Chatsubomigoke Park – A Velvet Carpet from Another World
In his delightfully honest guidebook "The Candid Travel Guide to Japan’s 47 Prefectures", author Tamaki Miyata strongly (and somewhat mysteriously) recommends this place if you're ever in Gunma: Chatsubomigoke Park. Just pronouncing it was a challenge—I must have Googled the name three times because I kept forgetting it. “Chatsu... what now?” 😅
It’s quite close to Kusatsu Onsen, so if you’re staying in the hot spring town and want a break from the crowds, this could be a perfect side trip. BUT… be warned: after leaving the main road, the drive gets twisty, narrow, and a bit nerve-wracking. I kept thinking, “All this just for moss?!” But hey—turns out it was totally worth it.
To enter the park, you’ll pay a ¥600 fee at the entrance office. From there, you can either walk 30 minutes or take a bus up to the main moss area. Being the lazy explorer I am, I chose the bus 😇
After a 15-minute walk from the Anajigoku (literally "Hell Hole") bus stop, you’ll arrive at the park’s mossy masterpiece.
The pathway is well-maintained and easy to walk on. Even if you're not an experienced hiker, it’s a peaceful stroll.
Because of the summer heat, most of the moss had turned brown when I visited, but the bubbling acid springs and the way they reflected the sky were surreal—like an abstract painting on the ground. I was honestly more captivated by the whole mysterious vibe than the moss itself.
If you're lucky and visit during the right season, you'll see the moss turn into a lush, green velvet carpet. That’s the real magic of this place.
↑ What it should look like in peak season! (Photo from Pixta)
Chatsubomigoke is actually one of the most acid-resistant moss species in the world. It grows in super acidic volcanic water—pH 2.0 to 4.6. Pretty hardcore for something so cute and squishy-looking.
It’s like talking to a random person at a bar, thinking they're just some chill dude… and then boom—he’s worth 1 billion yen or an Olympic gold medalist. That’s Chatsubomigoke for you. 😂
Chatsubomigoke Park is actually home to the largest known colony of this moss in East Asia, and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland in 2021.
On the way back, I found a gorgeous feather on the trail. One of my followers on X told me it’s from a jay—what a cool nature souvenir!
Why Visit Chatsubomigoke Park?
Chatsubomigoke Park is a stunning natural sanctuary in Nakanojo, Gunma Prefecture. Sitting at about 1,200m elevation, it’s famous for its massive colony of Chatsubomigoke moss—a rare species that thrives only in strongly acidic volcanic waters.
Known as the “Velvet Moss Carpet,” this vivid green oasis feels like a portal to another realm. Even if the moss isn’t perfectly green when you visit, the bubbling acid springs and geothermal steam offer plenty of visual drama.
It takes about 30 minutes on foot or a short bus ride plus a scenic 15-minute walk to reach the main spot, Anajigoku. The trail is gentle and filled with nature's surprises—including rare birds and bugs.
If you’re a fan of hidden gems, strange nature, or just want to escape the city, this place is a must.