Tatebayashi is probably the most hidden form of hidden gem in Japan. For starters, it’s situated in Gunma, one of the vital off-the-beaten-path of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
Even inside Gunma-ken, it’s obscure. Whether or not through rental automotive or public transport, it’s at the very least an hour away from main cities like Takasaki and Maebashi, that are themselves comparatively minor nodes on Japan’s prepare system. Then, after all, there’s the query of what to do there.
The excellent news? I’ll be serving to you out with issues to do in Tatebayashi over the following jiffy. The higher information? I’ll be sharing much more insights past that.
Get to Tatebayashi
I’m not going to trouble giving an outline of Tatebayashi resorts—they exist, after all, however they aren’t related normally. That’s as a result of Tatebayashi, by and huge, is a day journey vacation spot. When you’re staying within the bigger Gunma cities of Maebashi or Takasaki, chances are you’ll wish to hire a automotive with the intention to attain Tatebayashi (and different locations within the prefecture). You may as well come right here immediately from Tokyo: The Tobu Railway connects Tatebayashi Station on to Asakusa Station.
Whether or not or not you keep the night time, spending a while on the Joe Fortune web site could be a fulfilling method to improve your journey to Tatebayashi. Go surfing after you’ve walked beneath cherry blossoms over the Tsuruda River or loved leek ice cream at Michi-no-eki Okabe. Or, attempt your luck with one in every of your favourite video games (be these desk video games like Blackjack, or progressive new ones like Lobster Home) earlier than you head off to Tatebayashi, to start your journey with success.
My Favourite Issues to Do in Tatebayashi
Tsuruda River and Tsutsujigaoka Park
These two locations are shut to 1 one other, which is why I checklist them collectively. They’re additionally complimentary: If you’re too late to go to the Tsuruda River when its sakura tunnel is in full bloom (often across the second week of April), you may as an alternative go to Tsutsujigaoka Park, whose namesake azaleas (tsutsuji) will nearly definitely be blooming.
Koizumi Inari Shrine
Need to add a much less seasonal place to your Tatebayashi itinerary? Head as an alternative to Koizumi Inari Shrine, whose vermillion gates (that are not in contrast to these of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari) are resplendent any day of the 12 months. Do observe that with the intention to get right here, you’ll nearly definitely have to hire your personal automotive.
Ghibli-style inaka scenes
One other instance of what to do in Tatebayashi, whether or not or not you’re in time for the cherry blossoms or azaleas, is one which’s additionally finest skilled for vacationers who plan to journey. I’m speaking, after all, about driving by the varied inaka (countryside) scenes on this largely rural metropolis. They typically evoke the works of Studio Ghibli (and different anime).
Ashikaga Flower Park
Though it’s technically in Tochigi prefecture and never throughout the metropolis limits of Tatebayashi, I think about Ashikaga Flower Park to be a complementary vacation spot nonetheless. Like locations in central Tatebayashi, it’s seasonal, being most spectacular in late April or early Could when its fuji (wisteria) vines attain full bloom.
Okabe Roadside Station
Likewise, whereas formally in Saitama prefecture, the Michi-no-eki (roadside station) at Okabe pairs properly with all of the Tatebayashi sights I’ve listed right here, and is once more most relevant when you’re driving. Along with the recent native produce bought right here in bulk, you may take pleasure in comfortable cream topped with—stick with me—leeks. Belief me, it’s higher than it sounds!
Different Issues to Do in Gunma Prefecture
As I’ve written about elsewhere on this website, Gunma is an off-the-radar prefecture that, like Tatebayashi extra particularly, punches approach above its weight:
- Gunma is a hub for warm springs, together with Takaragawa Onsen (which I think about the most effective sizzling springs lodge in all of Japan) and quirky Kusatsu Onsen.
- The cities of Maebashi and Takasaki are residence to a good variety of sights, together with the Byakue Dai-kannon statue, which affords a sprawling view of the entire city agglomeration.
- As its identify suggests, Shorinzan Daruma-ji is a temple that’s residence to many daruma collectible figurines, and should even have been the origin of them.
As you may see, it’s actually much less of a query what number of days in Tatebayashi you spend, and the way lengthy you commit to Gunma-ken extra broadly.
Different FAQ About Visiting Tatebayashi
Is Tatebayashi value visiting?
Tatebayashi is certainly value visiting when you plan to be within the neighborhood, notably when you can go to between about April 1-Could 1, when sakura, azaleas and wisteria (in that order) will bloom. I’m on the fence as as to if it’s value a day journey all the way in which from Tokyo—that form of relies upon upon your pursuits.
What’s there to do in Tatebayashi?
When you love spring flowers, Tatebayashi and its speedy neighborhood are for you. See cherry blossoms over the Tsuruda River, azaleas at Tsutsujigaoka Park or wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park. The agricultural scenes across the metropolis are additionally replete with flowers and greenery, nearly trying like one thing out of Studio Ghibli.
When is the most effective time to go to Tatebayashi?
I personally advocate visiting Tatebayashi between about April 1-Could 1, when seasonal flowers (first cherry blossoms; then azaleas; then wisteria) bloom at numerous sights across the space. Nevertheless, you may benefit from a visit right here 12 months per 12 months.
The Backside Line
Merely having a listing of issues to do in Tatebayashi shouldn’t be essentially sufficient to plan your whole journey. Fortunately, I present loads of different insights right here, from get there, to what else to do in Gunma prefecture (because you’re going to must make the journey up right here—and off Japan’s crushed path—anyway. I additionally make clear the truth that when you can come right here at any time of 12 months, the window between early April (when the sakura bloom) and Could 1 (i.e. wisteria season) is admittedly your finest wager. Want personalised assist planning your journey to Tatebayashi, and anyplace else in Japan you wish to go? Fee a customized Japan itinerary immediately!