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Chatsubomigoke Park Gunma – Hidden Moss Valley of Emerald Green Streams

Ibaraki Tochigi Gunma Saitama Chiba Tokyo Kanagawa
Chatsubomigoke Park Gunma – Hidden Moss Valley of Emerald Green Streams
Chatsubomigoke Park is a secluded valley in Nakanojo where rare acidic moss carpets streams in vivid emerald green, like a scene from a fantasy film. Our guide covers the main colonies and trails, seasonal highlights, what to wear, and how to pair your visit with nearby Shima and Kusatsu hot spring towns.

Highlights

Chatsubomi (Chatsubomigoke) Moss Park Overview

Chatsubomi Moss Park is covered in moss nurtured by acidic hot-spring water, creating an emerald-green “moss carpet” in a secluded setting.

Why It’s So Rare

Chatsubomi moss that grows in acidic areas is rare and can only be seen in a limited number of places in Japan.

Best Route and Highlights

Highlights include the First Chatsubomi Moss Colony / the former mining site “Ana Jigoku” / and the final lookout (a panoramic view of the moss colony and forest).

How Long to Visit

The trails are well maintained, and even at a relaxed pace you can walk the full route in about 1 hour.

Best Season

Spring to autumn is easiest to visit, and fresh greenery (Apr–Jun) and autumn foliage (Oct–Nov) make the moss’s green color stand out.

How to Get to Chatsubomi Moss Park

Public transport from around Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station is limited, so a taxi is a practical option. By car, it’s about 3 hours from Tokyo via Shibukawa-Ikaho IC; free parking for about 50 cars.

Hours and Admission

Reception hours: Apr–Sep 8:45–15:30 / Oct–Nov 8:45–15:00 (varies by season). Closed for winter from Dec to late Apr. Admission: ¥600 (elementary school and younger free).

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

What Is Chatsubomi-goke Park?

Chatsubomi-goke Park (Chatsubomi-goke Kōen) is a nature spot in Nakanojō Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, known for its distinctive moss scenery.

The wetlands, where highly acidic mineral spring water flows, are covered with “Chatsubomi-goke” moss, creating an emerald-green landscape.

It is known as a moss adapted to strongly acidic waterside areas, and you can enjoy scenery found only here.

It is designated as a National Natural Monument as the “Rokugō Chatsubomi-goke Biotic Community Iron Ore Formation Site.”

Another attraction is that from spring to autumn, you can enjoy different scenery in each season, including fresh greenery and autumn leaves.


Highlights of Chatsubomi-goke Park

1. A Dreamlike Moss Carpet! Mysterious Scenery

Chatsubomi-goke is known as a moss that grows in strongly acidic waterside environments.

Inside the park, there is an area where moss spreads along a river carrying mineral spring water, and you can observe it from boardwalks.

① A Moss Colony Landscape Found Only Here

The contrast between the flowing stream and the green moss is beautiful, and it is also popular as a photogenic spot.

② A World Like a Ghibli Movie

The scenery created by a vast carpet of green moss, flowing mineral spring water, and the surrounding forest feels like a scene from a story.

2. Recommended Walking Courses in the Park

Walking paths are maintained inside the park.

From the management office to the Chatsubomi-goke colony area (Ana Jigoku), it is about 1 km, and a shuttle bus may operate depending on the season.

The Ana Jigoku walking area has boardwalks, and you can make a full loop in about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

① Chatsubomi-goke Colony at Ana Jigoku

This is the park’s main spot, where you can enjoy the moss scenery up close.

The contrast between the stream and moss is beautiful, making it perfect for a walk.

② The Relationship Between Chatsubomi-goke and Iron Ore

This area is known as a place where limonite mining was once carried out.

The overlap of iron-related phenomena from mineral springs and the moss’s growing environment contributes to this unique landscape.

③ Viewpoint

From near the end of the walking trail, you can look out over the moss colonies and surrounding forest.


3. Best Seasons and Seasonal Scenery at Chatsubomi-goke Park

The park mainly opens during snow-free seasons, and it may be closed in winter.

