Mount Haruna is one of Gunma's most famous mountains. On top of the mountain lies Lake Haruna. The lake is picturesque and draws tourists all year round. However, during the month of December, the annual illumination event at Lake Haruna attracts thousands. Visitors come not just for the lights, but a whole festival that comes with this popular event. Highlights of this illumination include a laser light show and periodic fireworks.
For the 2023 event, fireworks displays will happen on December 15th (Friday), 19th (Tuesday), 22nd (Friday), and 25th (Monday).
Getting there
By public transport: A bus goes from the West exit of JR Takasaki Station to the mountain. It takes about an hour. Alight at the Haruna-jinja (Haruna shrine) bus stop.
By car: The nearest expressway interchange is the Shibukawa Ikaho interchange.
Lynda Hogan @lynda.hogan
Lynda has been in Japan for 20 years and blogging about Saitama on her personal blog insaitama.com for 14 of them. Despite its central location, just North of Tokyo, Saitama is still quite unknown to the international tourist, but frequented by domestic travelers. It is a great place to experien...
