Maebashi – Parkland and Silk History

If you are considering Maebashi as a travel destination, its parkland, silk history, literature, and art offer different ways to shape your stay. Shikishima Park and the cultural sites along the Hirose River represent different facets of the city.

Shikishima Park: Sports Facilities, Recreation, and Pines

Shikishima Park lies between the Tone and Hirose rivers and covers 37.6 hectares. Of this, 17.8 hectares are devoted to the sports facilities area managed by the prefecture, and 19.8 hectares to the recreation area managed by the city. This division clearly distinguishes sports facilities from recreational areas. The park is also home to a pine forest of about 2,700 trees, which helps shape the landscape of its expansive grounds.

The Silk Industry Memorial Museum is located on the grounds of the rose garden 敷島公園門倉テクノばら園. It commemorates Maebashi's history as the “City of Silk” and adds a cultural and historical dimension to the park and garden themes.

Poetry and Art Along the Hirose River

A walking path runs along the Hirose River through the riverside green space. There is also a “Path of Poetry,” which passes memorial stones dedicated to local poets, including 萩原朔太郎. Other stones bear excerpts from works recognized with the 萩原朔太郎賞. Along the river, you can therefore experience both a walk through the green space and literary memorial sites.

The Hirose River area is also home to the Maebashi-Zanei Monument and the Kōsui Weir. Both recall Maebashi's history as a city shaped by the silk industry. The Maebashi Literature Museum and the Hirose River Museum of Art are also located there. Check the museums’ current visitor policies before your visit.

The Maebashi Literature Museum displays materials related to local poets. Its collection on 萩原朔太郎 also includes manuscripts; these materials are considered outstanding nationwide in both quality and scope. The Hagiwara Sakutaro Memorial Museum preserves a relocated and reconstructed section of 萩原朔太郎's birthplace. He used the memorial museum’s storehouse to develop photographs. Another artistic landmark along the river is 岡本太郎’s “Sun Bell,” relocated in 2018 to the banks of the Hirose River in central Maebashi.

Cultural Sites and Events

臨江閣 is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In addition to serving as a tourist attraction, it is used for tea gatherings, exhibitions, the Ryūō title match in shogi, rakugo performances, concerts, and receptions. The building will be closed for an extended period from June 2026 through the end of March 2027. If you plan to visit after that period, check current access arrangements.

Arts Maebashi is another part of Maebashi’s cultural scene. Its program includes exhibitions, events, workshops, various performances, and educational programs. It also offers access to an art-focused library, ROBSON COFFEE (ロブソンコーヒー), and the museum shop amenbo (アメンボ). As operations at these facilities may change, check which services are currently available before your visit.

A Specialty from Gunma Prefecture

A regional specialty is 焼きまんじゅう, a specialty of Gunma Prefecture. The fluffy white dough buns are skewered, brushed with a rich, sweet miso sauce, and grilled until fragrant. Traditionally, they are eaten hot. Alongside parks, art, and history, they offer a taste of the region’s food culture.

Discover more destinations: Tsunago, Tone District, Takasaki, Minakami, Numata, Isesaki, Fujioka, Ueno.

For the overview of the wider region: Gunma Prefecture.