2泊3日でゆったり楽しむ群馬のリトリート旅｜草津温泉・四万温泉♨️｜グルメと絶景、温泉を満喫🍲

Gunma Retreat Trip Day 1. We came to Takasaki city, Gunma prefecture for the first time. Renting a car and going to have lunch first! Go to “Cafe MELT” about 15 minutes by car from Takasaki station. Cafe melt Takasaki, Gunma I found this store on SNS and was curious about its atmosphere. The restaurant has a cute retro interior with various types of seating. Cute hand painted menu😍 After much deliberation, we both order curry 🍛. Melt Curry ¥1200 The type of curry changes from week to week, today's was butter chicken and beef tendon. Salad was also included 🥗. This is our first meal in Gunma Prefecture. Bon appétit! This curry is so delicious..! Not only the visual is good, but the taste is more authentic than I imagined...! The curry is thickened with plenty of vegetables and mixed with special spices✨. Drinks ordered after the meal. Coffee float, raspberry & lemon cordial soda I think it's good for café use as the sweets menu was extensive and looked delicious ✨ The restaurant has a good amount of people in it but it was calm and relaxing. 14:10 Departure for Kusatsu Onsen. Retreat trip” means to get away from the busy daily life, A “retreat” is a journey where you can relax and regain your true self by letting your mind and body take their own course. Gunma Prefecture, with its abundance of nature, hot springs, and food, is said to be the perfect place for a retreat. On my normal trips, I tend to stay active with lots of plans, This time we will enjoy sightseeing but spend time at a leisurely pace. We will relax and refresh ourselves from the fatigue accumulated from our daily busyness ✨. About 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Takasaki. We have arrived at Kusatsu Onsen ♨️ We will stay one night at a ryokan called “Yubatake Sensui”, a minute walk from Yubatake in Kusatsu Onsen! Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake Sensui Welcome drink after check-in Today's lodging is “Standard Room with Open-air Bath This room has nice Japanese modern interior. Spacious and open wash stand space. A wide variety of amenities and regular supplies. I was impressed with the availability of hair irons & curling irons! This is great 🫶🏻 Clean restroom. There was a simple sink and kitchen This room seems to be suitable for a longer stay. Full-length mirror in good position🪞. There is a shower room next to the washroom and an open-air bath at the back of it. All rooms are said to have a bath with hot spring water from Kusatsu's Yubatake hot spring source. Electricity outlets and USB ports at the bedside are also nice! Price for 1 night is 44,000 yen (2 people). I think this price is reasonable for the space and with open-air bath! The room was very close to Yubatake, and the location was good, but it was not noisy. The current temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. (Late October) I'm going for a stroll in the cold! 🧣 I'm going to “Atonoyu” which is located right next to Yubatake. Buy ticket for Yumomi show. At “Atsunoyu”, you can see the traditional Kusatsu Onsen hot-spring bathing show multiple times daily! Kusatsu Onsen has had a culture of “yumomi,” or cooling the water, since the Edo period (1603-1868). In order to make the most of the source's benefits, the “yumomi” method has long been used to lower the temperature of the water using wooden planks instead of adding water The climax of the performance was powerful and breathtaking...! Shirahata fountainhead by the hot spring field. Said to be the oldest source in Kusatsu, you can see the hot spring water boiling One of the three best hot springs in Japan, Yubatake is the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen. The source of Kusatsu Onsen is very hot, ranging from 50℃ to 90℃. The cold weather on this day also affected the hot spring water, and there was a lot of steam rising from the water. The area boasts the largest amount of hot water naturally gushing out of the ground in Japan, and hot springs are said to be gushing out from all around the area. As you walk along the road, you can see the steam rising from everywhere and smell the sulfurous aroma of the hot springs. ♨️ Onsen manju (hot spring bun) of “Matsumura Manju” is slightly warm. I bought one in front of the ryokan and enjoyed it in my room. The sweetness is just right, slightly warm and very delicious...! There was a hot water board in the open-air bath, so I tried to take a hot water bath. ♨️ After relaxing in the room for a while, I went to the footbath in Yubatake. Warm and happy ☺️ Dinner is at a popular kamagami-ya (rice cooked in a pot). Popular restaurant where you can eat Gunma's specialty “Kamahan” and “Okirikomi Udon”. It was a smart phone order type. Rice cooked with shirasu and takana 1078yen Rice cooked with salmon and salmon roe 1738 yen Freshly cooked and full of flavor! The best is that there are a lot of ingredients in it and the rice is cooked with the rice around it! Just the right amount of seasoning, very tasty and well balanced with the ingredients...! The rice is served in a kama-meshi (rice pot), so it stays warm and fluffy even after a long time. The last dish is served with dashi broth, and it's also great. 