Our accommodation operates on a room-only (no meals included) and self-check-in basis, allowing you to enjoy your stay at your own pace without being bound by schedules.

"How can I best enjoy the city of Maebashi?"

For those wondering, we have put together a walking itinerary that takes you on a complete loop around downtown Maebashi.

You can look up the places you want to visit in advance, or simply peek into charming shops that catch your eye along the way. Enjoy exploring the side of Maebashi that inspires you most.

Bicycles are available for rent exclusively for residents and overnight guests.

[Walking Itinerary] The Maebashi Creative Loop: Where Sensibilities Sprout

Table of Contents

　Feel the City's Pulse & Contemporary Art

　　Maebashi Galleria: Gallery 1 & 2

　　Arts Maebashi

　　SHIROIYA HOTEL

　Savor Local Flavors & Laid-back Moments in the Shopping District

　　GRASSA

　　Parlour Restaurant MOMOYA

　　Tsuki no Kane / Nihonbashi Kaisendon Tsujihan

　　LAUGH COFFEE

　

　Listen to the Masterpiece "Bell" by the Hirose River

　　The Bell of the Sun (by Taro Okamoto)

　　Shikitaro Hagiwara Memorial Maebashi Museum of Literature

　Connect with Words & Rediscover Yourself

　　Book Store Suimon

　　Hon no Ie 2

　Live Like a Local in Maebashi

　　Share Office comm

　　Marue Drug Maebashi Plaza Genki 21

　　Tegamisha Maebashi

　　Donryu Yokocho Alley

The moment you step outside Maebashi Galleria, you are right in the heart of a city that is "Mebuku"(to sprout). Here is a downtown walking route where Maebashi’s rich history, cutting-edge art, and warm daily life intersect.

Feel the city’s pulse and experience cutting-edge art.

The building itself is a masterpiece by one of Japan’s leading architects, Akihisa Hirata. Start your journey right from your doorstep and dive into the Maebashi art scene.

Maebashi Galleria 1F: Gallery 1 & 2

Five of Japan’s leading top-tier galleries are gathered here.

This space offers a luxurious opportunity to immerse yourself in world-class, critically acclaimed contemporary art. Because the exhibitions change regularly, you will encounter diverse new works every time you visit.

Gallery 1: Taka Ishii Gallery (11:00 - 19:00 / Closed Wed, Thu, and National Holidays)
Gallery 2: Art Office Shiobara, Tomio Koyama Gallery, MAKI Gallery, rin art association (11:00 - 19:00 / Closed Mon, Tue, and National Holidays)

A few minutes' walk from the Galleria leads you to two iconic landmarks of the Maebashi art scene.

Arts Maebashi

This public museum, converted from a former commercial building, catches the eye with its innovative punched-metal facade.

Its exhibitions constantly present fresh perspectives, offering plenty of creative inspiration.

Arts Maebashi (10:00 - 18:00 / Closed Wed) | 5-1-16 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

Driven by its core concepts of being "creative, shared, and conversational," the museum hosts seven to eight exhibitions a year, focusing primarily on contemporary art.

The first floor—featuring an archive area for browsing books and documents, a cafe, and a shop—is open to the public for free.

Experience the blossoming spirit of Maebashi as an art city right here.

SHIROIYA HOTEL

Just a short walk from Arts Maebashi along the Babakka River.

This art hotel is a renovation of a historic, 300-year-old traditional inn. It is a place filled with sensory inspiration where you can enjoy the ultimate fusion of art and architecture.

Simply spending time in spaces designed by world-renowned architects and artists will sharpen your creative sensibilities.

SHIROIYA HOTEL | 2-2-15 Honmachi, Maebashi

SHIROIYA the BAKERY (10:00 - 16:00 / Closed Mon, Tue)

Blue Bottle Coffee Shiroiya Cafe (8:00 - 19:00)

Along the Babakka River, you will find Blue Bottle Coffee, SHIROIYA the BAKERY, and an array of other cafes and boutiques.

