Maebashi City is an exciting art and nature city 70 minutes north of Tokyo. At first glance, Maebashi seems like just another Japanese city, but once you understand what lies below, you’ll discover that this city holds quite a lot of unique attractions. 

For example, Central Maebashi is quickly becoming known as the city of art. Not only are museums (Arts Maebashi), galleries (Maebashi Galleria), and art hotels (Shiroiya Hotel) popping up, but art pieces and beautiful architecture is being created in places like old shopping arcades and even backstreet toilets.

30 min north is Mout Akagi, which is heaven for nature lovers. Visitors can trek the trails, hire bicycles, or even go Wakasagi fishing by drilling holes through the frozen lake in the winter! 

There are also a few notable events during the year. In early April, the mountainside of Mount Akagi becomes a beautiful pink at the Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura event, and in July there is a large Tanabata festival with beautiful paper decorations. In the winter (Jan -March) Onuma Lake in Mout Akagi freezes, and people gather from afar to go Wakasagi fishing on the frozen lake.

When visiting, the easiest way to get to Maebashi City from Tokyo is by train. Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen/Hokuriku Shinkansen to JR Takasaki (55min)  and change to JR Ryomo Line to JR Maebashi Station (15min). If you prefer, you can also take a taxi from JR Takasaki Station instead of taking the JR Ryomo line.