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

Day1
TOKYO NIIGATA NIIGATA NIIGATA NIIGATA
Day2
NIIGATA GUNMA GUNMA GUNMA 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.

Tokyo Station

About 120 mins

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

Echigo-Tsumari Art Field & Kiyotsu Gorge

Echigo-Tsumari Art Field & Kiyotsu Gorge

A perfect blend of art, culture, and nature only two hours from Tokyo, exploring Niigata’s rich tapestry of outdoor exhibitions makes the ultimate itinerary for the adventurous art lover. (Photo: Ma Y…

MORE
About 40 mins

Walk

Kiyotsu Gorge – Kiyotsukyoiriguchi

Express Bus【Additional fare required】

Kiyotsukyoiriguchi – Echigo Yuzawa Station

Ponshukan Echigo Yuzawa

Ponshukan Echigo Yuzawa

The pure snow of Niigata is well known for helping to create some of the best sake in Japan. And now you can sample over 100 kinds of sake from the region from the convenience of three major train sta…

MORE
About 55 mins

JR Joetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】

Echigo Yuzawa Station – Matsudai Station

Walk

Matsudai Station – Matsudai Noh Butai

Echigo-Tsumari Art Field & Kiyotsu Gorge

Echigo-Tsumari Art Field & Kiyotsu Gorge

A perfect blend of art, culture, and nature only two hours from Tokyo, exploring Niigata’s rich tapestry of outdoor exhibitions makes the ultimate itinerary for the adventurous art lover. (Photo: Ma Y…

MORE
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

Niigata Snow and Ski Resorts

Niigata Snow and Ski Resorts

From the backwoods of Myoko to the slopes of Echigo Yuzawa, Niigata is home to dozens of ski resorts scattered throughout the prefecture. To enjoy one of the country’s coolest snowy getaways, hop on a…

MORE

Niigata Snow and Ski Resorts

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.

Minakami Canyon Water Activities

Minakami Canyon Water Activities

Several exhilarating ways to reconnect with nature and shake off the months of sitting at home can be found at Minakami, one of Japan’s premiere spots for white water rafting and canyoning.

MORE
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

Fruit Picking in Gunma

Fruit Picking in Gunma

Gunma, home to some of the juiciest fruits and vibrant vegetables in Japan, is waiting for travelers to taste the bounty of the region. And we know just the spot to enjoy the seasonality of the prefec…

MORE
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.

Takasaki Daruma

Takasaki Daruma

Daruma, hollow and rounded dolls generally made from paper, are one of Japan’s most enduring lucky icons. In Takasaki, visitors can try their hand at the craft in a workshop led by artisans recognized…

MORE
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

Tomioka Silk Mill

Tomioka Silk Mill

Japan’s first silk model factory is now a place where visitors can come learn about the history and development of the nation’s raw silk industry less than two hours from Tokyo. (Photo provided by Gun…

MORE
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

Tokyo Station

This site uses cookies to improve the user experience. If you continue to browse, you consent to the use of cookies on this site. Accept