Things to Do in Kanna (神流町), Gunma: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kanna (神流町) in Gunma Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kanna Dinosaur Center, Roadside Station Manba no Sato, Ryūshōji and served by Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) via the regional hub at Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen). Set at 615 m elevation (36.1117°N, 138.8657°E), Kanna offers travelers a base for sampling regional Mizusawa udon (thick spring-water noodles), Okkirikomi (wide flat noodle stew), Yaki-manju (sweet miso-glazed steamed buns) cuisine and exploring neighboring Kanra (甘楽町) (11.4 km), Ogano (小鹿野町) (11.5 km), Ueno (上野村) (14.1 km), Tomioka (富岡市) (16.6 km).

A footprint of Japan's first dinosaurs was discovered in former Nakasato village, now part of Kanna. Kanna is located in the mountainous southwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture, bordered by Saitama Prefecture to the south. During the Edo period, the area of present-day Kanna was part of the tenryō territory administered directly by the Tokugawa shogunate in Kōzuke Province. Kamikawa village and Nakasato village were established within Minamikanra District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. The economy of Kanna is heavily dependent on agriculture. Within Gunma Prefecture, Kanna (神流町) serves as a town (町) in Gunma Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Kusatsu Onsen (famous Yubatake hot-spring field), Ikaho Onsen stone steps, Shima & Minakami Onsen, UNESCO Tomioka Silk Mill, and Takasaki's Daruma dolls.

What to See & Do in Kanna (神流町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kanna (神流町) from Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) at 615 m elevation (36.1117°N, 138.8657°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kanna):

• Kanna Dinosaur Center — local sightseeing landmark near Kanna (神流町).
• Roadside Station Manba no Sato — local sightseeing landmark near Kanna (神流町).
• Ryūshōji — local sightseeing landmark near Kanna (神流町).
• Sazanamiiwa — local sightseeing landmark near Kanna (神流町).
• Ryōgami San (両神山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kanna (神流町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kanna: Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) (connecting to Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kanna

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kanna (神流町) and Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Gunma Prefecture and Kanto:

• Kanra (甘楽町) — 11.4 km from Kanna (Gunma Prefecture)
• Ogano (小鹿野町) — 11.5 km from Kanna (Saitama Prefecture)
• Ueno (上野村) — 14.1 km from Kanna (Gunma Prefecture)
• Tomioka (富岡市) — 16.6 km from Kanna (Gunma Prefecture)
• Nanmoku (南牧村) — 17.1 km from Kanna (Gunma Prefecture)

Getting to Kanna & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kanna (神流町) via Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km): 50m from Tokyo Station to Takasaki on the Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen, connecting to local JR lines and highway buses to Kusatsu and Ikaho. From Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) to reach central Kanna (36.1117°N, 138.8657°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Maebashi with Kanna (神流町) and neighboring Kanra, Ogano, Ueno. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kanna, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kanna and continuing toward Kanra can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kanna: While Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) anchors public transit for Kanna, picking up a rental car at Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Kanna Dinosaur Center and Roadside Station Manba no Sato with nearby Kanra (甘楽町) (11.4 km), Ogano (小鹿野町) (11.5 km), Ueno (上野村) (14.1 km), Tomioka (富岡市) (16.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kanna (神流町) & Gunma

Dining near Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) and across Kanna (神流町) highlights the regional food culture of Gunma Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kanna:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kanna (神流町): terraced mikan mandarin and citrus groves overlooking the coast alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Mizusawa udon (thick spring-water noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kanna (神流町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Okkirikomi (wide flat noodle stew) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kanna (神流町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Yaki-manju (sweet miso-glazed steamed buns) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kanna (神流町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Joshu wagyu & Tontoro pork — regional specialty enjoyed across Kanna (神流町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Shimonita negi (giant leeks) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kanna (神流町) and Gunma Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kanna (神流町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km).

Where to Stay in Kanna (神流町)

Visitors staying overnight in Kanna (神流町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km), or base at major rail hubs in Maebashi (Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Kanra, Ogano, Ueno for quick train access into Kanna. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kanna & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kanna (神流町, 615 m elevation at 36.1117°N, 138.8657°E): Year-round for hot springs; July–August for cool Oze National Park boardwalks; October for Minakami &谷川岳 (Mount Tanigawa) autumn leaves; winter for snow onsen.

Wider sightseeing across Gunma Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Kanna Dinosaur Center in Kanna (神流町) includes: Kusatsu Onsen (famous Yubatake hot-spring field), Ikaho Onsen stone steps, Shima & Minakami Onsen, UNESCO Tomioka Silk Mill, and Takasaki's Daruma dolls.

Practical Travel Tips for Kanna (神流町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kanna: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen) or Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) for local bus schedules to Kanna Dinosaur Center and walking maps of Kanna (神流町).
• Cash & ATMs in Kanna: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kanna Dinosaur Center often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kanna accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kanna: Around Shimonita Station (下仁田駅) (13.1 km) and neighboring Kanra, Ogano, Ueno, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.