Day 30 sees us crossing over to Gunma prefecture, which is the westernmost prefecture of the Kanto region. Like its neighbour Tochigi, Gunma is also a landlocked prefecture and its capital is Maebashi.
1. What does ookan (おおかん) mean in Gunma?
2. What does jiranbou (じらんぼう) mean in Gunma?
3. Name the five prefectures that surround Gunma.
4. What is the name of the onsen (hot spring) region of Gunma where you can bathe in gold- and silver-coloured waters of the hot spring baths and where the first onsen manju desserts (steamed buns filled with bean paste) were invented?
5. What are the three famous mountains of Gunma (Jomo Sanzan; 上毛三山)?
6. What is the name of the largest arched brick bridge in Japan?
7. During the Meiji Restoration, Gunma was renowned for its production of: (a) cotton (b) silk (c) wool
8. Gunma is Japan’s largest producer of: (a) daikon radish (b) wasabi (c) konjac
9. Ginhikari is the highest grade of what type of fish in Gunma that is often served as sashimi?
10. Write a haiku poem that best describes the beauty and charms of Gunma.
Answers for Day 29: (1) a butterfly (2) to warm up, to heat up (3) Shimotsuke Province (aka Yashu) (4) Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖) (5) Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮) (6) Tobu World Square (東武ワールドスクウェア) (7) true (8) gyoza (餃子; fried dumplings) (9) strawberries