Category:Gunma Prefecture

Gunma Prefecture is located in the Kantō region of eastern Honshū, bordered by mountains and highlands on all sides except the south. The region is known for its hot springs, fertile basins, and textile-producing towns. Historically, Gunma developed as a crossroads between the Kantō Plain and interior Japan, connected by travel and trade routes through mountain passes.

The capital, Maebashi, and nearby Takasaki served as important commercial centers, while regions such as Kusatsu became renowned for hot-spring culture and seasonal tourism. Gunma’s geography and historical industries fostered a heritage of practical craftsmanship and community-based workshop traditions.

Culturally, Gunma is most closely associated with silk and textile production, particularly during the Meiji period when the Tomioka Silk Mill helped drive Japan’s modernization. The prefecture is also known for folk woodcraft, lacquer, and tools made for everyday use in both rural and artisan households.

Signature Crafts of Gunma Prefecture

• Tomioka silk and sericulture heritage (富岡製糸場) – a major center of Japan’s historic silk industry and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Kiryu textiles (桐生織) – finely woven fabrics produced in the city of Kiryu, known for elegance and technical precision.
• Folk woodworking and lacquered utensils – shaped from local timber and used in daily life.
• Traditional dyeing and weaving practices – linked to rural clothing and seasonal craft traditions.