There are two playgrounds beside each other in the woods. A general playground and an athletic playground. The latter - the athletic playground - was done up late 2018. They removed all the old pieces and put in brand new pieces over a year. Its completed now. The general playground is old but functional and a big hit with kids.

Nice place for the kids, but could use a lot of refurbishment...especially the animal areas. Really run-down, weedy in some places. Admission is very reasonable, and the setting is nice. Nearest station would be Saiyama-shi, on the Seibu Shinjuku Line...from there, you should take a bus. Didn't see any place to eat, unless you bring a lunch. Parking available, if you come by car, bike, etc.

A park and a zoo and a fabulous garden in one👍😍

Nice place to get your child to move arotnd.

Good to enjoy with family

nice park

lovely

Amazing experience at Saitama Zoo! We didn’t have enough time to go to all the exhibits but everything was clean, staff were friendly, the animals were very unique and kept in comfortable & clean enclosures. One of the best zoos we’ve been to in Japan. We will be back!

Very big and beautiful zoo, good for stay in a quiet place with family or friends. A lot of green in a vaste park, not many species of animals but have a good apace to live there. The park look clean and quiet. Easy to reach with the bua from the train station.

was only there for 20 minutes to quickly see the capybaras bathing. the baths were not on, there were 3 capybaras nothing like the reviews I’ve seen, the park was massive and hard to get around lots of walking and up and down steep roads, as we were only there for 20 minutes my opinion is a bit biased as I didn’t get to see the whole park and experience and maybe came at a bad time. I would like to come back here for a day trip so I can review this zoo more thoroughly and hopefully get the experience others have reviewed about. Also one of the food stall owners was trying to give us more food (and charge more) than we asked for because of our language barrier. we kept telling her no and she wouldn’t listen. The food was not that great but the noodles with pickled ginger were really good. I hope this helps!

Pretty zoo. It might not have like LOTs of animals, but the ones that are there look healthy and have a nice habitat. Also the place is big and it is such a nice experience to go. The even have a "train" to move around the park. There are restaurants, café and food trucks available inside the zoo. It is worth checking the a activities they gave through the day so you can go on time.

It's so much fun! Before going there, I was expecting it to be pretty small and to get around in about 2 hours at a stretch but it's huge. You could just enjoying walking around the place but there are loads of things to do. The admission price is cheap (seemingly too cheap - I thought I had heard the wrong price) and the animals seem happy and well looked after. As well as the animals there are other things to do like the adventure playground, shops and some really good food vans as well (see photo). I am going to recommend it to everyone!

A place definitely for children! The kids will enjoy looking at the animals and they'll learn about these animals too. The place is big for walking, good for cardio! We recommend this place for family, just bring your stroller if you have a child.

Close to Tokyo but still you can feel rich nature here. And it is very much enjoyable zoo with family members. In a adequate size, you can enjoy both watching animals and walking here.

Easy access. Helpful staff. Peaceful and beautiful large park. I have been here on the last day of illumination autumn maple trees. Simple but Nice lighting.not too crowded.

This is a huge park perfect for elementary kids. You can easily spend half a day inside. They have different playground facilities that are well mentained. We entered from the South gate, rented bicycles, then went to the West side of the park. We only had time to play around Kids Dome, Water park, and Wood obstacle course. Kids had a blast. 700 yen for parking. 600 yen for 3H adult bicycle 450 yen for entrance for adults (elementary and younger are free)

The park is huge and not possible to see every corner of it on foot, but there are some main areas that visitors can visit easily thanks to the signboards. The car park might be trouble on a busy day but driving is still the best way to reach out to the park.

Very beautiful scenery. Easy to find the parking. Btw, this poor Anpanman was left here. Did someone's child forget him? 🤔🥺

Beautifully-landscaped park. Gardens with sculptures, pond, gurgling creek, open fields, bike route, paved and unpaved strolling paths. Small enough park to walk all over, perfect for spending half a day or so. Nice place for family, friends, couple, pets for relaxing & enjoying nature. Would like to come back for evening lighting for garden/sculpture viewing. If you feel more active, bike rental available, 450 yen for 3 hours. Lots of short stretches of moderate rolling hills on winding, paved route. Fairly small park but the bike route feels wild with nature. Plenty vending machines, bathrooms, cafes, and a few food trucks. Fair parking, 650 yen, entire day. Takes credit/debit card, but some spots cash only.

This place is so good! I recommend to rent a bike here. We can ride around the park, since the park is huge. I went to this park in spring. There are three type of flowers; lupine, nemophila and poppy. The entrance fee is ¥450 and rent a bike is around ¥400/ 3 hours. I really like this place!

This is a very large park. I’m going to summer time so that I visit only poolside. Pool is free but parking and park entry are not free.

Magical mountain shrine with breathtaking views and a sacred wolf guardian 🐺 If you’re looking for a spiritual escape just outside of Tokyo, Musashi Mitake Shrine is a hidden gem. Located at the summit of Mt. Mitake, this ancient Shinto shrine is known for its guardian deity — the wolf, revered as a protector against evil and disasters. It’s a rare and powerful symbol in Japanese mythology. The shrine is reachable by the Mitake Cable Car, which boasts the steepest incline in the Tokyo area — a fun and scenic ride up the mountain. From the cable car station, there’s a moderate hike of about 30–40 minutes, with some steep paths, but it’s a great workout surrounded by lush forest and fresh mountain air. The atmosphere at the top is peaceful, energizing, and spiritually refreshing. Whether you’re into hiking, history, or nature, this place offers a bit of everything. You’ll also find some beautiful torii gates, stone lanterns, and panoramic views along the way. Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and try to go on a clear day to enjoy the views! Highly recommended for a day trip that connects culture, nature, and spiritual calm.

The cable car is 1200 yen round trip then a short hike to the shrine. The shrine is pretty big and there are stores and restaurants that are close to it on the mountain. Provides a beautiful view on a clear day. The path is nice and well maintained but be prepared for a steep hike.

This place is worth visiting. Really beautiful temple in top of the mountain. You can also experience the Cable car service on the ways. Allocate at least half of your days.

Musashi Mitake Shrine, where a mythological wolf guided legendary warrior turned emperor Yamato Takeru to safety. Believe it or not, the air at 929 meters above sea level is fresh and climbing all these stairs is good for your blood pressure and calorie burn. In regular, non COVID times I saw some gift offering rituals in the back, more sacred area, but I’m not sure all of them are held today. It was also sad to see a lot of the shops and hotels struggling and either close permanently or temporarily. So if you’re a dog-person (or any pet) do yourself a favor, support small businesses, get your pet an omamori and stay healthy by visiting this amazing place.

Perfect hike with your furry friend. Pets are welcome on the cable car going up to the shrine and may even be blessed at the temple.