① Spring to Early Summer

  • Fresh greenery season, when the moss looks especially vivid
  • Cool and easy to walk, making it a good time for a stroll

② Summer

  • The trees become deeper green, and you can enjoy the contrast with the moss
  • On sunny days, choosing shaded paths makes walking more comfortable

③ Autumn

  • There are times when you can enjoy both autumn leaves and the green moss together
  • The best viewing period changes depending on the weather and the year


4. Recommended Nearby Attractions Around the Park

✅ Shima Onsen (a hot spring area known for its famous waters)

✅ Kusatsu Onsen (a hot spring town famous for Yubatake)

✅ Nakanojō Gardens (a garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers)


Useful Information for Travelers

Access (How to Get to Chatsubomi-goke Park from Tokyo)

By Train + Taxi

  • Tokyo Station → Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (by train)
  • Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station → Kusatsu Onsen area (by bus)
  • Kusatsu Onsen area → Chatsubomi-goke Park (by car)

Direct access by public transportation may be difficult depending on the schedule and season, so using a car or taxi is the safer option.

By Car

  • You can access the park from the Kan-Etsu Expressway “Shibukawa-Ikaho IC” direction
  • Free parking available (capacity varies by season)

Opening Hours and Admission Fee

  • Open season: Mainly spring to autumn (closed in winter)
  • Opening hours: Around 9:00 onward (varies by season)
  • Admission fee: Around 600 yen for adults / Free for elementary school children and younger

Shuttle bus operation and fares vary by season.

On the way back, you can also walk the trail back and enjoy a forest walk.

Manners and Tips for Visiting

  • Please do not step off the boardwalk or touch the Chatsubomi-goke moss
  • Because this is a mountain area, comfortable walking shoes are recommended
  • Some places may be wet and slippery, so watch your step

Wi-Fi / Mobile Signal

  • There are areas with weak reception, so downloading a map in advance is recommended

Multilingual Support

  • Signage inside the park is mainly in Japanese


Summary

Chatsubomi-goke Park is a Gunma nature spot where you can enjoy moss scenery growing in a strongly acidic mineral spring environment.

The fresh greenery and autumn foliage seasons are especially comfortable for walking and sightseeing.

It is also recommended to combine your trip with nearby hot spring areas such as Kusatsu Onsen and Shima Onsen.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Chatsubomigoke Park is a natural park where you can see a large colony of chatsubomigoke moss growing in strongly acidic mineral springs. It is known as one of the largest habitats of its kind in East Asia, and the vivid green stands out even more when seen with the spring renge tsutsuji azaleas or autumn leaves. The area around Anajigoku is especially impressive.
A. It is famous for its rare moss landscape formed in strongly acidic volcanic waters, something unusual even on a global scale. Along with the surrounding natural heritage, the area is registered under the Ramsar Convention. In 2017, it was also designated a National Natural Monument as the iron-producing site of the Kuni Chatsubomigoke biotic community.
A. The park is open from April 24 to the end of November, and visiting hours are 8:45-16:00. Reception is open until 15:30 from April to September and until 15:00 from October to November. Admission is 600 yen for adults, and free for elementary school children and younger. Entering earlier in the day is usually better than arriving late in the afternoon.
A. From Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, the basic way to reach Chatsubomigoke Park is by taxi, which takes about 40 minutes. The park is deep in the mountains and public transport options are limited, so if you are combining it with the Kusatsu Onsen area, visiting the park first can make it easier to avoid misjudging the return time.
A. A walk through the park takes about 1 hour, but allowing around 90 minutes is more comfortable if you include waiting time for the shuttle bus. You can get around in less time if you are only stopping to enjoy the scenery, but if you want to spend more time around Anajigoku, weekdays tend to be quieter and easier for walking.
A. Early summer is best if you want the vivid green moss itself to be the main focus, while the renge tsutsuji season and autumn foliage are popular if you want stronger color contrast. Slightly cloudy days can also work well because the moss color often looks richer, and the texture may show up better from morning to late morning than at midday.
A. It is best to wear comfortable shoes with good grip and bring a light jacket in case the weather changes quickly. Since there are damp spots and slopes, shoes that do not show dirt easily are often more practical than white shoes. Raising your phone brightness beforehand can also make it easier to check the scenery while you walk.
A. Many visitors combine the park with Hanashiki Onsen, Shiriyaki Onsen, or the Yoshigadaira wetland area. Because the park is a place where people tend to focus on nature observation, adding a hot spring stop on the way back often makes the day feel more satisfying. It is also reassuring to get drinks before heading onto the mountain roads.

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