Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Gunma

Gunma Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Where to walk in Gunma — from easy half-days to serious treks, with honest difficulty grades.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Gunma has 5+ hiking trails covered in this guide, led by Oze National Park Boardwalk Trail, Mount Akagi Caldera Loop and Mount Myogi Honmyogi Ridge Trail. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Gunma Prefecture is Japan's hot spring capital, mountain playground, and silk heritage land — a landlocked prefecture north of Tokyo where volcanic peaks, therapeutic onsen, pristine highland forests, and the UNESCO World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill define a destination unlike anywhere else in Japan.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Oze National Park Boardwalk Trail

    8km (Hatomachi-toge to Ozenuma lake and return)4–6 hoursTrailhead: 1,760m; Ozenuma Lake: 1,665m (gradual descent to wetlands)

  2. 2

    Mount Akagi Caldera Loop

    6.5km loop around caldera rim3–4 hoursSummit (Jizo-dake): 1,674m; total gain: approximately 300m

  3. 3

    Mount Myogi Honmyogi Ridge Trail

    7km circuit4–5 hoursTrailhead: 380m; summit (Sougyoiwa): 1,094m; gain: 714m

  4. 4

    Haruna Lake Shore and Mount Haruna Summit

    10km (lake loop 4km + summit detour 6km)4–6 hoursLake: 1,084m; Summit (Haruna-Fuji): 1,390m; gain: 306m

  5. 5

    Tanigawa Ichinokura North Wall Approach

    12km round trip6–8 hoursTrailhead: 620m; Ichinokura shoulder: 1,950m; gain: 1,330m

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

High

Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.

Medium

Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.

Medium

Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.

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