Get off at the Mitake train station. You can take the bus and cable car to get to the shrine. Or you can hike up the mountain. The shrine is pretty nice but there are lots of steps. It is not disabled friendly so be aware . There are many walking paths and photo opportunity spots all around. It's a great way to experience something just outside of Tokyo.

Beautiful scenery and a great exercise hike 👍 The shrine was just the start of a really fun yet challenging hike and the trees during the fall were bright and colorful, so the trip seemed much more relaxing. Just a wonderful experience to have. I'd recommend it for anyone who is physically able.

A wonderful hike up Mt. Mitake to visit the temple at the summit. Start by taking the ropeway up, then head to the tourist information counter to pick up maps and details about the trail. Be sure to visit the Rock Garden—it's a highlight of the hike. There's also a large rock you can climb for a bit of fun. The round trip takes about two hours.

It's a pretty awesome place to hike. Easy for beginners. You can take a bus right outside Mitake station, turn left, cross the road, and turn left. Or just ask the visitor centre and ask for a map.The bus is scheduled, so do take note of the time. Once you board the bus, it will take you all the way to near the cable car. You will need to walk uphill for 5 mins to reach the cable car station. Once there, I suggest you take note of the cable car timing to prepare the time to descent. After exiting the cable car station, you will need to walk for abt 10 min on a stretch of road to reach the town. To even reach the start of the walk to the shrine, you will need to cont uphill inside the town. Those who are planning for the Nanayo waterfall, you will need to go to near the shrine, and turn left, follow the sign board. Overall, you can walk 1 loop to the nanayo waterfall> rock garden> ayahiro fall> cedar trees> shrine. Spent a total of 2.5 hr or less for the route. Its steep initially will downhills and slopes then slippery rocks and icey pathways w snow, followed by gentle path back to the shrine.

I can really recommend Mount Mitake as a day trip from Tokyo. Breathtaking views. Just remember that if you take the last cable car down from the mountain you will miss the last bus to Mitake train station :)

Great hiking and shrines to visit Cable car is ¥600 one way saves 1 hour on foot, but the beautiful forest is worth the walk with all their sacred old trees

Anyone can easily reach the summit by taking the mountain train. The streets near the summit were old-fashioned and interesting. It is not that crowded, so you can take your time to explore the nature.

I climbed here by using Senzoku trail to first summit Odake and after Odake, Mitake felt like heaven by how easy it was to get on top and go back down.

Easily accessible by train. Good for a day trip outing. Can take the Cable cart too. Need to walk a bit to reach the Nanayo waterfall. There is a place mentioned as Rock Garden but actually there is no specific Garden such as instead the route to Ayahiro waterfall is surrounded by rocks and the water stream in between that is the Rock Garden.

Nice dam lake with the beautiful views surrounding the lake with the bridges.

I visited this place on 29 Nov 2024. There were very few tourists. Traveling here is quite limited if you don’t drive, as the area is quite vast. However, there are buses available. I love this place; it’s more beautiful than I could have imagined. But it takes quite a long time to get here and requires several transfers. If you have time, finding accommodation nearby would make the trip less tiring.

Oct. 14, 2024 2nd monday of October. Sports day. From the parking with the toilet head to the dam Cross to the other side, and in the middle of the bridge, there's observatory. Don't miss it! It's worth going to see the dam structure and miniature.

It is a beautiful lake accessible by train and bus from central Tokyo in about 2.5h. The lake has a serene atmosphere which is very soothing after experiencing busy Tokyo.

I came here by bus from Okutama JR station. I stopped at Lake Okutama “奥多摩湖”. Firstly, I surprised about the big lake and it’s beautiful deep blue color. Then I climbed the observatory to see the whole scene of the Lake, the Ogouchi dam, the mountains. It was a bit scary to look down from the window but it was a great view. There is a good atmosphere and a beautiful nature here. I was healed so much from my busy days.

Definitely an must visit place if you are Japan. One of the beautiful places I visited. Prefered time to visit is autumn. You can get busses from Okutama station to Lake Okutama. The journey with mountains valleys and autumn colours will be amazing to see. Get down at the dam and spend sometime there. But the real view comes later take the bus from the dam again and get down at Ideno bus stop. This place seems like no where but if you walk a little 100m from the bus stop you can find a opening that will lead you down hill and directly to the bank of the lake. You can get the best view of Lake and the surrounding mountains from here. It was stony and dangerous but also exciting and thrilling.

Beautiful lake! Nice parking area

Beautiful shibazakura can be viewed. There were also some food stores to enjoy the local delicacy ( strawberry) and the flowers. The parking fee and entrance fee was separate.

This is a vast park. I originally just wanted to come here for an early morning run, but since the park is on a slope (or hill), I changed my mind and decided to take a walk instead. It has large lawns and walking trails (or paths), and it's quite interesting because you can even spot some animals here.

Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu, is known for its attractive moss-pink field. Open hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the festival from mid-April to early May. The ticket price was just 300 yen per adult, and it’s really worth it. The ticket counter staff and other staff were really kind and friendly. The park is well maintained, and they have some beautiful flower decorations too. They had 10 types of flowers there, and those flowers are lovely and take away all stress. This hillside park is pretty crowded during festival season, but you can still enjoy it. You can enjoy a variety of foods from stoles in addition to the moss pink yard.There are plenty of food styles, which include Japanese traditional cuisine. The food was really yummy, and the vendors were really nice. When you go a few steps further, you can see a few sheep on their small farm. Sometimes we can’t actually watch sheep at the zoo, so I feel so happy. However, take my advice: if you go during peak season, please be ready to walk, or else you can get on a taxi too. I walked from Chchibu station to Hitsujiyama Park, and it took me 20 minutes, but it was a nice experience. This gorgeous park gives you fresh air to breathe. It was worth visiting this garden again, and I hope to go there next year too.

a lovely park, less crowded, with a lot of cherry blossom trees outside the park. there are snacks and souvenirs shops outside the park too.

Beautiful flowers and scenery with some sheeps and area for nice walkong. Entrance fee was 300 yen. With 500 yen parking

What a great place for hiking . Will see the panoramic view of the whole city of chichibu by walking minutes from chichibu station you will enjoy by walking or car even biking highly recomended

On April 20, 2021 the flowers are about 85% blooming. This park is not that big as my expectation, but nice to come here during shibazakura season. I've enjoyed it so much! Entrance fee is ¥300.

Beautiful shrine. Nice walk from Seibu Chichibu station, there were many stores on the way.

A beautiful Shrine in a beautiful city! The wood carvings alone are a good reason to come and visit. Unique Omamori for sale, also traffic safety reflector Omamori as well! The shrine has a little traditional cafe next to it so you can enjoy anmitsu and matcha near by.

