Getting to Takaragawa?
Apr 27, 2007 | 2:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 6,285
Getting to Takaragawa?
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
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
Apr 27, 2007 | 3:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: UA (former CO), TrueBlue, Etc.
Posts: 291
Okay...
The JR East railpass will get you there on either train line.
Your real problem is the bus. You should be able to walk up to someone (preferably in a uniform) in the train station and ask for the location of the bus to Takaragawa Onsen (takaragawa onsen no bassu wa dochira desu ka?).
Osenkaku Ryokan gives this info about bus lines (of course, to their onsen, but...:There's an article from Metropolis that also gives some instructions - http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/412/japantravel.asp
Since a lot of the sites say "There is a bus that will take you directly to Takaragawa Onsen," there's a chance that there will be a sign in English. Additionally, since the various ryokan up there are at least advertising to non-Japanese, it's also possible that they'll have their own signs up to explain.
You can also print out a copy of this map - http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/gu...bunzan_map.gif - and you could always point to the place you want to go and show it to someone.
(Clearly, I'm supposed to be studying for an exam tomorrow.)
The JR East railpass will get you there on either train line.
Your real problem is the bus. You should be able to walk up to someone (preferably in a uniform) in the train station and ask for the location of the bus to Takaragawa Onsen (takaragawa onsen no bassu wa dochira desu ka?).
Osenkaku Ryokan gives this info about bus lines (of course, to their onsen, but...:
It is about a 2 hour and 15 minute ride from JR Ueno train station in Tokyo to JR Minakami train station.
From JR Minakami train station on the Joetsu Rail Line, go out the exit and turn right. There are several bus stops outside the station. Get on the bus bound for "Takaragawa Onsen" and it leaves JR Minakami train station at 14:25 and 16:25. These times change from season to season so please see your confirmation e-mail for more accurate times. When you get on the bus, tell the driver you wish to go to Takaragawa Onsen (they speak a little English). It is a short walk from the Takaragawa Onsen Bus Stop to Osenkaku.
If you cannot make these 2 buses there is another route. Take the Kanetsu Kotsu Bus (bound for Yunokoya) at JR Minakami train station, and this bus will take you to Takaragawa Iriguchi Bus Stop. It is about a 30 minute bus ride. At Takaragawa Iriguchi Bus Stop take the yellow shuttle bus to Takaragawa Onsen (only a 3 minute bus ride). Check-in time at Osenkaku is after 14:00 so please take the Kanetsu Kotsu Bus leaving from JR Minakami train station at one of the following times: 13:41, 15:47, and 16:45. These times also change from season to season so please see your confirmation e-mails for more accurate times.
From JR Minakami train station on the Joetsu Rail Line, go out the exit and turn right. There are several bus stops outside the station. Get on the bus bound for "Takaragawa Onsen" and it leaves JR Minakami train station at 14:25 and 16:25. These times change from season to season so please see your confirmation e-mail for more accurate times. When you get on the bus, tell the driver you wish to go to Takaragawa Onsen (they speak a little English). It is a short walk from the Takaragawa Onsen Bus Stop to Osenkaku.
If you cannot make these 2 buses there is another route. Take the Kanetsu Kotsu Bus (bound for Yunokoya) at JR Minakami train station, and this bus will take you to Takaragawa Iriguchi Bus Stop. It is about a 30 minute bus ride. At Takaragawa Iriguchi Bus Stop take the yellow shuttle bus to Takaragawa Onsen (only a 3 minute bus ride). Check-in time at Osenkaku is after 14:00 so please take the Kanetsu Kotsu Bus leaving from JR Minakami train station at one of the following times: 13:41, 15:47, and 16:45. These times also change from season to season so please see your confirmation e-mails for more accurate times.
Since a lot of the sites say "There is a bus that will take you directly to Takaragawa Onsen," there's a chance that there will be a sign in English. Additionally, since the various ryokan up there are at least advertising to non-Japanese, it's also possible that they'll have their own signs up to explain.
You can also print out a copy of this map - http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/gu...bunzan_map.gif - and you could always point to the place you want to go and show it to someone.
(Clearly, I'm supposed to be studying for an exam tomorrow.)
Apr 27, 2007 | 9:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sunny Place
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 1,655
I traveled to Takaragawa via a tourist bus from Shinjuku Station. You might consult the English language websites for tour companies, to do the same. The cost is higher, but the stress is less. Incidentally, that particular onsen experience was the coolest Japan experience of my life.
Apr 28, 2007 | 9:48 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sunny Place
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 1,655
I only went for a day trip, and I travelled with a Japanese friend. So...I didn't have to do any thinking and didn't learn anything except what my friend thought was important. So...I don't think there is anything I can add to help your planning. What made my trip so spectacular was is was in winter (almost spring), and all the onsen pools were outside. So, we were surrounded by snow and there was a bit of ice on the paths. It was a Japanese monkey-like experience. The onsen we used had IIRC three co-ed pools and one single sex pool. In the co-ed pools, people mostly wrapped themselves in towels, for modesty purposes. The exception was for the elderly, and frankly, no one is gawking at them.
I'm visiting Japan, next week, and have no plans other than to fly into and out of NRT.
I'm visiting Japan, next week, and have no plans other than to fly into and out of NRT.