Region: Gunma

Gunma is a beautiful landlocked prefecture in the heart of Japan. The shape of the prefecture resembles a crane flapping his wings, and it is often referred to as “Gunma the soaring crane”. This prefecture is known for its natural beauty and tall mountains, as well as its onsen, or hot springs. There are over 200 onsen in Gunma, one of which is ranked the #1 hot spring in Japan. Gunma is the birthplace of a new sake rice type, or Shuzo kotekimai, called wakamizu. Overall, Gunma breweries produce dry sake. However, unlike typical dry sake which has a sharp and light mouthfeel, Gunma sake is dry, plump and round. There are around 40 sake breweries here, mostly in southeast Gunma. The main sake rice used by these breweries are Wakamizu, Aoisora or “blue sky”, and Tsuki no hikari or “moonlight”. All Regions »