The shrine is beautiful with very nice wooden painting and carving on the entire building. It can get very crowded during the new year week. There are a lot of street food stalls during this time. Some traditional Japanese Shinto ceremonies are also carried out around this time.

Beautiful shrine. The colors and carvings are so vibrant! Hope to return and spend more time!

Very good location with an interesting history. The monkeys illustrated here have the opposite positive meaning to those in Nikko - instead of see/speak/hear no evil, they encourage people to see/speak/hear good

The shrine is so beautiful and theres much to do and see. Must watch in Chichibu

Some nice areas like a small island surrounded by water - saw a cat walk across a stepping stone and did nighttime photography. Easy to get to, but not a key attraction. Worth checking out if you're passing by.

Scenic spot with rock formations and a cool river. You can buy tickets for rafting and riding a boat but the lines are long.

When you walk far away enough from the area everyone is in, it is a nice place to relax and watch some frogs. If you move the frogs will bury themselves underground, but if you stay very still, they'll emerge, and they are very cute. It seems you can ride boats here too, but it's just a nice place to walk along the river really.

A really beautiful place to have a stroll around. Trails are parallel to the river with many spots to sit and have a snack, take pictures and look at the beautiful river view.

Too many tourists. I haven't been out much this past 10 years in Japan. It was a shock. The area is picturesque, and a nice drive, lots of winding roads (if you like that sort of thing). The actual area around the one little rocky outcrop, it's your regular fare of touristy shops. Nothing I would write home about. The boat rides were also busy. I don't really see it as a too relaxing. I think there are better places to enjoy the water and solitude.

It is an unusual terrain with a series of huge rock formations. There are many people near the boat pier, but as you move away from that area, the number of people decreases. It is a very relaxing place rich in nature. The kids enjoyed their rocky adventure. We can find many tadpoles and frogs here. The view of the boats on the river is also beautiful. The boats are very popular and you may have to wait in line for quite a while to get tickets.

Beautiful place to enjoy the nature. But not really recommended to visit in winters (of course you can just mark it off on the checklist). Preferably go in spring/summer. DON'T do the boat ride. It's so useless. 1000 yen for a 20 minutes ride. They may shorten the ride according to them but will not change the price. NOT WORTH. Other than that, great place to enjoy nature and good food.

Saitama is quite far, but definitely a unique experience! Its beauty and simplicity makes the place even better. It’s also a great place for adventure, as there are many different things to explore.

Visited on 6 Nov. Autumn leaves for this year are late, so the shrine is not so pretty. Nevertheless the shrine is still impressive

Surrounded by very tall trees. Parking is easy.

Absolutely worth coming to see the plum blossoms! It was my first time witnessing such beautiful and fragrant plum blossoms – truly delightful. Taking the ropeway round trip costs 600 yen, and if you come by car, parking is 500 yen. I highly recommend coming here to relax; starting from January, you can enjoy the plum blossoms, and they should be in full bloom by February.

Beautiful, well-maintained shrine. Momiji making it even better. 10-15 min walk from Nagatoro station, slightly uphill. We went on a Saturday morning a bit earlier than most of the crown. At around 11am as we were departing, more people are pouring in so I think it can get crowded on weekend peak hours.

A really well cared for, clean and beautiful. Free parking at the bottom of the shrine. Not very stroller friendly because if the stairs and pebbles so baby carry or walking is best.

Quiet place. The shrine is very beautiful and same with all places in Japan very clean and organize. A lot of parking spots. A quick tour will be sufficient.

Hodosan shrine enshrines the Emperor Jimmu who founded Japan. I instantly felt an atmosphere, enhanced by the shinto music playing on the grounds, as we approached the torii of the shrine. The benevolence of the shrine is believed to be protection from disasters. It is a common place for hikers to pay homage as one of the three Kami (Gods / Deity) enshrined here is a mountain deity. But it is also because the shrine has a sub branch at the top of Mt Hodo - hikers pray at the base shrine and then climb to the top of Mt Hodo and devote there too. The architecture of the almost 2000 year old shrine is magnificent. The various auxiliary shrines are impressive too. And the grounds are beautiful. It is easily accessible by public transport too, as you can walk up from Nagatoro station in about 10 to 15 minutes.

It is changing session then. But I felt that the park should have better maintenance standard - Japanese standard. I wonder it is sold to a foreign owner. The place is not well kept and expensive entrance fee. We went to the next Flower Park, which much impressive. Please go to Ashikaga Flower Park instead.

Don't think it is worth going during winter as most of the flowers have withered except for those in the green house. 600yen per entry with 300yen voucher that can be redeemed for food or souvenirs.

We went on a rainy day during the week, so there was hardly anyone there. But it was beautiful. It's a little expensive for adults (700 yen+), but children are totally free so that makes up for it.

It is a large park, with a very large area. Too bad he's too careless. Admission costs only 600 ¥, cheap! when it is not flower season, it has no appeal.

I bought these beautiful flowers as a souvenir. There weren’t many flowers as I thought but they have a huge park that kids can enjoy.

Good place to spend 1/2 a day with the family, especially in the summer when the man-made river/showers are open for water play. My kids enjoyed climbing on the obstacles and running through the tunnels as well as getting lost in the scrub maze. The flower beds are always kept in great shape with something in full bloom almost every season. In winter the hot houses are a good place to warm up from the wind.

It was a very hot day so not a great time to visit - grounds were sweltering. Restaurant better than expected, flowers were fine but unremarkable. Play equipment less interesting than hoped for given other reviews.

10-Feb-2025 This was our starting point for Kumotori hike so we planned to pay respects. But there was a long queue and we were already late for hike. So we just visit around and observe shrine from distance.

This places located on mountain range. Beautiful scenery awaited, can be seen from parking area. You will need to climbing a bit, but not too steep. There’s a huge old tree and greenery, making this place a good power spot to Japanese people.

Love this Shrine. Very quiet and peaceful place. All the very narrow roads drove up here.

Phenomenal shrine up high on the mountain. Can easily drive or take a bus up to the temple with large parking lot, toilets and a few options for food and drinks. Very often foggy at the top, but I preferred the moody atmosphere. I went on a Sunday in summer and it was a cool temperature with few other people. I bet in Fall though it is a leaf peeping madhouse as others have said

Wonderful huge shrine nestled in the mountains with ample parking space. It does look like a highly respected shrine with lots of patrons listed on stone tablets as you stroll towards the main shrine. The main shrine is flanked by two huge majestic old cedar trees.

