Golden Week is a week from April 29 to May 5. It often includes Saturday(s), Sunday(s) or National Holiday(s) that come right before or after the week. Within Golden Week are “Day of Showa” on 4/29, which was the former “Emperor’s Birthday” till 1988 and “Greenery Day” afterward, “Constitution Memorial Day” on 5/3, “Greenery Day” on 5/4, which was the former National Holiday in case it came on any day except for Sunday and Monday between 1988 and 2006, “Children’s Day” on 5/5. Many firms are closed and people take a day off on 5/1 for “May Day”, which further boosts turnout during Golden Week.
Below are several spots you may want visit.
5/16(Sat) – 6/7 (Sun)
Shikishima Park Rose Garden
5/16 – 17: The Rose Garden Festival will take place while 7,000 rose trees in 600 different kinds are in full bloom.
The 18th Rose Queen will show up. Small roses will be given away. There will be music & chorus, street performance, portrait painters, etc.
5/23 – 24 There will be music performance and etc.
Sales of young rose plants, photo exhibitions, flower-pressing lessons, tours with a rose guide, hands-on Zaguri (Japanese traditional reeling method) reeling and more will take place during the festival.
The annual Ansei Samurai Marathon takes place on Sunday, May 10 this year. More than 1,000 participants enjoy both running and showing off their costume starting at the Annaka Bunka Center for either 29.17km course or 20.35km course. Enjoy watching them as well as giving them a big hand. During the marathon, “Festa Oh-Edo in Annaka” will take place, where you can try your hand at Straw-Sandal Throwing, Karuta party, skits and mochi rice-cake pounding at around the Samurai Row House.
Visit Itakura-machi during May 1 and June 28 to enjoy the traditional Japanese boat-ride. The oarsman in the costume of an old oarsman gently strikes down the river in thick woods. Forget all the hustle and bustle of the city and savor the supreme relaxation.
*¥1,000/Jr. High Student or older
*Boat Ride is available only during Golden Week, Sat. Sun & National Holiday
| Access By car |
A 5-min drive for Koga on Rt 354 from Tatebayashi IC, Tohoku Jidoshado Expswy, Turn right at Suigo Koen Iriguchi light. |
|---|---|
| Access By Train |
Get off at Itakura Toyodai Mae Stn
|
Walk up a long winding stairs to the Kagura Hall, Haruna Shrine, National Important Cultural Property, and enjoy a subtle and profound world of jazz and classical music concerts. A Soba-Gozen meal (Soba buckwheat noodles and several other dishes on a tray) will be served before each performance. Ticket purchase by May 12 is necessary.
| When | May 23 (Sat) & 24 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Inquiry | Takasaki-shi Haruna Branch Sangyo Kanko Ka Tel. 027-374-5111 |
Early summer is the time for blueberry- and cherry-picking in Gunma. Why not hit the road on a fine day?
| When | Mid-June – Mid July |
|---|---|
| Fee | All you can eat for \1,500/3rd grader and older for 1/2hr ¥900/preschooler to 2nd grader for 1/2hr |
| Access | A 5-min drive from Tsukiyono IC, Kan-etsu Expswy (Turn left right after Tsukiyono Ohashi Bridge) |
| Inquiry | Maruka Cherry Farm Tel. 0278-62-6931 |
| When | June 20 – Late July |
|---|---|
| Fee | ¥500/Admission ¥200/100g of picked blueberries, ¥250/100g to go |
| Access | A 30-min drive from JR Takasaki Stn |
| Inquiry | Shimo Satomi-machi, Takasaki Tel 027-343-1192 |
| When | July 5 – Early Aug 9:00～16:00 (Closed on Thurs) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free Admission ¥300, ¥500 or ¥800/pack of self-picked blueberries |
| Access | A 15-min drive from Numata IC, Kan-etsu Expswy |
| Inquiry | Tel 0278-52-3365 |
