2026 Itakura Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

I visited Takatori Tenmangu Shrine in Itakura Town, Gunma Prefecture 🚙💨 I saw the sign a while ago and was curious about it 😁 Takatori Tenmangu Shrine is... It enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning. The shrine building, built in 1848, is a designated cultural property of Itakura Town, and the main hall is said to have ceiling paintings of the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets)!! ️ The shrine building is surprisingly colorful 👀‼ ️ Moreover, the carvings are beautiful and wonderful‼ ️ Not only can you view it from the front, but if you go around to the side and look up, you can see the intricately carved dragons and animals and plants. The Nadeshiko (stroking ox) at Takatori Tenmangu Shrine‼ ️ You often see bronze or other reclining ox statues in the precincts of Tenmangu shrines throughout Japan, right? 😁 However‼ ️ The "Wishing Cow" at Takatori Tenmangu Shrine is a clay replica of a real cow. You take it home, stroke it while making a wish, and return it to the shrine if your wish comes true. 😁 The "Chino-wa Kuguri" (a ritual involving passing through a ring of reeds) was set up today! 😁 The person setting it up called out, "We've just set up the Chino-wa, please go ahead!" and I was the first to pass through it! 😃✌ I feel so happy and lucky! ❣️ It's hot ☀️, but if you're in the area, why not pay a visit? 😁 #Itakura Town, Gunma Prefecture #Takatori Tenmangu Shrine #Nade-ushi (a statue of a cow) #Chino-wa Kuguri (a ritual involving passing through a ring of reeds)

The restaurant is located in Tatebayashi, but it's in Itakura-cho. In addition to the standard version, where pork and fried tofu are dipped in a thick dipping sauce, they also offer a seafood-infused version that's similar to ramen dipping noodles, as well as spicy versions. After you've finished your meal, you can enjoy a bowl of udon soup, similar to soba soup. If you have any udon soup condiments left over, you can add them to finish off your meal. The udon noodles are quite firm and the portions are quite generous, so if you have a moderate appetite, the regular size is sufficient, and the large portion is quite filling. The restaurant is run by a very friendly couple, and many customers have come to buy their udon noodles for takeout. The opening hours seem short, so it's wise to check before you go. The prices were also very reasonable. #Itakura #Tsukemen

Gunma Suigo Park in Itakura Town, Gunma Prefecture This park, popular among local fishing enthusiasts, has recently become a hot topic on social media as a hidden gem for cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom trees along the Yatagawa River embankment and their reflections in the fishing pond create a charming spring scene reminiscent of a picture book. The best time for photography is early morning when the wind is calm. 📍Gunma Suigo Park 2941-3 Iwata, Itakura Town, Ora District, Gunma Prefecture Open 24 hours, year-round Free parking available

#Tokyo Attractions Qingjingyuan is an elegant Japanese garden Zen temple that makes people feel peaceful and quiet. The gardens here are exquisitely designed, with winding paths leading to quiet corners, allowing visitors to stroll around and enjoy the beauty of nature. 🌸 At Seijingin, you’ll find a sense of Zen in every detail, from the carefully trimmed trees to the stone paths, every element speaks of calm and harmony. The environment here is very suitable for meditation, allowing people to let go of their worries and find inner peace. 🌼 In the small pond in the courtyard, koi fish swim leisurely, adding a bit of vitality. The occasional ripples on the water surface make people feel the passage of time and the harmony with nature. 🍃