I have been planning a visit to this Shrine for some years and I was not disappointed. I took the first bus from Seibu Chichibu station. I arrived about 30 minutes early and I was glad because the bus was packed, but I was able to get a seat. The bus ride takes more than one hour as it winds its way up and narrow mountain road. Even on a Tuesday after a rain, many people were making the pilgrimage. The complex is extensive and impressive. Some of the carvings and paintings remind me of Nikko. So much energy and effort go into maintaining this holy place which is quite remote from everything. I had considered driving my car, but I was very glad I did not do so. Now that I have been there perhaps I would drive next time, but only if I were visiting with family or friends. I was able to explore some of the trails, but there are many more options. Words cannot describe the effect of being that high up in the mountains in such a sacred place. People refer to this as a power spot and I know exactly what they mean the one great mystery to me how to stay in lodging. The website is broken so you can’t reserve a room there. The website instructs you to call a phone number but that phone number just rings and rings. There is no recording. I thought to pop into the lodge during my visit, but I let it go because I don’t have any particular plans to stay there at this time. I guess it was just not meant to be, but perhaps in the future. The lodge itself is extensive, and appeared to be open. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Mitsumine Shrine and encourage you to do so as well. I befriended an international traveler who was a bit confused on how to pay the bus fare in cash, but he was able to sort that out. The bus drivers are true heroes navigating that narrow Mountain Road in those large vehicles full of pilgrims. The whole operation is truly outstanding and I can see why it is one of the great features of this area. Thank you 🙏🎉😄

This is a very important and impressive shrine in the Chichibu area, west of Tokyo. It requires careful planning if using public transport. I visited in July 2024 on a weekday, traveling by car from Kōfu in Yamanashi prefecture. Even so the road is long, twisting and only one road through the mountains near several dams! The shrine is spectacular though not too crowded. It was a lovely summer’s day but not too humid thanks to its elevation at 1,100m. You will be rewarded for your efforts to get there - it is worth it.

Fukiware Falls is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a serene escape from urban life. Its dynamic beauty, coupled with accessible trails and nearby attractions, makes it a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. Whether you're capturing the misty cascades on camera or simply soaking in the tranquil ambiance, Fukiware Falls promises an unforgettable experience.

A set of stunning waterfalls! It's a bit out of the way, but it was definitely worth it; especially with 30°C weather. The water is very clear, and the walkway is literally next to thr waterfall. The only way to get closer is by falling in. Aside from the path right next to the waterfall, there's also a path along a pair of bridges, leading around to the other side of the river. Plenty of parking nearby as well, but all of it is paid parking; our parking spot was 500 yen.

The waterfall cuts through the rocks in a dramatic way, almost like the earth has split open. The walking trail around the gorge offers great views of the falls and the surrounding cliffs. It’s especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color. The area is clean and well maintained, and the staff at the visitor center are friendly. Definitely worth the trip if you enjoy nature and scenic walks. The only downside is that there’s a constant announcement to be careful around the falls, which is replayed in 3 languages every 2 minutes, which gets annoying. There’s a paid parking lot at the entrance for 500 yen, but if you drive a minute further, you’ll find free parking.

Visited Fukiware Falls on a weekday and found the walk to be quite nice, with pleasant scenery along the way. However, you can’t get a perfect view of the waterfall since there are restricted areas you’re not allowed to cross. There’s also a loud, repetitive announcement about safety warnings that takes away a bit from the natural atmosphere. Overall, it’s an interesting stop but a bit overhyped, especially if you’re expecting a quiet nature experience.

Fukiware Falls is about a 40–50 minute drive from Minakami. The falls are stunning, set within a picturesque gorge that gives the area a uniquely Japanese charm. It’s a peaceful spot where you can spend around 30 minutes just taking in the scenery and listening to the soothing sound of the water. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!

Very nice and unique falls in the nature. Around 15 minutes from Kawaba City. Also not too crowded. You also can do a round hike for around 30 minutes - 1 hour. You can park very closely for only 500 yen. No entry cost. So if you like nature and water, definitely recommended! Also around 2-3 hours from Tokyo.

Nice walk around the impressive falls, rapids and whirlpools. The river has a strong current, and the geological formations were interesting to observe. There is a walking circuit, but it was partially closed, so we walked back and forth to the parking lot. There are no rails, so be careful when walking as the water and mist can make the rocks slippery.

The place is easy to find. It is a walkable destination but there is a good part of the walk is on the road. The way up the hill is also tough at the start with steep incline. Otherwise, an interesting place of worship for the believers. In Japan, Guanyin (观音菩萨）is seen as a source of mercy and compassion, and her image and temples are common in Buddhist practice, such as the International Buddhist Temple (观音寺) named in her honor

【白衣の静寂、観音のまなざし】 We hadn’t meant to find it — the great Byakue Daikannon (白衣大観音) rises from the hillside above Takasaki like a vision in white silk. From the road below it looked almost modest, but standing at its feet, the sheer grace and scale are humbling. Built in 1936, the 41.8-meter statue was meant as a prayer for world peace, its serene face gazing out across the Kanto Plain. The temple grounds surrounding it are quiet — stone steps bordered by whispering pines, weathered Jizō statues tucked into corners, the faint scent of incense carried by mountain wind. Few visitors pass through, and that emptiness deepens the calm. From within the statue, narrow windows frame unexpected slices of the city below — Takasaki’s rooftops, trains threading through distance, all watched over by a silent guardian in white. Afterward, a short descent leads back to the modern rhythm — a coffee at 蓮屋, perhaps, or a detour to the Daruma shrine nearby — small reminders that tranquility and daily life coexist easily here. Leaving, I felt Takasaki itself grow a little warmer, as if this hillside temple had quietly lent the city its soul. 【Features】 🚶‍♂️ Access: 10 mins by car or bus from Takasaki Station 📍 Visibility: Clearly visible from afar 📜 Signage: Bilingual at main entrance 📷 Photo spot: Excellent from base and statue interior 🌳 Ambience: Serene, open, airy 🙏 Ritual: Small altar and incense offerings 🎐 Soundscape: Wind through pines, distant bells 🕰️ Age: 1936 (Shōwa era) 🐾 Local life: Occasional monks, few tourists 🧭 Off the beaten path? ✔️Yes 💰 Admission: Free (small fee to enter statue) 🔙 Would I visit again? 💓Definitely

Visiting the Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon was an unforgettable experience. The statue is not only breathtaking in scale but also remarkable in its craftsmanship. Standing before it, you immediately feel the care and dedication that went into every curve and contour. The sculptors paid extraordinary attention to the smallest details - the gentle folds of the robe, the serene expression on Kannon’s face, and the delicate positioning of the hands all radiate a profound sense of peace and compassion. Walking inside the statue adds another layer of appreciation. Each level contains carefully placed Buddha figures and symbolic carvings that highlight the spiritual significance of the monument. Even the interior pathways feel intentionally designed to guide visitors through a quiet, reflective journey. The name “Byakue Dai-Kannon” means “The Great White-Robed Kannon.” Kannon (or Kannon Bosatsu) is the Bodhisattva of Mercy in Buddhism, a figure who embodies infinite compassion. The “white robe” symbolizes purity, benevolence, and the gentle protection she offers to all beings. This meaning becomes even more powerful when you see the statue rising above the landscape, almost as if watching over the city with kindness. Overall, the Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon is a masterpiece - spiritually uplifting, artistically extraordinary, and absolutely worth the visit.

