2026 Ota Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in February)

At the north exit of Ota Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line, there is a bronze statue of Nitta Yoshisada, a military commander active from the late Kamakura period to the Nanboku-cho period. Next to it is a statue of Yoshisada's younger brother, Wakiya Yoshisuke. It's romantic to imagine the days of a military commander active at the turning point of the era. The black-colored, oxidized silver statue is impressive!! Address: North Exit of Ota Station Access: 1 minute walk from the ticket gate Opening hours: 24 hours Atmosphere: You'll notice that there are military commanders connected to Ota Rating: ☆☆☆

Address: 41-10 Yahata-cho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture Atmosphere/Facilities: Retro-chic Recommended Points: Ota Yakisoba, Old-Fashioned Taiyaki Average Price: 500-1000 yen I walked along the Tobu Koizumi Line and Kiryu Line from Tatebayashi to Akagi. I happened to be craving Ota Yakisoba for lunch, so I stopped in. It seemed to be a popular restaurant, and it was crowded. Even so, the service was polite, and the food was delicious. The taiyaki in particular was delicious and brought back memories. If it were nearby, it would be a place I'd visit every once in a while.

Access: I stopped by on my way from Tobu Tatebayashi Station to Isesaki Station. Restaurant: Outside the building, they sell soba, yakisoba, baby castella, taiyaki, etc., and you can eat in the dining area. Inside the building, they also sell bento boxes and Ota yakisoba, so it was well stocked. Food: This time I bought a large serving of yakisoba (400 yen) outside. The noodles were thick and filling, and very delicious. I think I'm going to get addicted to Ota yakisoba.

The stone walls and stone pavement are amazing, and it really makes you feel like you're in the Sengoku period❗️ You can drive up to the castle ruins, but if you want to experience the sturdiness of Kanayama Castle, I recommend walking up from the guidance facility😊 At the top of the mountain, there is an explanatory board about the defensive facilities, so you can see how ingeniously this castle was built^ ^ The sturdiness of the stone walls is amazing. I was impressed by the number of moats✨ Also, when it's sunny, you can see Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tsukuba vividly from the observation deck and lookout🗻 #JapanGenkiProject2021 #SummerShortTrip #SummerResortYouWantToKeepItSecret #CoolTravelExperience#SummerShortTrip#BreathtakingView

#happynewyear

This time, I will introduce a historic village in Gunma Prefecture. There are many old houses lined up here, but it was fun to be able to see inside and feel the history. There is also a hearth, and it was nice to be able to feel the old days inside the very atmospheric house. Please go and check it out. 📍Historical Village Mikazukimura Address: 3320 Yabutsuka-cho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture Opening hours: 10:00-15:00 #0 yen trip February 2025

#0yentravelNovember Roadside station Oe "Koramagase" This roadside station is located in Oe Town, the birthplace of the authentic Mogami River boat song, and overlooks the Asahi mountain range, Gassan mountain range, and the majestic flow of the Mogami River. Among the locally grown agricultural products and fruits, there are plums, apples, La France pears, and processed products. Nearby, you can enjoy the day spa, Terme Hakuryo Healthy Hot Springs. 【Information】 Address: 218-6 Fujita, Oe Town, Yamagata Prefecture 990-1121 Telephone number: 0237625845

Gunma Architecture Tour Ota City Museum of Art & Library and Historic Kanayama Castle Ruins Guidance Facility "Ota City Museum of Art & Library" is a modern building that I like because not only the building but also the signs inside are cute The interior is like a maze and you can easily get lost. If it was near my house, I would want to go there every day And the nearby hidden gem "Historic Kanayama Castle Ruins Guidance Facility" was designed by Kengo Kuma It blends in with the surrounding forest and has a heavy feel By the way, the nearby cafe Donryu Bunko is recommended because Momotose is very cute Try the red bean toast 🫶 #Domestic Travel Record Line

#September2024 The Japanese garden at Yunoan is picturesque and makes people relax instantly. Walking into the garden, the greenery and exquisite design all around made me feel like I was in a beautiful painting. 🌸✨ The paths in the garden are winding, and the gurgling sound of the stream beside it adds an incomparable sense of tranquility. Especially the elegant Japanese tea house. Sitting inside and sipping tea and feeling the fragrance of tea is really an incomparable enjoyment. ☕🍃 I suggest you sit here for a while, let your mind wander, or bring a book and enjoy the tranquility. Also, don’t forget to take some beautiful photos to record this wonderful time! 📸🌈

