Experience the best of Minakami-machi

Minakami lies in a deep valley at the upper end of the Tone River, in the mountains of northern Gunma, where winter storms off the Sea of Japan pile heavy snow. Mount Tanigawa, whose twin summits are known as the Two Ears, rises to nearly two thousand metres above sea level, and a ropeway lifts walkers and skiers toward its ridge. Doai station on the Joetsu line has its platforms deep underground, reached by nearly five hundred steps.

Hot springs are scattered through the valley: Takaragawa Onsen is known for its large outdoor baths beside the river, and Yubiso and Sarugakyo are smaller hot-spring villages. The Tone River also makes Minakami one of Japan's rafting centres, with snowmelt in spring giving the strongest flow, and canyoning and cycling fill the summer months.

Gunma is Japan's main producer of konnyaku, the firm jelly made from a root, and the region's cooking includes okkirikomi, a hearty stew of flat wheat noodles and vegetables, and fresh mountain soba. Autumn colours the valley in October, and winter turns the surrounding slopes into ski country within reach of Tokyo.