I'm thinking of visiting the ryokans in Takaragawa (Gunma) next month and I'm hoping to get some advice on the easiest way to get from Tokyo to Takaragawa.

It appears there are two different train lines that will get me there. The JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen station or the regular Joetsu line to Minakami station. From there, it look's like I'll have to take a hour long bus to Takaragawa. Is this correct?

Which train line is preferable? I should be able to use either with a JR East railpass, correct? Also, how self-explanatory (for a non-Japanese speaker) is the bus connection? Are bus schedules available online somewhere? Do I purchase a bus ticket in the station or on the bus itself? It seems transportation to this region is sparse, so I certainly wouldn't want to miss the few busses a day that go to Takaragawa.

Thanks so much,
FlyerBeek