How to Choose 10 Autumn Sightseeing Spots in Gunma
In Gunma Prefecture, autumn leaves progress from high-elevation mountains such as Mount Tanigawa to lakeshores, valleys, and hot spring towns.
Even when Teruha Gorge is colorful, it may still be too early in Ikaho or Myogi, so scenery can differ by area in the same week.
Check the latest information from the prefecture, municipalities, and facilities immediately before your visit.
Rather than visiting all 10 places in 1 trip, choose 1 area—Minakami and Numata, Akagi and Haruna, Myogi, or Kusatsu and Shima—to enjoy autumn scenery without being rushed by travel.
Use elevation differences to find peak colors
Even after leaves have fallen near a summit, autumn colors may remain at the foot or in hot spring towns.
Keep both high- and low-elevation options instead of choosing only 1 place, so you can adjust to the weather and foliage.
Notice the differences among valleys, lakes, and rocky mountains
At Teruha Gorge and Fukiware Falls, water and rock frame the leaves; at Lake Haruna and Lake Okushima, the lake surface does; and at Mount Myogi, sheer rock peaks form the backdrop.
Look beyond colors in photos to the relationship between terrain and trees, and the reason to visit each area becomes clear.
Build hot springs into your itinerary as time to rest
Gunma has many hot spring destinations, including Kusatsu, Shima, Ikaho, and Minakami, allowing you to plan rest after walking.
However, day-use bathing hours, closing days, and baths reserved for overnight guests vary by facility.
Choose where to bathe in advance and avoid arriving too late.
| Landscape | Representative spots | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Valleys and waterfalls | Teruha Gorge and Fukiware Falls | Road information and slip-resistant shoes |
| Mountain foliage | Mount Tanigawa and Mount Myogi | Weather and hiking range |
| Lakeside foliage | Lake Onuma, Lake Haruna, and Lake Okushima | Warm clothing and parking locations |
| Hot spring towns | Kusatsu, Ikaho, and Shima | Bathing conditions and walking time |
3 Autumn Highlights in Minakami and Numata
Northern Gunma's Minakami and Numata area offers layered scenery: the heights of Mount Tanigawa, the stream of Teruha Gorge, and Fukiware Falls.
Road and trail conditions differ by location, so do not cram them all into 1 day; choose 1 or 2 that suit the day's weather.
Follow 11 waterfalls and autumn leaves from the car at Teruha Gorge
Teruha Gorge follows the Yunokoya River and is dotted with 11 waterfalls named by haiku poet Shuoshi Mizuhara.
The gorge extends for about 9 km along the Yunokoya River.
In autumn, maples, beeches, and other trees color the landscape, creating delicate hues around the stream and waterfalls.
There are no parking lots or walking trails, so viewing from your vehicle is standard.
The road also serves local residents and through traffic, so avoid roadside parking or photographing from the roadway and enjoy the view from your vehicle.
Yield to oncoming vehicles on narrow sections and pass through before sunset.
See how color changes with elevation at Tanigawadake Yoch
At Tanigawadake Yoch, you can take the ropeway and view autumn colors on the mountainside from above.
Operations are affected by wind and weather, so check the day's announcements. If service is suspended, do not force your way into the mountains; switch to a hot spring town or another destination.
Walking beyond the observation area means entering hiking terrain.
Do not continue in casual sightseeing clothes; check the time, equipment, and trail conditions.
Observe water flowing over bedrock at Fukiware Falls
Fukiware Falls has a distinctive landscape where water appears to pour into cracks in the riverbed, complemented by surrounding autumn leaves.
The waterfall is about 7 m high and 30 m wide and is also called the “Niagara of the East.”
Stay inside fences and ropes on the trail and do not approach the water's edge.
Trails become slippery after rain and on days with many fallen leaves.
Do not insist on completing the circuit; check your footing and restrictions, and turn back within a safe range.