#0yentripautumn Hello! It's Mayan☀️ I went to Gunma by car from Tokyo and I definitely wanted to visit the Ota City Museum of Art and Library. The space changes according to function and you can see various things, and the road outside connects from bottom to top while going around. If you get tired because there are so many people during Golden Week, why not take your time to read a book or appreciate art? Please visit the platform of knowledge and sensibility designed by Mr. Hirata Ota City Museum of Art and Library 16-30 Higashihonmachi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture Business hours: 10:00-20:00 Click here for other recommended spots in Gunma ▶︎#MayanGunma Thank you for always liking and saving. I'm very happy to follow you. I will reply to your comments 🫶#Gunma #GunmaTourism #OtaCityMuseumofArtandLibrary #Museum #Library #Architecture #AkihisaHirata #OtaCity #Museum2024

The 100 famous castles in Gunma Prefecture are Kanayama Castle and Minowa Castle. Near Kanayama Castle is Ashikaga Yashiki, the only castle in Tochigi Prefecture that is one of the 100 famous castles in Japan. Kanayama Castle is a mountain castle, so it is best to go up by car. There are many curves, so be careful when driving! When you reach the parking lot, get off and explore the view. It is about a 20-minute walk from the parking lot to the Kanayama Castle stamp. You can't see it at night, so go before the sun goes down! ! However, you can see the night view from the parking lot, and there were couples and families there. I wonder if it's a local spot? ? ? I went there in early December, and the autumn leaves combined with the sunset were very beautiful. Not only the moat, but the stone walls were more impressive than I expected and worth seeing. 😍 #KanayamaCastle #GunmaPrefecture #GunmaTourism #Japan100FamousCastle

(Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture and Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, formerly Shimotsuke and Ueno) Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) and Nitta Yoshisada (1301-1338), known as the main players in the conflicts of the Northern and Southern Courts period, were both samurai descended from the Minamoto clan, and their main territories were close to each other across the Watarase River. Of the two clans' main territories, which are now Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, and Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, Ashikaga City became a tourist and cultural city symbolized by the Ashikaga School and textile industry, while Ota City became an industrial city with the automobile manufacturer "SUBARU" (its predecessor, Nakajima Aircraft Company, was founded by Nakajima Chikuhei, who was born in Ota City). Both Ashikaga and Ota have art spots that can be the reason for visiting the city, as they have developed by making use of their respective histories and characteristics. ① Kurita Museum (Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, photos 2-5) Hideo Kurita (1912-1996), who was born into a merchant family in Ashikaga and enjoyed great influence as a businessman and politician, was fascinated by a small Imari ware (Imari is the name of a place in Saga Prefecture today. The name was given because porcelain fired in Arita, Saga Prefecture, was shipped from the port of Imari) that he came across by chance in his youth at an antique shop. Since then, he has poured his rare passion into collecting masterpieces from all over the world, past and present, alongside his main job. The number of pieces reaches 10,000, and the collection, which is limited to Imari ware and Nabeshima ware (Nabeshima ware, porcelain fired in a kiln directly operated by the Nabeshima family of the Saga domain. Known as a luxury gift item), is unprecedented in its content. In order to spread the appeal of these items, Kurita bought a 10,000m2 site in his hometown of Ashikaga and established a museum. The Kurita Museum of Art was born in a scenic location surrounded by azure mountains, with sharp architecture and gardens blending in. The museum is divided into several facilities, including the main building, history hall, and ceramics hall, and each is a calm space where the arrangement of the vessels and the intensity of the lighting have been thoroughly studied. In particular, Nabeshima ware, which is rarely seen elsewhere, has a beautiful harmony of elegance and delicacy in the patterns, and a rich texture that naturally exudes. No matter how small the vessel, you will be captivated by its worldview. Incidentally, in 1986, Freddie Mercury, the vocalist of the world-famous rock band "QUEEN," also visited the museum privately. It is said that he was deeply moved by the exhibits and requested to purchase the vessels. This fact fully conveys the timeless appeal of vessels, which once attracted the world's attention as an important export item for overseas trade. Access: About 10 minutes walk from Ashikaga Flower Park Station ② Ota City Museum of Art and Library (Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, Photos 1, 6-10) "Creative Ota people"--- These words, which Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, has set as the philosophy of the "Ota City Museum of Art and Library," show its pride in its history and future as a "town of manufacturing." Ota City, which has the third largest population in Gunma Prefecture after Takasaki City and Maebashi City, has formed a large industrial complex centered on the global automobile manufacturer "SUBARU" and its related companies, and boasts the highest shipment value of products in the northern Kanto region and one of the largest in the country. On the other hand, this industrial structure has created a "suburban" urban infrastructure, which has led to a serious decline in the central city area. The Ota City Museum of Art and Library has become a base to address this issue and contribute to the lives of local residents. The museum, which holds exhibitions focusing on contemporary art, and the library, which also has picture books and art books from around the world, are coexisting in one facility without any boundaries, appealing to the sensibilities of users from various angles. The interior, based on a deep textured white, is pleasantly stimulated by playful colors and shapes, and the sunlight that gently colors them is let in through the large glass windows that open up the exterior walls. The architectural design is sharp, yet has a spiral structure that "wraps" you in, and the rooftop, which is the end point, is a green space reminiscent of a "miniature garden." While enjoying the clear view swept away by the sharp wind, thinking back on the scene inside the building, you can feel that it is a "platform" that condenses the diverse lives of citizens, such as art appreciation, picture book readings, studying for tests, and coffee breaks. Access: About 1 minute walk from Ota Station Recommended for solo travelers: ★★★ (There are quite a few people, but it's a large place so it doesn't bother me) Visited: Around 2pm on the first Saturday of October #Kurita Museum of Art #Ota City Museum of Art #Ashikaga #Tochigi Prefecture #Tochigi trip #Tochigi sightseeing #Ota #Gunma trip #Gunma sightseeing #Museum of art #Art lover #Art tour #Life with art #Imari ware #Nabeshima ware #Life with pottery #Architecture lover #Architecture tour #Modern architecture #Famous architecture #Architectural design #Life with travel #Domestic travel

