Full of Gunma’s charm! 5 must-visit tourist spots in the Akagi mountain area you can easily drop by

Mt. Akagi attracts many people who want to enjoy outdoor leisure like hiking, fishing, and camping. Did you know that there are plenty of tourist spots packed with Gunma’s charm around Mt. Akagi?

Mt. Akagi is a representative mountain of Gunma, located almost in the center of the prefecture. It stretches across Maebashi City, Shibukawa City, Numata City, Kiryu City, and Showa Village in Tone District, overlooking the Kanto Plain. It’s known as one of the prominent complex volcanoes in the Kanto region. The mountain also features a large depression called a “caldera” formed by volcanic activity, which holds a lake within it.

Here, we introduce carefully selected tourist spots in the Mt. Akagi area that anyone can easily drop by. These are all recommended places that will make you want to go out right away!

1. Akagi Shrine

The official name of Akagi Shrine is “Oodo Akagi Shrine.” It was built on a peninsula by Lake Onuma, located around 1,300 meters above sea level on Mt. Akagi. It has a noble history and is known as the head shrine among the approximately 300 Akagi Shrines across the country, mainly centered in the Kanto region. It attracts many tourists throughout the year.

Akagi Shrine on Mt. Akagi is not only a popular tourist destination but is also a favorite power spot among women. It is famous as a shrine that fulfills women’s wishes, such as for love, matchmaking, and safe childbirth. It has long been said that visiting Akagi Shrine brings the blessing of “a beautiful child.” Many female visitors drop by while touring Gunma's hot spring areas or Mt. Akagi.

The Lake Onuma lakeside where Akagi Shrine stands is cool due to its high elevation and is loved as a summer resort. During the summer holiday season, the area becomes lively with tourists enjoying boating, savoring river fish, and shopping for souvenirs.

On the other hand, winters are harshly cold. The vermilion Akagi Shrine standing in the snow-covered white Mt. Akagi is truly mystical. Its wintertime beauty offers a different charm than in summer and is well-received by both tourists and worshippers.

As a shrine popular with women, its amulets and goshuincho (stamp books) also come in many cute designs. Especially notable is the stamp book illustrated with a princess wearing a traditional twelve-layered kimono—it has a gorgeously feminine design that’s gaining attention from the currently trending “Goshuin Girls.”

The “Shinkyo” bridge that leads from the parking lot to the shrine grounds is a symbol of Akagi Shrine. The red bridge floating over Lake Onuma creates a picturesque scene that is beloved by photographers. Many tourists visit just to see this iconic Mt. Akagi view.

Every year on the first Saturday of August, the “Summer Festival” is held. An archery ritual is performed by the Ogasawara-ryu school of mounted archery on the shrine grounds. Then on the second Monday of October, Sports Day, the “Autumn Festival” takes place. Visitors can enjoy local performances such as Yasugibushi, Yagibushi, and Akagi Taiko drums, as well as watch an exhilarating Yabusame (horseback archery) show.

No matter the season, Akagi Shrine on Mt. Akagi offers a mystical and magical charm. It’s one of the must-visit tourist spots, especially recommended for women!

2. Akagi Kronenberg

Akagi Kronenberg is a tourist theme park that beautifully recreates the countryside scenery and farms of Germany, located on the southern foothills of Mt. Akagi. It’s affectionately known as “German Village” and attracts many tourists.

In the greenery-rich park of Mt. Akagi, you can fully indulge in authentic German flavors such as German beer and sausages made with special techniques. A must-try is the hands-on craft workshop. With a wide range of choices like sausages, butter, and ice cream, visitors of all ages—from children to the elderly—can enjoy making them in a fun, authentic way.

A highlight of the ranch area is the “Sheep Herding Show.” Watch as sheepdogs skillfully herd sheep—an incredibly thrilling performance! It’s free to watch, so don’t miss it when visiting.

You’ll encounter many animals throughout the park. If you want to interact more, try the “Rabbit Petting Experience” or “Horseback Riding Experience.”

