Discover Numata: Festivals, Castle and Architectural History

Numata offers several distinct ways to explore the city: the Numata Festival brings together a Gion festival with roots in the Edo period and the Numata Matsuri Shōkōsai business festival; in Numata Park, parts of the castle grounds recall the former castle. Historic homes and the former church add to this picture. You can plan your trip around a festival, architecture or the city's history.

Festival culture and striking processions

In central Numata, the Numata Festival brings together the Gion festival of Suga Shrine, which dates back to the Edo period, and the Numata Matsuri Shōkōsai business festival. The festival includes processions featuring magnificently decorated Mandō floats. Another striking feature is the Tengu mikoshi: a portable shrine bearing a large Tengu mask, carried exclusively by about 300 women. These details give the festival its distinctive character. If the Numata Festival is the reason for your trip, check the dates of the relevant program as you plan.

Castle history and Numata Park

Numata Castle was built over about three years, beginning in 1532, by Akihiro, the twelfth head of the Numata clan of the Miura line. Numata Park contains parts of the former main bailey, the outer bailey, and the second and third baileys. Part of the outer bailey is located on the grounds of Numata Elementary School and Numata Girls' High School. These locations distinguish the areas of the former castle, which are now spread across different sites.

Numata Park is also home to stone statues of Sanada Nobuyuki and his wife, Komatsu-hime. Around 200 cherry trees grow there; the old Edo Higan cherry tree, Goten-zakura, is the park's symbol. The former Ubukata House, a merchant's home dating from the late 17th century, is also in the park. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan on June 17, 1970, and moved to its present location in Numata Park in 1973. Its construction, designation and subsequent relocation are distinct stages in its history.

Architecture and historic buildings

The former western residence of the Kume family is one of Japan's earliest examples of a concrete residential building. It draws on the Secession style, an art movement that emerged in Western Europe in the late 19th century. The building's construction and style offer two different ways to explore it. The former Toki family residence also has a notable historical connection: its western section was built by descendants of the last feudal lord of the Numata domain.

The former memorial hall of Numata Church was built in 1914 and registered as a tangible cultural property on April 21, 1998. Until August 2006, it was used as the “Sekiguchi Kō Kiri-e Museum.” Among the surviving Christian church buildings in Gunma Prefecture, the former Numata Church is older than all except Nakuta Church (1887) and Shimamura Church (1897). Its construction date, former use and place in this comparison offer different perspectives on the region's church and architectural history.

Seasonal harvest experiences

For a different focus, consider seasonal fruit-picking opportunities. At Someya Apple Orchard, guests can pick seasonal apples and eat them right there. In Numata, seasonal fruit-picking options range from cherries in early summer to strawberries in winter. Harvest periods vary, so if you plan to travel for this, check the dates in advance.

These activities offer different starting points for planning: for the Numata Festival, the event date matters; for fruit picking, it is the relevant season. Castle and architectural history offer a different focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fujioka, Kawawa, Tsunago, Minakami, Isesaki, Maebashi, Tone District, Tomioka.

For the main travel overview: Gunma Prefecture.