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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Daruma dolls — hand-painted in Takasaki workshops; available from ¥500 ($3.35) for small dolls to ¥15,000 ($100.50) for large ceremonial daruma; buy at Shorinzan Darumaji Temple or local craft shops in Takasaki
Onsen manju — sweet steam buns filled with red bean paste, cooked over hot spring steam; sold fresh at Kusatsu and Ikaho; ¥100–200 ($0.67–1.34) each
Konnyaku products — dried konnyaku snacks, konnyaku noodles, and konnyaku face sponges (natural exfoliant); Gunma produces 90% of Japan's supply — buy direct from producers in Shimonita
Gunma sake — local breweries include Kaiga Sake (Minakami), Chichibu (Numata area), and Miyoshino (Takasaki); bottles from ¥1,500–4,000 ($10.05–26.80) at sake shops and convenience stores
Kiryu silk fabric or scarves — authentic Kiryu-ori woven silk; available from ¥2,000 ($13.40) for small items; Kiryu department stores and factory outlets
Yaki manju (vacuum-packed) — the miso-glazed steamed bun snack sold in sealed bags for taking home; ¥400–800 ($2.68–5.36) per pack at Ikaho and Kusatsu souvenir shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Takasaki Asahi Morning Market
Fresh local produce, crafts, antiques, and prepared foods from Gunma farmers
Where: Takasaki City
Hours: Sunday 7:00AM–12:00PM
Kusatsu Onsen Souvenir Stalls (Yubatake approach)
Onsen manju (steamed buns), yaki manju, onsen cosmetics, sake, konnyaku snacks, and Kusatsu-themed souvenirs
Where: Kusatsu Onsen, Agatsuma District
Hours: 9:00AM–6:00PM daily (some close earlier in winter)
Kiryu City Textile Market
Kiryu-ori silk and synthetic textiles; factory outlet prices for high-quality Japanese fabric
Where: Kiryu City
Hours: Irregular; largest market November annually; check kiryu-kankou.org
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
OPA Takasaki
Hours: 10:30AM–8:30PM; restaurant floors until 9:30PM
Mona Maebashi
Hours: 10:00AM–8:00PM; food court 10:00AM–9:00PM