You can also feed cute animals like rabbits, goats, and sheep using feed sold inside the park! You’ll even find animals like alpacas, donkeys, and llamas—just like a mini-zoo.

The park also welcomes dogs. You can let your pet off-leash in the vast 6,900-square-meter natural turf dog run and enjoy playing together. There’s even a small-dog area, so your little one can play safely. Surrounded by the nature of Mt. Akagi, your dog will surely have a blast too.

There are plenty of fun attractions for kids as well, such as fun bicycles, a boating pond, go-karts, mini golf, and grass sledding. Families can spend an entire day enjoying the park.

During summer vacation, the park is packed with events for kids and adults alike! Among them, the fireworks festival—set off to music against the backdrop of German rural scenery—is a highlight event that draws crowds. With German beer and sausages in hand, you can enjoy fireworks under Mt. Akagi’s star-filled sky.

The nature-rich park of Mt. Akagi offers the joy of seasonal changes throughout the year. Be sure to check the official website regularly for the latest event info before heading out for a visit!

3. Roadside Station “Fujimi” Fujimi Onsen Fureai-kan

About 20 minutes by car from the Akagi Interchange, located on the southern foothills of Mt. Akagi, is Roadside Station “Fujimi.” It is widely loved as a popular roadside station that even ranks in national popularity rankings. Not only do locals of Mt. Akagi frequent it, but on weekends, the parking lot fills up with many tourists, making it a bustling hot spot.

The secret to its popularity is the adjoining hot spring facility called “Fujimi Onsen.” It has become a hot topic as a convenient hot spring to drop by while visiting Mt. Akagi. Its source is “Miharashi no Yu.” Its benefits include relief for skin diseases, neuralgia, gynecological conditions, stiff shoulders, and cold sensitivity. The source is a rare hot spring in the Kanto region, over 1,500 meters deep, classified as a sodium/calcium chloride spring. Called the “Phantom Hot Spring,” it attracts hot spring enthusiasts and tourists from all over Japan, all seeking this hidden gem of Mt. Akagi. Soaking in the “Phantom Hot Spring” is sure to relieve your travel fatigue.

Inside, you can enjoy not only indoor baths but also open-air baths, jacuzzi baths, jet baths, saunas, and cold baths. In winter, the Akagi Oroshi wind blows through the area, and the open-air bath’s cool air feels refreshing on your heated body. Visitors say the sensation is addictive!

The attached restaurant “Akagi” offers Gunma’s local cuisine made with plenty of ingredients sourced from the Mt. Akagi area. The fresh local ingredients and affordable prices make it a very popular restaurant among tourists.

In the shop, you’ll find local specialties from Gunma and Mt. Akagi, as well as fresh vegetables, cut flowers, and handmade crafts by local residents—items unique to roadside stations. It’s a highly recommended spot to stop by during your Mt. Akagi sightseeing!

4. Gunma Flower Park

Gunma Flower Park is a prefectural botanical tourist garden located in Kashiwagura-cho, Maebashi City, on the southern foothills of Mt. Akagi. Thanks to its greenhouse, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of flowers year-round. With seven flower festivals held annually, it is a beloved tourist destination in the Mt. Akagi area.

Covering a vast area of 18.4 hectares, the park features iconic attractions such as the 18-meter-high park tower and the 6,000-square-meter large Flotopia flowerbed. Other areas include the greenhouse area, garden area, landscaped area, and kids’ area—all ready to welcome tourists to Mt. Akagi.

The park tower at the center of the garden also serves as an observation deck. From the north, you can see Mt. Akagi, and to the south, the Kanto Plain. On a clear day, you might even be able to see Mt. Fuji or the Tokyo Skytree!

At the base of the park tower, the Flotopia flowerbed bursts into color in spring with about 200,000 tulips, turning the entire bed into a gorgeous tulip field.

