NIIGATA & GUNMA
Explore a Wild Wonderland
Wander outside of Tokyo to a wilder part of the country, where locals have long lived in harmony with nature. The unspoiled landscapes of Gunma and Niigata are home to an incredible variety of exciting outdoor activities, living art that changes with the seasons, and local delicacies that are sure to please.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass
Day 1
- Tokyo
- Niigata
Day 2
- Niigata
- Gunma
- Tokyo
For this itinerary we recommend visitors utilize the JR TOKYO Wide Pass. This 3-day discount pass allows for unlimited rides on shinkansen, limited express, and other trains in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto areas. It allows for access as far north as Niigata, which makes it the perfect way to explore the two prefectures featured.
About 120 mins
- Walk
Hotel – Tokyo Station
-
JR Joetsu Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Tokyo Station – Echigo Yuzawa Station
-
Express Bus【Additional fare required】
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Kiyotsukyoiriguchi
- Walk
Kiyotsukyoiriguchi – Kiyotsu Gorge
Discover a Place Where Art & Nature Blend Together
Architects and artists have transformed the Kiyotsu Gorge into a natural work of art. Stroll through tunnel installations and gaze upon beautiful seasonal landscapes.
Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel “Tunnel of Light”
2126 Koide, Tokamachi City, Niigata 949-8433
Matsudai Noh Butai
3743-1 Matsudai, Tokamachi City, Niigata 942-1526
08:30 – 16:30 Open Sat., Sun., and holidays in winter.
10:00 – 17:00 Closed Tues. and Wed.
Tell: +81 25-595-6180
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/6950
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/9907
About 40 mins
- Walk
Kiyotsu Gorge – Kiyotsukyoiriguchi
-
Express Bus【Additional fare required】
Kiyotsukyoiriguchi – Echigo Yuzawa Station
Info
Enjoy Sake in the Station of Japan’s Rice Heartland
Located inside Echigo Yuzawa Station, Ponshukan is a store and museum where visitors can sample over 100 kinds of sake from a wall of vending machines!
Echigo Sake Museum Ponshukan
2427-3 Yuzawa, Yuzawamachi, Minamiuonuma, Niigata 949-6101
Email: info@ponshukan.com
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/7110
About 55 mins
-
JR Joetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Matsudai Station
- Walk
Matsudai Station – Matsudai Noh Butai
Info
Fields of Art at Matsudai Noh Butai
The Matsudai Noh Butai combine the beauty of nature with contemporary works of art to create an experience unlike any other.
Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel “Tunnel of Light”
2126 Koide, Tokamachi City, Niigata 949-8433
Matsudai Noh Butai
3743-1 Matsudai, Tokamachi City, Niigata 942-1526
08:30 – 16:30 Open Sat., Sun., and holidays in winter.
10:00 – 17:00 Closed Tues. and Wed.
Tell: +81 25-595-6180
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/6950
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/spot/9907
About 55 mins
- Walk
Matsudai Noh Butai – Matsudai Station
-
JR Joetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Matsudai Station – Echigo Yuzawa Station
- Walk
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Hotel
Info
Soak in the Scenery of Echigo Yuzawa
A stay in one of the many luxurious accommodations in Echigo Yuzawa provides visitors with the chance to enjoy authentic Japanese onsen culture, regardless of the season!
Echigo Yuzawa Onsen Sightseeing Association
2431-1 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101
Email: info@yuzawaonsen.gr.jp
Info
About 45 mins
- Walk
Hotel – Echigo Yuzawa Station
- JR Joetsu Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Jomo-Kogen Station
- Shuttle Bus【No additional fare】
Jomo-Kogen Station – Canyons ltd.
Ride the Rapids in Minakami
The bountiful nature of Minakami offers visitors the chance to enjoy all the thrills nature has to offer. Try whitewater rafting with the experienced guides of Canyons ltd.
Canyons LTD.
45 Yubiso, Minakami-machi, Tone-gun, Gunma 379-1728
About 50 mins
-
Shuttle Bus【No additional fare】
Canyons ltd. – Minakami Station
-
JR Joetsu Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Minakami Station – Numata Station
-
Bus【Additional fare required】
Numata Station – Shimogumi
- Walk
Shimogumi – Kajitsu no Sato Harada Farm
Info
Eat Your Fill of Farm-Fresh Fruit
At Kajitsu no Sato Harada Farm, visitors can enjoy picking a variety of seasonal fruit right off the tree! It doesn’t get any fresher than hand-picked.
Kajitsu no Sato Harada Farm
1294 Yokozuka-machi, Numata City, Gunma 378-0002
Tell: +81 278-22-3991
https://www.visitgunma.jp/en/fruits/
About 80 mins
- Walk
Kajitsu no Sato Harada Farm – Shimogumi
-
Bus【Additional fare required】
Shimogumi – Numata Station
-
JR Joetsu Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Numata Station – Takasaki Station
-
Bus【Additional fare required】
Takasaki Station – Shorinzaniriguchi
- Walk
Shorinzaniriguchi – Daimonya Co.
Info
Get Hands-On with Takasaki Crafts
Daruma are Buddhist good luck charms ubiquitous in Japan, and Takasaki produces the majority of those seen in the country. Daimonya Co. gives visitors the chance to paint their own good luck charm!
Daimonya Co., Ltd.
124-2, Fujizuka-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma 370-0875
Email: daimonya@nifty.com
https://www.daimonya.jp/english/
About 85 mins
- Walk
Daimonya Co. – Gumma-Yawata Station
-
JR Shin-Etsu Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Gumma-Yawata Station – Takasaki Station
-
Joshin Dentetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Takasaki Station – Joshu-Tomioka Station
- Walk
Joshu-Tomioka Station – Tomioka Silk Mill
Info
UNESCO World Heritage Site Tomioka Silk Mill
Japan’s first silk model factory is no longer running, but visitors can come learn about the history and development of the nation’s raw silk industry at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1-1 Tomioka, Gunma 370-2316
（last entrance at 16:30）
About 130 mins
- Walk
Tomioka Silk Mill – Joshu-Tomioka Station
-
Joshin Dentetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Joshu-Tomioka Station – Takasaki Station
-
JR Hokuriku Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Takasaki Station – Tokyo Station
Info