🫶🏻✨ Thanks for the food! We head back to the ryokan, drinking amazake (sweet sake) bought nearby. We take a break. Go to “Gozanoyu” located near Yubatake. A one-day spa where one can enjoy two types of hot springs at once, “Yubatake-spring” and “Bandai-spring”. Discover the old onsen ranking list❕. Bathing fee was 800 yen. The water was just the right temperature and warmed my body to the core. ♨️ Admiring beautifully illuminated Yubatake at night. Red, white, purple and other colors of lights are changing. This Yubatake and stone pavement were designed by Taro Okamoto. I bought ice cream and went back to Ryokan. Great drink after onsen! Enjoy outdoor bath in the room slowly. The spring water of Kusatsu Onsen is very acidic and has high sterilizing power. It is said to be excellent for removing dead skin cells, and therefore effective for beautifying the skin. I am healed by taking a relaxing hot spring bath, and my skin becomes smooth! Cold pack after hot spring is the best 🧊! I kept it in the fridge and was looking forward to using it🤭. My hair feels better and silkier! A tap tap where you can drink natural water from Kusatsu🚰. Finally, I'm going to have the ice cream I bought Gunma, Yamba milk ice cream. Blueberry yogurt flavor and yogurt flavor I really liked the yogurt with just the right amount of sweetness and milkiness. 🫶🏻 Good night 💤 Day2 Kusatsu, Gunma I had a good night's sleep after a relaxing soak in the hot springs last night. Today's outfit 👕 It was quite cold, so I put on a thin down coat I went for a morning walk and went to a breakfast restaurant. It is still late October, but I was able to enjoy the autumn leaves one step ahead🍁. Lucky Bagel Kusatsu, Gunma Lucky Bagel Kusatsu is one of the few bagel shops in Kusatsu where you can have a breakfast from 8:00am. There are many kinds of bagels and they all look so delicious that I have a hard time... 💭 Eating and drinking space on 2nd floor I was looking forward to eating there because of the good word-of-mouth reviews 🤍. Crazy Salt Bagel (ham + cream cheese + pickles) Whole wheat bagel (salmon+lettuce+cream cheese+tomato+avocado) I love bagels so I got greedy and chose this one 🥯✨ The bagel was crispy on the surface and the dough was sticky and delicious inside 😋. It was perfect with the ingredients ✨ The crazy salt bagel was also delicious with just the right amount of saltiness...! It was a refreshing and very pleasant morning. Back to your room and packing. Enjoy Kusatsu Onsen until noon, then move to Shima area in the afternoon. Check out and go to the parking lot. Put luggage in car and start sightseeing. Walking about 5 minutes from Yubatake, I came to Shirane Shrine. Shirane Shrine Kusatsu, Gunma The flower arrangement in the water is very beautiful...! Shirane Shrine is dedicated to Yamatotakeru no Mikoto, who is said to have discovered the hot springs of Kusatsu. Located on a hill surrounded by nature, it is a quiet and relaxing spot for healing. A short walk in the forest inside the shrine. First time I saw beautiful mushrooms in nature🍄. A divine sacred tree. The negative ions were so great, it was a very relaxing place! From the road behind Shirane Shrine to “Nishi-no-Kawahara Park”. Cute cats in front of the shop🐈🐈‍⬛ Nishi-no-kawahara park Kusatsu, Gunma Hot spring water gushes out from everywhere and flows as a river. Flowing beside it is not just a river, but a river of hot spring water. Nishi-no-kawahara park Kusatsu, Gunma There are several footbath spots where anyone can enjoy footbath. The scenery of hot spring water boiling from everywhere was amazing and very exciting...! I just want to check the temperature... The closer you get upstream, the hotter it gets... Some areas were off limits due to high temperatures We walked to the back of the park to the open-air baths This is one of the three hot springs in Kusatsu, and