From late autumn to winter every year, you can enjoy a magnificent illumination event certified under the “Japan Nightscape Heritage” lighting category. Featuring a theme of “Fairy Paradise,” projection mapping combined with illumination creates a magical world. Around 1 million LED lights adorn the park, illuminating features like the flower clock and water stage. This night-time operation offers a completely different view from daytime and is highly praised by visitors.

In the park’s “Flower and Greenery Learning Center,” you can participate in horticulture workshops such as container planting and natural dyeing, as well as handmade pressed flower postcards and strap-making classes.

At the shop, you’ll find flower-themed items for everyday enjoyment and original goods available only at Gunma Flower Park. You can also pick up “Gunmachan” merchandise—the official local character of Gunma Prefecture! Perfect as a souvenir of your visit.

Come and relax with Mt. Akagi’s seasonal nature and abundant flowers by visiting this beautiful park.

5. Tonton Hiroba

Tonton Hiroba is a rare pork specialty shop even by national standards, created to let people enjoy the natural deliciousness of Fukubuta from Hayashi Farm in the rich natural setting at the base of Mt. Akagi. It has gained popularity as a new tourist destination in the Mt. Akagi area, even being featured on TV shows.

With the opening of the “Farm Restaurant,” the site now includes the “Handmade Fukubuta Workshop,” “Handmade Sausage Class,” “Select Shop,” and “Mini Pig Plaza,” making Tonton Hiroba a place where all five senses can enjoy the experience.

The “Handmade Fukubuta Workshop” is a ham factory that won a gold medal in an international competition. It produces and sells processed products like hams and sausages made with plenty of Fukubuta. Their Fukubuta meat and deli meats are popular as tourist souvenirs. Nationwide shipping is also available, making it a popular stop during gift-giving seasons like summer and year-end.

The “Handmade Sausage Class” requires reservations. It’s fun for all ages, so it’s recommended for families! Professional sausage makers provide thorough instruction using full-scale equipment. Once boiled, everyone can taste the sausages together—and of course, take them home. It’s a hands-on experience sure to become a cherished memory of your trip!

The “Select Shop” offers locally crafted products from Gunma and unique items from Mt. Akagi. You’ll find rare items only available here—so be sure to check every corner! You’ll also find original food products like special sauces, ponzu, and sesame dressings used in the restaurant. Don’t forget to buy them together with the Fukubuta meat and deli goods! Plenty of cute pig-themed merchandise is also available, perfect as travel souvenirs.

In the “Mini Pig Plaza,” you’ll be welcomed by the adorable mini pigs who are the mascots of Tonton Hiroba. This plaza was created with the hope that “people will learn more about pigs” and “feel gratitude for the lives we receive.” If you’re lucky, you might even see them taking a walk! These mini pigs are for petting only and are not for consumption—so show them lots of love. The “Mini Pig Blog” on the official website shares daily updates on the pigs, so be sure to check that out too!

At the “BBQ Zawazawa Forest,” you can enjoy an interactive barbecue experience where you harvest your own vegetables to grill and eat. You can enjoy the blessings of Mt. Akagi’s nature to the fullest. During the summer holidays, it gets very lively with tourists and families with kids.

Of course, at the restaurant, you can indulge in pork dishes made with luxurious amounts of Fukubuta. Not only is it great for meals during your Mt. Akagi trip, but with private rooms available, it’s also a lovely spot for special occasions.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced recommended tourist spots in the Mt. Akagi area. What did you think? When it comes to Gunma, many people may first think of hot spring destinations like Kusatsu, Ikaho, and Minakami, but there are actually many tourist attractions to enjoy beyond just hot springs!

Since Tomioka Silk Mill was registered as a World Heritage Site not long ago, tourism to Gunma has increased. Let’s rediscover the charm of Gunma and the Mt. Akagi area.

It’s about a 3-hour drive from central Tokyo, making it perfect for a day trip. Be sure to use this article as a guide and take a refreshing trip to the Mt. Akagi area!

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Full of Gunma’s charm! 5 must-visit tourist spots in the Akagi mountain area you can easily drop by