The Nitta clan, who ruled Nitta Manor in Kozuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture) for generations as vassals of the Kamakura Shogunate, are a prestigious family that is related to the lineage of the Minamoto clan, along with the Ashikaga clan, whose territory was adjacent to theirs. However, the Kamakura Shogunate was monopolized by the regent Hojo clan, and while the Minamoto clan was shown a certain degree of respect, they were kept away from the center. In the first half of the 14th century, when Emperor Godaigo (1288-1339) planned to overthrow the Shogunate, Yoshisada (1301-1338), who was the head of the Nitta clan at the time, joined in this. He killed the Hojo clan officials, who had long been oppressive, and raised an army. At first, the Nitta clan was the only minority, but their aggressive offensives proved successful, and allies gathered from all over. Emboldened, Yoshisada rushed to Kamakura, and finally achieved the great feat of destroying the shogunate and the Hojo clan. In the subsequent Kenmu government, Yoshisada gained the trust of Emperor Godaigo and held key positions together with his family. After Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) rebelled, Yoshisada fought against him as the main force of the so-called "Southern Court," but his turbulent life came to an end when he was attacked by the Ashikaga clan in Echizen Province (present-day eastern Fukui Prefecture). During the Muromachi period, when the Northern and Southern Courts were unified and the Ashikaga clan was at the top of the samurai ranks as shogun, the Nitta clan was forced into seclusion. The Iwamatsu clan had a certain degree of power based in Kanayama Castle near Nitta Manor, but they were also troubled by the rise of their kin, the Yokose clan, and they barely made it through the turbulent times. However, when the Tokugawa clan came to power, the situation surrounding the Nitta clan suddenly changed. In fact, the Tokugawa clan claimed to be descendants of the Nitta clan from Ieyasu's ancestors, and used this to give themselves authority (Tokugawa-go actually exists in Nitta Manor, but it is unclear whether Ieyasu's family was the Nitta clan). As a result, the Iwamatsu clan received special treatment from the Tokugawa Shogunate as a ``family member'' and continued to exist as a prestigious hatamoto vassal, despite being a small fief. During this period, the Iwamatsu clan's finances were strained due to the burden of formalities and ceremonies that were not commensurate with their income (rice yield), so they began a strange ``side job.'' This is the ``Nitta cat painting'' that is passed down to this day. It was painted by the head of the Iwamatsu clan himself, and it is said to have been effective in keeping mice away. This painting was extremely popular among the people of Kozuke province, where sericulture was thriving, and its reputation eventually spread mainly to eastern Japan. It is said that after the country was opened to the outside world at the end of the Edo period, the painting was sent across the sea as a "protector" for raw silk and other products. The Iwamatsu clan maintained a unique position as the "lords of cat paintings," but lost their backing when the Edo shogunate fell. However, in recognition of the historical fact that their ancestor Yoshisada had served the Imperial Court, and the achievements of the Nitta Kinno Party, which they formed claiming to "carry out Yoshisada's will," in the Boshin War, they were awarded the title of baron. After the Southern Court was recognized as legitimate in the Meiji period, Yoshisada was greatly honored, and although they were manipulated by the rulers of the time, the clan has survived to this day as a unique existence. Currently, Nitta Manor, which is part of Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, has a "Nitta Manor History Museum" that provides detailed explanations of the history of the Nitta clan and the region (it also has a Nitta cat painting in its collection, but the exhibition is only open for a limited period of time). In addition, the deep relationship between the Nitta clan and the Tokugawa clan can be seen at Serada Toshogu Shrine, adjacent to the museum, Choraku-ji Temple (photos 6-8), and Daiko-in Temple at the foot of Kanayama Mountain (photos 2-3). When you think about it, Nitta Yoshisada was on the historical stage for only about five years, and most of his family members who rushed with him to Kamakura were killed in the war and never returned to their hometowns. However, the fact that the afterglow of their brilliant brilliance continued to illuminate the future of the clan for hundreds of years is an amazing historical fact, and it is nothing but a condensation of the fascinating and mysterious aspects of history. A bronze statue of Yoshisada has been erected in front of the approach to Ikushina Shrine (photos 9-10), where Yoshisada gathered his family to raise an army. His pose recreates the legend of Yoshisada offering his sword to the gods to cross Inamuragasaki during the attack on Kamakura, and it is now an essential scene in the story of Yoshisada's life. On an autumn evening with the scent of burning fields drifting in the distance, the tip of Yoshisada's sword can be seen in the dark blue sky and the clear white stars. The beauty of the beam of light seems to be telling us through the strange fate of the Nitta clan that the logic of the times and the interpretation of history are not so different from the cycle of day and night, and that the existence that has been lurking there is suddenly illuminated by the change in the surrounding colors. Access: About 20 minutes walk from Serada Station (to Nitta-sho Historical Museum) Recommended for solo travelers: ★★★★★ (You can explore to your heart's content. It's almost a private venue!) Visit date: Around 5pm on the first Sunday of October #Nitta Yoshisada #Nitta-sho Historical Museum #Choraku-ji Temple #Serada Toshogu Shrine #Daiko-in Temple #Ikushina Shrine #Ota #Gunma Trip #Gunma Tourism #tobu_weekend_trip #Temple Lover #Temple Tour #Temples and Shrines #Shrine Tour #Shrine Lover #History Museum #Nitta Cat #Cat Lover #Cat Painting #Life with Cats #Taiheiki #Tokugawa Ieyasu #Taiga Drama #Jomo Karuta #History Lover #Solo Travel #Life with Travel #Domestic Travel

