Mt. Akagi is a group of mountains surrounding Maebashi City, the capital of Gunma Prefecture, which is located near the center of the main island (Honshu) of Japan. It is approximately 110 km from Tokyo and it takes about two hours by car or train. Mt. Akagi is a tourist spot where you can enjoy mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and gourmet food in natural surroundings. You can also enjoy Japanese history and hot springs throughout the year.
| Location | lat. 36°33’37” N. and long. 139°11’36” E. |
|---|---|
| Topography | It is a large volcanic zone. The central caldera is surrounded by 1,200-1,800 m dome peaks, the outside of which spread to the elevation of approximately 800 m widely and gently form a high plateau. |
| Climate | Although the climate of the flatland around the foot of the mountain is Pacific Ocean side climate, that around the summit of Mt. Kurobi, the highest peak, is mountain climate and the temperature falls to -10°C or below during the severe winter. |
There are many folk tales about the origin of the name Akagiyama (Mt. Akagi). Some say the “aka” (“red”) of Mt. Akagi comes from the color of blood shed in the fight between the God of Nikko and the God of Akagi. There is a shrine called Akagi Shrine at the foot of Mt. Kurobi, the highest peak of the mountain range, as well as subordinate shrines in Tokyo and other places.
Akagi Onsen Village, which is historic and also called a “medicinal bath,” is located south of Mt. Akagi. It is a natural strong carbonated hot spring that is good for neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, stiff shoulders, and poor circulation. It also has rejuvenating and immune effects, and thus it is considered very effective for health promotion.
According to the description on “Yakushizon stone statue,” the guardian Buddha of Akagi Onsen, the hot spring was opened in 1467. Ancient writings note that “Sakai Utanokami, Feudal Lord of Maebashi, had a bath hut built to help people in 1689.”
There are five small inns in Akagi Onsen Village: Akagi Onsen, Chuji Onsen, and Takizawa Onsen. In these small inns surrounded by mountains, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape that changes with each passing season.
You can fully enjoy beautiful landscapes each season: cherry blossoms at the foot of the mountain and large gregarious azaleas in the spring; mountains covered with green and the beautiful contrast with the blue sky in the summer; the whole mountain covered with colorful autumn colors in the fall—yellow, orange, red, brown, and green of evergreen trees; and the beautiful snowscape in the winter, particularly in Lake Onuma and Kakumanbuchi Marsh around the summit whose mountains and lakes are blanketed in snow and ice.
The varied climate and rich soil of the Mt. Akagi area make it a great place to enjoy traditional Japanese food in a hot spring ryokan. From fruit picking opportunities to hand-made soba noodles and local vegetables, Mt. Akagi is the perfect place to enjoy fresh farm-to-table food!
