The Takasaki Byakui Dai-Kannon proudly stands 41.8 meters tall (137 ft), and weighs around 6,000 tons. Built atop Kannon Hill, and with a perfect view of the entire city, it's a symbol of Takasaki. When it was built in 1936 it was said to be the largest Kannon statue in the Orient, and in present times this spot has also become well-known for its cherry blossoms.

To reach the Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple, you must get on a bus at the fourth boarding area of Takasaki Station’s bus terminal, located by the west exit of Takasaki Station. Get off the bus at the Shorinzan Iriguchi stop (this bus ride takes about 21 minutes).

This temple is famous for being the place of origin for the Takasaki Daruma dolls, of which this city is the largest manufacturer in all of Japan. Apart from the main temple building, where every year daruma dolls are brought as an offering, there's also a whole building dedicated to displaying daruma from all over the country.

From Takasaki Station it takes about 10 minutes to reach Gumma-Yawata Station. Around that area you will find many workshops in which to experience decorating a daruma doll.

The Gunma Prefecture Daruma Manufacturers Cooperative (Daimonya) is about 10 minutes by foot from Gumma-Yawata Station. To use daruma as lucky charms, you must first paint one of their eyes on, and when the wish has been granted, then paint the other eye. At these decoration experience workshops, you can paint the daruma’s entire face and create your very own original daruma to take home as a souvenir.