In the mid-16th century, the Hojo clan, based in Odawara, Sagami Province (now most of Kanagawa Prefecture), rapidly expanded its power in the Kanto region, and the ruling system established by the Muromachi Shogunate was in danger of collapse. Meanwhile, the Uesugi clan, one of the old powers oppressed by the Hojo clan, who had hereditarily held the position of Kanto Kanrei (a position that supported the Kamakura Kubo, who ruled the eastern provinces during the Muromachi period), fled to Echigo Province (now Niigata Prefecture), the territory of the Nagao clan, which was their vassal. They asked Kagetora, the head of the Nagao clan, to take on the Uesugi family name and defeat the Hojo clan. This Kagetora was the future Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578), who crossed the Echigo Mountains and began his attack on the Kanto region. On the other hand, the Hojo clan allied with Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) of Kai Province (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture) and Shinano Province (present-day Nagano Prefecture), who was the Uesugi clan's arch enemy and with whom they were related by marriage at the time, to counter the Hojo clan. The three giants, Hojo, Uesugi, and Takeda, fought each other repeatedly forming alliances, and Kozuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture) in particular became the scene of fierce competition. Kanayama Castle, towering over Ota City in Gunma Prefecture, is a historic site that conveys the power of this historical drama, reminiscent of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The Iwamatsu clan, who originally owned the castle, were a clan that claimed to be descendants of the Nitta clan, which produced Nitta Yoshisada (1301-1336) during the Nanboku-cho period. However, Narishige Yokose (1506-1578), a member of the same clan and the most senior vassal, gradually gained power over his lord, eventually driving out the Iwamatsu clan and seizing Kanayama Castle. He called himself the head of the Nitta clan, and renamed his clan "Yura" after the place name of Yura-go, which had been passed down for generations by the head family. Narishige, who became the lord of Kanayama Castle through a so-called overthrow of the ruling class, followed the Uesugi clan, who had just begun to cross the mountains, and came into conflict with the Hojo clan. He also deepened his friendship with the Shogun of the shogunate in Kyoto through the Uesugi clan, and had a prominent presence in Kozuke Province. However, when the Hojo clan's offensive intensified, he defected from the Uesugi clan and switched to the Hojo side, demonstrating his exquisite ability to determine the power balance between the major forces. At the very least, when the relationship between the Hojo and Takeda deteriorated, he played the role of mediator between the Uesugi clan, whom he had previously betrayed, and the Hojo clan, realizing an alliance between the two. As a result, even after Narutsugu's death, the Yura clan continued to hold the position of lord of Kanayama Castle until the Hojo clan was destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Narutsugu, who took over the castle by overthrowing the ruling class and shamelessly repeated subordination and defection to major powers, seems to symbolize the chaotic history of the Kanto Warring States period, and his shrewdness even makes him worthy of the name "Furious Hero." If we look closely at the timeline, Narutsugu is almost always involved in the start of wars and alliances in Kozuke Province, and we can see how the major powers struggled to win him over to their side. And what made his presence stand out was his castle, Kanayama Castle. From the castle ruins, you can see a panoramic view of Ota city and the vast Kanto Plain, and the importance of its location can still be understood today. Recent investigations have carefully preserved the remains, and it has been revealed that it was a castle built with "stone walls," which was extremely rare in the Kanto region at that time. In particular, the restored stone walls and stone pavement at the main gate are neat and tight, and even exude a certain beauty. At the same time, the vitality of the giant tree that crawls out of the cracks in the stone walls and grows high into the sky is also impressive. The sight also evokes the life of Nariyuki, who survived turbulent times with a strong will, and the pride of a small power. *The highlights of the castle ruins and the history of the area are explained in detail at the "Historic Kanayama Castle Ruins Guidance Facility" at the foot of the mountain (photos 2-3, designed by Kengo Kuma), and we recommend visiting it before climbing the castle. Recommended for solo travelers: ★★★ (There are quite a few people, but it's a large place so it doesn't bother me) Visited: 1st Sunday in October around 11am Access: 1 hour and 10 minutes walk from Ota Station (to the Kanayama Castle Ruins Guidance Facility. Another 30 minutes walk to the main citadel) #KanayamaCastle #NittaKanayamaCastle #Ota #GunmaTrip #GunmaTour #tobu_weekend_trip #Castle #FamousCastle #CastleTour #Japan's100FamousCastle #Japan100FamousCastle #CastleLover #StoneWall #AncientBattlefield #CastleStamp #YuraNaritsugu #HojoUjiyasu #UesugiKenshin #TakedaShingen #WarringStatesPeriod #WarringStatesWarlord #Nobunaga'sAmbition #HistoryLover #KengoKuma #SoloTrip #LifeWithTravel #DomesticTravel

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