Establishments that usually command long lines in Tokyo can be enjoyed here in a calm, relaxed, and comfortable atmosphere.

Enjoying the food culture and relaxing intervals of the shopping district.

Follow the Babakka River into the shopping district, where you can tap into the local culinary passion of Maebashi, tailored to whatever you are in the mood for.

If you are craving authentic handmade pasta, head to "GRASSA."

This restaurant chose Maebashi for its very first location in Japan, originating from a popular artisanal pasta shop in Portland, USA. After being featured on television, it quickly became a sensation and is now a wildly popular spot with lines out the door. Come taste the vibrant energy of Maebashi's food scene.

GRASSA (11:30 - 14:00, 18:00 - 21:00 / Closed Mon, Tue) | 2-7-21 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

To immerse yourself in the nostalgia of a classic restaurant beloved by locals, visit "Parlor Restaurant Momoya."

Its comforting, retro Japanese-Western cuisine (yoshoku) will gently soothe your travel fatigue.

Parlor Restaurant Momoya (10:00 - 19:00 / Closed Wed, Thu) | 2-12-2 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

If you want to satisfy your heart and appetite with a carefully crafted curry, go to "Tsuki no Kane."

If you prefer to indulge in luxurious, premium seafood bowls, head to "Tsujihan."

Tsuki no Kane (11:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 21:00 / Open all day on Sat & Sun)

Nihonbashi Kaisendon Tsujihan (11:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 20:00 / Closed Mon)

The surrounding area is filled with many other wonderful dining options. If lunch whets your appetite for more, we highly recommend exploring the town after dark. Lively izakayas (Japanese pubs) buzzing with locals and casual, inviting eateries light up the night.

LAUGH COFFEE

Located in the heart of the shopping district, right across from the Maebashi Central Plaza. Midway through your walk, treat yourself to a meticulously brewed cup of coffee. The gentle flow of time inside the shop provides a peaceful setting to reflect on the inspiring sights you've seen so far.

Featuring a striking, pop-art interior with green accents, it’s a wonderful spot to casually enjoy excellent coffee.

LAUGH COFFEE (10:00 - 18:00 / Closed Mon) | CHOCOLATE 1F, 2-10-1 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

Listen to a master's "bell" by the banks of the Hirose River.

With a coffee in hand, walk a little further to the banks of the Hirose River, a landscape that captures the historic essence of Maebashi. Take your time to enjoy the city’s identity of "water, greenery, and poetry" as you listen to the murmuring river and stroll under the gently swaying willow trees lining both banks.

The Bell of the Sun (by Taro Okamoto)

This golden bell sits atop a 1.5-meter-high mound designed by architect Sou Fujimoto. Originally created in 1966, it found its permanent home here across the decades. Standing before this piece, which radiates powerful vitality, everyone stops to marvel at the deep connection between Maebashi and the world of art.

The Bell of the Sun | 5-18 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

The Hirose River Riverside Green Space features beautifully maintained walking paths along the water, offering a serene and soothing environment true to Maebashi’s moniker as the "City of Water, Greenery, and Poetry."

Sakutaro Hagiwara Memorial Maebashi Museum of Literature

Follow in the footsteps of Sakutaro Hagiwara, the father of modern Japanese poetry, and immerse yourself in the power of words. Combined with the calm atmosphere of the waterfront, it is a luxurious place for quiet reflection.

Sakutaro Hagiwara Memorial Maebashi Museum of Literature (9:00 - 17:00 / Closed Wed)

The riverside path forms a "Path of Poetry," dotted with monuments inscribed with verses by Sakutaro and other local poets, as well as excerpts from winning works of the Sakutaro Hagiwara Award. Words are beautifully scattered all along your walk.

Converse with words and reconnect with yourself.

As you walk onward, inspired by the words of local poets, you will discover unique spaces centered around books. These are perfect spots to quietly reset and clear your mind.