Very neat experience for seeing a local Takasaki attraction. There is free parking near the statue, and also there is a great spot for taking selfie pictures across the red bridge beside the temple. We also had a picnic in the nearby park, definitely a cool family spot to visit. We enjoyed our time there.

The site was spectacular or anything but the approach and the little local shop around it were nice to visit.

Beautiful place you can go inside the statue and see the view from there too

One of the most stunning sights in Japan Especially in the fall when the leaves change. A must see if you’re anywhere near Gunma

Interesting stop, albeit not exactly ‘en route’ so please take note even though there’s ’roadside’ in the name :) It was a detour for us to take our lunch stop here. The overall experience had good vibes, we liked the atmosphere. Didn’t get the chance to really walk around as we needed to get back into the highway for our journey. Even so we enjoyed our soba lunch very much before hitting the road again. And we dropped in the Farmers Market as well to get some strawberries and fresh juices. Recommend stopping by here if time permits and if you are on a drive trip in Japan .

【賑わいの中でひと休み：癒しの道の駅体験】 A vibrant pit stop nestled in the heart of Gunma, Michinoeki Denen Plaza is more than just a roadside station—it’s a community gathering point that hums with life. We dropped by on our way back to Tokyo and found it the perfect place to stretch our legs and soak in a bit of local charm. What struck us immediately was the popularity—by the time we parked in Area 7, spaces were already filling fast. Still, the atmosphere was welcoming, with families, couples, and travelers (furry companions included) meandering through the grounds. The locally produced nomu yogurt was a revelation: creamy, tart, and just the right size at 160 yen. A perfect breakfast companion. The market had an impressive array of fresh local produce, ideal for souvenirs or just a snack for the road. Benches placed thoughtfully in the plaza gave us space to unwind while our dog relaxed by our feet. Clean toilets, cheerful entertainers performing on the lawn, and play areas for kids all added to the feeling of a lively but well-kept village fair. If there’s any gentle critique, it’s that the popularity comes at the price of peace—it was only after we left for a quieter lunch nearby that we realized how noisy it had been. Still, it’s a spot I’ve saved for future visits. ⸻ 【Features】 🚘 Parking: Multiple lots available 🐶 Pets allowed - Outdoor only 🚻 Toilet inside the establishment 💰 Payment: ✅Cash and Credit Card 🔙 Would I visit again? 💓Definitely

A relatively large road station. Market and several restaurants of good quality. I tried the summer special cold noodle, which was good. The bakery was popular, too.

Soserene, so quiet, so un-touristy. Sounds of birds chirping and a pair of geese honking. Gentle breeze and plenty of outdoor seatfor a packed lunch while you look beyond and soak in the scenery. Stores sell some nice local produce like veggies ,honey, cheese and sake. Prices are a bit on the high side, in my opinion, and i wasn't very impressed with the ball mozarella cheese (too hard, not enough milky taste). Overall, a wonderful place to visit. Oh, i forget to mention there's a fishing area a short distance away where I watched people fish in all kinds of manner and it was very very educational and fun to see some catch a fish every 3 minutes whilst others sat and looked enviously with nothing at the end of their rods 😆

Today we visited Kawaba Denen Plaza! 🌿✨ They just opened FREE blueberry picking last Friday 🔵🫐 We went today, but the blueberries aren’t quite ready yet—maybe just a little more sunshine! ☀️ Still, this place is ALWAYS so peaceful and refreshing. I never get tired of coming here. 🍃💙 I won’t post too many pictures because I really recommend you come and experience the surprise for yourself! 😉 #Kawaba #DenenPlaza #BlueberryPicking #JapanTravel #CountrysideVibes #NatureLovers #RefreshingEscape

Pretty place! Nice to walk since sitrs are nice despite the cold weather. Locals sell their produce here too. And there are several food shops in case hungry.

Biggest and best roadside station I've ever been to (of about 50). Its more like a food theme park or resort than a roadside station. There are 7 car parks, several eateries, a farmers market, a rest area, outdoor and indoor seating, a nursery, toilets, smoking areas, and a brilliant free play area. Its a very popular spot particularly on weekends, so there are often queues.

Stayed few minutes one the way to Nigata, It’s a clean place to have rest, shopping are was good, you can find lot of snacks and dessert, cakes, drinks, and so on, most of are seems to unique for the area. So you can see the taste of local food if you try here, also pure bee honey is a very good product if you are interested about natural food

The maple trees are full in colored and beautiful!

Cute country side souvenir shops. There are a few restaurants, but when I was there, they were not open. They had some items very unque to Gunma Prefecture - and everything I bought was very tasty! Clean bathrooms with heated seats.

Different shape to most parking areas. Large car park, but not that large of a rest area. They do have a garden out back with some exercise frames. Toilets in the main building, plus stand alone toilets in another part of the parking area.

Best place ⛰️🌏

along the National Highway 54 is pleasant feeling, if you drive in spring, summer or autumn season there are wider green refreshing sceneries you really enjoy with them,

good viewing toward TAKIGAWADAKE, end of kANTO.

Not too impressed with their all-you-can-eat snow crab at the second floor restaurant, which mostly patrons were tour bus tourists. The strawbery you-pick farm was very good though.

Wonderful place for Cherry Picking, held from end-May to mid-June. We came on the first Sunday of June, and had a great dayout here! (2.5 hours drive from Tokyo, and plenty of carparking space)

Very interesting farm with a market and a restaurant. You can choose a apple, blueberry, cherry, peach and strawberry picking session with including lunch. Pre-booking is needed. Highly recommended.

Lovely place with lots of interesting traditional local Japanese food stuff... Their fresh Apple, Blueberry juice is to die for

Went there for strawberry picking. Unforgettable experience. Its an education tour for my children as they love strawberries. For muslims, no halal food except for the fruits they harvest and sell themselves. Tour guide told us that in starting June there will be grapes picking and before June will be strawberries...

There are a lot of local products and seasonal fruits. Huge restroom. Friendly staff and service. I always visit every time going nearby.

