Gunma

The Naked Stranger is an aficionado for all things Japanese. People in his country even consider him an expert on the subject. He...

I grew up with bears. Winnie, Paddington, The Berenstains, Yogi, even Grizzly Adams. Bears are cute; they just run away. I’ve see...

White water and hot water often mind when people think of Minakami. From spring to fall a steady flow of helmet-wearing, paddle-w...

Volcanic islands, mountainous terrain and earth-shifting quakes are all part of Japan’s volatile natural landscape. Short, swift,...

Surfing powder is nothing new, but custom parks bringing the waves to the mountain is the latest craze. Enter the Surf Ride cultu...

Gunma seems to be a prefecture of surprises. Hardly the most famous of tourist destinations, it pretty much resigns itself to...

A huge art glass complex in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture is not the most likely spot to find a craft brewery and restaur...

The Tone River flows swiftly through Minakami, carrying thousands of merry rafters into white water rapids and through scenic...