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Maebashi: A Hidden Gem in Japan
As I arrived in Maebashi, a city located in the Gunma Prefecture of Japan, I was immediately struck by its picturesque scenery. The city is flanked by mountains that provide a stunning natural backdrop, with the Tone River meandering through the heart of the city. Maebashi is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but I found it to be a charming and authentic Japanese city, where I experienced tradition and modernity coexisting peacefully.
What I Liked Most About Maebashi:
One of my favorite things about Maebashi was its traditional Japanese architecture. The city still preserves many historical buildings, including a few old warehouses and merchant houses, that are now designated as cultural assets. Meanwhile, the modern buildings blend seamlessly with the older surroundings, creating a unique ambiance.
What I Disliked:
As much as I enjoyed the peaceful ambiance of Maebashi, I found its public transportation system a bit lacking. Although there are buses and trains available, the frequency is not very high. This could make it difficult for tourists to get around without a car.
Cost of Living in Maebashi:
Despite being a modern Japanese city, Maebashi is relatively affordable. The average cost of living per day is around $60. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and admission fees to places of interest.
Top 20 Popular Points of Interest in Maebashi:
1. Gunma Flower Park – 2250-3, Nakanomachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0022.
2. Maebashi Castle Ruins – 1-12-1 Otemachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0026.
3. Iwasaki Family Residence – 1331 Ishikawa, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0005.
4. Akagi Shrine – 1-14-2 Otemachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0026.
5. Gunma Prefectural Office Observation Lounge “Skyful” – 1-1-1 Otemachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0026.
6. Gunma Museum of Art – 1-16-5, Chiyoharamachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0024.
7. Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura – Onishi-cho, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0016.
8. Maebashi City Culture Hall – 1-11-1 Otemachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0026.
9. Maebashi Ikueisha School House – 1997-1 Akagi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0001.
10. Maebashi Shrine – 1100, Kamitanakamachi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0022.
11. Kozuke Kokubunji Temple Ruins – 951-2 Shikishimacho, Maebashi, Gunma 379-0307.
12. Joshinnji Temple – 830 Iwamotocho, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0242.
13. Maebashi City Hall – 1-20-20 Ishibashicho, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8570.
14. Gunma Prefectural Museum of History – 523-1 Tategahana, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0025.
15. Kusatsu Onsen – 521-1 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun 377-1711.
16. Tsutsujigaoka Park – 4234-4 Higashisakai, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0026.
17. Myogi Shrine – 408, Sannomaru, Tomioka, Gunma 370-2325.
18. Gunma Safari Park – 849-1 Tomioka, Tomioka, Gunma 370-2141.
19. Tomioka Silk Mill – 1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka, Gunma 370-2316.
20. Ikaho Onsen – Ikaho, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102.
Top 20 Popular Street Food and Where to Find Them:
1. Takoyaki – Suga – 1-20-3 Shinsakainari-machi, Maebashi.
2. Yakitori – Torikawa – 3-1-32 Maebashi Honcho, Maebashi.
3. Okonomiyaki – Botejyu – 1-21-17 Shinsakainari-machi, Maebashi.
4. Ramen – Menya Tatsunoya – 1-11-19, Otemachi, Maebashi.
5. Fried Chicken – Kentucky Fried Chicken – 1-12-3 Otemachi, Maebashi.
6. Gyoza – Harajiku Gyoza – 99 Kannamicho, Maebashi.
7. Taiyaki – Kamakuraya – 1-22-12 Otemachi, Maebashi.
8. Soba – Kawamotoya – 2-5-10 Nakaocho, Maebashi.
9. Udon – Marugame Seimen – 204-4 Nakajo, Maebashi.
10. Mochi – Sakuraya – 1-1-1 Otemachi, Maebashi.
11. Onigiri – Family Mart – Multiple locations throughout Maebashi.
12. Oden – Seven Eleven – Multiple locations throughout Maebashi.
13. Takosen – Takosen Garden – 7-2-8 Omamacho, Maebashi.
14. Katsudon – Nakajima Shoten Mameshiba – 3-11-1 Maebashi, Gunma.
15. Sake – Aisaka – 3-3-9 Omamacho, Maebashi.
16. Taihu Ramen – Menya Taihu – 2-14-2 Chiyoharamachi, Maebashi.
17. Kintsuba – Echigo Kintsuba – Multiple locations throughout Maebashi.
18. Tempura – Tenjin Honten – 2-8-4 Igao-cho, Maebashi.
19. Shirataki Noodles – Marutake – 16-6 Naka-cho, Maebashi.
20. Fried Noodles – Jinroku – 1-27-1 Kamisuge-cho, Maebashi.
Top 10 Popular Hotels and 10 Popular Airbnbs in Maebashi:
Hotels:
1. Gunma Royal Hotel – $90 per night – 3.9 Yelp rating – 1085-1 Higashiakagi-machi, Maebashi.
2. Toyoko Inn Maebashi Ekimae – $60 per night – 3.7 Yelp rating – 1-22-14 Otemachi, Maebashi.
3. Hotel Route Inn Maebashi Ekimae – $70 per night – 4.0 Yelp rating – 1-13-7 Otemachi, Maebashi.
4. Hotel Sunroute Maebashi – $80 per night – 3.8 Yelp rating – 333-1 Ohashimachi, Maebashi.
5. APA Hotel Maebashieki-Kita – $75 per night – 3.9 Yelp rating – 1-17-16 Otemachi, Maebashi.
6. Dormy Inn Maebashi – $85 per night – 4.2 Yelp rating – 1-22 Ote-machi, Maebashi.
7. Hotel Metropolitan Akagi – $90 per night – 3.9 Yelp rating – 104-1 Akagimachi, Maebashi.
8. Hotel New Maebashi – $80 per night – 3.8 Yelp rating – 188-1 Kanaiwa-cho, Maebashi.
9. APA Hotel Takasaki-Ekimae – $70 per night – 3.8 Yelp rating – 108-13 Yashimanishi-machi, Takasaki, Gunma.
10. Hotel Gran City Maebashi – $75 per night – 3.6 Yelp rating – 134-3 Omamacho, Maebashi.
Airbnbs:
1. Traditional House with Tatami Room – $100 per night – 4.8 rating – 269-7 Kinu, Maebashi.
2. Modern Apartment near Station – $80 per night – 4.5 rating – 223-1 Nakajo, Maebashi.
3. Private Room in a Wooden House – $50 per night – 4.5 rating – 2460-2, Ota, Maebashi.
4. Cozy Apartment with River View – $90 per night – 4.7 rating – 3-40-8 Minamikanai, Maebashi.
5. Room with Balcony and Great View – $70 per night – 4.6 rating – 19-22 Uchi-tano, Maebashi.
6. Japanese-style House with Bath – $110 per night – 4.8 rating – 2129-7, Nishi-takabayashi, Maebashi.
7. Budget Apartment near City Center – $60 per night – 4.4 rating – 982, Kodamacho, Maebashi.
8. Guesthouse with Shared Living Room – $45 per night – 4.2 rating – 389-1 Takasakacho, Maebashi.
9. Designer Apartment with Great View – $100 per night – 4.9 rating – 4192-2 Terasawa, Maebashi.
10. Simple Apartment with Kitchen – $65 per night – 4.3 rating – 3-3-1 Suga, Maebashi.
Top 5 Worth-It Hotels and Airbnb:
1. Gunma Royal Hotel – This hotel offers comfortable and spacious rooms at a reasonable price, with a great location near the station.
2. Dormy Inn Maebashi – This hotel offers hot spring baths, a sauna, and a free ramen every night, perfect for an affordable and relaxing stay.
3. Traditional House with Tatami Room – This Airbnb offers a unique experience of staying in a traditional Japanese house with tatami flooring and paper sliding doors.
4. Modern Apartment near Station – This Airbnb offers a clean and modern apartment with a convenient location near the train station.
5. Private Room in a Wooden House – This Airbnb offers a cozy and comfortable room in a picturesque wooden house.
Summary:
Overall, I found Maebashi to be an underrated city that is worth visiting. Its stunning scenery, traditional architecture, and affordable cost of living make it an ideal destination for budget travelers. The city offers a mix of modern amenities and historical landmarks, and tourists can indulge in delicious street food that won’t break the bank.
Rating: 8 stars out of 10.
Recommendation for a Three-Day Trip:
Day 1:
1. Gunma Flower Park – 2250-3, Nakanomachi, Maebashi.
2. Gunma Prefectural Museum of History – 523-1 Tategahana, Maebashi.
3. Akagi Shrine – 1-14-2 Otemachi, Maebashi.
4. Joshinnji Temple – 830 Iwamotocho, Maebashi.
5. Suga – 1-20-3 Shinsakainari-machi, Maebashi (For Takoyaki).
Day 2:
1. Myogi Shrine – 408, Sannomaru, Tomioka.
2. Tomioka Silk Mill – 1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka.
3. Kozuke Kokubunji Temple Ruins – 951-2 Shikishimacho, Maebashi.
4. Tenjin Honten – 2-8-4 Igao-cho, Maebashi (For Tempura).
5. Botejyu – 1-21-17 Shinsakainari-machi, Maebashi (For Okonomiyaki).
Day 3:
1. Kusatsu Onsen – 521-1 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun.
2. Tsutsujigaoka Park – 4234-4 Higashisakai, Shibukawa.
3. Maebashi Castle Ruins – 1-12-1 Otemachi, Maebashi.
4. Nakajima Shoten Mameshiba – 3-11-1 Maebashi, Gunma (For Katsudon).
5. Kamakuraya – 1-22-12 Otemachi, Maebashi (For Taiyaki).
Good or Popular Food Nearby:
1. Omiya Sanbiki Noodle Shop – 213-12 Nakajo, Maebashi (For Soba).
2. Shirakawa-no-Yu – 1-9-7 Kaburagi-machi, Maebashi (For Ramen).
3. Sunaba Coffee – 3-7-17 Ote-machi, Maebashi (For Coffee).
4. Butter Cafe – 85-1 Nishi-takabayashi, Maebashi (For Sandwiches).
5. Kitagawa Bakery – 129 Ote-machi, Maebashi (For Bread and Pastries).
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