Great escape from Tokyo, you get to eat one peach on the field and take two home - depending on the season you will find apples, cherries, blueberries etc. Good stuff

The Gunma area is where they grow the most of the roots in Japan that are turned into konyakku, a slightly tasteless paste which can be shaped into a lot of forms. It is very popular because it essentially has zero calories. But it is extremely popular and the lines can be murder on public holidays. We got there at 9 which is opening time, and had to stand in line 2.5 hours for the buffet. The big draw is the free buffet of konyakku products, but there is also a gift shop and you can visit the factory. Personal recommendation: try the liver konyakku and the fruits jellies. Charge (seniors/adults/children): 0 Typical period of stay: 1-2 hours Wheelchair accessible: Yes Family friendly: Yes Smoking allowed: No Allergy alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives: All of it. English menu/information: No Staff speaks English: No Separate mens & ladies toilets: Yes Clean & fresh toilets: Yes Washiki or sit-down toilet: Sit-down Free wi-fi: Yes Free (and ample) parking: Yes Takes credit cards or cash-only: Cards and cash.

The park offers an interesting opportunity to learn about Japanese konjac. We were especially impressed by their marketing strategy, which involved providing free food to visitors. This approach encouraged many people to end up purchasing various konjac products. Additionally, there is a children's area where kids can play, as well as a foot bath for relaxation.

Great place for kids who and families who love noodles, tofu, desserts from gelatin. They offer free meals all you can eat for 20mins. You can also buy candies, foods, drinks, desserts, wine and others. There is also a pretty nice fresh fruit and vegetable markets.

This is an interesting place to visit if you’re in the area. I’m not a big konnyaku fan, but it’s completely free to tour the factory and partake of the buffet. My friend and I visited on a Saturday so the factory was out of action, but you could still walk around the tour area and see the machinery and read the information. The buffet was interesting if not entirely to my tastes. Suffice it to say that the desserts selection was better than the savoury. There’s a big store area with all conceivable types of konnyaku product available to buy. There is also a convenience store on site and a small supermarket. There are free foot baths too, but you’ll need your own towel.

Free entry and free buffet! It is just konnyaku everything We saw how it is made. Amazed at how a small looking potato thing becomes what we eat… I got the konnyaku fruit jelly because that’s nice. Don’t really feel like eating konnyaku now.

If U interesting traditional Japanese food,recommended sightseeing. detail konjac history, process konjac,try tasting free food,many selling konjac food. But disappointed only display Japanese.

A great place to go for an afternoon. It’s cool to see the konnyaku factory and sooooooo many konnyaku products. We enjoyed the free konnyaku buffet and as an added bonus there were wonderful foot baths! Would recommended to anyone to visit.

Beautiful and relaxing hike! There are some parts that can be kind of wet and rocky along the waters. So wear shoes with better friction.

Great spot to get away from Tokyo but you would have get a car to go there would be easier though

The best hiking course with amazing waterfalls that you've never heard of. Turquoise water, wild scenery and very few people. Wear good hiking boots and be prepared for some scrambling up a rough path on places. The first 5 km of the 10 km loop is tough but scenic, the return trip is easy. Must bring a camera!

Great place, never TOO crowded, even on a holiday, but still plenty of cars in the lot. Beautiful place, and the trails are spectacular, though they must be tough to maintain, as half of them have been closed all of the three times I've been.

Excellent hiking place with beautiful waterfalls and stunning nature.

Beautiful walk. Proper shoes are recommended for handling at surfaces

This place is amazing, just so beautiful! We went for sawanobori. Please, keep it clean and stop throwing garbage around the paths!

This former silk factory let people to feel the term of industrial change in Japanese history. Very educational even for Japanese.

The most visited place of Gunma prefecture. The most attractive tourist spot of Tomioka City. It's a world heritage place that demonstrates the ancient Silk production and processing system of Japan. Moreover it's a model Silk factory that foster machines and modern system of silk factory across the country...

Attraction: Nice place to visit on your way to your destination. Many buildings are closed, so you can only see them from the outside. There are two rather large buildings that you can walk through one has a second story with a few exhibits you can read about. There's not that much walking since the museum is quite small. Fees: We paid $1,000 yen per person, but there are discounted rates for children. Food: There are several places for small snacks and light meals outside of the museum. We didn't try any of them and so can't recommend. Parking: There's no parking specific to the museum but there are small parking lots spread around town at the entry. Going rate is $500 yen for a full day.

Good to learn about the history and how the silk manufacturing developed in Japan. Huge machinery retained as exhibits.

Visited last year.. There is free Tomioka Silk Mill app that can be downloaded for the audio tour in various language. It’s an interesting historical place to learn how raw silk was made in the early days.

One of the world Heritage Sites of Japan. Full of its historical remains. Access is really inconvenient, however if you have a car its easy. The walking inside the Silk mill feels like you are living at 18th century. It really feels that you time travel and went back to 18th.

We dropped by Tomioka silk mill after camping just for a fun. It was amazing experience to see the process of making silk and historical house constructed before the war. Especially we are interested in the lifestyle of staff and trainers. We could see the furniture and documents. Highly recommend.

Nice to see, takes just an hour or so unless you intend to have lunch or camp. There is on-site parking (free as of Oct 2023) and plenty of restrooms with a nice snack bar. The bridge has several bubble machines, so if you wear contact lens protect your eyes. Worth a side trip but not a destination. Recommend.

Awesome bridge with an outstanding view. Worst soft serve though.

Stunning views from this skybridge 2700 feet above sea level. The valley below is about 2000~2100 feet above sea level. If you are afraid of heights its best to walk across when there is no-one else on it as it does shake when there is a group on it or if kids are running across it. There is a coin box at the entrance and they request 100 yen per person over 6 years old for passage. The bridge is accessible from Mahobanomori campsite, but you don't have to be a guest of the site to use the bridge - its open to the public. There is a playground across the otherside.

Ueno Skybridge, Mahoba Forest, Kawawa Nature Park --> very nice ! ✅♥️ Permission: Flyers

Beautiful views. Would love to go back in fall when the leaves change. A short walk from Fujido which was also fun. Definitely recommend visiting.

Managed to jogged up here. The slopes were very steep. Scenery was good, enjoyed the sunset.

Autumn🍂🥮 the scenery so beautiful😍❤

Small local shrine at the top of the famous ‘365’ steps. Worth the visit if you’re in the area. There are many wonderful smaller details to look out for around the shrine and it has a good view of the town. It is also the start of a walk up the mountain.

The temple was rather OK, but what steal the show is the surrounding shops and village that has a lot of character and vibe. Some buildings are old and shut down, an old memory of the great economy times of the era. I felt nostalgic and trapped in time. It was great that I stopped over to see this place.

