Arriving at the foot of Mt. Kanayama, the stone walls of Kanayama Castle climb the ridge above the trees, and from the top the Kanto plain opens out below. This is Ota in Gunma Prefecture, a city where a Kamakura-era castle, an ancient burial mound and a hot spring district sit within a short trip of one another.
Ota suits travellers who prefer working shrines, hilltop ruins and a soak at the end of the day to polished resort towns. The guide below covers the sights worth your time, followed by a one-day plan that links them.
Top things to do in Ota
1. Kanayama Castle
Kanayama Castle is a Kamakura-era castle on the top of Mt. Kanayama, which rises to 244 m. The walk up is the point as much as the ruins: you are climbing to a castle site rather than touring a rebuilt keep.
It sits 3.2 km north of the downtown, so it works well as a half-day outing on foot or by taxi. Go earlier in the day so you have daylight for the descent.
2. Daikoin Temple
Daikoin Temple was founded in 1618 and is known by the nickname Kosodate Donryu, meaning kid-raising Saint Donryu. The nickname is the reason many visitors come, and it gives the temple a working, lived-in character.
It is 2.4 km northwest of the downtown, which makes it easy to pair with a walk through the centre. Allow time to look around rather than treating it as a quick stop.
3. Tenjinyama Kofun
Tenjinyama Kofun is a large ancient burial mound dating from around the 5th century. It is a chance to see a kofun at close range, with the scale of the mound best appreciated on foot.
Combine it with the other sights in the Ota area rather than making a separate trip, and read up on kofun burial mounds beforehand so you know what you are looking at.
4. Yabuzuka Onsen
Yabuzuka Onsen is Ota's hot spring district. It was originally the Yabuzukahoncho Town area before being annexed by Ota, which is why it sits apart from the downtown.
It lies 9.7 km northwest of the downtown, so plan it as the final stop of a day rather than squeezing it between other sights. Soaking here after the castle climb is the natural way to finish.
5. Snake Center
The Snake Center is in the Yabuzuka Onsen area and is known for its collection of rare kinds of snakes. It is a specific, unusual stop rather than a general zoo.
Because it shares its location with Yabuzuka Onsen, visit the two together: the Snake Center first, then the hot springs. Check locally before you go, as this is a small specialist facility.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start with Kanayama Castle, climbing Mt. Kanayama to the Kamakura-era ruins while you have fresh legs and full daylight.
Afternoon: Come down and head into the downtown area for Daikoin Temple, then continue to Tenjinyama Kofun to see the 5th-century burial mound.
Evening: Travel northwest to Yabuzuka Onsen, stopping at the Snake Center in the same area if time allows, and finish with a soak in Ota's hot springs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ota?
Ota is a city in Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo.
How far are the main sights from the downtown?
Daikoin Temple is 2.4 km northwest of the downtown, Kanayama Castle is 3.2 km north, and Yabuzuka Onsen is 9.7 km northwest.
What is Ota's hot spring area called?
Yabuzuka Onsen, which also contains the Snake Center.
When was Daikoin Temple founded?
Daikoin Temple was founded in 1618.
Decide which of these you want most, check the practical details locally, and start planning your trip to Ota.