The Drive to Gunma

The other day, I went on a business trip to Gunma Prefecture.

We traveled from Shizuoka to Gunma by car, taking the Chubu Odan Expressway. Although it was a long journey, we enjoyed the drive while taking in the scenery along the way.

We stopped for a break at Yatsugatake Service Area.
The fresh mountain air was very refreshing and helped us recharge.

After that, we safely arrived in Gunma.

Lunch at Shango – Takasaki Pasta

For lunch, we went to "Shango," a restaurant famous for Takasaki pasta, a local specialty. The portions were generous and the food was delicious, which completely wiped away the fatigue from the drive.

Since we were there, we also took a commemorative photo with Gunma's famous daruma dolls.

Visit to Takeuchi Daruma Shop

We then headed to our main destination for this trip, Takeuchi Daruma Shop.

At Takeuchi Daruma Shop, we were given many valuable insights into how daruma are made, as well as the background and history behind them—things that are not usually easy to learn. It reminded us that each daruma, carefully crafted while preserving tradition, carries the thoughts and history of the artisans.

(*You can view the daruma from Takeuchi Daruma Shop here.)

Haruna Shrine and Lake Haruna

After our visit, we stopped by Haruna Shrine and Lake Haruna on the way back.
Surrounded by nature, the scenery was breathtaking, allowing us to fully appreciate the charm of Gunma.

The journey from Shizuoka to Gunma takes about four hours one way.
While it is not a short distance, it made the experience all the more fulfilling.

You can view the daruma from Takeuchi Daruma Shop that we visited here.