3 Autumn Highlights in Akagi, Haruna, and Ikaho
In central and western Gunma, you can travel between volcanic lakes and hot spring towns.
Akagi and Haruna are separate mountain areas, so combining them in one day based only on straight-line distance can mean a long drive.
It is more practical to choose one of the two and a nearby hot spring.
Walk around the caldera lake in autumn at Lake Onuma
Lake Onuma lies within the caldera of Mount Akagi, offering views of mountains and colors on the water from the lakeshore.
It is cooler than the city, and the wind can feel strong.
Do not set out in only light clothing; bring something warm.
Use designated parking lots by the lake and do not park on the shoulder.
If fog develops, wait for visibility to improve and avoid forcing a complete circuit.
Frame Mount Haruna Fuji with autumn leaves at Lake Haruna
At Lake Haruna, the water, conical Mount Haruna Fuji, and surrounding maples form 1 composition.
If using the ropeway, check its operating status and allow separate waiting time in addition to your lakeside walk.
Reflections change with wind and light. Even if absent, observe the contrast between the mountain's outline and lakeshore colors.
Walk Kajika Bridge and the stone steps of Ikaho Onsen
At Ikaho Onsen, walking around vermilion Kajika Bridge and the stone-step street lets you experience autumn leaves alongside the town's history.
Events and illuminations around Kajika Bridge change by year, so do not assume they will be held; confirm information for the year of your visit.
The stone steps can be difficult to see in rain or at night.
Even when walking far in a yukata and setta sandals, do not overdo it, and use the handrails.
| Base | Suggested combination | Points to note |
|---|---|---|
| Minakami Onsen area | Mount Tanigawa and Teruha Gorge | Mountain roads and sunset |
| Numata area | Fukiware Falls | Trail restrictions |
| Ikaho Onsen | Lake Haruna and Kajika Bridge | Elevation difference and stone steps |
| Maebashi area | Lake Onuma | Fog and cold-weather protection |
4 Autumn Highlights in Myogi, Kusatsu, and Shima
In western Gunma and Agatsuma, you can encounter contrasting landscapes of rocky peaks, volcanic hot springs, and blue lakes.
Myogi, Kusatsu, and Shima are all in western Gunma, but they are far apart and connected partly by mountain roads.
Explore 1 area at a time, centered on where you are staying.
See the outline of rocky peaks and autumn leaves at Mount Myogi
Mount Myogi is known for sheer rock peaks, and in autumn exposed rock and colorful trees create a striking contrast.
Even viewing from lookouts or around the shrine conveys the terrain's power.
Some trails have hazardous sections for advanced climbers, so do not enter chain-assisted sections as an extension of sightseeing.
Choose a range suited to your skills and check restrictions and weather.
Walk around Yubatake and Sainokawara at Kusatsu Onsen
At Kusatsu Onsen, an easy route is to walk through steam around Yubatake and the hot spring town, then continue to Sainokawara Park.
With autumn mountains in the distance, you can sense the relationship between naturally emerging hot water and daily life.
Some springs and hot-water channels are extremely hot.
Do not put your hands in them or enter restricted areas; follow the rules of each public bath and facility.
Enjoy the riverside post-town scenery at Shima Onsen
Shima Onsen is a hot spring area where inns and public baths line the Shima River.
Walk while viewing mountain foliage and old buildings, adding baths and breaks for a comfortable stay.
Where roads are narrow, do not spread into the roadway; leave room for residents and guests.
Check each facility to confirm whether day use is available.
Compare Shima Blue with autumn colors at Lake Okushima
At Lake Okushima, blue-looking water and surrounding autumn leaves create scenery that changes with the season.
The water's color varies with light and weather and may not always appear equally blue.
Rather than expecting intense color alone, take in the breadth of the reservoir and mountains.
One-way traffic or other restrictions may apply on surrounding roads.
Use designated parking and do not stop in the road to take photographs.
