Gunma Prefecture, Administrative prefecture in Kanto region, Japan
Gunma is an administrative area in the Kanto region shaped by mountains to the west and north, with flat land spreading across the southeast. The landscape shifts between forested ranges, river valleys, and farming plains that stretch toward urban settlements.
The area was established as an administrative unit in 1871, following its earlier designation as Kamitsuke Province. The transformation into its current form followed nationwide reforms during the early Meiji period.
Local communities maintain their connection to silk production through working textile workshops and small family businesses that follow traditional methods. Visitors can watch artisans spin thread and dye fabric in several towns, and purchase finished silk items directly from the makers.
The Joetsu Shinkansen high-speed train links the larger cities of the area to Tokyo, allowing travelers to explore the region in a day. Regional buses and trains take visitors to smaller towns and mountain destinations.
The region is home to numerous hot springs that bubble directly from the ground and produce water at temperatures up to 95 degrees Celsius (203 degrees Fahrenheit). Some of these springs are so hot that locals use them to cook eggs before the water flows into bathing pools.
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