2023.04.07 A very small but nice shrine and even buying omori were self service.

Worth all the cold winds and the steps 👍🏼

Very serene small shrine at the top of the steps of Ikaho Onsen. It is worth a visit, there were nice sakura trees blooming when I was here. As it is not a peak time, there is minimal crowd, so it makes for a nice experience.

On top of the 365 steps really peaceful area in the morning shrine area was pretty

I went to Ikaho Shrine for the first time. It is in the place where I climbed the stone stairway. Scenery is splendid.

we climbed 365 stone steps, view from top is so beautiful. if you are initial D fans is recommended to go there to find the initial d scene. plenty of onsen here, 2 days 1 night trip is enough to cover the whole place.

A place if you need a great workout ! 365 steps to hike up but was too quiet to continue on my own to see the Onsen. So just visited the shrine n wander around the shops n lanes… shops are quaint n there are the 12 Chinese horoscopes plates embedded along the footpath. I took a break soaking my feet in the public foot bath

This is a cute stairway lined with shops of all kinds and providing incredible views of the surrounding mountains. There are 365 stairs to climb up, and lots of small details to discover along the way. Try not to get too caught up in taking photos, and use the opportunity to set your eyes on a distant horizon. Breathe deep.

This quaint onsen town was extremely pleasant and enjoyable. There were plenty of souvenir stores, and snack stores selling sweets and pastries. Some cafes also serve lunch and they are all just along the stone steps leading up. You can take the JR express bus from Shinjuku, or a local bus from Maebashie.

An interesting village where these stone steps were originally built to promote the area during the Edo period. Now a popular hot spring destination, it’s filled with shops and restaurants offering various local specialties. The steps also provide a lovely view over the village.

Entire area is really small, it can be done in 15-20 minutes. The only initial D thing is the drain cover at the bottom of the stairs & a poster higher up the stairs. I would not think it’s worth a day trip here on public transport but if you’re staying at the onsens it’s a really nice excursion.

Cool place to visit. Easy on tourists. Please support the businesses and buy delicious snacks! So many restaurants and cafes around. Please try it

Didn’t meet the full expectation but the lake is calm and serene. Lots of free parking. Lots of paddle boats. Lots of horses. Ropeway seems not worth it.

The best place as photo spot during autumn. If you love to take a drive, it’s the best place to take a break. Some local restaurant provides delicious foods and snacks. There are also a very large parking space around. You can also enjoy a horse/horse cart ride.

Locals are so nice and friendly here. Came for an afternoon by the lake and my car refused to start. Luckily, a local mechanic in a green Nissan happened to be nearby and offered to help. Slightly awkward, but got everything handled quickly. I never saw them again, but I’m grateful for their help. Minus a star thanks to cigarette ashes in the tofu at the nearby shop. Maybe he would’ve noticed if he’d actually looked.

The lake water was completely frozen. The snow is porous and soft, can create a snowman on the lake shore I like to see the lake in winter, it has a very special beauty

Nice, because not too busy! but beautiful!

Nice place for family visiting but don’t go at winter 🥲

Excellent . Colors of Autum leaves , beautiful lake and horse riding experience.

Great place to visit. Not too crowded area but has good tourism support infrastructure. Access is relatively easy to walk through with break areas and shops scattered along the way. Main area was being renovated at September 2024 so its view was limited but overall place and the walk still make it a beautiful place to visit.

Beautiful, serene and tranquil shrine in the mountains of Takasaki City. This shrine is really old and now undergoing major renovation works. It's still very much worth a visit if you're in the area.

It is a beautiful place! We loved the walk to the main building that you can see the waterfall along the way. Unfortunately, there are still ongoing preservation work at the main shire. Anyhow, the whole walk and surrounding scenery worth the visit. May 20025.

A very good place to visit for those who are looking for a solemn place to pray. It's my second time to visit this Shrine and it seems the construction is not yet finished so I can't rate it 5 stars. From Takasaki Station, we ride a bus and stop on the foot of the Shrine. When we arrived, there are remains of snow from the last day. It took us 15minutes to reach the Shrine since we enjoyed the scenery Haruna Shrine offers. The road is cemented, there are few sloppy stairs but it's not that hard to ascend. I've seen a shop where you can buy foods in case you've got a hungry stomach. For those who have cars, there is parking near the entrance of of the Shrine.

Not too touristy, 1,300 year old campus of shrines curved out on the side of mountains in Gunma Prefecture. Very somber, impressive buildings - not because they are foiled in gold or they have the record ranking size, but because they have quietly endured the time, and still existing. When I went there, it was the 2nd day of the New Year, and yet still, not too many people were there, daring the bitter cold air of the cedar woods and frozen water falls. I live in western NY, so I know cold - this place carried it's own winter bitter! True to the essence of Shintoism, even the smallest and the most eroded structures are still kept, tendered and their dieties are well respected. A little Cha-Ya (tea house) half way up the lane that's leading up to the main shrine, reminded me of how things were perhaps 1,000 years ago, treating those who have traveled days or weeks, or even month to get there, on foot. ( I'm pretty fit BUT their official "15 minutes to the top shrine" was a bit of a stretch - a handful of really old ladies in their 80- 90 something were walking with a cane, taking rest every few steps up a very steep stone starts) This place is famous for the plums. Their Plum Cake (Ume Manju) was very tasty, with a whole cooked plum inside, wrapped inside of not too sweet red bean paste.

A tranquil place with solemnity where you'll find a nice trail leading to a Japanese shrine of hundreds years old inside the mountain. Everything is so original without much artificial decoration. Lucky that not many foreign tourists (particularly.those from.mainland Chinese) know this place, the site remains quiet and one can really enjoy an escape of busy life here walking leisurely deep in mountain. Definitely a five star tourist site as of today.

The shrine area was magical. It felt like walking into a fairy-tale. Also, I highly recommend the hike from the shrine to Haruna lake. It is difficult, but the view over the lake is amazing.

Fantastic place to visit in the winter. Weather you love ski or just to observe snow covered mountains, this is a perfect place

Formerly known as Tanigawadake Tenjindaira, the ski resort was renamed and rebranded as Mt.T after Hoshino Resorts took over the place. The lift price is one of the highest on mainland Japan, about 9000 JPY for one day for the winter season 24/25. It was less than 5000 JPY in the past. Ski Resort Layout: The ski resort is served by a main gondola from the base to the top and a couple of chairlifts to the upper slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. There is one very long run down to the base that ends at the road leading up to the gondola. Much of the appeal of Mt. T is its side country within the resort and backcountry to the top. Snow: The resort is known for its heavy amount of snowfall it receives and stashes of powder snow could be found in both sidecountry and backcountry terrain. On days with heavy snowfall, expect the chairlifts or even the gondola to be closed due to avalanche risks. Faciltiies: There isn't much facilities around for a Hoshino resort or in comparison to other resorts in the area. There is a day lodge area with an eatery and a base area with a shop and rest area with rental services. That's about it. The resort does try to carry out seasonal campaigns such as snow play or have special gondola cars with dining in it. The resort is popular among people looking for backcountry terrain as well as hikers even in winter. The Hoshino branding also draws more tourists to the resort. However, it is still relatively uncrowded, partly because of the lift prices, compared to Gala Yuzawa or Kandatsu on a holiday or weekend. The resort can be fun place to visit after a fresh snow day with good weather and the view of Tanigawadake is quite impressive. It is also a different creature from the other ski resorts in the area which makes it a nice change of environment.