How to plan a route from Teruha Gorge to a hot spring
On a day centered on Teruha Gorge, leave ample time for travel in northern Minakami.
Kusatsu Onsen and Shima Onsen are in different mountain areas, and connecting them on the same day trip means a long drive.
After Teruha Gorge, stay around Minakami; consider Kusatsu and Shima as overnight destinations on separate days for safety.
Choose 1 hot spring area for a 2-day, 1-night trip
If based in Minakami, choose about 2 among Mount Tanigawa, Teruha Gorge, and Fukiware Falls.
If based in Agatsuma, combine Kusatsu Onsen with surrounding highlands, or Shima Onsen with Lake Okushima.
Staying within one area gives you more time for hot springs in the morning and evening.
Add central or western Gunma on a trip of 2 nights or more
With more time, you can include Lake Haruna, Ikaho Onsen, or Mount Myogi along the way.
Allow for mountain-road driving time, breaks, and fuel stops, not just expressway exits.
Avoid mountain roads at night and plan to reach your lodging while it is still light.
Driving, transportation, and crowd strategies for foliage season
Cars are convenient for many Gunma attractions, but during foliage season vehicles concentrate around parking lots and narrow roads.
Do not place all the burden on the driver: schedule breaks and leave flexibility to switch destinations when queues are long.
View from designated places without roadside parking
At Teruha Gorge and lakeshores, an open view does not necessarily mean parking is permitted.
Stopping on curves or passing sections can cause accidents and congestion.
Take photographs only from designated parking lots or confirmed safe viewpoints.
Check trains, buses, and ropeways
Kusatsu, Shima, Ikaho, and other destinations are accessible by public transportation, but service frequency and connections vary by time.
Check the last service first and avoid plans that rely on a taxi only for the return trip.
Ropeways may stop in strong winds, so prepare an alternative that can be enjoyed at the foot.
Check foliage and road information separately
Even when foliage is at its peak, roads and trails may not be safe.
Check foliage reports, weather, and traffic restrictions separately, and change your itinerary if any 1 presents a problem.
On-site barriers and staff instructions take priority over old maps and travel accounts.
| When to check | Information | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week before | Foliage by area | Select high- and low-elevation options |
| The day before | Weather, roads, and operations | Choose between mountains and hot spring towns |
| On the day | On-site signs and congestion | Change your stay length and order |
Preparing to enjoy mountains and hot springs safely
High elevations are colder than cities in the morning and evening, and fallen leaves or rain can make surfaces slippery.
Bring layers for warmth, slip-resistant shoes, rain gear, and drinks.
Even on a short walk, keep both hands free and return before dark.
Distinguish hiking from sightseeing walks
If the route beyond a viewpoint becomes a hiking trail, do not proceed in sightseeing clothes.
At Mount Myogi and Mount Tanigawa in particular, judge whether the route suits your experience; if not, switch to a ropeway or a viewpoint at the foot.
Do not enter closed areas alone.
Match hot spring bathing to your health and the water
Do not suddenly soak for a long time when your body is cold; stay hydrated and follow facility precautions.
Spring water, including acidic water at Kusatsu, may not suit everyone's skin.
If you feel unwell, skip bathing; choosing only a footbath or rest is also important.
Summary: Explore Gunma's Autumn Foliage and Famous Hot Springs by Area
Gunma's 10 autumn sightseeing spots are Teruha Gorge, Tanigawadake Yoch, Fukiware Falls, Lake Onuma, Lake Haruna, Kajika Bridge at Ikaho Onsen, Mount Myogi, Kusatsu Onsen, Shima Onsen, and Lake Okushima.
Comparing valleys, mountains, lakes, rocky peaks, and hot spring towns reveals Gunma's autumn across varied elevations.
Teruha Gorge has no parking lot or trail, so view it from your vehicle; plan Kusatsu and Shima as rest bases on separate days.
Checking foliage, roads, operations, and bathing conditions immediately before visiting leads to a comfortable autumn trip.
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