Explore Gunma
The land of hot springs, fruit and traditional arts
Renown for exquisite hot springs and mountains, hands on cultural experiences and fruit orchards, compliment your stay at the iconically Japanese Kiyomizu House and Mitsuba House with fun and relaxing activities off-the-beaten-path.
Browse through Gunma's official tourism website "Visit Gunma"
and contact Renée Sawazaki, owner of Kiyomizu House and Mitsuba House and former academic in tourism for advice on curating your dream Japanese cultural vacation.
When she is available, she is always happy to guide her guests around and ensure they have an incredible, immersive experience in the aspects of Japanese culture that matches their interests.
Mitsuba House
⭐️ Located on the edge of the quaint, historical riverside onsen village along the Nakasendo Trail: Isobe Onsen, where the iconic
"onsen mark ♨️" originated.
Eat hot-off-the-grill healthy waffers made from the essence of the hot springs at a local factory.
And, no need to get undressed to enjoy the onsen foot bath just next to it.
Detox in your yukata in one of Japan's most exquisite hot spring sand bath spa
Savour homestyle noodles made from locally-sourced wheat.
⭐️ Sip coffee while soaking in the magnificent views of the rugged Mt Myogi and Mt Asama from your private terrace, then drive 10 minutes to explore a magificent mountain shrine, hike along a historic railway path through breathtaking nature, passing by a lake with iconic Japanese vermillion bridges, beholding Japan's tallest arched brick bridge on your way through the windy Usui Pass towards the charming resort village of Karuizawa known for its world-class shopping, museums and stunning nature. Hike though the volcanic park on Mt Asama and view stunning waterfalls before heading back to your private villa, Mitsuba House.
This is just the tip of the possibilities of how to enjoy time in this region that offers seasonal fruit-picking and flower viewing, visits to silk mills, master craftsmen (and women!) atteliers, family-friendly amusements and more!
Kiyomizu House
⭐️ Famed as the largest and most exquisite of Gunma's iconic timber sericulture, or silkworm, farmhouses, Japanese historians, architects and guests alike stand in awe of its massiveness and masterful craftsmanship of the temple carpenters, or miyadaiku, many of whom have said they have never seen anything like it.
A stay in this glorious building at the entrance of one of Japan's top-100 ranked castles just begs for visitors to pass on other major sightseeing spots and spend a few days soaking in the glory and culture of this quaint castle town that rarely sees tourists...Walk to a Kyoto-style garden, thatched roof mill, museum, castle grounds, lake, river, cherry tree gardens and more.
With a view of the city lights of Takasaki, the city at the hub of Gunma, an hour outside of Tokyo, at the main curve in the entrance road to the castle that samurai used stategically to make their approaching enemies take longer to travel, you can imagine going back in time 500 years, and be brought back to the present with the flashing lights of the zooming Shinkansen bullet train. Guests have described their stay at Kiyomizu House as "transcending space and time".
⭐️ Located at the foothill of Mt Haruna, famous for it's picturesque lake reflecting Mt Haruna-Fuji which can be climbed through a sasa-bamboo path or gondola, 1400 year-old mountain shrine and the beloved Ikaho Onsen town with its iconic shop and hot-spring lined staircase. Fans of the 1990's anime and manga, Initial D, appreciate having a large, private parking lot at Kiyomizu House for their sports cars and enjoying retracing the mountain pass roads of Haruna (fictional name "Akina" in the story) and meeting up with other fans at local spots in nearby Shibukawa that were featured in the manga. After a day of mountain exploration, guests can enjoy local cuisine, shopping and arcade-fun at the huge mall just a 12-minute drive
⭐️ For those who want to dive into Japanese arts and crafts, Kiyomizu House's neighborhood and vacinity offers amazing choices, each being at the top of their field and famous at a national level:
- Kokeshi doll making - Daruma doll painting - Paper cutting "kirie" art & workshop, silk museum & crafts - Teracotta "haniwa" artifacts, kiln workshop and king's tomb visit.
⭐️ For enthusiasts of Japanese festivals who can't make it for that once-a-year event, you can enjoy a fun-filled indoor festival experience.
For visitors seeking a reprieve from the crowds of the big cities and Golden Route hot spots riddled by over tourism,
a stay at Kiyomizu House and/or Mitsuba House is the perfect choice.
We look forward to seeing you soon!