This mountain is great for a hike and easily accessible via a large gondola. The hiking path is well-marked and maintained, attracting plenty of hikers. However, the trail is quite challenging, often requiring near-climbing efforts. Near the gondola, there's a pleasant area with a very slow lift. Both the gondola and lift operate at a very slow speed, which might be a safety concern.

It’s easy riding the Ropeway and the Lift to get to the top of Tenjin Daira, even after the snow melt in April and probably summer and the fall, until the Snow Ground restart in winter again!!

Visited in the middle of September, 2018. It was cold up there! Even raining slightly although the weather forecast said sunny all day. Cost around US$20 two ways, so not so cheap. Parking costs $5 but in the secure building where you buy tickets and find shops, cafes, restaurants and rest rooms. Be prepared for the inclement weather if you stay outside for 10 mins. For hikers and climbers, there are coin lockers, toilets, restaurants, even rooms for change clothing near the rope way station up there. Note that under severe conditions even in May or September, sometimes fatal accident happens every single year here. Listen local guides carefully and read blogs/guidelines by experienced Japanese climber or so.

On one hand, it is beautiful nature, But on the other, it is a hard and unsafe climb in which you can easily slip off the path with no sagety bars as protection. When it is rainy and windy, that is even more dangerous

Good views from the top of the Rodeway. Cold in winter!

rain rain and rain but we got it, it was hard and slippery the whole way but worth it. I can only recommend it.. we had only 10 minutes of open sky 😍 so beautiful!

Hiked Mt. Tanigawa (1977m) and was rewarded with stunning alpine scenery. The trail was rich with summer flowers, busy bees, and colorful butterflies. Though the weather was partly cloudy, the views of the surrounding green mountains were breathtaking. The ropeway ride offered a relaxing start, and the fresh mountain air made the climb refreshing. A beautiful destination for both nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.

Nature beauty at its finest. Took the doai route to the summit for 3hrs 9-25-22

music smk refuse to comply order and refuse pay pack in timid maner so mixie forever in force no more loan to music forever ocid

I climbed through Nishiguro ridge. the wind was strong and I can't see the trail path because of the clouds. I almost died. never forget that experience

So could cloudy 😌 i did not see the great view but I happy to come here so good

Highly recommend for visit 😮😮😮

A nice lake with a dam in a very beautiful surrounding, however not so easy to get there and there are very few cafes and swimming did not seem possible, (some guides told it was - but at least we did not see anyone swimming on a hot summer day) also the infrastructure there is not in a very good condition.

Shima Blue is a local reference to the crystal-clear blue color of this lake. I recommend visiting, even if just for a short time, or circling around it either by bicycle or car.

If you’re a nature enthusiast, definitely worth visiting in the summer for a short getaway or a fun kayaking adventure! Photos taken from Akazawa Bridge on 2023/7/4 Recommend: 1. Driving up Akazawa Bridge 2. Couple stops at the observations decks along the way, soaking up the view 3. Shimagawa Dam: for snacks, foot bath

It is a beautiful lake and you could technically walk around it but you will be on the street where the car goes. It might be ok if u are on the bike but I decided not to go for a walk cuz I prefer walking in the nature and not a car street. Lake itself is pretty but not the best. I might have had better experience if I had a bike.

You don’t see much of the lake if you walk around it, and you are walking on roads most of the time. It takes an hour and 20 to make the loop. There is free parking just next to the dam. No onsen by the lake.

If you’re nearby come look but it can done within 10 minutes

Nice lake for a short paddle, but can get very busy on weekends in the summer.

Naibos ski resort is the biggest and best equipped in the area if not all of Niigata. It has high speed lifts, gondolas, and conveyor belt lifts for beginners. If this is the first time skiing with friends of varied ability or with a family this is probably the best ski resort to go to. It's huge and has a gondola that gets you to the next ski resort over. With it's huge size and variety of terrain it'll satisfy anyone. There is the Prince hotel which is literally at the bottom of the slopes so you have a close place to stay and the prices are a fraction of that in the USA. Single day lift ticket are under 7000 yen or less than $50 for a full Day ticket. Check around as you can get discounts or they have a 5-hour ski pass for 5000 yen. Naeba it's also great to spend several days at as it's so big you cannot ski the entire resort within a single day. It'll take several.

It's a very beginner friendly ski resort, lots of green line with different difficulty, and easy to difficult blue line to practice advance. Dragondola has a pretty view and different style course in Toshiro ski resort. You can get different level of restaurant cross all building. It's also easy to get from public transportation. Recommend for all the beginners especially for the first time skier/snowboarder. For middle/advance player you can choose others like Kagura ski resort.

The ski resort was a great choice for beginners. It offered plenty of space for me to practice, and there were also areas where I could have fun with my younger brother, who couldn’t ski.The food was also fantastic, with a variety of options that made it easy to refuel during the day. Overall, it was a wonderful trip, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone just starting out or looking for a family-friendly spot.

One of my favorite ski resorts in Japan! About 2 - 3 hours away from Tokyo. Tons of food options between the resort and hotel. Plenty of space for children of all ages. Slopes are more for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders with a couple options for experts. Lots of activities and places to visit outside of the resort as well. Let Naeba be your first experience!!

The place was a bit dated but the facilities were good. Slopes available for beginners to experts. Good mountain view at the top. Not much english instructors or signs but everyone is friendly. Food court has plenty of good options

I like this place for the reason that it has all the planes and altitudes we need for fun with snow. From beginners to advance players can have fun at this resort be it ski or snowboarding. Even we have plenty places to have fun for childrens. There are good enough food restaurants available there to quench your hunger. Rental gears are easily available at the spot or from nearby places around there. Also, this place is accessible by bus 🚌 easily from Yuzawa station which is about 1 hour bus ride.

Prince Hotel near the Naeba ski resort offers customers retro furnishings and all the necessary 70s amenities, classic dish choices from the era and staff service that encourages you to be independent and self-reliant. If one wishes to relive or experience the unique charm of the 1970s, Prince Hotel provide their customers with a nostalgic journey at a reasonable price (about $800USD for seven days stay)