Book Store Suimon

This bookstore specializes in thought-provoking books curated by the book-loving owner, and features an attached cafe space where you can enjoy coffee paired with your reading. Experience the joy of serendipitously discovering a new favorite book amidst the rich aroma of coffee.

Honya Suimon (10:00 - 19:00 / Closed Wed) | 2-12-2 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

Hon no Ie 2

"A single book might make the life of the child who holds it just a little bit richer."

Built upon this heartwarming wish, this is a small shop specializing in children's picture books. The vibrant, colorful world of picture books serves as a wonderful source of inspiration for adults as well.

Hon no Ie 2 (11:00 - 17:00 / Closed Sun, Mon) | Maebashi Nakamachi Kenkyushitsu, 1-2-9 Honmachi, Maebashi

Living like a local in Maebashi.

Once you have explored the town, try experiencing Maebashi not just as a tourist destination, but as if you truly live here.

Share Office "comm"

A co-working space designed to foster connections. It is a hub where Maebashi’s creative minds gather for various purposes, including seminars, lectures, events, parties, and pop-up markets.

Located in front of comm is the "Book Box." Anyone can borrow books here for free at any time, or donate books they would love for others to read.

It was inspired by the "Maebashi BOOK FES," a biennial festival in this shopping district where people bring books that are sitting forgotten at home.

To ensure that the excitement of Maebashi as a "Book Town" continues beyond the festival, these boxes were set up so a "Daily Book Fes" could happen anytime. In addition to the one at comm, you can find these Book Boxes scattered throughout downtown.

Marue Drug (Maebashi Plaza Genki 21 Location)

Within walking distance of the Galleria, this drugstore offers peace of mind by providing quick access to daily necessities, medicine, and drinks, enhancing the quality of your stay. You can also pick up ingredients here to enjoy cooking in your room's private kitchen.

Marue Drug Maebashi Plaza Genki 21 Location (8:00 - Midnight / Open daily) | B1F Miyaken Genki 21 Maebashi, 2-12-1 Honmachi, Maebashi

Tegamisha Maebashi

Tegamisha—which operates variety shops and cafes in Tokyo, Nagano, and Taiwan, and hosts nationwide events like the "Flea Market" and "Paper Expo"—opened its Maebashi branch in March 2023.

Tegamisha Maebashi (11:00 - 18:00 / Closed Mon, Tue) | 1F Miyaken Genki 21 Maebashi, 2-12-1 Honmachi, Maebashi

The shop is stocked with paper goods, original products, and an abundance of carefully selected stationery, including over 200 varieties of pens and practical notebooks. Enjoy a delightful and inspiring time in their spacious store.

Donryu Yokocho

Built shortly after World War II as a symbol of postwar recovery, the historic Donryu Yokocho is a covered alleyway ideal for bar-hopping (hashigozake). It features a nostalgic Showa-era retro atmosphere and is lined with unique establishments spanning various genres.

Donryu Yokocho (17:00 - Midnight / Closed Sun) | 3-9-12 Chiyodacho, Maebashi

Driven by passionate volunteers wishing to restore the vibrant energy of the past, the alleyway's lanterns have been lit once more. Around 15 shops are currently in operation, including traditional host/hostess bars (snack bars), yakitori stands, Mongolian mutton barbecue restaurants, and gyoza spots. Immerse yourself in this classic alleyway culture where people of all generations sit shoulder-to-shoulder and converse freely.

We hope you enjoyed this walking itinerary.

The shops introduced here are just a tiny fraction of what downtown Maebashi has to offer.

Staying at the Galleria gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the extraordinary side of daily life hidden throughout Maebashi.

Maebashi is a city that reveals different facets the more you walk.

Whether it is the swaying willows along the Hirose River or the blend of vintage signs and modern boutiques in the shopping district, every corner is picture-perfect.

With an abundance of great coffee shops, it is also the perfect place to sit on a riverside bench and let time slip by. With a camera or a sketchbook in hand, venture out into the streets of Maebashi to make your very own discoveries.