorate their own festival masks at a participating craft house and enjoy local cuisine.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Minakami Onsen web page.

Isobe Onsen's Daimyo Gardens

Rakusan-en ("Rakusan Park") in Isobe Onsen is home to the footprint of Daimyo Oda Nobukatsu's legacy. Oda Nobukatsu is the second younger brother of Oda Nobunaga, Japan's mightiest warlord. In the early Edo period, when this garden was built, natural landscapes were used for entertainment and relaxation by the ruling class. To this day, visitors sip matcha tea while looking out over the icy ponds that once charmed lords and ladies.

As part of the Onsen Hopping Fair, these gardens will be closed to the public on certain mornings. During these hours, a dedicated guide will introduce the area's history and Rakusan-en's significance during a private tour, culminating in a simple tea ceremony.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Isobe Onsen web page.

Geiko Performances at Ikaho Onsen

At the base of Ikaho Onsen's 365 stone steps, a few friendly faces greet guests with a dainty bow. These ladies are geiko. By nightfall, they will entertain a small group with their performance at the National Cultural Property, Yokotekan.

Yokotekan is one of only nine ryokans in the area that can draw water from Ikaho's source and has been in operation since the 1700s. Here, geiko will perform parlor games, local songs and dances while guests enjoy a luxurious boxed meal featuring prized Masuda beef.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Ikaho Onsen web page.

Shima Onsen's Artistic and Spiritual Legacy Through Yokai

Shima Onsen is secretly heralded as the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's bathhouse, as seen in Spirited Away. Through storytelling, interpretive dance, and immersive art, a "Yokai Night Walk" depicts the fox's (an important figure in Japanese folklore) dream. Performers in mystifying costumes drone chants against an otherworldly background of rushing water and faint music.

This thought-provoking performance redefines the spirituality of obon dancing and matsuri through the world of yokai – playful and sometimes trouble-making spirits who wander city streets just like anyone else. The walk culminates in an interactive gallery where participants will enjoy an "onsen-water tea ceremony" with imaginative yokai.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Shima Onsen web page.

Winter Scenes and Sushi in Kusatsu Onsen

In December 2023, the Kusatsu Onsen ski resort opened its new state-of-the-art gondola ferry service to bring skiers and sight-seers to the top of the slopes. As part of an exclusive ticket, visitors will look out over Kusatsu's snowy landscape through the wide bubble windows of the gondola as they slowly drift toward the trailhead.

At the top, a classic meal of Edomae sushi served at Crystal Sora awaits. The chef prepares each piece of nigiri with fine-dining quality attention to detail, and visitors enjoy their meal with a view of the slopes.

Reserve tickets for the sushi and Crystal Sora event on the Kusatsu web page.

Kusatsu's Geisha Show Bathed in Tradition

Kusatsu Onsen is most well known for its central wellspring, Yu no Batake, that feeds the baths of every venerable ryokan in the area. At one of these, Goza no Yu, exclusive performances of the folk song Kusatsu Bushi will be accompanied by traditional dance and geisha arts. Before the show, visitors will be able to enjoy a soak in Goza no Yu's grand baths.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Kusatsu geisha show web page.

Manza Onsen's Illuminated Artwork

Manza Onsen looks out over the mountaintops 1,800 meters above the Earth. As part of a special collaboration with artist Misa Funai, an immersive art and bathing installation has taken over one of the Prince Hotel's hot spring baths. The onsen and contemporary art experience is limited to one pair per day and includes aperitifs inspired by the starry night sky and champagne courtesy of the hotel. Bathers will be surrounded by snowy landscapes painted with projection mapping by the artist.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Manza Onsen web page.

Pristine Nature on Top of The World at Manza

Outside the Manza Prince Hotel, a wintry wonderland awaits snowshoed guests. In the silence of fresh snow, practiced guides lead ticket-holders through the white-blanketed woods on a journey to refresh the spirit with natural beauty. During the winter, clear blue skies offer a stunning panorama.

In addition to the guided walk, participants can enjoy making their own ice cream in the frigid weather. Guests will trek up the path with ice cream-making ingredients on their belt and enjoy a chilly treat at the end. The walk itself is just about 90 minutes, perfect for beginners or those warming up before a ski session.

Reserve tickets on Gunma's Manza Onsen web page.

Overnight Stays and Access

Over two to three days, visitors enjoying the Onsen Hopping Pass and tie-up events will have the chance to enjoy all of the above facilities and destinations. For those looking for a home base with beautiful scenery and a chance to slow down, Origami Onsen's Senkyou Ryokan offers a spacious respite. Delicious local cuisine is served in private dining rooms, and in-suite onsen baths overlook the snowy landscape.

Departing from Senkyou in the morning allows guests to enjoy the perks of the Onsen Hopping Pass all day. Being the first stop on the route, a trip from Oikami allows visitors to enjoy all Gunma has to offer from dawn until nightfall. Between bathing, dining and memorable events, this dive into Gunma's heartland promises to be a once in a lifetime adventure.

Get the Onsen Hopping Pass to visit all these hot springs with one convenient ticket.

This article is published in cooperation with Channel 47.

Author: Sydney Seekford