one of the representative public bathhouses of Kusatsu Onsen. Hot water is “Bandai-source” from Bandai Mine Admission is 800 yen (adult) I just buy a towel and go in slowly ♨️ I'm going to take a bath and drink yogurt...! It was very nice to take an open-air bath surrounded by greenery. ♨️ In a poka-poka and happy mood, we went to the next place. Jyoshu Jiko Udon Matsumoto Kusatsu, Gunma Udon shop where you can eat delicious Hishikawa Udon. Udon noodles with Jyoshu mochi pork dipping sauce (950yen) Maitake mushroom tempura udon noodles (1,250yen) Udon noodles with wide and thin texture, firm and sticky. Thick maitake mushroom tempura is also juicy and delicious! Udon noodles with hot meat dipping soup with lots of ingredients. I love mochi udon and this was a big hit for me! It was really delicious 🥹. The noodles are thick and satisfying, so you can eat a full meal and be very satisfied. ✌🏻 Nishi-no-kawahara-dori” is the main street in Kusatsu Onsen, where you can enjoy eating and walking. After buying some drinks, we go to Nishi-no-Kawahara Park again. Enjoyed a relaxing footbath while drinking cider! Body warms up and heals... It was such a fun and relaxing place that I could stay there all day and not get bored! The buns I got from a bun shop were delicious✨ I came to see Yubatake one last time. I was able to visit two of the three hot springs in Kusatsu in two days even at a leisurely pace, The acidic water unique to Kusatsu Onsen made my skin smooth and silky ✨. A healing onsen trip that cleanses your body and heals your mind. ♨️ This is the best vacation for us hot spring lovers...! Departing from Kusatsu Onsen, we are heading for Shima. Shima is a rich natural area located in the northwestern part of Gunma Prefecture, It is known for “Okushiman Lake” with its beautiful blue color and “Shima Onsen” which is famous for its beautiful skin. First, we came to Shima River Dam The color of the lake is really blue and amazing..! It is said that the blue color is related to the water from Shima hot spring that flows into the dam. The view from the observatory is really beautiful, and I gazed at it for a while. SHIN Yuji HOTEL LULUD Gunma, Japan Located in Shima Onsen, near Okushiman Lake. SHIN Yuji HOTEL LULUD Gunma, Japan Room type is Spa room (twin room with hot spring) 17,100 yen per person per night, breakfast and dinner included. Reasonably priced but spacious, nice and open room. There is a comfortable space with a large desk and chairs to get some work done! Bathroom at the back of the room. Spacious shower & bathroom. You can enjoy the hot spring water from the Shima Onsen hot spring ♨️ There is a washbasin and toilet at the back of the opposite side Hair dryer and other amenities are available. Yukata (Japanese bathrobe) and hot spring bags are available at the entrance. To the gallery where art works are displayed. Sculptor Yushi Nishijima's work “Kichi-Show The dining room is located at the back of the reception area. Further in and at the end of the hall is a large bathroom. (I will show you later.) There is a ping-pong table in a large space next to the large bathhouse, where you can play ping-pong 🏓. Ping pong match suddenly started 🏓. I lost a game, but it was a lot of fun 😂. He who feels superior: 🙍‍♂️ He rests in his room for about an hour and then goes to the big bath ♨️ A large public bath where you can enjoy the source of Shima Onsen, Gunma's famous hot spring. (Day-trip bathing available) Sulfate spring water is the main type of spring water, and is said to relieve fatigue and beautify the skin. There were indoor baths and open-air baths to enjoy with nature. The changing rooms are also well cleaned and kept clean. Very nice hot water. ♨️ Dinner was sukiyaki nabe of Akagi beef. Miso soup, fish and other side dishes are all delicious! We talked about how glad we were to have sukiyaki after a long time, since we seldom have it at home! Sukiyaki🍲 of Akagi beef from Gunma Prefecture Very tender and juicy meat, it was a perfect match with sukiyaki...! Rice also goes well with sukiyaki... Before going to bed, I soak in the hot spring in my room. It is the most relaxing trip to the hot springs 😌♨️ Day3 Morning of the 3rd day. Breakfast is served in the same dining room as yesterday. A healthy Japanese breakfast breakfast with a large number of items. The miso soup stock is very tasty and sinking in... ✨ I love breakfast at onsen ryokan, so I savor it slowly and enjoy it! Tea after meal Finish preparations early and relax until check-out time. Relaxing in an open room