Japan1 day
Higashi-Agatsuma: Lake, Castle Ruins & Gorge — 1 Day
Lake Haruna, Iwabitsu Castle, Agatsuma Gorge, and Tengu no Yu onsen in a single-day loop through Gunma Prefecture
This one-day route through Higashi-Agatsuma begins at Lake Haruna, where Mount Haruna rises at the southern edge of the district, and follows Prefectural Road 28 toward the castle-designed Higashi-Agatsuma Town Hall. The itinerary includes the ruins of Iwabitsu Castle, a walk across the gorge bridges at Agatsuma, and concludes with a soak at Tengu no Yu onsen at the Agatsumakyo Roadside Station. The circuit can be completed in a day and combines water views, architectural history, and thermal bathing.
Highlights
- Lake Haruna, with views of Mount Haruna, offering fishing, boating, and horse-drawn carriage rides
- Prefectural Road 28, a scenic mountain route connecting Lake Haruna to Mount Iwabitsu
- Higashi-Agatsuma Town Hall, a civic building designed in castle style
- Iwabitsu Castle ruins, with a sloped former moat walkable for exploration
- Agatsuma Gorge, crossed by Saruhashi and Shikatobibashi bridges, with views of Yanba Dam
- Tengu no Yu onsen baths at Agatsumakyo Roadside Station
Day by day
1Lake Haruna, Iwabitsu Castle, and Agatsuma GorgeLake Haruna · Iwabitsu Castle · Agatsuma Gorge · Prefectural Road 28 · Haramachi area · Higashi-Agatsuma Town Hall · Tengu no Yu
The day begins at Lake Haruna in the southern part of Higashi-Agatsuma, where Mount Haruna forms a backdrop for activities including fishing, boating, and horse-drawn carriage rides around the water. From the lake, the route follows Prefectural Road 28 northward, a scenic mountain road that affords views of Mount Iwabitsu. A lunch stop in the Haramachi area precedes a visit to Higashi-Agatsuma Town Hall, a civic building notable for its castle-inspired architecture. Adjacent to the town hall stand the ruins of Iwabitsu Castle, where a long sloped path traces the former castle moat. In the afternoon, the route reaches Agatsuma Gorge, where two bridges—Saruhashi and Shikatobibashi—span the ravine. Yanba Dam is also visible from the gorge area. The day concludes at Tengu no Yu, an onsen facility located at the Agatsumakyo Roadside Station, offering thermal baths as a final stop before departure.