Name: Gunma
Address: JP

Gunma Prefecture is Japan's hot spring capital, mountain playground, and silk heritage land — a landlocked prefecture north of Tokyo where volcanic peaks, therapeutic onsen, pristine highland forests, and the UNESCO World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill define a destination unlike anywhere else in Japan.

Cultural orientation

Essential context for travellers.

Insight

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Do's and don'ts

Quick guide to local norms.

Do

Bow slightly when greeting — a 15-degree nod is appropriate for visitors; deeper for older locals
Remove shoes when entering a ryokan, temple, or traditional restaurant (look for a step and shoe rack at the entrance)
Carry cash — most rural onsen towns and small restaurants operate cash-only
Buy and use a small tenugui (Japanese cotton hand towel) at an onsen — compact, quick-drying, and the culturally appropriate choice
Ask before photographing people at onsen or shrines — always ask permission; never photograph bathers
Try the local food even if you're unfamiliar with it — konnyaku, yaki manju, and sansai are all mild flavours accessible to newcomers

Don't

Do not enter an onsen bath without washing at the shower stations first — this is the single most important rule
Do not speak loudly or use your phone in shared onsen areas
Do not leave tips — tipping is not practised in Japan and may cause embarrassment
Do not eat while walking in onsen town streets — consuming food while in motion is considered inconsiderate in traditional Japanese towns
Do not wear outdoor shoes inside any ryokan or traditional Japanese building
Do not enter restricted volcanic hiking areas near Mt. Shirane when alert levels are raised — the 2018 eruption was fatal

Etiquette by setting

How to navigate everyday situations.

Useful phrases

A few words go a long way.

Sumimasen

Excuse me / I'm sorry — use to get attention or apologise

Arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you very much (formal)

Ikura desu ka?

How much does this cost?

Onsen wa doko desu ka?

Where is the hot spring?

Otearai wa doko desu ka?

Where is the toilet?

Eigo ga wakarimasu ka?

Do you speak English?

Menyu wo misete kudasai

Please show me the menu

Okaikei kudasai

The bill/check, please

Religion & spirituality

Understanding faith in Gunma.

Context

Items:

Religion
Shinto
Presence
Dominant; Haruna Shrine is one of the Kanto region's three most important mountain shrines (Joshu Sansha). Over 600 Shinto shrines are registered in Gunma Prefecture.
Religion
Buddhism
Presence
Significant; Shorinzan Darumaji is the most famous Buddhist site, founded in 1697. Zen and Pure Land Buddhist temples are found throughout the prefecture.
Religion
Folk mountain worship (Sangaku Shinko)
Presence
Traditional volcanic mountain worship centred on Mt. Akagi, Mt. Haruna, and Mt. Myogi (the 'Joshu Sanzan') predates both Shinto and Buddhism in the region and remains integrated into local practice.

Cultural orientation

Do's and don'ts

Do

Don't

Etiquette by setting

Useful phrases

Religion & spirituality

Related topics