surrounded by nature! To the observatory yesterday. I was so impressed by the beautiful blue of Okushiko-ko that I came back to see the morning view as well. The morning view of Okushiko-Shiman Lake was also wonderful. It was nice to come again in the morning..! Moving on to the main area of Shima Onsen Sekizenkan Gunma, Japan Sekizenkan has a proud history of 300 years since its opening in Genroku 7. Famous as the model for the movie “Spirited Away,” this is a place I wanted to visit at least once. Shinyu River flows under the red bridge, Keiun Bridge. The main building, which is said to be the oldest wooden bathhouse building in Japan, is designated as an important cultural asset by Gunma Prefecture. Most of the building is guest rooms, but some of the areas are decrepit and inaccessible. I have seen this part of the building in the movie “Spirited Away”..! The retro pink building is a large bathhouse. Inside the building. This is the fee schedule used in the past. The baths are not only for guests, but also for day-trippers. Genroku no Yu” where you can enjoy the retro atmosphere of the old days. It was built in 1930. Shima Onsen is known as a richly effective hot spring that is said to be “effective against 40,000 (yonman) diseases. Known as “Kusatsu no Agariyu,” a tour of Kusatsu and Shiman is also recommended. It is said that the acidic spring water of Kusatsu Onsen prepares the skin, and the gentle water of Shima Onsen finishes it off to heal the skin. It is like a peeling and a serum, if I may use an analogy. You can also enjoy the footbath at the back of the large bathroom. From here on, this area is for guests only, but we were allowed to take special photos. Underground tunnel to the annex. This is said to be the model for the tunnel in Spirited Away. Walk without looking back. Sekizenkan has so many attractions that I can't even begin to tell you about. Next time I come here, I would like to stay overnight and enjoy it even more. The coffee shop is perfect for taking a break after a hot spring bath or a stroll. Lovely quaint retro interior with peaceful air. When I went inside, I found it spacious, with plenty of seating and a relaxing atmosphere! Lunch seems to be popular, but this time I used the cafe. Shima Blue Cider (600yen) is inspired by the beautiful blue color of Lake Shima. Cute onsen mark cappuccino (750yen) and Shima onsen baked pudding (500yen) Enjoying leisurely cafe break ♩ The pudding was very good! We had a good time chatting and relaxing☺️ We had some time before lunch, so we decided to go around Okushiman-ko. There are several observatories, and I could enjoy the view of Okushiko-shima from various angles. It was relaxing to drive in the midst of nature 🍃. Shima River is known for its extremely clear water. Kurenai River Fish Cuisine Gunma, Japan This is a restaurant next to Ochiai Bridge where you can eat delicious Yumushi Unaju (eel stew). Kurenai River Fish Restaurant Gunma, Japan Unaju, steamed eel cooked in hot water, yumushi naju. Order grilled eel and Iwana (char). It was my first time to eat fresh grilled river fish, The meat was fluffy and delicious...! I've never had such a delicious salted fish before, I was really impressed✨ The Yumushi Eel is soft and fluffy by boiling the eel in hot water, The meat becomes juicy. The meat is really fluffy and delicious, and the sauce is not too sweet..! This is a must stop place to eat when you visit Shima Onsen! Driving a little further, we came to see Shima potholes. Potholes in Shima Gunma, Japan Potholes are a group of potholes created by the natural forces of the river. A collection of eight potholes that have been created over tens of thousands of years. It was very relaxing to be bathed in negative ions! On the way back to Takasaki, we went to “Bukkozan Hosuidera”. I heard that if you climb up the long stairs and look back, you can see a good view. Cute little bronze statues of Jizo (guardian deity of children) here and there 🥰. A temple of Rinzai sect with its head temple in Taiwan. Visitors are free to worship here regardless of denomination. It was an exotic temple, as if we were in a foreign country. It was delicious tapioca, just like in Taiwan ✨ It was a good trip that refreshed me after the daily fatigue. Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area, and I think many people can visit easily. We hope you will find this information useful for your retreat trip. ☺️ *The URL of the tourist information website is listed in the overview section! Thank you for watching to the end!