【英語版】[Sightseeing in Gunma Prefecture - Day1 -] Dining at a roadside station - Factory tour - Trekking - Enjoy a natural hot spring!

Hello everyone. This is Traveller K.

The point of this article is to make the most of your time in Gunma by planning a “roadside station x factory tour x trekking x natural hot spring” sightseeing tour.
・People who have decided to visit Gunma but don't have enough time to decide on a schedule.
・People who are considering a fulfilling travel plan in a limited time.
・People who are considering places to visit and play away from the city center.
If you are such a person, please refer to this article.

▼This article Destination 5: Tenjiku (Inn with a spectacular view)

▼Sightseeing in Gunma - Day2
※Right now we only have the article in Japanese, so we will upload the English version at a later date.

Summary: Route Map

Destination 1: Roadside Station Laran Fujioka (breakfast and lunch)

This roadside station is directly connected to the Fujioka Parking Area on the expressway. As it is a roadside station x parking area, it is well-equipped as a facility. There is a small amusement park for children to enjoy, a convenience store, a restaurant, a direct sales shop, and a convenience store. This time we visited during the summer, but it is recommended to visit during the winter when there are sometimes illumination events.

Good points:
・Delicious food at the eatery.
・freshly fried side dishes for when you are hungry.
・event space where you can watch events if the timing is right.

Destination 2: Gatofesta Harada main factory (factory tour and souvenir purchase)

Reservations are not required for Gatofesta factory tours, except for groups. Many people go sightseeing on weekends, but please note that this factory tour is open on weekdays and Saturdays, and not on Sundays and holidays. Also, as I asked the receptionist, the factory does not operate on Saturdays, so if you want to see the factory in action, it is recommended to come on a “weekday morning”.

The actual factory tour portion of the tour is not photographed, so I do not have any pictures of the tour, but here is a brief description of the flow of the tour.
<Flow of factory tour>
・Reception desk (no reservation is required, so you can just go straight to the reception desk.)
・Receive a guidebook, pamphlet, and a freshly baked rusk of the day.
・Take the elevator to the 4th floor (There is only one elevator, so it may take some time if it is crowded.)
∙ Tour the factory from the 4th floor to the 3rd floor (there is a dedicated Wi-Fi for the facility, and voice guidance will be provided when you connect).
・During the middle of the 4th floor, relax with tastings and beverages.
└Drinks: coffee, tea, tea, grapefruit juice, water
└Tasting: Goutte des Rois Brulee (caramelized rusks sprinkled with powdered sugar and roasted over a burner just before going into the oven, not for sale except at the factory tour location).
・After the tour, you can purchase souvenirs at the factory's direct sales counter.

The factory tour was free of charge, but with tastings of not-for-sale items, the level of satisfaction was very high.

Destination 3: Sakurayama Park (trekking)

Sakurayama Park is a mountain located at a high point overlooking Gunma. The view of the surroundings from here is fantastic. Also, although there were no flowers in bloom when I was there this time, flowers bloom beautifully depending on the time of year, so if your timing is right, you should definitely stop by and trek the park.

One thing to note is that the road to the mountain here has places where it is impossible to pass oncoming cars. If your timing is not good, you will have to back up several hundred meters. Please be careful.

<Flower information at the best time of the year
*Refer to information from the website.
Spring cherry blossoms: Early to mid April
Camellia japonica: April - May
Tsutsuji (azalea): mid-April to May
Autumn leaves (maple): Late October to mid-November
Winter cherry blossoms: mid-November to mid-December
Loubai (Japanese allspice): January - February
Fukujuso: mid-February to mid-March
Kawazu-zakura (Kawazu cherry blossoms): Late February to mid-March

For more information, please visit our website, which also includes images.

桜山公園の花情報|藤岡市

Destination 4: Ofuro Café Hakusyu no Yu (natural hot spring x dinner)

After trekking, I go to a natural hot spring to relieve my fatigue. I am no expert, but the hot spring here was quite good. The water quality is quite mild, the temperature is lukewarm, and the water level is low, allowing you to soak slowly in a half-body bathing style.

After bathing, relax in the space with manga, board games, and massage chairs. You can read manga that you do not usually read, play board games if you are going with several acquaintances, relax your body in the massage chairs, work on your PC or study, or spend your time freely. The cafe also offers free coffee, regular water, lemon water, and grapefruit water, which you can drink freely.

After taking a bath and relaxing, it is time for dinner. The menu here offers a wide variety of meals, and the rice is brown rice, and the ingredients are local specialties of each region.

Destination 5: Tenjiku

Details of this facility are summarized in a separate article. Please see the URL below. *There are no stores near the inn where you can go shopping on foot, including convenience stores. We recommend that you go shopping at “Super Fressey Onishi” before going here.

appendix：Schedule, time required, and cost

If you actually go sightseeing, please drive carefully and enjoy yourself!